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Ocean Signal
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Ocean Signal Safety Gear — Trusted EPIRBs, PLBs, and Marine Distress Devices for Confident Time on the Water
Ocean Signal is a globally respected name in marine safety equipment, offering a focused lineup of personal locator beacons, EPIRBs, electronic distress flares, search-and-rescue transponders, and the accessories that keep them field-ready. Whether you're a coastal cruiser, offshore passage maker, or weekend sailor, this collection gives you access to the devices and replacement components that serious mariners rely on when it matters most.
What the Ocean Signal Collection Covers — and Why It's Worth Understanding
- Visible distress signaling up to seven miles: the Ocean Signal rescueME EDF1 Electronic Distress Flare replaces traditional pyrotechnic flares with a reusable, safer alternative — ideal for sailors who want to stay compliant without handling hazardous materials.
- Keep your electronic flare operational season after season: the replacement battery pack for the rescueME EDF1 means you never have to retire a working device just because the power source is depleted.
- Radar detection for search-and-rescue operations: the Ocean Signal SafeSea S100 SART makes your vessel visible on rescue radar screens — a critical layer of safety for offshore passages and commercial vessels.
- Protect your PLB investment between trips: a purpose-built case for the rescueME PLB1 keeps your beacon protected from UV exposure, moisture, and physical damage during storage or travel.
- Maintain EPIRB deployment reliability: the replacement mount for rescueME EPIRBs ensures your beacon is securely housed and ready for automatic deployment if it's ever needed.
Choosing the Right Ocean Signal Device for Your Sailing or Boating Profile
The right choice depends primarily on how and where you use your vessel. Personal locator beacons (PLBs) are registered to an individual and designed to be worn or carried — a strong fit for solo sailors, kayakers, and anyone who may end up separated from their vessel. EPIRBs are registered to the vessel itself and are typically mounted in a bracket that allows for both manual and automatic activation, making them the standard choice for offshore and bluewater cruising.
Electronic distress flares and SARTs complement rather than replace these core devices. A SART like the S100 aids active search-and-rescue by making your position visible on radar, while an electronic flare provides visible signaling to nearby vessels and aircraft. Rounding out the collection are hydrostatic releases, lithium replacement batteries, and mounting hardware — the often-overlooked components that determine whether your safety gear actually performs when called upon.
If you're unsure which combination of devices meets the requirements for your vessel class or sailing area, consulting your flag state's maritime authority or a certified marine safety supplier is always a sound step.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ocean Signal
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Ocean Signal marine safety devices are a line of distress signaling and rescue equipment designed to help boaters and mariners alert rescue services in emergency situations at sea. The lineup includes personal locator beacons, EPIRBs, electronic flares, and SARTs, covering a wide range of offshore and coastal safety needs.
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Ocean Signal safety equipment is designed for recreational boaters, offshore sailors, kayakers, and commercial mariners who need reliable distress signaling tools on the water. Anyone venturing beyond the sight of shore or into open ocean conditions should carry at least one form of personal locator beacon or EPIRB from this category.
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A personal locator beacon is a compact, individual-worn device that transmits a distress signal when activated, while an EPIRB is a vessel-mounted emergency beacon designed to alert rescue services if a boat sinks or is abandoned. PLBs are registered to a person, whereas EPIRBs are registered to the vessel.
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Register a personal locator beacon by submitting your device's unique identification number to the national beacon registry in your country before heading out on the water. In the United States, registration is done through NOAA's free beacon registry, and keeping your contact information current ensures rescue coordination centers can reach someone quickly in an emergency.
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Yes, a personal locator beacon is absolutely worth buying for recreational boating because it provides a direct link to global search and rescue services with no subscription fees required. A single activation can transmit your GPS coordinates to rescue satellites, making it one of the most cost-effective safety investments a boater can make.
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Replace a marine safety beacon battery pack before the manufacturer's expiration date printed on the device, since most beacons have a fixed battery service life regardless of use. Waiting until the battery is depleted is not safe practice — expired batteries can cause the beacon to fail to transmit during an actual emergency.
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A hydrostatic release is a water-activated mechanism that automatically deploys an EPIRB from its bracket if a vessel sinks to a certain depth, allowing the beacon to float free and begin transmitting a distress signal without any manual activation. Hydrostatic releases have a rated service life and must be replaced on schedule to remain reliable.
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No, an electronic distress flare does not universally replace traditional pyrotechnic flares in all jurisdictions, as legal requirements for visual distress signals vary by country and waterway. However, electronic flares offer a reusable, non-hazardous alternative that is accepted in many regions and eliminates the disposal challenges associated with expired pyrotechnic flares.
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Store marine safety beacons in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to preserve battery life and device integrity. Most manufacturers recommend keeping the beacon in its original case or a dedicated floatation pouch, and the device should be inspected regularly to confirm the battery expiration date has not passed.
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Maintaining a personal locator beacon or EPIRB typically requires periodic replacement of the battery pack, hydrostatic release unit, and mounting hardware according to the manufacturer's service schedule. Some devices also benefit from a protective carry case or floatation pouch to prevent damage during transport and to keep the beacon accessible in an emergency.