Beacon types and models

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.

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

Return Link Service (RLS) enabled beacons

What is RLS?

An activated RLS enabled beacon receives an automatic acknowledgement that their 406 MHz distress alert and location has been received. When the RLS enabled beacon receives the Return Link Message (RLM) it provides the user with reassurance the distress alert has been received. This is visible on the beacon e.g. coloured flashing light. The RLM does not mean that a rescue has been coordinated or launched. 

How does RLS work?

The RLS enabled beacon contains a receiver capable of decoding a RLM from a Cospas-Sarsat recognised RLS Provider.

The 406 MHz distress alert is received by the Mission Control Centre (MCC) and automatically directed to the RLS Provider(s). They transmit the RLM to the RLS enabled beacon.

Below is a diagram of how RLS is integrated into Cospas-Sarsat.  The RLS Provider oversees the interface between the Mission Control Centre and its infrastructure, enabling the transmission of RLM requests to satellites in view of the RLS enabled beacon.

Further RLS information is available on the Cospas-Sarsat website or beacon manufacturers.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) capable beacons

What is AIS?

The automatic identification system, or AIS, is a system of maritime communication devices that enable vessels and shore-based stations to send and receive identifying information to aid in situational awareness or collision avoidance. This identifying information can be displayed on a vessel’s AIS receiver. To support search and rescue, AIS is now being equipped in 406 MHz EPIRBs and PLBs.

What is the benefit of an AIS-equipped EPIRB or PLB?

AIS-equipped vessels within VHF range are notified of the beacon activation and provided information about the location of the activation. This allows nearby vessels with an AIS receiver to respond. In some cases, especially for a person overboard, this could be the quickest way for a rescue to take place, provided the vessel is equipped with an AIS receiver to be able to track the AIS beacon.

AIS -equipped EPIRBs and PLBs are now available in Australia.

How does an AIS EPIRB or PLB work?

AIS- equipped EPIRBs and PLBs transmit on 406 MHz, 121.5 MHz (the international aviation distress frequency and utilised for local homing by aircraft) and AIS.

The HEX ID and position details are transmitted on 406 MHz. When a beacon is activated the signal is detected by the global Cospas-Sarsat satellite system and relayed to the AMSA Rescue Coordination Centre, which then coordinates a rescue response.

Every beacon is pre-programmed by the manufacturer with a PLB AIS User ID 972xxyyyy or EPIRB AIS User ID 974xxyyyy. This is labelled on the beacon near the HEX ID. The AIS User ID can be registered on the AMSA beacon register alongside the beacon HEX ID.

When an AIS-equipped EPIRB and PLB beacon is activated, vessels within communication range will receive the AIS User ID and a symbol will display on the AIS receiver as a circle with a red cross. The text associated with the symbol allows users to determine if the activation is ‘active’ or a ‘test’.

Further AIS EPIRB and PLB information is available on beacon manufacturers’ websites.

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.

Personal Locator Beacon (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.

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.