Under GMDSS regulations issued under the authority of the IMO, vessels sailing exclusively in GMDSS Sea Area A1 may carry a VHF EPIRB rather than a COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB.

VHF EPIRB were designed for use on VHF CH 70 transmitting in a DSC format and would indicate the following:
  • Nature of Distress – EPIRB transmission
  • They would not have to indicate the Distress position
  • They would not indicate follow-on communication, that is RT
At the present time no manufacturer has supplied such a type of EPIRB.
Last modified: Saturday, 25 April 2020, 7:50 PM