Mentor, Ohio

... Emergency position indicating radio beacons...

The following is a safe boating message from the National safe
boating Council and the National Weather Service for this years
National safe boating week may 17th through the 24th.

The cospas sarsat system is an international satellite based
search and Rescue system used to locate emergency radio beacons
transmitting on a frequency of 406 megahertz. Since nineteen
eighty two... the cospas sarsat system has been instrumental
in the Rescue of more than thirty thousand individuals worldwide
and more than six thousand seven hundred individuals in the
United States. Within the United States... the National oceanic
and atmospheric administration is the lead representative to
the cospas sarsat organization.

Emergency position indicating radio beacons are a type of
emergency radio Beacon developed for use in marine environments.
Other types of emergency radio beacons such as personal locator
beacons are available for different applications... however their
effectiveness can be compromised when used in the marine environment.
406 megahertz emergency position indicating radio beacons are
divided into two categories. Category 1 beacons are activated
automatically or may be activated manually. Category 2 beacons
can only be activated manually. Either of these two types of
beacons may be equipped with GPS which will help Rescue forces
locate you more quickly. As proven by experience... a Beacon
often serves as the last line of defense when disaster strikes.
All types of beacons are becoming increasingly affordable and
all mariners should investigate procuring one... especially
those operating in harsh environments or offshore areas.

Once your Purchase is made... make certain that you Register your
Beacon which is mandatory. The information you provide on your
registration may help Rescue forces find you faster in an
emergency. This information also allows Rescue coordination
center personnel to determine if a distress alert is real or
false and prevent the needless dispatch of Rescue forces to
locate a false alert. You may Register online at
www.Beaconregistration.NOAA.Gov.

For more information on cospas sarsat or the emergency position
indicating radio beacons visit www.Sarsat.NOAA.Gov.

This message was brought to you by the National Weather Service
and the National safe boating Council. Visit the National
Weather Service on the web at www.Weather.Gov and the National
safe boating Council at www.Safeboatingcouncil.Org.