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                                                                    DA 13-239

                                                            February 20, 2013

                                             Enforcement Advisory No. 2013-03

                               EMERGENCY BEACONS

       Enforcement Bureau Reminds Users of all Emergency Locator Beacons

                    About Their Proper Use and Registration

   What are Emergency Beacons and How Are They Used?

   The FCC authorizes three types of emergency beacons for transmitting
   distress signals: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for
   maritime use, Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) for aviation use, and
   Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for land-based use.  All emergency beacons
   operating on frequency 406 MHz can be tracked by satellites and must be
   registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
   for Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT). As discussed
   below, false alarms from or failures to register emergency beacons may
   result in substantial monetary penalties (up to $112,500 for any single
   act).

   Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)

   EPIRBS are used for commercial and personal watercraft. Pursuant to the
   FCC's Rules, only EPIRBs operating on frequency 406 MHz may be
   manufactured, imported or sold in the United States.^ A separate license
   is not required to operate an EPIRB. The frequency 406 MHz has been
   designated internationally for use only for distress signals. The 406
   MHz EPIRBs are divided into two categories. Category I EPIRBs are
   activated either manually or automatically. The automatic activation is
   triggered when the EPIRB is released from its bracket.   Category
   II EPIRBs are activated manually.

   Detected by Satellites.  A 406 MHz EPIRB signal can be instantly detected
   by satellites, which allows a search and rescue team to accurately locate
   the EPIRB and identify the vessel anywhere in the world. Even a brief
   inadvertent activation on frequency 406 MHz can generate a false alert and
   is a violation of FCC Rules, thereby subjecting the operator to potential
   monetary penalties up to $112,500. Operators should take every precaution
   to avoid such activations because activations do not create an audible
   tone.

   Must Be Registered.  The FCC requires that all 406 MHz EPIRBs be
   registered with NOAA.^ Failure to register an EPIRB may subject its owner
   to monetary penalties up to $112,500. More importantly, registration will
   help rescue forces find a vessel faster in an emergency and allows the
   operator to contribute to the safety of others by not needlessly occupying
   search and rescue resources that may be needed in an actual emergency.

   Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)

   ELTs operate as part of an aircraft or a survival craft station as
   locating aids for survival purposes.^ ELTs were the first emergency
   beacons developed and most U.S. civil aircraft are required to carry
   them.  ELTs were originally intended for use on the frequency 121.5 MHz to
   alert aircraft flying overhead. Obviously, a major limitation to the early
   ELTs is that another aircraft must be within range and listening to
   frequency 121.5 MHz to receive the signal. While ELTs operating on
   frequency 121.5 MHz are still permitted in the United States, ELTs
   operating on frequency 406 MHz are also available and encouraged.^ A
   separate license is not required to operate an ELT.

   Detected by Satellites.  406 MHz ELT ELTs have the same advantages as 406
   MHz EPIRBS: they can be instantly detected by satellites, which allow a
   search and rescue team to accurately locate the 406 MHz ELT anywhere in
   the world. ELTs can also be activated manually or automatically.
   Inadvertent and non-emergency-related activations violate FCC Rules and
   may subject the operator to monetary penalties up to $112,500.

   Must Be Registered.  Also like 406 MHz EPIRBs, 406 MHZ ELTs must be
   registered with NOAA.^ Failure to register can result in monetary
   penalties up to $112,500.

   Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

   PLBs are portable units that operate as emergency beacons, like EPIRBs
   or ELTs, except that these beacons are designed to be carried by an
   individual instead of on a boat or aircraft. Also, like EPIRBs or ELTs,
   the FCC authorizes PLBs to be used only for distress and safety
   communications.^ PLBs are licensed by rule, and an individual license is
   not required.

   Detected by Satellite. PLBs can only be activated manually and operate
   exclusively on frequency 406 MHz.^  Like 406 MHz EPIRBs and ELTs, they can
   be instantly detected by satellites. Inadvertent and non-emergency-related
   activations are a violation of FCC Rules and may subject the operator to
   monetary penalties up to $112,500.

   Must Be Registered. The FCC requires that PLBs also be registered with
   NOAA.^  Failure to register can result in monetary penalties up to
   $112,500.

   Registering An Emergency Beacon

   As discussed above, all emergency beacons (EPIRBs, ELTs or PLBs) that
   operate on frequency 406 MHz must be registered with NOAA. Registration is
   free of charge and can be done online at the following website:
   http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/

   Paper copies of registration forms can also be downloaded from the
   following websites:

   EPIRBs: https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/rgdb/forms/epirb.pdf

   ELTs: https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/rgdb/forms/elt.pdf

   PLBs: https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/rgdb/forms/plb.pdf

   Need more information?

   To file a complaint, visit www.fcc.gov/complaints or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.
   For additional information regarding enforcement of the FCC Rules
   concerning emergency beacons, visit the websites below or email
   MarineRadio@fcc.gov. Media inquiries should be directed to Mark Wigfield
   at (202) 418-0253 or Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov.

     * For information related to EPIRBs and other maritime radio
       information, please visit the FCC website at
       http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations

     * For information related to ELTs and other aviation radio information,
       please visit the FCC website at
       http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=aviation

     * For information related to PLBs, please visit the FCC website at
       http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/personal-locator-beacons-plbs.

   To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities
   (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to
   fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at
   202-418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). You may also contact the
   Enforcement Bureau on its TTY line at (202) 418-1148 for further
   information about this Enforcement Advisory, or the FCC on its TTY line at
   1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) for further information about maritime
   radio, aviation radio, or personal locator beacons.

                                         Issued by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau

   ^ 47 CFR SS 80.1051-80.1061.

   ^ 47 CFR S 80.1061(f).

   ^ 47 CFR S 87.193.

   ^ 47 CFR S 87.199.

   ^ 47 CFR S 87.199(f).

   ^ 47 CFR SS 95.1400-95.1402.

   ^ 47 CFR S 95.1401.

   ^ 47 CFR S 95.1402(f).

                                  Page 2 of 2

   PUBLIC NOTICE

                                  Page 1 of 2

                            FCC ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY

   Federal Communications Commission

   445 12^th St., S.W.

   Washington, D.C. 20554

                                        News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

                                                 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

                                                          TTY: 1-888-835-5322