Anyone putting blind faith in their 406 EPIRB should consider two recent incidents in which registration numbers were somehow incorrectly added to the United States 406 MHz beacon registration database. These apparent clerical errors ultimately delayed rescue missions. The concern over additional miscues has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) to encourage beacon owners to check their registration data online. The easy-to-navigate website www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov offers step-by-step guidance.
For more information on the best types of electronics to survive an emergency and how to use them, purchase Practical Sailor’s downloadable ebook Survival Electronics.
To read more about how to best prepare for an emergency on the water, purchase and downlaod Survival at Sea – The Complete Series at a price that gives you one ebook free when you buy the other two.