13th Jun 2014
Need To Know – AMSA Beacon Registrations
Why register a distress beacon?
Registration is free and can result in a more efficient search and rescue effort. As stated, digital 406 MHz distress beacons transmit a unique code that identifies a particular beacon when it is activated.
A registered 406 MHz beacon will allow the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Rescue Coordination Centre to access the registration database and find contact details; details of registered vessels, aircraft or vehicles; and details of up to three nominated emergency contacts who may be contacted if a beacon is activated and contact cannot be made.
These emergency contacts may be able to provide valuable information to the RCC that can assist with a more expedient rescue. Beacon registration is valid for two years and renewal can be done online or by contacting 1800 406 406.
AMSA Online Epirb and PLB registration
You can now register your beacon online here: https://www.beacons.amsa.gov.au/
Beacon owners have protected access to their accounts and are able to update their details anytime, including changes to:
ownership and emergency contact details;
boat, aircraft or vehicle details;
registered address details; or
indicate the disposal of a beacon.
There is also the facility for owners to note trip itineraries, so when a beacon is activated the RCC will have access to your current movements and be better placed to organise the most suitable response.
This does not replace advising a responsible person of your trip details. In addition to online access, registration forms and changes to details can also be provided to AMSA by fax, email or post.
Renewing your EPIRB or PLB registration
A Sticker reminder notification will be issued one month before the two year expiry date if your registration details have not been updated in the six months previously.
If your registration details have been updated six months before the expiry date, then NO reminder will be issued. The AMSA system will automatically generate a new registration sticker letter and send it to you one month prior to the expiry date.
The registration sticker reminders will be sent via email if you have an email address recorded in the beacon register.
If no email address is listed, then a sticker reminder letter will be mailed one month prior to the sticker’s expiry date.
To enable the issue of a new registration sticker we require the beacon owner to check and confirm the registration details either by:
the Online Beacon Register https://www.beacons.amsa.gov.au/ , Log into your beacon registration account, check registration details on the ‘Contact Details’ page and ‘Beacons’ page, if OK or once editing is complete click on ‘save’. Once completed, please go to the ‘Beacons’ page and click on the ‘Order Replacement Sticker’ button.
by Email to ausbeacon@amsa.gov.au or Phone 1800 406 406. Please quote your HEX ID/UIN, the operator will then confirm all your registration details prior to ordering you a new sticker.
A new registration sticker will not be issued until your beacon registration details are validated as current.
Please allow approximately two weeks for delivery of your new registration sticker which will be valid for a further two years.
Why does AMSA issue registration stickers for EPIRBs and PLBs?
Registration stickers are issued by AMSA and provide distress beacon owners and marine inspectors with proof of current registration.
The sticker will note the HexID/UIN of the beacon, its registration expiry date (2 years from date of issue) and vessel name, aircraft tail number or owner’s name depending on type of beacon and use. This registration sticker must be affixed to the beacon.
A fine may result if a current sticker is not affixed to a beacon during a safety equipment inspection.
What should be done if a distress beacon is sold, lost, stolen or destroyed?
Owners are asked to notify AMSA if they sell their distress beacon or it is lost, stolen or destroyed. If AMSA is not notified and the new owner activates the beacon any rescue will be delayed as the last known registered owner will be contacted. Notification of sold, lost, stolen or destroyed distress beacons can be made online at:
www.amsa.gov.au/beacons,
or by fax, phone, post or email.
Can distress beacons be registered for more than one use?
Although EPIRBs and PLBs are designed for use in specific environments, they are more commonly being used across the spectrum of environments. AMSA’s registration database will accept details for the beacons primary use as well as for other uses.
Care must be taken when using a distress beacon for a purpose other than the specific purpose they were designed for. For example, EPIRBs are designed to float in water and use the water plane to reflect the signal upwards to the satellite. An EPIRB activated on land or in a boat must remain vertical to ensure the signal is not greatly degraded. Similarly, although PLBs are waterproof and designed to float, they are not required to float upright so when activating a PLB at sea it should be supported so that its antenna remains vertical and out of the water. Some life vests have pockets for PLBs sewn into the webbing up high near the shoulder allowing the PLB to be supported above the water leaving hands free.
Can distress beacons be used overseas or can beacons registered in a foreign country be used in Australia?
Cospas-Sarsat is a global system and distress beacon alerts are received by the satellites from anywhere on the Earth’s surface. If an Australian-coded distress beacon is activated overseas an alert will be sent to the Rescue Coordination Centre responsible for the region in which the distress incident is occurring. A second notification is then sent to RCC-Australia as the registrar for the beacon.
Likewise, alerts from beacons registered in other countries that are activated in the Australian region will be received by RCC-Australia. Australian residents who buy a distress beacon registered elsewhere should have the beacon recoded with the Australian country code by a local agent and have it registered with AMSA.