An Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device used to alert search and rescue services (SAR) in case of an emergency out at sea. It is a portable, battery-powered radio transmitter used in emergencies to locate boaters in distress and in need of immediate rescue. EPIRBs are installed on ships and other vessels after being registered with the national search and rescue forces to that boat. They are designed to float in water and can be deployed manually or automatically depending on the bracket category and situation.

EPIRBs work by transmitting a signal on a specified band to locate a lifeboat, life raft, ship, or people in distress. The standard frequency of a modern EPIRB is 406 MHz, and it is an internationally regulated mobile radiocommunication service that aids search-and-rescue operations to detect and locate distressed watercraft, aircraft, and people. EPIRBs provide worldwide coverage, position location accuracy, a reliable transmitted signal, an encoded message that identifies the distressed vessel, and a faster response time.

EPIRBs are a critical piece of safety gear for boaters that when activated alerts a worldwide Search and Rescue (SAR) network designed to send rescuers to your exact location quickly. They are a secondary means of distress alerting, which means that they come later in the hierarchy of alerting SAR authorities in case of distress. EPIRBs are larger and often mounted to a boat or marine vessel, have longer battery life (minimum of 48 hours), and have a strobe light built-in.

In summary, an EPIRB is a portable, battery-powered radio transmitter used in emergencies to locate boaters in distress and in need of immediate rescue. It is designed to float in water and can be deployed manually or automatically depending on the bracket category and situation. EPIRBs provide worldwide coverage, position location accuracy, a reliable transmitted signal, an encoded message that identifies the distressed vessel, and a faster response time. They are a critical piece of safety gear for boaters that when activated alerts a worldwide Search and Rescue (SAR) network designed to send rescuers to your exact location quickly.