The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) draws attention to the importance of regular maintenance of float-free Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) to ensure they function properly in an emergency, especially after two years of use.
As explained by AMSA, float-free EPIRBs automatically activate during maritime emergencies. Stored in a float-free bracket, these water-activated devices deploy when a vessel capsizes at depths of 1–4 meters. The EPIRB, equipped with a hydrostatic release unit (HRU), surfaces and transmits a distress signal to alert rescuers of the vessel’s location.
