HM Coastguard and beacon manufacturers are urging owners of emergency 406 MHz beacons, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) or PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) to register their details on the UK Beacon Registry.
Over half (40,000) of the UK beacons are not registered with the UK Beacon Registry and the details for existing registered beacons can soon become out of date as people move house, sell their boat and change their phone numbers.
Steve Huxley, Search and Rescue Communications Manager says:
“Registering your beacon can speed up the rescue and will give the Coastguard vital information in an emergency. If you own an EPIRB or a PLB you are legally required to register your beacon with the UK Beacon Registry so that the Coastguard has enough information about you and your vessel in an emergency. Ultimately, this will help save lives.”
Registration is free and simple so register online with the UK Beacon Registry at www.gov.uk/406beacon
Find out what happens when your beacon is activated – visit the MCA’s Facebook page or Twitter account
