Australia's leading EPIRB & PLB hire service since 2002.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons

Staff working in remote locations sometimes require emergency assistance.

EPIRBhire specialises in long term hire of the new digital 406Mhz Personal Locating Beacons (PLB). These are currently the most effective form of emergency response device, directly linked to Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR).

A PLB fits in your pocket and when switched on, its position and ID are transmitted to a world-wide co-operative rescue service. 

Our clients have found there are a number of advantages to long term hire.

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. When the beacon is hired and managed by us, a simple system is co-ordinated whereby the details of the current user and trip are recorded and updated. In the event of a emergency beacon activation, AMSA will have all the essential details on hand, without you needing to maintain a 24 hour, 365 day contact system.

Long term hire of a beacon ($29 p.m. or less) 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. 

Please contact Peter Davidson 0415 263 750 or peter@epirbhire.com.au for more details.

What is a 406Mhz PLB?

We currently use the GME MT410G.

Dimensions: (Fits in your pocket) 135 mm (H) x 71 mm (W) x 38 mm (D).
Weight: 250g.
Typical accuracy: <100m.
Operating Temp: -20°C to +55 °C.
Storage Temp: -30°C to +70°C.
Activation: Automatically when antenna deployed .
Duration: In excess of 24 hours at -20°C, longer at higher ambient temperatures
Strobe: > 20 flashes/minute 2 x high intensity white LED.
Buoyant: Will float in fresh/salt water.
Waterproof: Submersion to 1m.
Materials: High visibility yellow chassis with translucent cap. UV stabilised high impact plastic chassis with energy absorption overmouled bumpers.
Self Test: Comprehensive internal diagnostics with visual and audible operator feedback. UHF test message    (inverted synchronisation compatible with portable beacon testers). GPS satellite acquisition test.

 How does it work?

The system.
Cospas-Sarsat Participants implement, maintain, co-ordinate and operate a satellite system capable of detecting distress alert transmissions from beacons that comply with Cospas-Sarsat specifications and performance standards, and of determining their position anywhere on the globe. The distress alert and location data is provided by Cospas-Sarsat Participants to the responsible SAR services.
Cospas-Sarsat co-operates with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and other international organisations to ensure the compatibility of the Cospas-Sarsat distress alerting services with the needs, the standards and the applicable recommendations of the international community.

for more info see http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/

The basic Cospas-Sarsat concept is illustrated in the adjacent figure. 
The System is composed of:
Distress radiobeacons (ELTs for aviation use, EPIRBs for maritime use, and PLBs for personal use) which transmit signals during distress situations;
Instruments on board satellites in geostationary and low-altitude Earth orbits which detect the signals transmitted by distress radiobeacons;
Ground receiving stations, referred to as Local Users Terminals (LUTs), which receive and process the satellite downlink signal to generate distress alerts, Mission Control Centers (MCCs) which receive alerts produced by LUTs and forward them to Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs), Search and Rescue Points Of Contacts (SPOCs) or other MCCs. 

What actually happens?

The GPS component within the unit may take time to warm up and acquire coordinates. GPS accuracy is approx. 120mtrs. If the GPS is unsuccessful then the accuracy will revert back to 5kms circular radius.

The 15 character HEX ID will transmit from the beacon to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network.

The Distress Alert is received within a few minutes at the Australian RCC (Rescue Co ordination Centre). The internal computer system within AMSA will attempt to match the HEX ID against the Australian 406 MHz Distress Beacon Registration Database. When a match is found, the owner’s registration details can be accessed by the SAROM (Search & Rescue Officer Maritime) immediately. From this point the SAROM will ring the emergency contacts listed. The owner can make preferences as to the priority of who to contact when registering. In the case of a hired Beacon up to date details can be accessed from EPIRBhire.

The emergency contact will be advised that a particular HEX ID has been detected which is identified. If a position is known you will be advised of the approximate location. The RCC would be seeking information from the emergency contact to assist with the coordination and response. Initially the RCC need to determine if the activation is an inadvertent alert or a real distress. The emergency contact should be able to advise if they can make contact with person in possession of beacon.

If no contact can be made with the person in possession of the beacon then distress is assumed.
Information the RCC is seeking includes name, number of persons, person descriptions, Vehicle details/description, Location of working area, Food/Water available, Medical conditions known.

Coordination and response will be managed by AMSA or the Police. If the owner of the beacon wishes to be involved by deploying their own resources (vehicle) they can, but it is best to consult with AMSA or the Police at the time. 

Activating a beacon is a last resort option - 'Grave & Imminent Danger'. A Distress Beacon is a one-way transmission to the Cospas Sarsat Satellite Network. If on land the Primary alerting options should include Satellite phone, Mobile Phone, CB Radio, passing vehicle or walkingto nearby property etc. Voice communication is quicker and can identify what the problem is and what resources are required. 

Distress Beacons have been activated in the past due to vehicle rollovers and the CD Radio, Satphone or Mobile have not survived the accident or the person is not within reach of the communication equipment that is permanently fixed in the vehicle.

The Search and Rescue response is FREE to the organisation and person if activating a beacon for a real distress incident. If an inadvertent activation of beacon is known then call AMSA 1800 622 153.  No penalty is imposed and AMSA appreciate the call before deploying resources.

What we will do for you.

EPIRBhire will supply the latest GPS enabled 406Mhz EPIRBs to your staff.

EPIRBhire will co ordinate a training package to your satisfaction.

EPIRBhire will co ordinate the registration of the beacons and tailor it to your needs-whether it is for single or multiple users.

EPIRBhire office will be available 24/7.

EPIRBhire can supply, at minimal cost, extra beacons to satisfy peak demands

EPIRBhire will manage any faults or breakages with the beacons and replace beacons within 24 to 48 hours.

EPIRBhire will replace at no cost any beacon that is activated in the case of an emergency.

If you have already bought EPIRBs EPIRBhire can either manage your stock or buy the beacons from you.

Cost.

Indicative cost excluding GST is $29 per unit per month for a 12 months contract, for 1 to 3 units.

EPIRBhire will make sure you always have the best possible and latest version of GPS enabled 406Mhz beacon.

EPIRBhire can vary the total number of EPIRBs available to cater for your peak period requirements.

Long Term hire of Satellite phones - available from $200 per month email peter@epirbhire.com.au

Frequently asked questions 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 in Canberra
Ph: 1800 406 406 (local within Australia) or Email: ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au  
Website: http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/

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)

EPIRBhire Australia wide.
Contact: Peter & Caroline Davidson.
P.O. Box 518,  Avalon Beach. 2107.
After hours: (61) 2 9974 4733
Peter:   0415 263 750   peter@epirbhire.com.au
Caroline: 0415 940 939   caroline@epirbhire.com.au
email: info@epirbhire.com.au