Coast Guard, National Safe Boating Council Remind Mariners Importance Of EPIRBs

The Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council remind recreational boaters of the importance of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons in conjunction with 406Mhz Beacon Awareness Day.

An EPIRB is used to alert search and rescue forces in the event of an emergency. It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406 megahertz distress frequency via satellite and earth stations to the nearest rescue coordination center, which then notifies local search and rescue forces.

"Having a properly registered beacon greatly enhances the speed with which the Coast Guard can respond to any mariners in distress," said Ed Huntsman, recreational boating safety program manager. "An EPIRB could mean the difference between life and death during a maritime emergency."

The National Safe Boating Council is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach and training. To learn more about the NSBC and its programs, visit safeboatingcouncil.org.

For more information on the 'Save by the Beacon' campaign and EPIRBs please visit savedbythebeacon.com and the U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District External Affairs, (618) 225-9008