To Beacon or not to Beacon – that is the Question. 04/14/12

Overview

Questions What percentage of SAR operations are commercial vs. recreational craft? How many recreational boaters go offshore? 3NM? 20NM? Is there anyway the National Survey or other sources can help us answer that question? How many recreational boaters are rescued off shore and how far off shore were they? How many of those were successfully aided by our current systems, VHF, or ELB. Of those that weren’t how many would have been successful if those systems were in use? What is the distance capability of devices in play today?

Meetings The group has had 3 conference calls There has been a significant amount of discussion and data compilation If a recommendation is made, the group will also look at delivery methods noting the current regulatory climate We are on schedule to have a recommendation for the Nov 2012 meeting. We have 5 main topic areas we are discussing.

5 Main Topics – Define what an Emergency Beacon is Emergency Locator Beacon means a radio beacon that can be used for emergency locating purposes for a recreational boater. The term includes a personal locator beacon (PLB), an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), or other device placed on a list by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard as a qualified emergency locator device. A qualified emergency locator device does not have to possess all characteristics of a PLB or EPIRB to be placed on the list and may include a variety of devices that can be carried by boaters that will aid in communication and location of the boater in an emergency event. Note: This definition would apply to vessels operating beyond 3 nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured or beyond 3 nautical miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes.

5 Main Topics – Understand the devices We need to better understand the types of products (VHF, AIS-SART, SAT phones, cell phones, texting, internet, Global star, SEND, PLBs, EPIRBs) that are used to aid in rescue operations for stranded mariners. Specifically, we wanted to seek answers about: Annualized costs associated with these devices Their capabilities and how they interact with current systems Their use in the current population Reliability and propensity for false alerts Registration percentages Position accuracy Refresh rates

5 Main Topics – Understand the data We need to understand what percentages of SAR activities are commercial vs. recreational 3NM or more offshore? Cost associated with these rescues? Where do the rescues take place? Near shore, more than 3NM? 20NM Is there an understanding of rescue costs for those SAR events with known coordinates vs. last known whereabouts? How many lives may have been saved if the mariner had carried an emergency location beacon as defined?

5 Main Topics – Illustrate the system capabilities We need to visually illustrate device capability and system interaction for the lay person. For instance, there is Rescue 21 aimed at VHF transmission triangulation, AIS-SART, cell phone coverage etc. We want to be able to show the mariner how coverage and devices change based on your position off shore.

5 Main Topics – Ensure compliance Should we make a recommendation to the subcommittee and subsequently to the Council, how can we enhance the rate of device registrations and compliance by the recreational boater?

Questions?