AVIARA OWNERS MANUAL / 44
Communications
The following applies to the Great Lakes and salt water boating:
When boating off-shore, carry communications gear such
as a marine VHF-FM and/or HF transceiver(s), appropriate to
the operating area. Cellular phone coverage is available in
many coastal areas. However, cellular phones should NOT be
considered a substitute for VHF-FM marine band radios for
emergency purposes.
In distress situations, press the VHF transmit button and clearly
say: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Follow this with the vessel
name and/or description, the location, nature of emergency
and number of people on-board. Then release the transmit
button and wait for 10 seconds. If there is no response, repeat
the MAYDAY call.
Satellite EPIRBs (406 MHz) are designed to quickly and reliably
alert rescue forces, indicate an accurate distress position, and
guide rescue units to the distress scene, even when all other
communications fail.
When activated, the satellite EPIRB transmits a distress
signal with a beacon-unique identifying code. The system
detects the signal, calculates an accurate distress position,
checks the unique identifying code against the EPIRB
registration database (vessel and point of contact information
supplied by the owner) and routes the distress alert with
registration information to the responsible U.S. Coast Guard (or
International) Rescue Coordination Center (RCC).
406MHz EPIRBs with GPS (internal or attached) also provide an
immediate GPS position in the information passed to the RCC.
Geostationary satellites make detection almost immediate. If
the EPIRB does not have the ability to provide a GPS position,
the process to determine a position takes about an hour on
average and almost always less than two hours. Satellite
EPIRBs also include a homing beacon and strobe to help
rescue forces quickly locate the distress scene.
Satellite beacons have significant coverage, alerting timeliness,
position accuracy, and signaling advantages over other types
of EPIRBs (121.5 MHz). Before purchasing or using something
other than the 406 MHz EPIRB, be sure to understand the
capabilities and limitations.
Further information and a complete listing of VHF channels and
frequencies is available at: www.navcen.uscg.gov.
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