Promoting the Science of Survival
ACR Advances EPIRB Emergency Radio Locator Beacon Technology
Oct 4, 2008
While there are a number of EPIRB manufacturers in business, ACR Electronics of Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a firm well known to boaters for their line of emergency radio locator beacons that can offer mariners a direct connection to their potential rescuers during an onboard emergency. As an industry leader in the manufacture of EPIRBs and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), ACR Electronics now holds a substantial share of this market. Literally thousands of boaters, pilots, and outdoor enthusiasts owe their lives to the successful performance of ACR products.
Basics of EPIRB Operation
When current generation Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons are activated, they transmit a radio signal on the 406 megahertz band that can be received by search and rescue satellites (SARSAT) passing overhead. Emergency position information is immediately forwarded to ground based receiver stations that in turn pass this important data onto the appropriate search and rescue organization. Marine emergencies in the United States are the domain of the Coast Guard and the Air Force is responsible of land based incidents.
A vessel or aircraft in distress can be detected by the SARSAT system in a very short period of time, measured in minutes. Once rescuers approach a craft in distress, 406 MHz EPIRBs also provide a short-range homing signal to help facilitate the rescue. Once only carried by commercial vessels, rapid improvements in technology have made EPIRBs smaller, more effective, easier to carry and affordable to the average recreational boater.
ACR Electronics GlobalFix iPRO
The latest and most advanced EPIRB produced by ACR is the GlobalFix iPRO. This beacon features the use of dual GPS location capability and provides its users with a direct readout display of location that can be provided to search and rescue agencies to facilitate finding a vessel. The digital display on the GlobalFix iPRO informs the user that the beacon is working correctly, provides position coordinates and displays battery power status. The suggested retail price for this EPIRB starts at $1,300 USD, which is a significant value compared to the potential cost of a vessel in distress.
Temporary EPIRB Rentals
Boaters have the option of renting an EPIRB, rather than purchasing one, in the United States, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Rentals might be appropriate for boaters making a long distance crossing or using another owner's vessel not equipped with a beacon. ACR products can be rented in the United States through the BoatU.S. Foundation.
ACR Electronics offers a number of educational resources and useful products for boaters. These survival products include radio beacons, search lights, signal whistles, retroreflective tapes, signal mirrors, strobe lights, direction finders, VHF survival radios, and gear bags.
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