Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:24:16 -0500, L wrote:


EPIRBs are good but have several issues. Cost is coming down but
still in the $600 range. They also require federal registration and
periodic renewal/update. The big issue however is response time. It
will take at least an hour or two before search assets are deployed,
probably longer. That is too long if you're in cold water offshore.

Last but not least are sea conditions and boat handling. Were they
out in unsuitable conditions for the boat? Given the outcome, almost
certainly. There was no mention of boat size so we can only guess.



Good points but an EPIRB can be rented from Boat US, and others I'm sure.

How many of your fishing buddies will go down to Boat US and rent an
EPIRB everytime they want to go fishing a few miles out?

An even bigger issue is response time. There is a whole chain of
procedures that are followed when an EPIRB alert is received. This
is done to verify ownership and registration of the unit, and attempt
to ascertain if the alert is likely to be genuine. If you are lucky,
the unit is properly registered, and if a USCG rescue asset is nearby,
they might get to you in an hour or two. That's OK if you're sitting
in a life raft or dressed in an immersion suit but not if you are in
cold water with no protection.

The real problem is that guys get in over their head with conditions
not suitable for the boat, or in a boat that is not well
prepared/operated.


Around here, many people who frequently travel offshore own their own
EPIRBs and the USCG has a station at the inlet I use. Water temp is
rarely in the low 70's.