| Safety Equipment for the Boat: Audible Signaling |
From "Shipshape Boating"
episode DSSB-201 |
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Guest Tom Donte explains the use and purpose of audible signaling devices. These are mainly used for boat owners who may need to quickly notify a bridge operator that they have an emergency so the bridge can be raised. Five short blasts will communicate that to them.
- Whistles (figure A) are very inexpensive and easy to use. Plastic whistles are best; avoid metal because they will rust if they get wet.
- Air horns (figure B) are air filled canisters that make a loud sound when the handle is pressed down and can be heard from a long distance away.
- E-Pirb stands for Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon, commonly referred to as 406's. For commercial boats, this type of signaling device is a requirement. It sends out a radio signal to a satellite, which transfers the signal back to a transponder on land. The signal is relayed to search and rescue teams and gives them your location within one square mile.
- G-Pirb works in conjunction with the boats GPS system and can pinpoint your location within a couple hundred feet.
- Personal E-Pirb is worn on you so that if you become displaced from your boat, your physical location can be traced.
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