Nautikai blog

EPIRB vs PLB vs AIS MOB — how to choose your distress beacon for a sailboat

Three distress beacon technologies coexist in 2026, each for a different use: the EPIRB protects the boat, the PLB protects the person, and the AIS MOB alerts nearby boats within seconds. For a serious offshore sailboat, all three are complementary. For coastal cruising, PLB + MOB1 are sufficient. Technical comparison, French legal framework (division 240), brands distributed by Skysat, and 2026 USD budgets.