Ocean Signal PLB3 safety kit (PLB3 + EPIRB3 + grab bag)

This complete kit includes a PLB3 personal locator beacon, an EPIRB3 deck beacon with its manual mounting bracket, and a durable carry-all bag to make transporting your safety equipment easier.

The EPIRB3 is a vessel-mounted beacon designed to be mounted on a bulkhead to alert rescue services in the event of abandoning the boat. The PLB3 is a compact personal beacon that attaches to your lifejacket to protect you individually, particularly in the event of a man-overboard situation.

RLS (Return Link Service) is a technology that provides visual confirmation (usually via a blue LED) that your distress signal has been received by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network and that your position has been transmitted to rescue centers.

Yes, both the PLB3 and the EPIRB3 integrate AIS technology. When activated, they broadcast a local alert to nearby vessels equipped with AIS receivers, enabling immediate location tracking on their chartplotters and significantly accelerating nearby rescue operations.

No, the global satellite-based search and rescue network Cospas-Sarsat is completely free to use. No monthly or annual subscription is required for your PLB3 and EPIRB3 beacons to transmit an alert.

Yes, it is strictly mandatory to register your distress tags with the competent authorities in your country (such as the ANFR in France). This free registration allows rescue services to access your vessel information and emergency contacts in case of activation.

Both beacons are equipped with NFC technology. Simply bring your NFC-compatible smartphone close to the beacon and use the free Ocean Signal app to check the battery status, test history, and operational diagnostics.

The EPIRB3 comes with a manual mounting bracket (Category II). It must be installed vertically on a clear bulkhead, inside or outside the vessel, in a location that is easily and quickly accessible in an emergency to allow manual release of the beacon.

The PLB3 comes with specific mounting clips. It can be easily attached to the strap of your lifejacket or directly to the oral inflation tube, ensuring it stays with you in case of a man overboard.

No, this kit includes the EPIRB3 with a Category II bracket. This means activation is manual: you must remove the beacon from its bracket and activate it yourself, or throw it into the water so its marine contacts activate it automatically.

The PLB3 is activated manually. However, if it is correctly installed on an automatic inflatable lifejacket with the provided triggering system, the inflation of the jacket can cause the antenna to deploy and the beacon to activate.

The 121.5 MHz frequency is a homing signal. Once rescue teams have reached your area using the GPS coordinates transmitted via satellite, this radio signal allows helicopters and rescue vessels to pinpoint your exact location with extreme precision during the final approach.

No, the EPIRB3 and PLB3 are equipped with multi-constellation GNSS receivers. They simultaneously use the GPS (American), Galileo (European), and Glonass (Russian) satellite networks to ensure global location with metric precision and ultra-fast response.

The emergency AIS signal transmitted by your beacons will be visible to all surrounding vessels equipped with an AIS receiver and a compatible multifunction display or chartplotter, which represents the majority of commercial ships and many recreational boats today.

Yes, these safety devices are designed for the most extreme marine environments. The PLB3 and EPIRB3 are fully waterproof and capable of withstanding prolonged immersion, ensuring operation even in harsh conditions.

In case of accidental activation, it is crucial to deactivate the beacon immediately by following the instructions in the manual. You must then urgently contact the search and rescue coordination center (CROSS in France) via VHF or phone to cancel the false alarm.

Yes, the PLB3’s lithium battery is generally accepted in the cabin or hold by most airlines, as its lithium content complies with civil aviation standards. However, it is recommended to check with your airline before departure.

The app is compatible with the vast majority of recent smartphones running iOS (Apple) and Android. Your phone must simply be equipped with NFC functionality to communicate with the beacons.

Yes, the EPIRB3 is designed to float vertically at the water’s surface. Its integrated marine contacts even allow it to activate automatically as soon as it is submerged and detached from its mounting bracket.

The grab bag is designed to gather and protect your essential survival gear (EPIRB, distress flares, water, portable VHF, etc.). In case of an emergency abandonment of the vessel, it allows you to carry all your safety equipment in one motion to the liferaft.