Essential Distress Beacon Information
SupplyWarning
Legislation
Search and Rescue
After 1 Feb 2010, old analogue EPIRBs and PLBs operating on 121.5 MHz are no longer licenced for use.
From 1 February 2009, 121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer detected by satellite – you must switch to a 406 MHz distress beacon as soon as possible. Do not risk your life by using a 121.5 MHz distress beacon.
Supply
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has done everything that it can to stimulate supply of 406 MHz distress beacons that meet Australian Standards. Ultimately, market supply is a matter for manufacturers and distributors. If you experience shortage of supply please contact the manufacturers and distributors directly.
A list of distress beacon models approved and available for sale in Australia can be viewed here.
Warning
121.5 MHz distress beacons should no longer be offered for sale without the seller advising you that they will no longer be licenced for distress alerting from 1 February 2009 and will no longer be detected by satellite from this date. Please advise AMSA if you are offered a 121.5 MHz distress beacon without an appropriate warning.
121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer a suitable distress alerting device.
Legislation
State and Territory marine authorities regulate recreational vessels and fishing vessels within their jurisdiction. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulates aircraft.
Please address any questions about enforcement of 406 MHz distress beacon carriage regulations to your relevant State or Territory authority.
Search and Rescue
From 1 February 2009, 121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer be detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. The 121.5 MHz signal will only be detected by chance over flight by aircraft that listen on this frequency. There is no guarantee that the signal will be detected – and it may never be heard. For more information, click here.
Do not risk your life on a 121.5 MHz beacon.
AMSA advises boat users not to go beyond 2 nautical miles from shore without a 406 MHz distress beacon or we may not be able to locate you if you find yourself in a distress situation. Please ensure you register your 406 MHz distress beacon with AMSA.
