EMERGENCY RESCUE HELICOPTER
bEACONS SERvICES RESCUE
EPIRBs (emergency position indicating radio When you send a mayday in UK waters, You’ll probably see the helicopter before the
beacons) and PLBs (personal locator beacons) HM Coastguard will evaluate the situation helicopter crew sees you.
broadcast a distress signal that allows the and coordinate the response of either RNLI
• Never fire a parachute flare or miniflare
search and rescue services to home in on lifeboats, independent rescue services and/
near a helicopter. In daylight, use an orange
your exact position. or their own search and rescue helicopters.
smoke flare as a signal to the helicopter, or
EPIRBs are portable satellite communication
The RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews are highly
use a hand-held red flare if requested.
units, designed to send an automated
trained, and they will clearly communicate
• Once contact has been made, listen to the
distress signal on a frequency of 406MHz
their intentions. It’s crucial that you do
pilot’s instructions carefully and brief your
to search and rescue authorities ashore. The
exactly as asked.
crew. You will not be able to hear each other
RNLI recommends small craft carry an EPIRB
P
h
o
when the helicopter is overhead.
if they sail more than 20–30 nautical miles
t
o
: R • Ensure all loose gear on deck is secured.
from the coast. You must register your EPIRB
N
L
I
• Do not touch the hi-line, winch wire or
with the relevant national authorities so
/
N
i
g
winchman until they have ‘earthed’ in the
that the rescue services have details of your
e
l M
sea or touched the boat to avoid a static
vessel. (See the Useful contacts section on
i
l
l
a
r
d
electric shock.
page 38.)
• Wear gloves when handling the line.
If you believe an EPIRB has been set off • Never secure any helicopter line to the boat.
accidentally, do not switch it off until you
have contacted the Coastguard to explain
what has happened.
PLBs operate in a similar way to EPIRBs but
are designed to locate a person rather than
a vessel.
36
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