Safety Beacons & VHF’s

Safety beacons are the easiest way to ensure you and your crew are visible should you get into distress at sea, helping to improve rescue times by showing authorities and surrounding ships that you are in trouble and require assistance.

 

Beacons can pinpoint your exact location, helping rescues to be as quick as possible. This equipment is easy to store, maintain, and deploy if needed, and it is recommended to keep and store them on marine vessels – as well as life jackets and buoyancy aids in case they are needed to save someone in need.

 

We have a selection of different beacons and safety flares available to purchase online.

What is a safety beacon?

A safety beacon is a small, lightweight handheld device that can increase your visibility in an emergency at sea by emitting an SOS signal, which rescue services can use to pinpoint your location.

 

We have multiple types of safety beacons available to purchase online now, which, when used in combination with our range of safety flares, can increase your visibility when stranded at sea tenfold.


If you want more information on the products available to purchase on our website or need to discuss which option is best for you and your crew, please contact our team today.

Types of personal location devices

There are multiple types of personal location devices on the market, each with its own set of advantages and benefits, making it increasingly important to ensure you have the best solution for the situation in which you may need it. The types of PLDs available include:

 

Personal Locations Beacons

PLBs combine a mixture of useful technologies and features, including 406Mhz transmission of a GPS location to search and rescue services – as well as – 121.5Mhz local transmission, allowing for the local location beacon using a 121.5Mhz radio finder receiver.

 

It’s important to note that these devices need to be manually activated and must be registered with local authorities.

 

AIS Beacon

AIS beacons transmit your distress call locally up to 5 miles on AIS frequencies, which are commonly used on commercial shipping and, more recently, leisure vessels. Once activated, an AIS beacon displays a position on nearby ships’ AIS receivers as a ship or an emergency symbol on more modern vessels.

 

AIS beacons can be automatically activated when inflating a life jacket or by water activations. Additionally, some AIS devices have DSC alert capabilities that can cause a DSC alarm on a VHF radio, if programmed to do so.

 

121.5Mhz

This type of PLD provides local locations up to 5 miles away and can be activated both manually and automatically. These devices require radio location equipment and are typically combined with other beacons.

 

Bluetooth

One of the latest devices on the market, Bluetooth devices are worn on-person and activate an alarm on a mobile device or similar when the signal between the 2 is broken, making it perfect for leisure use.

How does a personal beacon work?

Personal safety beacons operate using satellite technology, meaning they will work in situations where no mobile connection is available, making them perfect for maritime situations and highlighting why you need to ensure you have them in case of an emergency.

 

Once your distress signal has been received by a satellite system, it will then be relayed to a worldwide search and rescue (SAR) network, allowing services in the surrounding areas to locate your position and help them rescue you.

What is a VHF beacon?

VHF stands for Very High Frequency, which, using radio waves, operates within the 30 to 300 megahertz frequency spectrum. We have a range of safety beacons available, with compact and easy-to-store options – as well as – extensive battery and operational lifespans, ensuring we will have the perfect solution for you and your vessel.