EPIRB vs PLB — Which One Do You Actually Need?

EPIRB vs PLB — Which One Do You Actually Need?

I got stuck on this one, a few years ago, in my head I just needed to dicide on one of them, hindsight is a funny old thing, they are actuall different and i’m glad I understand the differences now, so lets keep it simple for you. Although both devices alert search and rescue services in an emergency, they serve very different purposes.

Understanding those differences could make all the difference when every second counts. To me, they are exactly the same as Immersion Suits. something you hopefully will never need but that significant increase in likelihood of rescue, its a must!

Before we even get into the detail — my honest opinion? You are silly not to have one… its just making the right decision on what you really need. The one time you do not have it is exactly when everything goes wrong. These are not expensive luxuries. They are the thing that gets someone to you when you need it, a reliable last resort.

What Is an EPIRB?

Before you start you should be given a briefing on the BOSIET Course so you can touch them look at demo versions to give you familiarty.

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. It is registered to your vessel, mounted somewhere highly visible that anybody can grab — usually near the companionway or helm — and it is designed to go with the boat and something you take with you and your liferaft when you abandon ship (certainly something we hope will never need to be done).

Here is the clever bit. A Category 1 EPIRB activates automatically when it hits saltwater. If your boat goes down fast and you have no time to do anything, the EPIRB does the job for you. It floats upright, transmits your GPS position on 406MHz to the international Cospas-Sarsat satellite network (apologies for the nerdy technical jargon), and keeps transmitting for a minimum of 48 hours. Rescue services know who you are, what vessel you were on, and exactly where you are – reassuring right?

What Is a PLB?

PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon. Think of it as a personal version of an EPIRB — smaller, lighter, and registered to you rather than a vessel. You clip it to your lifejacket or keep it in a pocket and it goes wherever you go.

The key difference is that a PLB must be activated manually — you have to press the button yourself. It also transmits for a minimum of 24 hours rather than 48, and it does not float upright like an EPIRB. You need to hold the antenna out of the water for it to transmit properly.

PLBs are also brilliant for land use — mountaineering, hiking in remote areas, working in locations without mobile signal. If you are somewhere with no other means of raising the alarm, having a PLB is just sensible. I love a serious multi-week hike and I have one with me. My Garmin watch can also be a life save but a PLB sits in the bottom of my bag for that time I do decide to get lost.

The Quick Difference — in plain English:

— EPIRB = stays with the boat. Can activate automatically. 48 hour battery. Larger.
— PLB = stays with you. Manual activation only. 24 hour battery. Pocket sized.

My Honest Opinion

I would never get on a boat without an EPIRB. Not a yacht, not a fishing boat, nothing. The statistics are clear — the one time you do not have it is the one time you need it. It genuinely baffles me that EPIRBs are not legally required on all recreational vessels under 24m in the UK. They should be.

Do not scrimp on the money either. Get a reliable, well-known brand with GPS. Your life is worth more than saving a hundred quid on a cheaper unit.

If you also go overboard frequently — solo sailing, working on deck in rough conditions — a PLB in your lifejacket gives you personal protection even if you end up separated from the vessel. Ideally have both. They serve different purposes.

UK Registration — Do Not Skip This

In the UK, both EPIRBs and PLBs must be registered on the UK Beacon Registry as required by the Merchant Shipping Regulations. Registration is free. If you activate a beacon and it is not registered, rescue services do not know who you are or what vessel you are on — and that slows everything down when speed is everything. Register at beaconregistration.admiralty.co.uk.

Also keep your registration up to date. Changed boats? Changed phone number? Update it. Takes five minutes.

Check Your Battery Dates

EPIRBs and PLBs have battery expiry dates — usually printed on a sticker on the device. A beacon with a dead battery is just dead weight. Note the date when you buy it and replace the battery before it expires. Most batteries last five to ten years but check yours specifically.

Our Recommended EPIRBs

These are the brands and models I would point anyone towards. All are available on Amazon, globally. Always check current Amazon listings for up to date pricing as these change regularly – and read them reviews!

Our Recommended PLBs (More in depth reviews here)

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FAQs

Do I legally need an EPIRB in the UK?
For commercial vessels — yes. For recreational yachts and pleasure craft — currently no if below 24m, which I think is wrong. You should have one anyway, it’s the same price as a new Jabsco pump for that toilet when they decide to fail!

Can I use a PLB instead of an EPIRB on my boat?
Yes, but they serve different purposes. An EPIRB stays with the boat and can activate automatically if it sinks. A PLB stays with you. If you only have one — get an EPIRB for the boat and consider a PLB for yourself too if you spend time on deck alone.

Do EPIRBs and PLBs need a subscription?
No. Once registered with the UK Beacon Registry there are no ongoing subscription fees. The satellite network is free to use.

How do I know if my EPIRB is in date?
Check the sticker on the device for the battery expiry date. Also check the hydrostatic release unit if your EPIRB has one — this also has a separate expiry date and must be replaced when it expires.

Can I test my EPIRB or PLB?
Yes — but only using the specific self-test function on the device, usually a brief test mode. Never fully activate it unless it is a real emergency. False activations waste coastguard resources and are a criminal offence in the UK. Be careful

The information in this article is for general guidance. Always refer to current MCA and IMO documentation for regulatory requirements. Verify product specifications directly with manufacturers before purchase.