There are roughly 12 million recreational boaters in the U.S., yet many don’t travel far offshore or beyond cellular or VHF range. However, for those who do venture far from the coast, it is imperative to have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). These beacons cost between $600 and $700. That’s a high price and the reason why BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers a rental program for this safety equipment.
Statistical research from BoatUS’s rental program indicates that the average beacon rental length is around 10 days. “Our typical customer is the recreational boater who seldom travels out of sight of land but now needs a beacon, typically for a weeklong sailing race or fishing tournament, or they’ve selected a route that takes them far from the safety net of standard communications,” says Ted Sensenbrenner, director of boating safety for BoatUS. “They usually add on a few days to the rental for round-trip shipping.”
A 10-day EPIRB rental costs $120, which includes shipping. The foundation also rents Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), which cost $91 for 10 days. The rental program has had 28 EPIRB activations and saved 69 lives since 1997.
If you’re planning to go offshore more frequently, Sensenbrenner advises purchasing your own EPIRB. To rent either device, visit to BoatUS.org/EPIRB/Rentals or read more here.
