RE: [Paddlewise] EPIRB vs PLB; with and without GPS

G'Day Paul and Paddlewise,

I contacted NSW Maritime who confirmed that an EPIRB is required when any boat
registered or otherwise is further than 2nm from land and they emphasise a PLB
by itself is not satisfactory, even in a kayak.

I explained the issues and NSW Maritime understood the problem of accidental
activation of an EPIRB that has water activation capability, and the risk of
swamping if it were stored fore or aft of a kayak behind the bulkheads. After
consideration they have recommended a unit that does not have GPS and can only
resolve to within 5km. They are certainly trying to be helpful but haven't
picked up on the essential need for GPS capability if a kayaker is using an
EPIRB.

If a kayaker was in trouble and had both an EPIRB without a GPS or a PLB with
a GPS, which should the kayaker use and which would be most accessible? I hope
the answer to these two questions is obvious. Less clear is whether using both
would be appropriate or cause confusion?

I'll ask the questions on Monday and depending on the answers may follow
through with a request for a review of the legislation on safety grounds;
unless I can find a reasonably sized EPIRB with GPS capability and without the
water activation feature. Does anyone know if such is available? During my
search so far I've only found PLBs incorrectly advertised as EPIRBS and EPIRBS
with manual release and activation that are also water activated.

Two other possibilities are a purpose built water proof case for the EPIRB on
the deck, which could interfere significantly with self rescue capability; or
a proposal to take two PLB's for 48 hour capability.

All the best, PeterO
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************