EPIRB Saves Massachusetts Fisherman



A Coast Guard Station Cape Cod aircrew rescued three commercial fisherman from a life raft after their fishing vessel sunk.

A MayDay was unable to be sent, since the electrical system was compromised and power was lost by water which entered the engine compartment due to an accident while fishing.

What saved these commercial fisherman was the use of an EPIRB. EPIRB is an acronym for Electronic Position Indicating RadioBeacon.

The state-of-the-art units, a 406Mhz with an integral GPS system send a signal to a GOES weather satellite. The emergency alert as well as the position of the EPIRB are then sent to the nearest USCG SAR Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). From there, a Search and Rescue mission is mounted.

EPIRB's are not just for commercial fisherman, they are also for recreational boaters as well. Whether you boat in the intra-coastal waterways, the Great Lakes, 5 miles offshore or 500 miles offshore, the USCG and Coast Guard Auxiliary suggest you think about your boating territory and habits; then consider whether the purchase of an EPIRB should be part of your boat's safety equipment.

For more information about EPIRB's, visit the USCG Navigation Center at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/epirb.htm or read "Whether you're going offshore or not, an EPIRB is not a bad idea" at http://www.auxguidanceskills.info/press/epirb.html.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer's who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its 30,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

The release is available at: http://www.auxpa.org/releases/071805.html

Contact: Aux. Wayne Spivak
Chief - External Communications
Public Affairs Department
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
http://www.auxpa.org
516-353-9155





EPIRB Saves Massachusetts Fisherman