Low EPIRB servicing levels putting boaters at risk
10 Mar 2010
The recent furore over car safety recalls has highlighted a serious shortcoming in the marine sector, says Sartech.
EPIRB: Industry expert Sartech warns consumer apathy and data protection rules could scupper effective emergency responses for EPIRB owners.
‘Five years ago we were selling over 200 EPIRBs into the leisure sector every month,’ explains Sartech MD Peter Forey. ‘By rights, these units are now due for a service. However, in an average month we see less than 50 units being sent to us for scheduled repairs.’
If this gap in the system is not addressed the end result could be tragic, he said.
Historically, boaters are a hard group to keep in touch with. ‘Currently, it’s estimated that of the 40,000+ EPIRBs active in the UK, less than 50% have been properly registered.’
To put this into perspective, said Mr Forey, Toyota, with the help of the DoT and VOSA, has been able to recall 93% of all the effected cars sold in the UK.
‘However, with EPIRBs – which will only ever be used in a life or death situation – the UK marine sector as a whole has barely managed to trace 40% of all units in over five years,’ he explained’
There needs to be a co-ordinated effort between all the manufacturers and all the relevant maritime authorities to ensure we get the most accurate contact details for every EPIRB owner, concludes Mr Forey.
• Immediately prior to release the following statement was issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA): ‘To encourage beacon users to be pro-active with their EPIRB maintenance and to ensure that valid data is available to global Search and Rescue services, the UK Beacon Registry will be working collaboratively with all manufacturers in the future,’ says Steve Huxley of the UK EPIRB Registry and UKMCA SAR COMMS manager.
‘Five years ago we were selling over 200 EPIRBs into the leisure sector every month,’ explains Sartech MD Peter Forey. ‘By rights, these units are now due for a service. However, in an average month we see less than 50 units being sent to us for scheduled repairs.’
If this gap in the system is not addressed the end result could be tragic, he said.
Historically, boaters are a hard group to keep in touch with. ‘Currently, it’s estimated that of the 40,000+ EPIRBs active in the UK, less than 50% have been properly registered.’
To put this into perspective, said Mr Forey, Toyota, with the help of the DoT and VOSA, has been able to recall 93% of all the effected cars sold in the UK.
‘However, with EPIRBs – which will only ever be used in a life or death situation – the UK marine sector as a whole has barely managed to trace 40% of all units in over five years,’ he explained’
There needs to be a co-ordinated effort between all the manufacturers and all the relevant maritime authorities to ensure we get the most accurate contact details for every EPIRB owner, concludes Mr Forey.
• Immediately prior to release the following statement was issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA): ‘To encourage beacon users to be pro-active with their EPIRB maintenance and to ensure that valid data is available to global Search and Rescue services, the UK Beacon Registry will be working collaboratively with all manufacturers in the future,’ says Steve Huxley of the UK EPIRB Registry and UKMCA SAR COMMS manager.
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