Scuba diver's Personal Locator Beacon - how never to be lost at sea

[cvchief]

Even better!! I would think it doesn't matter. Just where you register the id number. I think the units are all the same. But DD should know for sure.

 

[DandyDon]

Never heard of them; are they a reputable retailer?

Well, you could google the name & "complaints" but I seldom do. I use Visa buying online and they make sure I am protected.

If there isn't a issue with registering a Canadian bought PLB1 in the US buying from a Canadian store drop the cost to $235US. And dropping daily.:depressed:

OCEAN SIGNAL rescueME PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON (PLB) : North Sails Atla...

Wow, the Loony has really dropped against the Buck.

Even better!! I would think it doesn't matter. Just where you register the id number. I think the units are all the same. But DD should know for sure.

How would I know? If I didn't have a PLB already, I'd give that a try. I tried a test order to see how much it would be shipped to the US, but it asks for too much info just to learn the shipping cost. But yeah you should be able to register it with NOAA ok.

 

[cvchief]

Wow, the Loony has really dropped against the Buck.
.

Hey, DD! I know they are a little different but easy on the calling Canadians names. MMM is one.

 

[DandyDon]

Hey, DD! I know they are a little different but easy on the calling Canadians names. MMM is one.

Oops, misspelled it. "Loonie."

​

Interestingly, their Toonie has a picture of a bear - but then none of our dollar coins have a picture of a male rabbit. The Canadians had the courage to stop making dollar bills so their dollar coin worked, but we're still wasting money reprinting dollar bills and storing dollar coins no one wants.

When the Toonie/Twonie was introduced, a number of nicknames were suggested - including the moonie (because it depicted "the Queen with a bear behind").

I took some Sunsan Bs on my first international dive trip to tip the waiters & maids, not realizing that they could not exchange them locally. :sad: I hope they traded them with tourists ok. I always ask my dive Op if they have any torn bills or coins they need to trade now, and tip with good bills.

 

[cvchief]

I post here for Coz specific answers:

I got this from US Boats where I registered my lifeline:


Dear BoatUS MMSI Registrant #XXXXXXXXXX:

Please take a moment to log in, review and update the MMSI Registration for your Portable Dive Radio!

Please be aware that due to changes in our agreement with the Coast Guard and FCC, BoatUS will not be issuing new MMSIs for Nautilus Dive radios. BoatUS is authorized to provide MMSIs for radios aboard vessels that are not required to carry a VHF under FCC regulations and that will communicate only with U.S. stations. Dive radios do not qualify because they are not associated with any vessel and generally purchased to be used internationally.

Your existing Dive Radio MMSI registration will not be affected by this change. It will remain in force in the BoatUS and Coast Guard database, and must continue to accurately reflect your current information:
[TABLE="width: 100"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][TABLE="width: 100"]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Address and phone numbers[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Emergency contacts ashore[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Identifying characteristics of boat (length, hull type, color or things that may differentiate it from vessels nearby) [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1.[/TD]
[TD]If you no longer own the registered dive radio, please login and cancel your MMSI account.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2.[/TD]
[TD]If you will be using the radio in International waters, please be aware that the registration is not in the International ITU Search and Rescue Database and would not be accessible to international search and rescue authorities. It resides in the U.S. Coast Guard Database.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

My question is, how does that work US vs. intl. registration? Like if I had a US Boat and sailed it to Coz? Are you supposed to change your registration when you change location? If I dove in the US, I would want the US Coasties to have it right? The info on the Lifeline site to me reads you register where you are, but doesn't address what it means to travel.

 

[KathyV]

Please advise, I am looking at getting a PLB but I am unclear about what is a good, simple system for divers, do I need a special housing? We are warm water vacation divers, what is a good PLB for us?

 

[Kevrumbo]

Please advise, I am looking at getting a PLB but I am unclear about what is a good, simple system for divers, do I need a special housing? We are warm water vacation divers, what is a good PLB for us?

Fastfind Dive Canister
http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/down...-Dive-Container-Instruction-Sheet.pdf?did=371
http://www.mcmurdogroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/max-g_user_manual__1_.pdf

 

[kixy1]

Mike's old PLB thread.... good to hear what's new I guess. What the heck ever happened to him?

 

[DandyDon]

Please advise, I am looking at getting a PLB but I am unclear about what is a good, simple system for divers, do I need a special housing? We are warm water vacation divers, what is a good PLB for us?

Hi Kathy,

Kevrumbo didn't say why he suggested the McMurco Fastfind and aluminum canister? I'm sure the Fastfind has its selling points, I can't tell from the owners manuals he linked, but I carry the ACR 2881 as Mike described in post 1. This particular model floats if you drop it at sea as well as being water resistant on the surface, and now is a great time to buy one with their $50 cash rebate. Be sure to buy at a site offering it for $245 like ACR 2881 ResQLink+ PLB Personal Locator Beacon The GPS Store as many other sites charge much more for the same item. Amazon lists it for $317, and some sites charge much more.

It does take some operator understanding and setup, like you need to register it so they will know who to look for if it ever goes off & more, renew the registration ever 2 years - watch for the email reminder, and the battery will need to be replaced after 5 years costing $112 to $150 depending current offers from authorized technicians. Even if you carry it for 5 years and then discard it tho, that's only 94¢ a week to know you can call for emergency help from anywhere with a clear sky view. I carry mine in my car everywhere. I saw a new story today about a guy who took 3 days to crawl to the road and signal for help after he wrecked his car at the bottom of an embankment, out of sight, and his cell phone failed. I got a cheap camera pouch it fits well to help keep me from knocking the folding antenna lose or worse - accidentally setting it off, and it rides in my car console, in my backpack when I get out for farming or a hike in the great outdoors, in my roll-on for any trip anywhere, etc. It only weighs a few ounces and can fit in the cargo pocket on trousers.

Note: If you ever do have to use it in an emergency, that will deplete the battery, but this company will replace it with a new one for free if you send it in with a good rescue story. They have a collection of used ones and stories. That's a small reward after saving your life one day, but a nice one.
​

Yes, you do need a canister to take it diving, and I have rented & carried the McMurdo aluminum model - but even at 2 pounds, it was heavier than I liked. Then I found the HDVSEATEK nylon canister that is much lighter. I used a cable tie to hang it from a bolt snap that I can clip to a D-ring on my BC. It comes with a carrying pouch, but that is not for diving (some people don't notice that in the instructions), and you do need to keep the o-ring moist with just a little silicone grease. Costs less than half as much as the McCurdo, about $100 including shipping at CANISTER for PLB: SCUBA Diver Emergency Locator Beacon/VHF Marine Radio.

 

[lionfish-eater]

Mike's old PLB thread.... good to hear what's new I guess. What the heck ever happened to him?

He was banned after he pushed a mod too far with some posts.