About the EPIRBWhat Everyone Ought to Know About EPIRB Distress Beacons The 121.5/243 MHz (Now obsolete) and 406 MHz units are what is termed COSPAS-SARSAT compatible. This is a world-wide satellite assisted (Search and Rescue) SAR system that is designed for the location of distress transmissions emitted from ships and yachts. The 406 MHz beacons are able to have a unique identification code imbedded within the distress message so that exact yacht or vessel data can be included, and that means SAR people know exactly what they are looking for. The beacon is generally the first GMDSS compatible piece of marine-electronics communications equipment that is purchased for the yacht What is GMDSS? GMDSS incorporates the COSPAS/SARSAT system as an integral part of the distress communications system. The acronym is based on the former Soviet "Space System for Search of Distress Vessels" and the American "Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking." Under GMDSS if a vessel does not carry a satellite L-band EPIRB in sea areas A1, A2, and A3 (described earlier), then a 406 MHz beacon is required operating in the COSPAS-SARSAT system. This unit must have hydrostatic release and float-free capability. The system is a worldwide satellite-assisted SAR system for location of distress transmissions emitted by beacons on the 121.5/243 MHz and 406 MHz frequencies, where 121.5 kHz is an aircraft homing frequency and 243 MHz is a military distress frequency that enables military aircraft to assist in SAR operations. The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is an essential item of safety equipment for any offshore vessel.
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