The international organization that governs EPIRBS, ELT's, and PLB's has ordered the phase out of all 121.5/243 beacons.
Effective January 1, 2007 class "A" and "B" EPIRBS (121.5/243 MHz) become illegal to carry for all vessels except as part of a crew-overboard system. This is a FCC regulation that covers both commercial and recreational vessels.
47CFR § 80.1053 Special requirements for
Class A EPIRB stations.
Class A EPIRBs shall not be manufactured,
imported, or sold in the
United States on or after February 1,
2003. Operation of Class A EPIRB stations
shall be prohibited after December
31, 2006. New Class A EPIRBs will
no longer be certified by the Commission.
Existing Class A EPIRBs must be
operated as certified.
[68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]
47CFR § 80.1055 Special requirements for
Class B EPIRB stations.
Class B EPIRBs shall not be manufactured,
imported, or sold in the
United States on or after February 1,
2003. Operation of Class B EPIRB stations
shall be prohibited after December
31, 2006. New Class B EPIRBs will
no longer be certified by the Commission.
Existing Class B EPIRBs must be
operated as certified.
Effective February 1, 2009 satellite processing of all signals from 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBS will terminate.
For further information check out the NOAA web site or give us a call.