These must be manually pulled from their bracket and activated by a person. They are more compact and affordable, making them popular for coastal boaters who keep a grab bag ready. 2. AIS Integration (The Game Changer) Modern beacons like the ACR GlobalFix V5 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and Ocean Signal EPIRB3 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. now include AIS.
Traditional EPIRBs talk to satellites. AIS EPIRBs talk to nearby ships . If you’re in a busy shipping lane, a nearby tanker might see your distress signal on their bridge display within minutes—long before a Coast Guard helicopter arrives. 3. Return Link Service (RLS)
A is smaller and registered to a person , not a boat.
One of the most stressful parts of an emergency is wondering if anyone heard your call. RLS-enabled beacons receive a signal back from the satellite that triggers a , confirming that your distress message has been received by rescue authorities. 4. Smartphone Connectivity (NFC)