Research on autonomous maritime radio devices

Version history

August 2024, Rev. 1.0 – Marine Renewable Energy Committee review and update; change of title

March 2024, Rev. 0.1 – Page 2, bookmarking and and layout updated; no change to content

October 2016 – Initial publication

Summary

“Personal locator beacons” (PLBs), hereafter called “beacons”, are commonly used in the marine industry, including during operations involving the transfer of personnel at sea. Different models and types are available, which work on different technological principles. Client requirements and expectations have evolved over time, as technical developments improve performance of systems and their utility. This report describes some of the available technologies (as at April 2015), the different working principles and types, their primary advantages and disadvantages and regulatory developments coming into force 31 December 2024.

Industry expectations now generally require beacons to work in conjunction with automatic identification systems (AIS). To meet the requirement, the preference is to have beacons fitted in life jackets and to have the beacon serviced at least yearly by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)’s authorised life jacket servicing facility.

During normal working conditions, the risk of a man overboard (MOB) is a reasonably foreseeable hazard that may arise during crew transfer operations, both during transit (if the person is on deck) and during the actual transfer between crew transfer vessel (CTV) and other vessel or offshore structure. The use of a beacon can greatly improve the chances of recovering someone who has fallen overboard particularly in conditions which make recovery more challenging and all vessels involved in transfer operations should have procedures in place to deal with such an event. However, some vessels are better equipped than others to do this and may be present during transfers in a supporting role, to act as an emergency response vessel for an MOB situation.

Contents

• Introduction
• Abbreviations and Definitions
• Man Overboard Risk
• Personal Locator Beacons
• Legislation and Standards
• Assessment of PLB Systems
• Conclusion
• Reference Standards