EPIRBhire

Australia's leading EPIRB hire & PLB hire service since 2002 (10 successful rescues so far)

Need to hire an EPIRB or a Satphone or any of our items? It's very easy....... phone or email us and we will deliver Australia wide - within 24 hours in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth plus most major towns.
Scroll down for more info.

EPIRBhire Australia wide.
Phone Contact:
Call Peter (available 24/7) on 0415 263 750
or Caroline 0415 940 939 Landline 02 4997 8183
Dispatch Office - MANLY NSW, BRISBANE QLD, BULAHDELAH NSW

We will soon have an office in Perth for your EPIRB and Satellite phone hire needs.

Email Contact: info@epirbhire.com.au
Deliveries and return of EPIRBs: PO Box 99, BULAHDELAH. NSW. 2423.

Easy! - send us an email or call. We will ask for some basic trip and contact details. We look after all the registration with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). You can pay by credit card, direct debit/transfer or cheque. We will deliver, generally within 24 hours if needed to most locations in Australia well before your departure date.

The trip details are made available to the rescue co ordination centre (RCC) instantly 24/7. This information is vital to the authorities. Please be careful when borrowing or hiring a unit elsewhere, and make very sure that the RCC has instant access to up to date trip details.

We take your safety very seriously. We only use GPS enabled PLBs (in fact we feel the non GPS units should be banned - see below for why) We have had 6 beacons activated to date. All have had a response (i.e. Rescue Helicopter) at their location within 2 hours, far quicker than non GPS PLBs. If you are in need of rescue, time can make all the difference.

We rent and sell both types of distress beacons: either the floating EPIRB or the smaller lighter, hand held personal locating beacon (PLB).

We recommend and supply only GPS enabled 406Mhz personal EPIRBs (PLBs)
If you are thinking about buying a PLB please DON'T try to save money buying the non GPS version.

They should not be on the market, they are slow and less accurate and will waste critical time in the event of a rescue... Non GPS PLBs can take over 3 hours to pinpoint the location.
EPIRBhire has had 6 rescues in the last 12 months with GPS enabled PLBs, all had a rescue helicopter at their location within 2 hours.
call Peter on 0415 263 750 for a chat any time if you have any questions.

($55 for one $50 for three or more per boat) Please help us out by booking early

Our pricing is flexible. If multiple PLBs are needed on one boat, having just the one crew member order means we can reduce the administration costs.
So get together, find out how many PLBs are needed on your boat, give us a call and we will organise the rest.

Where possible we are reducing the cost for boats that get in early, use us regularly, return quickly and are organised so we just deal with one crew member for hire delivery and return.

Cat One races: the Lord Howe $88. Sydney to Hobart $165 for multiple orders
Prices include Registration, GST.

We occasionally sell ex hire stock of the small lightweight, GPS enabled, FastFind 211

We stock both Personal Locator Beacons and EPIRBs to suit all beacon safety requirements and preferences. We hire the Fastfind 211 GPS PLB, GME ACCUSAT MT410G PLB, Fastfind MAX 406Mhz PLB,
Accusat MT400 (non GPS) EPIRB and the Precision 406Mhz GPS EPIRB.

All these units have built-in, state of the art GPS engines with fast position fix (typical accuracy of 30 metres anywhere on the globe).

Minimum hire is 7 days at $88. Call or email for a detailed quote. Rates differ for long term bookings and multiple hires.

Fastfind 211 406Mhz PLB

Specs at a glance:

GPS enabled

Weight: 150grams

Size 34 x 47 x 106mm

Battery life: 5 years
Product specs

Video of a PLB activation

GME MT 410G 406Mhz PLB

specs at a glance:

GPS enabled

Weight: 250grams

Size: 38 x 71 x 135mm

Battery life: 7 years

All 406Mhz rentals includes Australian Search & Rescue Authority (AusSAR) registration details.

Minimum hire 7 days $88
includes GST and registration
then approx $5 per day
SPECIAL RATES FOR CAT 1 AND CAT 2 YACHT RACES

"Save $33 on your 2nd hire"
The second EPIRB you hire will not be charged the registration fee.

we will waive the registration fee on the PLB.
That's a $33 saving for even more peace of mind.

To hire a Satellite phone the cost is $140 for the first week. The daily rate gets cheaper the longer you hire it. Please call for further details or click here.

Outgoing calls costs vary depending who you are calling and where you are calling from. The calls are not too expensive, budget on approx $2 to $3 per minute for calls within Australia and you won't get any surprises. You can SMS any mobile or send as an email for 99c.

Incoming calls are no charge to you and will cost the caller the same as calling a normal Mobile phone.

See below for Peter's review on satellite phones and BGAN satellite broadband.

we will waive the registration fee on the PLB.
That's a $33 saving for even more peace of mind.

~~Coming soon.....Mid July.~~
Unfortunately Australia will not see the phone until xmas due to ACMA complications.

Inmarsat, one of the world's largest satellite phone companies, is about to launch the Isatphone.

From what we have read this Isatphone looks to be a very good unit. It boasts the longest battery life, a robust handset (for extreme conditions) and the first satellite phone to support Bluetooth.

With the advantage of one of Inmarsat's three stationary satellites being above PNG, the reception will be excellent in Australia. We have used an Inmarsat phone attached to the BGAN satellite broadband (see below) and we are very impressed with the call quality and reliability.

Features of the Isatphone include voicemail, text, Bluetooth, email messaging and GPS location data.
Battery life: up to 8 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time.
Operates at -20° to 55°C; dust, splash and shock resistant.

EPIRBhire has Isatphones on order. We will test them and let you know the result. Expect the Isatphone to be available for hire and purchase by mid July.

You will be able to rent or hire the IsatPhone for under $150 per week.
EPIRBhire is taking purchase orders for the Isatphone. We are able to offer an added service to buyers, if you have any problems whatsoever with your phone we can supply replacement phones for a very nominal fee.

Inmarsat BGAN - Broadband Global Area Network - is the world's first mobile communications service to deliver broadband data and voice simultaneously through a single, portable device offering guaranteed data rates on demand.

The BGAN service is accessible via small, lightweight satellite terminals that can be connected quickly and easily to notebook PCs or Macs. BGAN is suited for land based rather than marine as it needs a relatively stable platform.

The smallest terminal, weighing just 1kg, will give you a connection speed of 230kps, although this is not as fast as your home/office metro broadband, it is 5 times the speed of the old phone dialup and you are only charged data, not time. Voice communication is as simple as plugging the handset into the ISDN port.

You can stay connected as long as you like and only pay for the data movement, ie there is no charge on time, just data. We have, and have access to a large range of units options and speeds.

Discounts for long term hire.
We can supply a small 12v PC to match up with the BGAN if required.

I recently sailed from Sydney to Lord Howe then Mooloolaba on a 46 foot Cat and tested the two satellite communication devices consistently. I have outlined the good and the not-so-good below.

Satellites - IRIDIUM Satellite phone uses 61 orbiting Satellites,
BGAN needs to point to a stationary satellite. (in this area it's above PNG)

Service - IRIDIUM is Phone and SMS only, BGAN Phone and internet.
Portable - IRIDIUM is better, BGAN has to point at the Satellite and will need a PC for internet.
Reliability -Inmarsat BGAN was much better although it does need a stable platform.
Outgoing call costs - both very similar.
Inbound Calling Inmarsat BGAN is expensive - see above for Iridium inbound calls.
Power - Both have 240 and 12 volt chargers with a similar battery life.

The Catamaran provided a stable platform while sailing, the BGAN could cope with over 20 degrees off target before dropping out. It was very forgiving once it had locked on.
The IRIDIUM would drop out for short periods depending on Satellite availability. But with good signal you could call from within the cabin inside the boat. NB: I have been told IRIDIUM were Upgrading servers during my trip which would also explain a number of quality complaints we received over the same May period.

As a business tool the BGAN was brilliant. I was able to talk on the phone while emailing using Gmail.
The higher data costs are worth the money. To boot up the Browser (Firefox) and the email client (Gmail) and see all emails generally used approx. 600k. Depending on how many emails I read or sent, the session rarely passed 1 MB (1000kb), with most outgoing emails around 10kb.
I sent a few 250kb to 500kb group emails that had text and 6 pictures, this resulted in a cost of less than $6.

If you would like to know more about either device or the review conditions please feel free to call me for a chat. 0415 263 750

EPIRBhire can supply the complete package including a computer with the BGAN unit if needed.

Do you need to hire a GPS car navigator?
Rent a TOMTOM. We hire the compact TOMTOM XL.
Just plug in and go, touch screen menu in 22 languages and voice instructions in 36 languages.

Cost to hire is $65 for 4 days then $4 per day. Includes GST and freight both ways

The TOMTOM is amazing.... You won't believe how much time and argument over directions this unit will save. If you are not impressed within the first 2 hours call me and return the unit and we will give you your money back.
Please contact Peter Davidson 0415 263 750 or peter@epirbhire.com.au for more details

Minimum charge of $88 includes GST, delivery and a prepaid return bag. Payment by Credit Card (Visa or M/Card).

We can hire or rent the Navman, Garmin nuvi or streetpilot, Shinco, Smart Navi or Voxtrack. We prefer the TOMTOM XL as the best portable GPS car navigator.

Do you need temporary broadband connection?
Are you travelling and do not want to use the expensive hotel Internet connection charges?
Have you had a temporary failure of your home internet?
Avoid the 24-month plan, rent a USB Wireless Broadband Modem.

Telstra standard USB model - $28 for 7 days, (incl. freight) then $3.30 per day. Plus $20 for 150MB (recharge).

Worlds fastest wireless broadband - according to Telstra... The Telstra Turbo 21 USB stick with external antenna - this unit will extend the range quite substantially. For example it can handle Skype calls 30miles offshore from Hobart to Townsville. This package is $88 for 7 days, (incl. freight) then $3.30 per day plus prepaid data.
Call us anytime 0415 263 750

We hire the ICOM IC-M33 handheld Marine VHF; the world's first floating VHF radio.
The radio is supplied with a 240v charger and long life lithium battery.

The cost to hire the ICOM VHF is $65 for 4 days then $6 per day.
Click here for product specs.

When an emergency beacon is activated it transmits a unique ID signal. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requires the beacons to be registered. The registration form requires a 24 hour contact person who will be called if the beacon is activated.

The issue for all businesses is keeping these records current; Is that 24 hour contact person the current user of the beacon? If not, does the contact person have the full details of the current user? If there are multiple users of the one beacon are these records up to date and correct? In the event of an emergency will delays or lack of details hinder the rescue effort?

EPIRBhire can solve all these problems for less than $1 per day.

Long term hire of a beacon will also be tax effective. Hiring removes the capital cost of the beacon from your balance sheet.

Long term hire rates are negotiable to suit your needs.
For more information click here or contact Peter Davidson 0415 263 750 or info@epirbhire.com.au.

MYCOAL Body Warmers

What are they? About twice the size and look of a large teapot bag. Three minutes after you open the plastic sachet it gets hot, yes HOT - 51 degrees C, and stays that way for 24 hours - now that was $3 well spent. Just tuck them down the front of your shirt, absolute bliss for any offshore sailor.
How do they work? The ingredients are iron powder, carbon and salt - simply put, they rust and generate heat in the .
For more details please call or insurance day . The cost is $30 for a pack of 10 plus delivery...
These are a must for every first aid kit for Hypothermia cases. info@epirbhire.com.au
The cost is $30 for a 10 pack the postage cost is the same price for a pack of 15 if you want more.

Adventurers Chris Bray and Clark Carter.
back in July 2005 Chris Bray and Clark Carter, plunged deep inside the Arctic Circle to do what no one ever had – travel unsupported across Victoria Island, the world’s ninth largest and largely unexplored island. Their route - from the most Easterly tip of the island to the most Westerly – would take them past approximately 1,000km of incredibly varied terrain - they are back now - click here to see more

Since then Chris has established himself as one of Australia's finest young adventurers and photographers. Find out more.

Adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke Belgian adventurer who has spent more time than most exploring and documenting Australia's harsh and beautiful outback. Click here

For more information about Search & Rescue and general inquiries of a non-urgent nature.

406Mhz Distress Beacon enquiries please contact: Australian Rescue Coordination Centre.
Ph: 1800 406 406 (local within Australia) or
Ph: +61 2 6279 5766 (overseas) Business hours 8am-4.30pm.

Direct contact with the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra (24Hrs):
Ph: 1800 641 792 (local within Australia) or Ph: +61 2 6230 6811 (overseas)
Email: rccaus@amsa.gov.au

Wind Generators
Click here for more details http://www.epirbhire.com.au/windgenerators.htm

Contact: Peter Davidson.
P.O. Box 614, Manly. NSW. 1655.
Phone: 0415263750 Fax: (61) 2 4997 8183. email: info@epirbhire.com.au

We sell 12volt Wind Generator Kits
Two versions, one for light winds, 4 to 13knots (8-24kph) or (5-15mph)
and one for stronger breeze locations that average over 10knots (16kph) or (12mph)

Let's go back to basics, you don't get something for nothing, the laws of physics confirm you can make electricity by spinning magnets around wires i.e. generator/alternator. You can spin them using coal produced stream, water turbines (hydro), Diesel/petrol engines....etc. All at a cost and all requiring varying amounts of energy.
The energy from the wind is free, it is variable depending on the area you live and and blows day or night.
Now let me try to demystify the confusing data seen all over the web about actually how much energy can be produced by the wind with a wind powered generator. It is very easy, the bigger you go the more power you can produce, small planes can't carry a lot of people, small wind generators don't produce a lot of power, but small planes are cheaper, lighter and you can buy different types for different applications.... Cessna, Lear jet or Glider... see where I am going here, let's not over complicate the process. If you need more power buy more than one small wind generator, or a bigger one.

For those who have lived on yachts, you learn not to leave lights on and you don't have hot showers, every amp of power you use out of the battery has to be put back in.
The way I see it power is like cash, it's hard to make so you need to watch how you spend it. As with cash, if you are able to create several manageable, independent income streams life just gets a bit easier.
Power is, and is going to get, a lot more expensive than it is now, it is also costing our planet a fortune.
If you want to reduce this cost look at the alternatives and create several manageable and independent income streams of power. There is no single solution to our power needs, there is no silver bullet. A small wind generator and/or PV (solar panels) will not produce enough power to heat water so build or buy a solar hot water system to suit your needs and budget. Small wind generators and PV cells will produce useable power. Solar panels are maintenance free and work well except at night and the wind generator just need wind. So use a combination of them all and use less power.

So what are we selling

What we have here is a well built, simple, high quality permanent magnet alternator matched with an excellent set of wings (blades). The generator, the Permanent magnet alternator (PMA), is well designed and optimised to produce the maximum useable wattage for the available conditions. The complete kit is well thought out and well engineered by a passionate people that have been in the industry for years. This unit is simply the best bucks for breeze I can find.
Weight 15kgs, Blade diameter 1625mm, Overall length 110mm
Price with a falling USD/AUD rate is now under $1,400 incl GST.