Emergency beacons (EPIRB and PLB)

ACR EPIRB emergency beacon in its bracket on board a ship

ACR • Emergency Beacons

EPIRB and PLB emergency beacons for boats and ships

When activated, an emergency beacon sends a 406 MHz distress signal with your position via the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network to rescue services. Globally, outside of VHF and cellular coverage, without a subscription.

Choose an EPIRB if the beacon belongs to the ship and is kept in a fixed bracket on board. Choose a PLB if you want a personal beacon to wear on your life jacket. Many vessels carry both.

AML is an official ACR dealer. Below, you will find complete beacons and the corresponding brackets, batteries, and spare parts. Are you unsure between Cat I and Cat II, between V5 and V6, or about the registration process? Open our buying guide.

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Buying guide: EPIRB or PLB, V5 or V6, Cat I or Cat II, and the rules in the Netherlands — open for explanation and comparison

Which emergency beacon do you need?

There are two types of 406 MHz beacons, and the difference is not in the technology but in what the beacon belongs to. Both transmit their position via the same Cospas-Sarsat satellite network, and both work without a subscription or cellular coverage.

EPIRB: belongs to the ship

An EPIRB is kept in a fixed bracket on board. The beacon is registered to the vessel, so the rescue services immediately know which ship it is, how many people are typically on board, and who the emergency contact is on shore. An EPIRB is larger than a PLB, has a longer battery life, and—in the Cat I version—can automatically deploy if the ship sinks.

PLB: belongs to the person

A PLB is carried by you, usually on your life jacket or in the pocket of your foul-weather gear. It is compact and registered to you personally. This makes it the right choice for man-overboard situations, for crew members standing watch alone during a crossing, and for anyone who wants coverage even when away from the ship. A PLB does not replace an EPIRB, as it only works if someone carries it and activates it manually.

Many ocean sailors choose both: one EPIRB for the ship and a PLB per crew member.

Feature EPIRB PLB
Registered to The ship The person
Location on board Fixed bracket or hydrostatic enclosure Life jacket, foul-weather gear, or grab bag
Activation Manual, or automatic for Cat I Always manual
Size Larger, stays on board Compact, wearable
Use out of water No, maritime only Usable on land as well
Netherlands: registration Registration mandatory License required
Netherlands: operator certificate Minimum Marcom-B Not required

GlobalFix V5 or V6? The difference is AIS

Our EPIRBs are the ACR GlobalFix V5 and V6. They are identical except for one point, and that point is definitely worth considering.

GlobalFix V5 GlobalFix V6
406 MHz satellite alarm with GPS position Yes Yes
AIS alerting to nearby ships Yes No
Return Link Service Yes Yes
Water activation Yes Yes
LED and infrared strobe Yes Yes
Battery 10 years, 48 hours transmit 10 years, 48 hours transmit
Self-test via your phone (NFC) Yes Yes
Versions Cat I and Cat II Cat I and Cat II

What AIS adds: the satellite alarm brings rescuers to your general vicinity, but that is an area, not a specific point. A beacon with AIS also appears as a target on the plotter of any ship in the area — including the coaster that happens to be passing by. In rough seas, in the dark, or with a small target in the water, this is the difference between knowing roughly where you are and actually finding you. If you sail in the North Sea or are crossing oceans, the V5 is worth that difference.

Cat I or Cat II: which mounting suits you?

For an EPIRB, you also choose the mounting type. This refers purely to the bracket, not the beacon itself.

  • Cat I is housed in a hydrostatic enclosure with a HydroFix release. If the ship sinks, the water pressure releases the beacon, after which it floats to the surface on its own and begins transmitting. This works even if no one can reach the bracket.
  • Cat II is held in a bracket from which you manually remove the beacon. Simpler, more compact, and cheaper to purchase and maintain.

Which version is appropriate or required depends on your vessel, your sailing area, and the regulations that apply to you. Cat I is recommended when automatic release is desired or mandatory, for example on ships prone to capsizing or sinking rapidly. Cat II is a deliberate choice if the beacon is meant to be grabbed for your emergency bag. Unsure? Please contact us, and we will be happy to help.

The HydroFix HRU of a Cat I enclosure has its own replacement date, shorter than that of the battery. We supply it separately, as well as the Sea Shelter 4 Cat I enclosure and the LowPro Cat II brackets.

The PLBs: which ResQLink?

Model What it adds
ResQLink 400 The base model, with multi-terrain clips to wear on a life vest or harness
ResQLink 410 RLS With Return Link Service: confirmation on the device that your alarm was received
ResQLink View With digital display, so you can see what the beacon is doing during an alarm
ResQLink View RLS Display and Return Link Service

All four are compact enough to wear permanently on a life jacket. For someone in the water, that RLS confirmation is not just a technical detail: it is the difference between hoping your signal got through and knowing it did.

Registration, licensing, and certification in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, an emergency beacon must always be registered with the Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur (RDI), for both EPIRBs and PLBs. The procedure differs by type.

EPIRB. You register the frequency usage with the RDI and are assigned an MMSI number, which must be programmed into the beacon. An operator certificate is mandatory for using an EPIRB; at minimum, the Marcom-B. Please note that you will receive an annual invoice for maritime registration.

PLB. For this, you apply for a license from the RDI, not a registration. An operator certificate is not required for a PLB. The RDI only issues licenses for PLBs with a Dutch country code (244, 245, or 246).

Rules and fees are subject to change. Always check the current information from the RDI before submitting your application. As an official ACR dealer, we help you with device data and programming the identification code into your beacon.

Spare parts — also for older ACR beacons

Have an ACR beacon that has been on board for years? You can also find loose parts here: replacement batteries for the GlobalFix V4, antennas for the GlobalFix V4 and RLB-41, for the GlobalFix PRO, iPRO, Satellite3 406 and ResQMate, and for the RapidFix, Satellite2 406 and GlobalFix. Furthermore, LowPro3 Cat II brackets for the RLB-36, 37, 38, and 40, the programming cable for the FPR-30 and FPR-300, GPS interface cables with NMEA output in Cat I and Cat II versions, and holsters, clips, straps, and a floating protective cover for the ResQLink, MicroFix, SARLink, ResQFix, and AquaLink.

Maintenance: battery, HydroFix, and self-test

An emergency beacon is equipment that does nothing for years and then must work instantly. Three things belong in your maintenance schedule:

  • Battery expiry date. This is printed on the label. After this date, the device will usually continue to transmit, but the specified transmission time is no longer guaranteed.
  • HydroFix for Cat I. Has its own, shorter replacement interval than the battery. An expired HydroFix makes automatic release unreliable.
  • The self-test. Perform this according to your model's manual. Never activate a beacon for a "real" test: an accidental alarm triggers a rescue operation. If it does happen, warn a Coast Guard Center immediately.

Frequently asked questions about emergency beacons

What is the difference between an EPIRB and a PLB?

An EPIRB belongs to the ship and is registered to the ship; a PLB belongs to a person and is registered to that person. An EPIRB is larger and, in a Cat I version, can be released automatically if the ship sinks. A PLB is carried by you and is always activated manually.

Does every emergency beacon have AIS?

No. For ACR, the difference is specifically between two models: the GlobalFix V5 has AIS alerting, the V6 does not. Otherwise, they are identical. With AIS, you appear as a target on the plotters of ships in your immediate vicinity, in addition to the satellite alarm.

Do I need a license for a PLB in the Netherlands?

Yes. You must apply for a license from the RDI to use a PLB. An operator certificate is not required. The RDI only issues licenses for PLBs with a Dutch country code (244, 245, or 246).

Which certificate do I need for an EPIRB?

Using an EPIRB requires at least the Restricted Operator's Certificate (Marcom-B). The exam is taken at the CBR, which also issues the certificate.

What is a Cat I EPIRB?

A Cat I version is housed in a hydrostatic enclosure. If the ship sinks, water pressure releases the beacon, and it floats to the surface to begin transmitting. With a Cat II, you remove the beacon from the bracket yourself.

What does RLS on an emergency beacon mean?

Return Link Service. The beacon receives confirmation via Galileo as soon as your distress signal has been received by the system and displays this on the device. Both the GlobalFix V5 and V6 and the ResQLink 410 RLS and View RLS have this feature.

When must the battery be replaced?

Every beacon has a battery replacement date on the label — for the GlobalFix V5 and V6, this is ten years. Replace by that date, or earlier if the beacon has been activated. For a Cat I enclosure, the HydroFix has its own shorter deadline.

I have an older ACR beacon. Can I still get parts for it?

Often, yes. We have antennas and batteries for models including the GlobalFix V4, RLB-41, GlobalFix PRO and iPRO, Satellite2 and 3, RapidFix, and ResQMate. Tell us the model, and we will check for you.

Related collections

AML has locations in Apeldoorn and Bruinisse and provides on-board installation.

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