Well, after years of delay, it seems that it's time to get a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon, a personal EPIRB, if you will). It seems to make sense, since I'm more interested in sending MY location if I go overboard, rather than the boat's (of course, if I'm not such a klutz that I go overboard, they are one-and-the-same).
Does anyone have experience with PLBs, and if you bought one, why did you choose the one you did? And if you considered a PLB, but still opted for the EPIRB, why?
Thanks, and Happy Daylight Savings Time!
Jon
After monitoring channel 16 during a "summer weather event" in the Gulf, and listening to vessels trying to provide emergency MOB locations in critical conditions, we decided that an EPIRB was needed. After shopping a bit, and speaking with the Coast Guard, we purchased a smaller unit with a self-contained GPS, and also a search and rescue locator beacon. The unit is small enough to place around your neck, but large enough to take some knocks and continue functioning. The following year, we were caught in another "summer weather event" and while we had no difficulties coping, it was good to know that we could be located, either in the boat, or in the water, with our PFDs, personal strobes, and EPIRB. Would recommend the purchase. Now we just need to stop sailing into bad weather!
I had the same question earlier this year and decided on a PLB, the ACR 2882 AquaLink Personal Locator Beacon, as I was entered in double handed race where it was required. The major difference it came down to was an epirb has a 48 hour minimum battery life and the PLB has a 24 hour minimum battery life. Since my sailing is rarely over 40 miles from shore, I felt very comfortable with the AquaLink. The unit lists for $399 but I bought mine from The GPS Store online for $335 ($349 with an online coupon for $15 off).
Gary