Rental EPIRB saves five - Boat U.S. Reports

Boat/US Magazine, May, 2003

Five people were rescued in stormy seas on March 28 with the help of an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) rented from the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.

The 42-foot sloop PatentColorado.com was 15 miles into a crossing from Miami to Bimini when a tornado-laden weather front struck. Forced to drop sail and motor, the vessel tossed in heavy seas, killing the engine. Electrical problems also began to effect the boat.

"Things went from bad to worse quickly," said skipper Rick Martin. He raised the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF radio but was unable to provide his coordinates. Martin was asked by the Coast Guard to activate the EPIRB, which provided a fast location fix. The vessel was later towed safely to harbor.

The Foundation's $800 406-MHz satellite EPIRBs rent for $50 per week. (To read more on new EPIRB technology, see TechnoTalk page 31.)