About EPIRBs, PLBs and ELTs

406 MHz beacons are detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. This affects all maritime beacons (EPIRBs), all aviation beacons (ELTs) and all personal beacons (PLBs). The decision to terminate 121.5/243 MHz processing was made in October 2000 at the 25th Session of the Cospas-Sarsat Council (CSC-25).

How will a 406MHz distress beacon help save your life?

• It works. Only 406MHz distress beacons are monitored by satellite.
• It’s faster. Once activated, the signal from a 406MHz distress beacon is picked up almost instantly by satellite. The satellites supporting the old 121.5MHz and 243MHz distress beacons have been deactivated and can can no longer determine your location - this could cost you your life.
• It’s more Accurate. 406MHz distress beacons give rescuers a search area of approximately 20 square kilometres. However, we strongly recommend GPS equipped EPIRB’s as they reduce the search area down to only a few square metres. This takes the ‘search’ out of search and rescue, and increases your chances of survival. Any 406MHz beacon is a huge improvement on the old 121.5/243MHz beacons.
• It brings the right response. With 406MHz distress beacons, alerts are cross-referenced against a database of registered owners. Having this information improves rescuers’ ability to help you in an emergency, and to respond appropriately. Being able to contact you (or a person you nominate) also saves time and resources from being wasted on false alerts – out of the 1300 121.5MHz activations in the last two years, only 9% were for a real emergency.

EPIRBS AT Sea

From 1 JULY 2008, it was made compulsory to carry registered 406MHz EPIRB’s for some classes of vessels In basic terms, If you were required to carry a 121.5MHz EPIRB, then you should have already upgraded to a 406MHz EPIRB.

What is an EPIRB?

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are distress beacons designed for maritime environments. They are waterproof and designed to float upright in water. Some require manual activation and have additional safety devices, such as strobe lights. Others are self-activating and will float free in the event of an emergency. The battery life of an EPIRB is normally twice as long as a PLB.

What kind of 406MHz EPIRB do I need?

There is a wide range of beacons suitable for marine use. Some are activated manually, while others will float free and activate automatically if the vessel sinks. In some cases a smaller, waterproof Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) may be suitable and can also be used for other purposes such as tramping, climbing, gliding and other outdoor activities. PLB’s are small enough to fit in your pocket and are activated manually but most do not float and have a shorter battery-life than EPIRB’s.

We strongly recommend you purchase a beacon with in-built GPS as this dramatically improves their accuracy. This means your location can be identified by Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand on the first contact with a satellite. Without GPS it would require two satellites to pick up your beacon signal, to resolve the ambiguity of the satellite positions. The time between satellite passes varies greatly, ranging between 20 minutes and 4.5 hours.

Maritime New Zealand Rules for EPIRBS

Pleasure vessels:
Offshore pleasure vessels heading overseas are already required to carry a 406MHz EPIRB. Yachts undertaking coastal races where Category 2 or 3 safety rules apply must carry a 406MHz EPIRB from 1 February 2009. For further advice, contact the recreational boating team at recreationalboating@maritimenz.govt.nz

Commercial vessels:
For some classes of vessels, it became compulsory to carry registered 406MHz EPIRB’s from 1 July 2008. To determine if that applies to you, please contact your nearest Maritime New Zealand advisor or check out the relevant rules at http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/ In basic terms, if you were required to carry a 121MHz or 243MHz EPIRB, then you are now required to upgrade it to a 406MHz EPIRB.

For more information on the rules, please contact your nearest Maritime New Zealand advisor or visit http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/

What kind of EPIRB do I have now?

If you don’t know what kind of EPIRB you have already, please take the time to have a look at it soon. Somewhere on its body it will be marked with an operating frequency. If it doesn’t say 406MHz, it will more than likely need to be replaced. If in doubt, take it to an EPIRB supplier for verification. See the suppliers’ page on this website for your local beacon supplier.

Where should I keep my EPIRB?

This depends on the type of EPIRB and where you are installing it.

On Boats:
If your EPIRB comes with a mounting bracket, place it where it is visible and easy to access in an emergency. If the EPIRB and mount have a magnetic activated mounting switch ensure that the two magnets are “face to face”. Make sure the EPIRB stays dry and keep it locked away when nobody is onboard. If you are using a PLB, you must keep it on your person.

In the life raft:
If you have an inflatable life raft onboard, an additional beacon can be stored inside the raft.

Keep the beacon away from:
* Equipment that may accidentally knock the activation switch.
* Magnetic sources, such as microphones and radio speakers (some beacons are activated by a magnetic on/off switch).
* High water pressure.
* Children who may accidentally turn it on.

Note: If you are moving beacons, always make sure they are in the 'safe' or 'off' mode.

Don't buy a foreign 406!

Each country has an individual 406 code. When you purchase a 406MHz distress beacon, make sure it is coded for New Zealand. The New Zealand Country Code is 512. If you buy one from overseas or over the Internet, it could be an expensive mistake. When it is activated the satellite may notify the wrong rescue coordination centre which could mean a long, potentially life-threatening delay in your rescue.

Remember – It is vital that you register your new beacon

This means Search and Rescue can contact you or a person you nominate to verify activation. This can improve search response time and help cut down on false alarms. Once your beacon is registered, you will need to keep your details up to date and notify the register if the beacon changes ownership.

There are two easy ways to register your 406MHz beacon:
1   Fill out the online 406 registration form.
2   Or download the .PDF registration form, complete it and post, email or fax your form to:
                 Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand
                 PO Box 30050
                 Lower Hutt 5040
                 New Zealand
                 Fax: +64 4 577 8041
                 Phone 0800 406 111 or email 406registry@maritimenz.govt.nz to make registration enquiries.

Disposing of old beacons

Old EPIRB’s need to be correctly disposed of in case they accidentally activate and trigger a false alarm. Active beacons have been found at the bottom of rubbish tips, triggering expensive and unnecessary search operations. There is also the risk that someone may think one of the old 121.5MHz EPIRB’s is a useful safety device.

It is also important to the environment that beacons are disposed of correctly. The batteries are normally toxic and must be disposed of in accordance with the relevant regulations. Please take the batteries out before disposing of an old beacon or return it to your beacon retailer.
If you sell or dispose of a registered 406 MHz beacon, please let RCCNZ know by phoning 0800 406 111.

PLBs on Land

From February 2009, the signal from 121.5MHz and 243MHz Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s) will no longer be monitored by satellite.

This means if you need help in an emergency and try to use an old beacon to alert rescuers, the satellites will have no way of hearing you. The signal is already unreliable as there are fewer satellites monitoring the old frequencies.

Don’t leave it too late to upgrade – switch to a digital 406MHz PLB now.

What is a PLB?

Personal Locator Beacons are designed for personal use, mainly by bushwalkers, cross-country vehicle clubs, mountaineers and other adventurers on land. They can also be used in light aircraft, gliders, hot air balloons and in some maritime situations.
They’re small enough to fit in your pocket and are activated manually.

What kind of 406MHz PLB do I need?

There is a wide range of beacons available for land use. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s) are for trampers, climbers, four-wheel drivers and other outdoors people. PLB’s are also suitable for very small aircraft, gliders and in some maritime situations. They’re small enough to fit in your pocket and are activated manually.

We strongly recommend you purchase a PLB with in-built GPS as this dramatically improves their accuracy. This means your location can be identified by RCCNZ on the first contact with a satellite. Without GPS it would require two satellites to pick up your beacon signal, to resolve the ambiguity of the satellite positions. The time between satellite passes varies greatly, ranging between 20 minutes and 4.5 hours.

For marine-only situations we recommend the marine version called an EPIRB as most PLB’s do not float. Also, the batteries in EPIRB’s last approximately twice as long as those in a PLB.

Where should I keep my PLB?

Tramping, climbing, & adventure sports:
On your person. Do not keep it in clothing or pieces of equipment that might get left behind or dropped in an accident.

4x4 wheel driving:
In the glove box or another safe and accessible compartment - preferably somewhere it is free from vibration, which could cause accidental activation in rough terrain.

In the air:
If you are using a PLB in any kind of aircraft, you must keep it on your person.

At sea:
If you are using a PLB in a maritime situation, you must keep it on your person.

Don't buy a foreign 406!

Each country has an individual 406 code. When you purchase a 406MHz distress beacon, make sure it is coded for New Zealand. The New Zealand Country Code is 512. If you buy one from overseas or over the Internet, it could be an expensive mistake. When it is activated the satellite may notify the wrong rescue coordination centre which could mean a long, potentially life-threatening delay in your rescue.

Remember – It is vital that you register your new beacon.

This means Search and Rescue can contact you or a person you nominate to verify activation. This can improve search response time and help cut down on false alarms. Once your beacon is registered, you will need to keep your details up to date and notify the register if the beacon changes ownership.

How to register your PLB

There are two easy ways to register your 406MHz beacon:
1    Fill out the online 406 registration form.
2    Or download the .PDF registration form, complete it and post, email or fax your form to:
               Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand
               PO Box 30050
               Lower Hutt 5040
               New Zealand
               Fax: +64 4 577 8041
               Phone 0800 406 111 or email 406registry@maritimenz.govt.nz to make registration enquiries.

Disposing of your old PLB

It’s important to dispose of your old 121.5 or 243MHz PLB properly. If you do not, it could still be accidentally activated, causing an unnecessary search and rescue operation. There is also the risk that someone may think one of the old 121.5MHz PLB’s is a useful safety device.
Old PLB’s need to have their battery disconnected and then be disposed of in accordance with local regulation, as many contain hazardous materials. See this website for a list of suppliers who will help you dispose of your old beacon safely. Some of these suppliers may offer trade in deals.
If you sell or dispose of a registered 406 MHz PLB, please let RCCNZ know by phoning 0508 472 269.

ELTS in the Air

On July 1 2008, it became compulsory for all New Zealand registered aircraft to be equipped with a properly installed, registered, automatic 406MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). Aircraft that don’t comply with this rule will not be able to operate.

What is an ELT?

Emergency Location Transmitters (ELT’s) are designed for aviation use. They are hard-wired into the aircraft. They are fitted to activate on impact or can be activated manually.

What kind of ELT do I need?

There is a wide range of ELTs available for use in the air. The best ELT’s have GPS coordinates integrated into their signal, which dramatically improves their accuracy. This means your location can be identified by Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand on the first contact with a satellite. Without GPS it would require two satellites to pick up your beacon signal, to resolve the ambiguity of the satellite positions. The time between satellite passes varies greatly, ranging between 20 minutes and 4.5 hours.

In some situations you could also use a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). PLBs are small enough to fit in your pocket and are activated manually. They are also available either as standard models or with the addition of GPS. This information serves as a guideline only. You will need to discuss your ELT requirements with your aircraft maintainer.

Civil Aviation ELT Rule Synopsis

Aircraft (General):
Commencing 1 July 2008, with certain exceptions, all New Zealand registered aircraft must be equipped with a properly installed, registered automatic 406MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) in order to operate. Aircraft being ferried to a place to have a 406MHz ELT installed, with no passengers onboard are exempt.

Aircraft (1 seat):
Commencing 1 July 2008, one seat aircraft will not require a registered automatic 406MHz ELT if the pilot is carrying a registered 406MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter–Survival (ELT(S)), or a registered 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Gliders and Microlights:
Commencing 1 July 2008, gliders and microlights will not require a registered automatic 406MHz ELT if at least one (1) person is carrying a registered 406MHz (ELT(s)) or a registered 406MHz PLB. A glider or powered aircraft, including a microlight, with no more than two (2) seats, is not required to have a registered automatic 406MHz ELT, an ELT(s) or a PLB, if they remain within 10 nm of their aerodrome but are strongly advised to at least carry a 406MHz PLB.

Balloons:
Manned free balloons are not required to be equipped with a 406MHz ELT or PLB but are strongly advised to at least carry a PLB.
Where should I keep it? This depends on the type of beacon and where you are using it.

Aircraft:
ELT’s come with a mounting bracket and should be mounted and permanently hard-wired into the aircraft. PLB’s carried by the pilot should be readily accessible.
Keep the beacon away from:
*  Equipment that may accidentally knock the activation switch.
*  Magnetic sources, such as microphones and radio speakers (some beacons are activated by a magnetic on/off switch).
*  High water pressure.
*  Children who may accidentally turn it on.
Note: If you are moving beacons, always make sure they are in the 'safe' or 'off' mode.
Both ELT’s and PLB’s should be checked before and after flight to ensure they have not been activated accidentally.

False alarms

Be aware of false alarms - beacons carried on aircraft can be activated automatically by shock when an aircraft makes a 'hard landing', taxies or is moved over a rough surface. If the beacon is accidentally activated, switch it off and advise RCCNZ immediately by ringing 0508 472 269. Remember there's no penalty but you can save considerable search effort by making an early phone call.

Maintenance

406MHz ELT’s have to be tested and inspected every 12 months or 100 hours of air time. This is normally carried out from the cockpit. Because this test involves transmissions from the beacon it must not last longer than five seconds. PLBs should be tested and inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

What will happen with the 121.5MHz signal?

While the 121.5MHz signal will continue to be monitored by over flying aircraft and the frequency will still be used for directional purposes, from February 2009, 121.5MHz will NOT be monitored by satellites, so an alert may not be raised and the satellites will no longer be able to provide a search area.

Don't buy a foreign 406!

Each country has an individual 406 code. When you purchase a 406MHz distress beacon, make sure it is coded for New Zealand. The New Zealand Country Code is 512. If you buy one from overseas or over the Internet, it could be an expensive mistake. When it is activated the satellite may notify the wrong rescue coordination centre which could mean a long, potentially life-threatening delay in your rescue.
Remember - you must register your new beacon.

This means Search and Rescue can contact you to verify activation. This can improve search response time and help cut down on false alarms. Once your beacon is registered, you will need to keep your details up to date and notify the register if the beacon changes ownership. Registration is FREE. To register your beacon, call the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand on 0800 406 111 or 0508 406 111.