Reminder, switch to 406 MHz emergency beacons by Feb, 1

Coast Guard reminds boaters to switch to 406 MHz emergency beacons

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is reminding mariners that effective Sunday, Feb. 1, distress signals 121.5 and 243 MHz will no longer be monitored.

The decision to terminate those frequencies came after the International Cospas-Sarsat Program determined that there were problems in the frequency bands which delayed search-and-rescue efforts, produced numerous false alerts and had unreliable accuracy.

All mariners, aviators and individuals using emergency beacons on those frequencies will need to switch to the newer, more reliable digital 406 MHz frequency.

The Cospas-Sarsat Program made the decision to terminate 121.5 and 243 MHz satellite alerting services in response to guidance from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These two agencies of the United Nations are responsible for regulating the safety on international transits of ships and aircraft and handle international standards and plans for maritime and aviation search and rescue. More than 180 nations are members of IMO and ICAO.

The Coast Guard, NOAA, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA are the four Federal Agencies who manage, operate, and use the SARSAT system. 

For more information on the termination of monitoring frequency bands 121.5 and 243 MHz visit http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html.