ACR Electronics is leading this year’s 406Day campaign with an urgent call to action for boaters, hikers and aviators: be prepared to survive by equipping yourself with the best 406 MHz emergency beacon available.
The annual event, dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of 406 MHz PLBs, EPIRBs and ELTs, highlights the critical role these distress beacons play in saving lives.
This call to action follows the recent launch of ACR’s ‘Prepared to Survive’ campaign which reinforces the alarming difference emergency beacons can make in life-threatening situations and to bridge the disturbing gap that currently exists in safe boating practices – in which recent statistics suggest only 2.6 per cent of vessels have a registered EPIRB, and just 3 per cent of individuals carry a registered PLB.
These devices are not a luxury; they are a necessity. Every 406 MHz beacon transmits a unique digital code that allows global Search And Rescue (SAR) authorities to pinpoint a distress signal. Accurate registration of a beacon means SAR authorities can identify information such as the beacon owner, vessel type, and emergency points of contact. ACR urges all beacon owners to update their beacon registration, check battery expiration dates and conduct self-tests to ensure optimal functionality.
Mikele D’Arcangelo, VP of Global Marketing and Product Management said, “Carrying an emergency beacon before your next adventure could mean the difference between a fast rescue and being stranded for days—or not making it home at all.”
All ACR safety beacons operate on the 406 MHz frequency, providing real-time location tracking and immediate alerts to worldwide rescue authorities.
ACR’s latest beacon innovations, including the ResQLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and GlobalFix V5 AIS EPIRB, go a step further and integrate AIS (Automatic Identification System) technology, enhancing vessel tracking precision, collision avoidance, and the likelihood of rescue from nearby vessels.
Additionally, ACR’s ELT 5000 Distress Tracking ELT, launched earlier this year, is the leading GADSS-compliant solution available on the market for commercial and transport aircraft, redefining standards for emergency location transmitters by delivering real-time location updates and autonomous distress tracking while the aircraft is still in flight. Upon detecting a distress condition, the ELT 5000 automatically activates, transmitting the aircraft’s precise coordinates, which are autonomously acquired through GNSS technology, to the Cospas-Sarsat system.
By providing these latest beacon advancements, ACR ensures that mariners, adventurers and aviators have the best possible chance of survival in an emergency.
Survivor’s story highlights beacon necessity
A recent incident off the coast of Morehead City highlights how critical 406 MHz beacons can be in a time of need. A fishing duo stranded 20 miles offshore due to a failed motor and deteriorating weather conditions activated their ACR GlobalFix V6 EPIRB when their radio communications failed. Within 45 minutes, a Towboat US vessel, guided by an aircraft relating their position from the Coast Guard, arrived on the scene. As heavy thunderstorms rolled in, a Coast Guard motor lifeboat secured the tow and navigated the rough seas to bring the stranded fishermen safely back to shore.
Reflecting on the ordeal, one survivor commented, “Without our EPIRB, I can’t imagine how long we would have been stranded for.”
This incident serves as a reminder that emergencies can happen to anyone and can arise unexpectedly. Having a beacon onboard can be the difference between a rescue and a life-threatening situation.
Emergencies can strike without warning. This 406Day, ACR Electronics urges all outdoor adventurers to make sure you’re ready by checking their beacon, updating their registration and spreading the word – because preparedness saves lives.
Key 406Day safety tips from ACR Electronics:
ACR Electronics offers the following simple advice to beacon owners to ensure their EPIRB, PLB or ELT will operate effectively in the event of an emergency.
- Check the battery expiration date – Each beacon is marked with the Month and Year the battery needs to be replaced.
- Update your beacon registration – Ensure your contact information, and your emergency contacts information, is correct and up to date to best assist Search and Rescue.
- Verify your beacon registration number – Double check your beacon registration number matches your beacon, especially if you hand wrote your registration and submitted manually.
- Test your beacon – 406Day is about getting beacon owners to be more comfortable with their beacon, so do a self-test and confirm it is in working order.
- Review the Product Support Manual – familiarise yourself with proper storage and activation procedures.
- Save a Friend – Share a photo with your beacon on social media using the hashtags #406Day and #beaconssavelives, and tag some friends who you think might need one.
Learn more about ACR Electronics and its life-saving beacons at www.acrartex.com.
