USE OF PLB

[RichJ]

Hi Folks,
PLB's were correctly deployed during a recent incident and RNLI posted a report on social media. I know nothing about the incident, which is not the point of my post. I asked the RNLI the following question;.....

A question for RNLI Fishguard... From your post here, what is the preferred protocol? If a group is in trouble and require assistance, would you prefer each member carrying a plb to activate their device or a single plb (say, the leader) to be activated?

RNLI response;

Rich Tynymaes Great question, please see below for the answer and some extra information on PLBs for anyone following your question.

If a group finds itself in difficulties we would advise that you activate all PLBs within the group, even if you are rafted together. Each member should keep their respective PLB on their person incase the group becomes separated. Coastguard will continue to receive updated location details for each device.

Accidental activations can occur, and whilst any activation is considered an emergency until proven otherwise, if multiple PLBs are activated it is a very clear indicator of an emergency situation and gives a better idea of how many casualties may be involved. This allows coastguard to coordinate the tasking of sufficient resources to the incident.

If an accidental activation occurs, contact coastguard immediately to inform them, do not turn off the PLB until told to do so by coastguard.

PLBs are personal items and are registered with the coastguard. As these are registered with your details they should not be lent to friends. This information helps emergency services with an indication of who we are attending to assist, and contact details which could be used to glean more information of use to emergency services.
PLBs will transmit for 24hours plus, but must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or guidelines. This will often mean a periodic test of the PLB and ensuring the battery is replaced prior to the expiry date and after an emergency activation.
Check with your manufacturer for instructions relating to your PLB.

[Sean_soup]

For the benefit of anyone who didn't see it - I don't think that Facebook post, from yesterday, is excessively long to copy/paste here:

Our volunteer crew were paged yesterday at 3.32pm following activation of a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) near Strumble Head.

Whilst making way information was received that a total of three had been activated indicating multiple casualties.
RNLI St Davids Lifeboat was also launched and teams from HM Coastguard Fishguard, HM Coastguard - St Davids, HM Coastguard Dale and helicopter made way.

On scene were a group of seven, experienced sea kayakers who were struggling against the conditions with darkness falling. Due to their location below the cliffs requesting help by VHF and 999 had failed and so had activated their beacons.

Our volunteer crew recovered the kayakers one at a time, and once all were onboard recovered four of the kayaks whilst St Davids lifeboat recovered the other three.
Casualty assessments were conducted with one kayaker identified as suffering from the cold and was provided assistance by casualty care trained crew on the way back to Fishguard.

On arrival the two lifeboats came together to transfer the remaining kayaks onto Fishguard lifeboat. With everything onboard the lifeboat took the casualties into Lower Town where they and their possessions were left in the care of our colleagues from HM Coastguard Fishguard.

The kayakers were experienced and had all the correct equipment for their activity. Staying together and activating multiple PLBs gave emergency services a clear indication that there were multiple casualties and a clear location.

We would like to remind anyone using the water to ensure they carry the correct equipment and sufficient means of calling for assistance if required, this should be kept within reach at all times. Be mindful of your intended route and anything which may impact contacting help in an emergency - such as cliffs which can reduce VHF and mobile phone efficiency.

[Sean_soup]

PLBs are personal items and are registered with the coastguard. As these are registered with your details they should not be lent to friends.

Ho ho ho - well, in the UK they might be registered with your details if you've had it long enough! It was well over a year in my case.

I get that lending it to someone else might not be ideal, but try asking the RNLI whether they'd prefer someone in trouble to be carrying a borrowed PLB or no PLB at all.

Obviously assuming it is registered, and there are contact details on file, both people whose details are on the register (the owner of the PLB and their 'emergency contact') would ideally know who has the PLB and roughly what their plan is.

Likewise using your own PLB. If you're off on a trip and the 'emergency contact' is your spouse back at home, it's only sensible that they should be kept up to date with the plan. That way the PLB goes off and when the Coastguard phone them they'll be able to say approximately where you are, what you're doing, who you're paddling with and how many people in the party.

Too bad it takes up to a year to update those contact details eh? Imagine living in the 21st century and being able to update that kind of information online instantly, instead of sending it to Falmouth on a postcard and hoping for the best.

[Chris Bolton]

Imagine living in the 21st century and being able to update that kind of information online instantly

Are you saying you can't do that? I've just this minute logged in and updated my details:

https://register-406-beacons.service.gov.uk

[Sean_soup]

Wow - look at that. Apparently I can. It's like living in the future!

(I genuinely had no idea. Didn't get the memo. Snail mail to Falmouth was the only way to register my PLB when I bought it, not that long ago.)

Now that you've enlightened me, perhaps you could let the RNLI know too. Instead of telling Rich that a PLB shouldn't be borrowed because it's 'registered', perhaps they could point out how easy it is now to update the registration so that it matches the person actually using it.

[Chris Bolton]

Snail mail to Falmouth was the only way to register my PLB when I bought it, not that long ago

Even more odd. I bought mine in 2011 and registered it online straight away, then updated it online in 2017 and 2023 after I had the battery changed. They have updated the registration system at some point, as I had to migrate my account to the new one, so it's possible there was a temporary gap when they were using snails.

The ability to add a secondary use is good. You could use that to register a PLB for mountain use. Probably also for a secondary user. I used it to register for a paddling/sailing trip in a remote non-uk area (that's recommended if you take it abroad as a foreign SAR will contact Falmouth before initiation a rescue), then deleted that use when I returned.

[Paul-C]

Thank you for bringing up the topic of online registration. I applied online to register my plb in 2019 and also waited over a year for the paper confirmation of registration to arrive. There was an interim email, acknowledging receipt and apologising for the delay, which was apparently due to introduction of a new system, staff shortages, and an unprecedented number of new applications.

I bought my son a plb earlier this year and his online registration was instant, but it didn't occur to me that I should maybe update my registration. I've now logged in, transferred my plb from the legacy records, and updated it.

Some useful advice in the original post too.

[seawolf856]

Imagine living in the 21st century and being able to update that kind of information online instantly

Are you saying you can't do that? I've just this minute logged in and updated my details:

https://register-406-beacons.service.gov.uk

Hi Chris, thanks very much for that link to the on-line Beacons Registry. I have now logged on and created an account and I was pleased to find that all my details were already there. So, although the process of registering my PLB on-line was a little laborious, they seem to have their act together when it comes to digital records. The only thing is, it has reminded me that I need a new battery in my PLB before March 2025!!

[Chris Bolton]

The only thing is, it has reminded me that I need a new battery in my PLB before March 2025!!

At least you know in plenty of time. I realised, 4 days before my flight to a very remote paddling destination, that mine was 3 months past its date. Spares Marine (and Royal Mail) did a great job for me, I had the PLB back in my hand, new battery and fully serviced, 46 hours after I posted it to them.