What Is an EPIRB HEX ID?
What Is an EPIRB HEX ID? — Why This Number Could Save Your Life
Apologies, this is a boring post, but important. Your EPIRB HEX ID is a 15-character alphanumeric identification code unique to your specific beacon. It is the number that tells HM Coastguard who you are, what vessel you are on, and who to call when your EPIRB activates.
Write it down. Right now. Put it in the ship’s log, on a card near the VHF radio, and give it to your emergency contacts ashore. Here is why.
What the HEX ID Is
The HEX ID is derived from the EPIRB’s unique 406MHz coding — the digital signal that is transmitted with every burst. The 15 characters encode your country of registration, your vessel information, and a serial number unique to that specific beacon.
When your EPIRB activates, the first signal burst includes this HEX ID. The Cospas-Sarsat satellite network relays it to HM Coastguard. They look up your HEX ID in the UK Beacon Registry database and retrieve your vessel details and emergency contacts in seconds.
Without registration — the HEX ID arrives at the coastguard as an anonymous number. They have a beacon, they have a position, but they have nothing else. The HEX ID with registration gives them everything they need.
Where to Find Your HEX ID
It is printed on the EPIRB itself — typically on a label on the body of the device. It may also be in the packaging, the manual, or the registration documentation.
The format is 15 hexadecimal characters — a combination of letters A to F and numbers 0 to 9. For example: 1D0C5204B5E8350.
Why You Need It on Record Somewhere Accessible
If your EPIRB activates accidentally, you need to give the coastguard your HEX ID immediately on Channel 16 to cancel the alert quickly. If you cannot find it, the coastguard cannot efficiently cancel the response and may deploy resources unnecessarily.
Keep it:
In the ship’s log — noted on the registration page.
On a card taped near the radio.
In your phone contacts — saved as EPIRB HEX ID.
With your emergency contacts ashore.
FAQs
Is the HEX ID the same as the MMSI number?
No. The MMSI is your Maritime Mobile Service Identity — registered with OFCOM and used by your DSC VHF radio and AIS. The HEX ID is specific to your EPIRB or PLB. They are registered with different authorities and serve different functions.
What do the characters in the HEX ID mean?
The first two characters identify the country of registration. The following characters encode the vessel or person identifier and a serial number. The specific encoding format follows international COSPAS-SARSAT standards.
Can I look up a HEX ID online?
The UK Beacon Registry database is not publicly searchable for privacy reasons. Only authorised rescue coordination centres have access to the full registration database.
Find your EPIRB HEX ID and record it in your ship’s log and near your radio today. Register it at beaconregistration.admiralty.co.uk.
