Overview
GME is the leading Australian manufacturer of EPIRBs and PLBs, with more rescues starting with GME than any other brand.
As the market leader in EPIRBs, GME’s beacons are subject to rigorous testing and sampling to ensure all our beacons are built to last, offering an impressive 6 year warranty.
Featuring both GPS and Non-GPS, manual-release and float-free beacons, GME has an emergency beacon suited to every application.
Australian Manufacturing
For over 50 years Australians have trusted GME, as the only Australian manufacturer of Emergency Beacons.
With a purpose-built facility based in Sydney, Australia, GME continues our ongoing commitment and dedication to local Australian manufacturing. Local manufacturing ensures GME is able to produce the highest quality communications equipment tailored to the harsh Marine environment.
The manufacturing and quality operations within GME stand as an ongoing testament to our total commitment to manufacturing excellence, through the use of state-of-the-art technology and an ongoing focus on operational efficiency.
As GME’s range of Emergency beacons are designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia, we can also provide extensive technical support and sales assistance, locally from our Australian facility.
Why do you need an EPIRB?
An EPIRB could save your life and the lives of others on board your vessel by providing rescue authorities your precise location in the event of an emergency.
GME EPIRBs are self-contained 406 MHz radio transmitters that emit an internationally recognised distress signal on the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system.
GME’s range of EPIRBs contain a unique identification number which can be cross referenced to a database of registered 406 MHz beacons, allowing the beacon’s owner and vessel to be immediately identified in the event of an emergency.
Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System
The international Cospas-Sarsat system allows for a registered and approved beacon to be activated in a life-threatening emergency, and connected directly to the vast global satellite system to summon assistance from various government authorities.
Check out the interactive graphic below for an overview of how the Cospas-Sarsat system works once an emergency beacon is activated.
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1. Activation
A distress beacon is activated.
2. Transmission
Its signal, with its unique identification number or HEX ID, is transmitted and detected by the nearest satellite.
3. Alert
An alert is sent to the nearest local user terminal (LUT).
4. Transfer
The alert is processed by the nearest mission control centre (MCC) and forwarded to the rescue coordination centre (RCC).
5. Co-ordinate
The RCC is notified and begins to arrange search and rescue operation. Registration details are provided to the RCC in the country in which the beacon is both activated and registered.
6. Search & Rescue
Search and rescue authorities commence search operations as soon as they can. If your beacon is registered with the local maritime authority, Search and Rescue will ring your emergency contacts immediately for information regarding your whereabouts. It is important to keep your contact details updated in order for search operations to commence as soon as possible.
Note: Do not turn off your distress beacon until advised by rescue services.
EPIRB vs PLB
The most common types of Emergency beacons can be divided into two broad categories, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB).
EPIRBs are designed specifically for maritime applications, and have contributed to the rescue of thousands of survivors since the creation of the Cospas-Sarsat system in 1982.
Generally speaking, EPIRBs alert authorities as to the whereabouts of distressed vessels and their crews, while PLBs alert authorities as to the whereabouts of individuals.
PLBs are suitable for use in a wide range of applications, including bush walking, 4WDing and remote workers.
PLBs are designed for use both on land and at sea, however they do not satisfy mandatory carriage requirements for vessels travelling further than 2NM off-shore in Australia.
Our Range
View our range of emergency beacons below.
Different Type of EPIRBS
There is often confusion around some of the terms used to describe EPIRBs, specifically in regard to the different ‘Class’ and ‘Category’ terminology used.
Classes
‘Class’ refers to the storage and operating temperature range the beacon has been approved to.
There are 3 classes of EPIRBs, outlined below:
Class 1: Water activated, float-free or manual release (–40°C to +55°C). The float-free release mechanism should be capable of operating throughout the temperature range of –30°C to +65°C.
This class is not required by IMO Resolutions but may be applied at the discretion of each Administration.
Class 2: Water activated, float-free or manual release (–20°C to +55°C). The float-free release mechanism should be capable of operating throughout the temperature range of –30°C to +65°C.
Class 3: Manually activated, non-float-free
(–20°C to +55°C). Primarily intended for use by Non-SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) vessels.
Categories
‘Category’ refers to the method of deployment of the EPIRB, based on the type of mounting bracket used.
There are 2 categories of EPIRBs, outlined below:
Category 1: Automatic deployment, designed to release the EPIRB automatically when the Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) in the bracket is submerged in water to a depth of 1-5 metres. In order for the beacon to operate as designed, it is important to ensure that only water-activated EPIRBs are installed in Category 1 mounting brackets.
Category 2: Manual deployment and activation. This type of mounting bracket requires the user to manually remove the EPIRB from the bracket and manually activate the switch.
GPS vs Non GPS
Not all EPIRBs are the same.
There are a variety of different types and models available including, for example, GPS-enabled EPIRBs that are able to pinpoint the location of a distressed vessel significantly faster and more accurately than traditional non-GPS-enabled EPIRBs.
GPS EPIRBs can provide authorities with a location in under 20 minutes within a 150m search radius, whilst a Non-GPS EPIRB can take up to 5 hours to provide a location with a search radius of 5kms.
Manual-Release EPIRBs
Stored in secure mounting brackets, manual-release EPIRBs need to be manually activated by those on board the vessel.
When an emergency situation arises, the user simply removes the device from its bracket and activates the beacon via the switch.
Water-Activated EPIRBs
Also stored securely in mounting brackets, water-activated EPIRBs can either be activated manually or automatically when they are submerged in water.
When the beacon is removed from its bracket and makes contact with water, it will automatically activate and begin sending a distress signal.
Float-Free EPIRBs
The most sophisticated of the three varieties (in terms of activation), these EPIRBs feature both manual and automatic activation.
The main difference between a Float-Free EPIRB and the other types of EPIRBs, however, is that these beacons are stored in a ‘float-free’ housing which releases the beacon automatically, allowing it to float to the water’s surface when submerged to a depth of 1 to 4 metres.
Where sea conditions permit, the deployment of an EPIRB in the water, away from the vessel, allows for the strongest transmission and fastest detection of the signal.
Therefore, devices that activate automatically can be considered the optimal solution, particularly on larger vessels where the beacon may not always be easily accessed in the event of an emergency.
Mandatory Carriage Requirements
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced changes to the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) effective 1 January 2019.
From this date, a two-year transition period commenced.
From 1 January 2021, the new requirements for float-free EPIRBs became mandatory.
All domestic commercial vessels are required to carry float-free EPIRBs, apart from those listed below which can continue to carry their current EPIRB.
- Vessels that are less than 12 metres with level flotation and are operating between 2 nautical miles out to C waters (restricted offshore operations within 30 nautical miles from the baseline of the Australian mainland, or similar distances to other islands, etc.)
- Vessels that are less than 12 metres in length with level flotation; and are operating in smooth and partially smooth waters (D and E waters)
- Coastal life rafts
Float-Free Beacon Mounting
Beacon Storage
Like your mobile phone, keep your beacon dry and store it appropriately. Whilst it is important to refer to the instruction manual for specific instructions for your model, there are some good general guidelines for all beacons.
It is important to keep distress beacons away from:
- Items that may accidentally knock the activation switch
- Magnetic sources, such as microphones and radio speakers
- High pressure water sprays; as long-term exposure to water may cause corrosion
- Children who may play with the beacon
- High temperatures
To prevent your beacon being stolen, keep it locked away or out of sight when not in use.
It is also recommended to have an additional manually-activated beacon stored in the vessel’s life-raft, where applicable.
Beacon Disposal
Some beacon owners will choose to replace or upgrade their beacon rather than just replacing the battery, if this is the case then special precautions must be taken when finally disposing of your beacon.
Every year, thousands of dollars are spent in Australia searching for beacons in rubbish dumps. Search personnel and assets are then unavailable for a real emergency.
Beacon batteries are hazardous items which should be disposed of in a proper and environmentally friendly way:
- Contact your local battery store to check whether they disconnect and dispose of beacons
- Contact your local maritime safety agency. They may be able to provide disposal advice
- Check the instruction manual as there may be instructions on how to disconnect the beacon battery
It is important to remember to de-register your beacon with AMSA after you dispose of it.
The same applies if you’ve recently sold your beacon. You can do this by contacting AMSA on 1800 406 406 or at www.amsa.gov.au/beacons
EPIRB Tutorials
Marine safety is so important and an integral piece of safety equipment is an Emergency Beacon. It could help save your life should you find yourself in serious peril. Below is a range of emergency beacon videos to help get you started.
Which EPIRB?
EPIRB or PLB?
How to Test Your GPS EPIRB
How to Test Your Non GPS EPIRB
Beacon Information
For further information on emergency beacons see the drop-down menus below:
Beacon Compliance Documents
MT610G
MT606G and MT606FG
MT603G and MT603FG
MT600 and MT600G
MT400 and MT406G
MT401, MT401FF, MT403, MT403G, MT403FF and MT403FG
- SDS – MT403, MT403G, MT403FF, MT403FG
- ACMA Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity – MT403 Series
- EU Declaration of Conformity – MT403 Series
- EU MED Module D Certificate – for the MT403 Series
- EU Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity – MT403 Series
- EU Type Examination Certificate – MT403, MT403G, MT403FF, MT403FG – effective from 30 April 2016
- Certificate of Approval – MT403
- Certificate of Approval – Negara Brunei Darussala – MT403G
- FCC grant – USA – MT403 Series
- USCG Approval – USA – MT403 Series
- RoHS Compliance Statement – MT403 Series
- Grant of Equipment Certification – Canada – MT403 Series
MT410 and MT410G
- SDS – MT410G
- ACMA Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity Form – MT410, MT410G
- EU Declaration of Conformity – MT410, MT410G
- Certificate of Approval – Negara Brunei Darussala – MT410, MT410G
- Certificate of Approval – South Africa – MT410, MT410G
- FCC grant – USA – MT410, MT410G
- RoHS Compliance Statement – MT410, MT410G
- Certificate of Acceptance – New Zealand – MT410, MT410G
COSPAS-SARSAT Certificates
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT400, MT401, MT401FF
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT403
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT410
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT410G
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT600, MT600G
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT600G
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT603G
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT600
- COSPAS-SARSAT certificate – MT610G
Beacon Refurbishment Program
What is a Beacon Refurbishment?
A GME beacon refurbishment is a comprehensive process to ensure your beacon is fit for purpose and meets all compliance standards for a safe boating experience.
It is not simply a battery replacement; it involves replacing many parts of the beacon including the battery and an extensive testing regime using specialised equipment covering Ingress Protection (waterproof), 406MHz frequency, and 121.5MHz homing signal validation.
This ensures your GME refurbished beacon continues to meet Australian Standards.
Returned GME beacons will have their lithium batteries removed, and safely discarded.
GME’s EPIRBs and PLBs are fitted with a long-life lithium battery pack which must be replaced at specific intervals, as indicated by the date stamped on the side of your beacon.
Where do I send my GME Beacon?
Any customer wishing to return their beacon for refurbishment should follow the procedure;
Within Australia, all beacons must be returned to GME Sydney Service Centre
(Either in person or by Dangerous Goods road-freight – see Note below for more information about DG Classification)
Freight Costs of the beacon to GME is the responsibility of the owner
Return Freight Costs to the customer is included in the price for the battery refurbishment.
Australia
GME Sydney Service Centre
17 Gibbon Road
Winston Hills
NSW 2153
Australia
Phone: 1300 463 463
Email: enquiries@gme.net.au
New Zealand
GME Standard Communications NZ
Unit A, 11 Echelon Place
East Tamaki, 2013
New Zealand
Phone: (09) 274 0955
Email: nzbranch@gme.net.au
Any International customers wishing to have their beacon refurbished, please contact your local GME distributor for further details.
Note: All EPIRBs are categorised as Class 9 dangerous goods and must be transported according to the local regulations in each country. Contact your local courier company to arrange a suitable Class 9 Dangerous Goods shipment.
What will it Cost to Refurbish my GME Beacon?
GME is committed to the safety of life at sea and has implemented an extensive refurbishment program to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, you can rely on your GME EPIRB.
GME provides a refurbishment service only where parts are available and in addition, the beacon must be presented for refurbishment prior to the expiry of the EPIRB.
The refurbishment costs for the various GME emergency beacon models are as follows:
| MODEL | AUSTRALIA INC GST |
NZ INC GST |
| MT410AUS | N/A | N/A |
| MT410GAUS | $265.00 | $299.00 |
| MT400AUS | N/A | N/A |
| MT406GAUS | N/A | N/A |
| MT403AUS | $350.00 | $399.00 |
| MT403GAUS | $350.00 | $399.00 |
| MT600AUS | $265.00 | $299.00 |
| MT600GAUS | $265.00 | $299.00 |
| MT603GAUS | $350.00 | $399.00 |
The warranty on refurbished Beacons is 12 months.
How Long will it take to Refurbish my GME Beacon?
Due to the extensive refurbishment process, GME is committed to a 30-day turnaround (excluding transport time), from receipt of your beacon.
Why must my Beacon be Refurbished by GME?
Unauthorised battery replacements performed by unapproved third parties may result in your beacon not functioning properly in an emergency and are non-compliant under Australian and New Zealand Standards.
Please note:
- Beacons with an expired battery date are considered “out of service”. Under Australian and New Zealand regulations, any vessel skipper/owner found by marine surveyors, water police, or other state regulators to have an expired EPIRB is in breach of mandatory EPIRB carriage regulations and may be subject to penalties.
- Beacons found to be “out of service” and require additional repairs outside battery refurbishment are considered uneconomical to repair.
- Beacons found to be “out of service” and returned 2 years after the Battery Expiry date are no longer considered serviceable under the “Useful Life” policy.
Other Useful Information
Testing your Beacon
GME EPIRBs have saved literally hundreds of lives over the past 30 years. Hopefully, you will never be in a situation that requires EPIRB activation, however, if you are, you will need to be certain your EPIRB is ready for action.
We recommend 3 simple checks on a monthly basis or prior to an extended voyage.
1. Ensure battery expiry date has not been reached.
2. Select ‘Test’ mode and verify the indicator light is flashing and audible ‘beep’ is present.
3. Confirm there is no physical damage and that the safety seal is in place and unbroken.
For a more comprehensive testing routine download an EPIRB Inspection Proforma.
What is an EPIRB Inspection Proforma?
Where required by legislation, this formalised inspection routine is recommended by the manufacturer. It is to be carried out only by suitably authorised personnel.
The routine may also serve as a useful guide for those owners wishing to establish a more detailed and regular voluntary assessment of their beacon.
A yearly inspection interval is suggested for typical installations.
The Benefits of GPS
GPS Beacons offer faster detection by Geostationary Satellites, typically less than 10 minutes anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.
Beacons equipped with GPS also provide greater accuracy of the beacon’s position as it transmits the latitude and longitude coordinates as part of the emergency message.
The search area is usually less than a 100-metre radius.
These advantages generally result in a much faster response time from Search and Rescue authorities, which means you are found faster.
Emergency Beacon Useful Life Policy
Emergency beacons may be called upon to make an important contribution in an emergency.
Appropriate handling and care, complimented with the recommended regular inspection and self-test play an important part in maximising the product’s life.
However like all electrical products, reliability reduces with age.
GME Emergency Beacons employ some of the latest materials and technologies permitting up to a 20-year useful life on certain models*.
GME beacons are required to be serviced at specified intervals that are clearly marked on the housing.
EPIRBs and PLBs that are not serviced within this period may not perform to specification when needed in an emergency situation.
In fulfilling a duty of care to its customers, GME’s useful life is detailed in the table below.
Beacons that fall outside of these dates will not be serviced by GME or any of its authorised service centres.
| Models | Battery life | Useful Life |
| MT600/600G | 10 years | 20 years |
| MT410/MT410G | 7 years | 14 years |
| MT400/MT401/MT403/MT403G/MT406G/MT603G | 6 years | 12 years |
*From date of manufacture.
GME Cat II EPIRBs in Life Rafts
GME EPIRBs should only be packed in life rafts by appropriately authorised, factory trained, and qualified personnel, using only the manufacturer’s approved packing methods.
Special attention must be paid to the amount of space available in or on the equipment pack, inside the life raft. DO NOT compress the EPIRB in any way during packing of the raft; as serious mechanical and/or electrical damage could occur.
Any damage caused to a GME EPIRB by incorrect placement or packing in a life raft will not be covered by warranty.
Particular attention must also be given to securing the EPIRB’s antenna.
It is recommended, within the scope of individual manufacturer packing instructions and manuals, that the EPIRB be secured in a protective heat-sealed plastic bag as used in stowing food and water in the equipment pack.
If space allows, cover with packing foam inside the plastic bag. Evacuate as much air as possible before sealing the plastic bag.
Individual life raft manufacturers may have issued precise instructions for the stowage of EPIRBs in their rafts, so it is important to study the manufacturers’ instructions before packing an EPIRB into any raft.
If in any doubt contact the life raft manufacturer for specific advice.
PLB use in Life Rafts
GME PLBs should only be packed in life rafts by appropriately authorised, factory trained, and qualified personnel, using only the manufacturer’s approved packing methods.
Special attention must be paid to the amount of space available in or on the equipment pack, inside the life raft.
Do not compress the PLB in any way during packing of the raft; as serious mechanical and/or electrical damage could occur.
The PLB should always be stowed in its protective carry case.
Any damage caused to a GME PLB by incorrect placement or packing in a life raft will not be covered by warranty.
It is recommended, within the scope of individual manufacturer packing instructions and manuals, that the PLB be secured in a protective heat-sealed plastic bag as used in stowing food and water in the equipment pack.
If space allows, cover with packing foam inside the plastic bag. Evacuate as much air as possible before sealing the plastic bag.
Individual life raft manufacturers may have issued precise instructions for the stowage of PLBs in their rafts, so it is important to study the manufacturers’ instructions before packing a PLB into any raft.
If in any doubt contact the life raft manufacturer for specific advice.
Handling Procedures
EPIRBs, in common with other high-performance electronic equipment, are powered by Lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries are used because they provide the best available battery performance and reliability which is required for extreme operating conditions such as varying temperatures, long operating life, and long storage life.
Because of their high energy content, particular care must be taken in their handling, transport, and disposal. When assembled in an EPIRB they have a high degree of protection from their environment, but care must be taken if the EPIRB is dismantled or damaged.
It is important not to short-circuit, physically destroy or dispose of Lithium batteries in a fire as an explosion could result.
Transport restrictions may apply to the carriage of Lithium batteries in some environments where they are classified as hazardous goods.
EPIRB Recall Update - March 2018
In July 2014 GME Pty Ltd issued a voluntary recall on a specific range of GME MT400/MT401/MT403 EPIRBs manufactured between January 2005 and February 2008.
Whilst such occurrences are highly regrettable, we as a responsible organisation believed that in the ongoing interest of product reliability and safety of life at sea, the recall was necessary.
Following the announcement of the recall, GME made every effort to trace each of these EPIRBs, notify the owners and provide a replacement unit.
In March 2018, GME reached a point where the final production of the impacted EPIRBs from February 2008 would be 10 years old, have been returned for refurbishment or been removed from service.
Consequently, GME Pty Ltd advises that having fulfilled all of our moral and legal obligations the GME EPIRB recall program is now closed.
Potentially, there may be the occasional customer wishing to make a claim under the program, in such situations, each of these claims will be assessed on its merits, however, we believe it is highly unlikely that there are any impacted beacons remaining in service.
For more information, please contact us via email at enquiries@gme.net.au
**Warning – Unauthorised Battery replacements on EPIRBs**
It has come to our attention that a number of non-certified beacon service centres are offering a low-cost EPIRB and PLB battery replacement service.
Whilst these operators are not breaking the law by replacing beacon batteries, they are exposing themselves to liability, particularly if the beacon owner is unaware their beacon is now non-compliant under Australian law, and the beacon may not function correctly in an emergency.