EPIRBs
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are essential safety equipment for any boat heading outside of harbour or well populated areas, they can raise the alarm if there is a problem even if you boat can not been seen. They last longer than flares (at least 24 hours) and work day and night. They are not a replacement for good planning and correct equipment to prevent you getting into trouble but they do provide a very cost effective lifeline when everything else has gone wrong.
Since January 2009 the older type 121.5 or 243 MHz EPIRBs have not been monitored.
The new beacons operate on 406MHz. This is not the only important change, 406 MHz beacons send an identification number when activated and provide much faster detection and more accurate location information. They can incorporate a GPS unit to give an even more accurate position. The registration of the EPIRB allows contact to be quickly made with those people who know where the boat is and who is on board, this means it is important that the owner's details are kept up to date.
There is no charge for updating details and registration or changes can be made here.
The 406 EPIRBs do cost more than the old style but have come down in price in recent years and still represent an excellent way of attracting help quickly and efficiently.
For more information on 406 Beacons go to http://www.beacons.org.nz/