EPIRB vs. PLB vs. Satellite Communicator: Which Offshore Emergency Device Do You Need?

Emergency comms are the one category where “good enough” is not good enough offshore. Here is how the options differ for serious boats.

406 MHz EPIRB (vessel-mounted)

Registered to the vessel, floats free, broadcasts distress with GPS to rescue coordination centers. Required gear for many offshore passages and tournaments. Not a messaging device — one-way distress.

PLB (personal)

Registered to a person, pocket-sized, excellent for captain/crew backup on coastal runs. Not a substitute for a vessel EPIRB on a dedicated offshore boat.

Satellite messenger / hotspot

Two-way check-in, weather, and non-emergency texting. We carry satellite connectivity like the Iridium GO! for crews who want data offshore — but do not confuse messaging with a 406 MHz distress beacon.

Common question: Do I need AIS too?

AIS helps collision avoidance; it is not a rescue beacon. Pair AIS (VHF 215 AIS or RS35) with proper EPIRB policy for offshore.

Practical offshore minimum

• Vessel EPIRB (registered, tested, stowed for float-free deploy)
• VHF with DSC
• Satellite messenger if you run outside reliable cell range

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