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Distress beacons
Beacon types and models

Distress beacons

Beacon types and models

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) recommends beacons with Global Positioning System (GPS). 121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer detected. You must carry a digital 406 MHz distress beacon. Find out why GPS is best.

Types of beacons

The information below is written for an Australian-based audience. See using your beacon for information on beacon activation overseas, noting that some countries consider Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) carriage and activation illegal on land.

If you're not sure which beacon to use, see our guide on choosing the right beacon.

	PLB	EPIRB	ELT
Full name	Personal Locator Beacon	Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon	Emergency Locator Transmitter
Usage	Land, maritime, air	Maritime, land, air	Air
Description	PLBs are smaller and easier to transport than other beacons, and are designed to be worn or carried by individuals rather than vehicles. In some cases, PLBs do not meet carriage requirements for maritime vessels travelling more than 2 nautical miles from the coast. PLBs may be carried in place of an ELT. Refer to CASA for further details.	In most states, EPIRBs are required for boats that travel more than 2 nautical miles from the coast. EPIRBs may also be used on land or carried in place of an ELT. Go to our page on float-free EPIRBs for more information.	ELTs are designed to be fitted to aircraft. In some cases, EPIRBs or PLBs may be carried in place of an ELT. Refer to CASA for further details.
Hours of operation*	24 hours	48 hours	24 hours

*Hours of operation refers to the minimum amount of time that your beacon will continuously transmit a signal after it has been activated.

121.5 MHz beacons no longer detected by satellite

121.5 MHz distress beacons are no longer detected by satellite and are no longer licensed for use.

Replace your old 121.5 MHz beacon to a GPS 406 MHz distress beacon as soon as possible.

Do not risk your life by relying on a 121.5 MHz distress beacon.

Don’t forget to dispose of your old beacon correctly and register your replacement beacon.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

This list is provided as a courtesy, showing Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) distress beacon models that, if purchased in Australia, are known to meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 4280.1. We recommend EPIRBs are purchased in Australia to ensure compliance with the National System carriage requirements and registration with AMSA. These standards are maintained by Standards Australia. To find out more about any beacon model, see the manufacturer's website. To find out about Float-free EPIRBs, see our float-free EPIRB page.

There may be additional beacons that meet standards that do not yet appear on this page.

AMSA does not endorse any particular brand or model of distress beacon.

Discontinued EPIRB models

RLB35 Globalfix 406
RLB27 Satellite 406
RLB33 Rapidfix 406
MT400
MT401
TRON 30S
TRON 40S and GPS
406 WH, S, WS & FH
406 PRO Series
406 M
406 Manual/Auto
Pains Wessex Res-Q-Sat RB6
SA1 Safety Alert
SA3G Safety Alert
E3 SOS RESCUE
G4 SOS PRECISION
MT403FF
MT403G

PLB

This list is provided as a courtesy, showing Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) distress beacon models that, if purchased in Australia, are known to meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 4280.2. These standards are maintained by Standards Australia. To find out more about any beacon model, see the manufacturer's website.

There may be additional beacons that meet standards that do not yet appear on this page.

AMSA does not endorse any particular brand or model of distress beacon.

Note: PLBs are not considered a substitute for EPIRBs when adhering to State and Territory marine carriage regulations.