The UK MCA reminds us that the Cospas-Sarsat SAR system will cease processing 121.5 and 243 MHz signals from 1 February 2009.

Hence beacon owners and users should immediately take steps to replace their existing 121.5 or 243 MHz beacons with those using 406 MHz.

This affects all maritime beacons (EPIRBs), aviation beacons (ELTs) and personal locator beacons (PLBs).

But other devices - such as man-overboard systems and homing transmitters - that operate at 121.5 or 243 MHz and do not rely on satellite detection will not be affected by the phase-out of satellite processing.

Cospas-Sarsat made the decision to cease satellite processing at 121.5 and 243 MHz in response to guidance from ICAO and IMO.  They have recognised the limitations of the 121.5 and 243 MHz beacons and the superior capabilities of the 406 MHz system.

The MCA explains that digital 406 MHz beacons offer many advantages over analog 121.5 and 243 MHz ones - with a 406 MHz beacon, the position of the distress can be relayed to rescue services around the world more quickly, more reliably and with greater accuracy.

They add that with a 121.5 or 243 MHz beacon, only one alert out of every 50 is a genuine distress situation - but with 406 MHz beacons, false alerts have been considerably reduced and when properly registered can normally be resolved with a telephone call to the beacon owner.

When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, SAR authorities can retrieve info from a registration database - including owner contact information and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics.

So now is the time to buy and register a 406 MHz beacon.

Falmouth Coastguard currently hold and maintain the UK EPIRB database - they can be contacted on UK 01326 211569.

Details from the MCA