Useage
Why use a distress beacon?
Distress beacons save lives - in some cases
it's the law. Most boats travelling more than
two nautical miles from land must carry a 406 MHz
EPIRB. Aircraft are also required under CASA
regulations to carry an ELT in flight. Check your
Commonwealth, State or Territory authority for
the specific regulations applicable to you.
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When should a distress beacon be used?
Distress beacons should only be used when
there is a threat of grave and imminent danger.
In the event of an emergency, communication
should first be attempted with others close
by using radios, phones and other signalling
devices. Mobile phones can be used but should
not be relied upon as they can be out of range,
have low batteries or become water-damaged.
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What if 121.5 MHz beacons are used after 1 February 2009
With the satellite system no longer receiving alerts from 121.5 MHz from 1 February 2009, over-flying aircraft are the only means of detecting activated analogue beacons. In some areas within the Australian search and rescue region this could amount to days rather than hours before a 121.5 MHz beacon could be heard. In some circumstances, the 121.5 MHz beacon may not be detected at all. Not all aircraft 'listen' to the 121.5 MHz frequency and those that do are generally very high flyers. As a consequence, the search area resulting from these detections could be very large and it would take rescue authorities considerable time and resources to localise the distress signal. This would also apply to distress beacons activated directly under a well used flight path.
Where should distress beacons be stowed?
Distress beacons are stowed depending on the
type. Some have mounting brackets, some
are installed permanently and some are carried
in pockets or life vests. It is important to keep
distress beacons away from:
- items that may accidentally knock the
activation switch;
- magnetic sources, such as microphones and
radio speakers;
- high pressure water sprays; and
- children who may play with the beacon.
In a boat, a distress beacon should be stowed
in its mounting bracket where it is visible and
easy to access in an emergency or in a grab bag
along with flares, a torch or strobe and other
safety equipment. If possible keep it out of the
weather and locked away when the vessel is not
in use. An additional beacon can be stowed in
any inflatable life raft carried in the vessel. When
storing an EPIRB, ensure it is correctly stowed
in its bracket as a number of EPIRBs have water
activated switches that are armed when the
EPIRB is removed from its bracket or incorrectly
replaced in its bracket.
Note: If an EPIRB is to be stowed in a grab bag
or out of its bracket you should use a manually
operated EPIRB. Water activated EPIRBs should
always be stowed in their brackets correctly when
not in use to avoid inadvertent activation even if
stowed below. |
On land, PLBs are to be physically carried
on the body or within easy reach or, if in a
vehicle, stowed in a glove box or other safe and
accessible compartment.
In an aircraft, ELTs are usually hard-wired
into the aircraft and mounted in a rack. CASA
regulations allow pilots flying General Aviation
aircraft to carry a PLB as an alternative to an ELT.
These should be carried on the pilot's person so
that if involved in a crash, the PLB is within easy
reach even if they are thrown clear of the aircraft
Pilots should listen on 121.5 MHz before shutting
down in case their ELT has been activated
during the landing. If activated, the ELT should
be switched off and the Rescue Coordination
Centre (RCC)-Australia immediately notified by
calling 1800 815 257. There is no penalty for
inadvertent activations.
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