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Beyond the Shore
Heading offshore or beyond reliable cell service? Rent marine emergency beacons, satellite communicators, satellite phones and internet equipment for offshore sailing, racing, coastal cruising and recreational boating.
Equip the Boat. Equip the Crew.
Marine emergency equipment works in layers. An EPIRB stays with the vessel, a PLB stays with the person, and an AIS-MOB beacon helps your boat and nearby vessels locate a crew member in the water. Depending on the voyage, crew and applicable requirements, carrying more than one layer can address very different emergencies.
EPIRB — Equip the Boat
A 406 MHz EPIRB is the vessel’s dedicated satellite distress beacon. If the boat is in serious trouble, it provides a direct distress-alerting layer tied to the vessel. OER offers marine EPIRB rentals for trips and events where you need one without purchasing it outright.
PLB — Equip the Person
A Personal Locator Beacon is carried by an individual rather than staying with the boat. It gives the sailor a dedicated 406 MHz distress beacon that remains with them if they become separated from the vessel.
AIS-MOB — Get Back to the Crew
An AIS man-overboard beacon addresses a different problem: helping the vessel and nearby compatible AIS receivers locate a person in the water quickly. That makes it an important personal safety layer for offshore, solo and shorthanded sailing.
Marine Emergency & Communication Gear
Start with the safety equipment appropriate to your vessel, crew and event, then add offshore communication or internet connectivity as needed.
ACR GlobalFix EPIRB — Cat 1
Category 1 EPIRB with hydrostatic-release housing for automatic deployment when submerged. Rental includes personalized NOAA registration.
- 406 MHz satellite distress alert
- GPS position transmitted
- Hydrostatic-release housing
- Automatic deployment when submerged
- Personalized NOAA registration
Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 AIS
Compact AIS man-overboard beacon designed to help your vessel and nearby compatible receivers locate a person in the water.
- AIS man-overboard transmission
- Integrated DSC transmitter
- Designed for lifejacket integration
- Integrated GPS positioning
- Built-in strobe light
ACR ResQLink PLB
Personal 406 MHz locator beacon for a sailor who wants a dedicated satellite distress device that stays with the individual.
- 406 MHz satellite distress alert
- GPS location transmitted
- 121.5 MHz homing signal
- Waterproof and floats
- Personalized NOAA registration
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Compact satellite communicator for two-way messaging, tracking and interactive SOS beyond cellular coverage.
- Global satellite coverage
- Two-way text messaging
- Tracking & MapShare
- Interactive SOS
- Up to 14-day battery life at 10-minute tracking
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus
Satellite communicator for messaging, tracking and interactive SOS, with expanded message capabilities for offshore trips.
- Global satellite coverage
- Two-way text messaging
- Voice & photo messaging capability
- Tracking & MapShare
- Interactive SOS
Iridium 9575 Extreme
Rugged satellite phone for real-time voice communication when cellular service is unavailable offshore.
- Global satellite coverage
- 50 airtime minutes included
- Satellite voice calls
- Dedicated SOS button
- GPS location reporting
Starlink Mini
Compact satellite internet option for supported coastal use where portability matters.
- Compact Starlink system
- Unlimited included data
- Portable satellite internet
- Connect multiple devices
- Coastal use where active coverage is available
Starlink Gen 3
Full-size satellite internet setup for supported marine use where a larger system and separate Wi-Fi router fit the trip.
- High-speed satellite internet
- Unlimited included data
- Connect multiple devices
- Complete rental kit
- Coastal use where active coverage is available
Preparing for a Sailing Race or Regatta?
Offshore races and regattas can create specialized safety and communication needs that are different from everyday boating. Rent the equipment you need for the event, and always verify the current Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and applicable equipment rules before reserving.
Offshore & Ocean Racing
Rent specialized safety and communication equipment for a particular offshore race or regatta instead of purchasing gear you may only need occasionally.
Solo & Shorthanded Sailing
Small crews may place greater importance on personal emergency equipment, AIS man-overboard alerting and reliable offshore communications because fewer people are available to assist during an emergency.
Race Equipment Requirements
Your event may specify an EPIRB, personal beacon, AIS-MOB equipment, satellite communications or other gear. Check the current Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and applicable equipment rules to determine exactly what your event requires.
Organizing a Race?
Race directors and event organizers who need satellite tracking for an entire fleet can use OER Tracking, our separate race-tracking business built for multi-device event tracking.
Visit OER Tracking →What Do You Need to Do on the Water?
Choose the problem you need to solve first. Your trip may call for more than one layer—for example, a vessel distress beacon, personal emergency equipment and a separate way to communicate offshore.
I Need a Distress Beacon for the Boat
Choose an EPIRB — a dedicated 406 MHz satellite distress beacon for the vessel.
View EPIRB →
I Need to Locate a Crew Member in the Water
Choose an AIS-MOB beacon to transmit a man-overboard alert and position to compatible AIS equipment on your boat and nearby vessels.
View MOB1 →
I Want a Distress Beacon Carried on Me
Choose a PLB — a compact 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon carried by the individual rather than left with the vessel.
View PLB →
I Need Messaging, SOS & Tracking Offshore
Choose Garmin inReach for satellite messaging, interactive SOS and position tracking beyond cellular coverage.
View inReach →
I Need to Make Satellite Voice Calls
Choose an Iridium satellite phone when actual two-way voice calling is the priority.
View Sat Phone →
I Need Internet Connectivity
Choose Starlink for compatible marine/coastal internet use where the OER rental plan and current Starlink coverage support your voyage. Starlink is connectivity equipment, not emergency equipment.
Compare Starlink →Boating & Marine Safety & Communication Comparison
Use this chart to match each device to the problem it is designed to solve. For offshore trips and races, several of these devices may be used together.
| Capability | EPIRB | AIS-MOB | PLB | inReach | Sat Phone | Starlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Vessel distress | Man overboard | Personal distress | Messaging & tracking | Voice calls | Internet |
| Stays With | Boat | Person | Person | Person / boat | Person / boat | Boat |
| 406 MHz SAR Alert | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Alerts Nearby Boats via AIS | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Interactive SOS | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Two-Way Messaging | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Voice Calls | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Position Tracking | — | — | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Internet Access | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Typical OER Rental | $50 / 4 days | $40 / 4 days | $10 / 4 days | From $60 / 4 days | $125 / 7 days | $185 / 5 days |
These devices are complementary — not interchangeable. An offshore setup may combine an EPIRB for the vessel, AIS-MOB and/or a PLB for crew, and an inReach or Iridium satellite phone for communications. Always verify current vessel, voyage and race requirements.
Starlink for Boating & Marine
Bring high-speed internet aboard for coastal cruising, marinas, inland waterways and other supported boating use. OER Starlink rentals include coastal coverage up to 12 nautical miles off the coast in territorial waters where Starlink provides active coverage. Starlink is internet connectivity equipment — not a substitute for an EPIRB, PLB, AIS-MOB beacon or other emergency equipment.
Starlink Gen 3
A strong choice when maximum onboard Wi-Fi coverage and a larger standard system make sense for your vessel, marina stay or coastal trip.
Starlink Mini
The compact option for boaters who want a smaller, easier-to-pack Starlink system for coastal trips and travel.
Connectivity, not emergency equipment. Use Starlink for internet access where the OER rental service and Starlink coverage support your trip. Do not rely on Starlink as a replacement for required or appropriate marine distress and man-overboard equipment.
Boating & Marine Rental FAQ
Common questions about marine emergency beacons, offshore race equipment, satellite communications, Starlink and OER Tracking.
What is the difference between an EPIRB and a PLB?
An EPIRB is a 406 MHz distress beacon intended for the vessel, while a PLB is a compact 406 MHz distress beacon carried by an individual. They serve related but different roles, so one should not automatically be treated as a substitute for the other.
How is the rental EPIRB registered?
OER can personalize the rental EPIRB’s NOAA registration for the rental period using the vessel and emergency-contact information needed for the trip. Provide accurate information when arranging the rental, and follow the instructions supplied with the beacon.
What does an AIS-MOB beacon do?
An AIS man-overboard beacon is designed to transmit a man-overboard alert and position to compatible AIS equipment on your vessel and nearby vessels. Its purpose is rapid local recovery of a person in the water; it is different from a 406 MHz EPIRB or PLB.
Why would I carry more than one type of beacon?
Because the devices solve different emergency problems. An EPIRB protects the vessel, a PLB gives an individual a personal 406 MHz distress layer, and an AIS-MOB beacon helps the vessel and nearby compatible AIS receivers locate a person in the water. Offshore sailors may choose multiple layers based on the voyage, crew and applicable requirements.
Can I rent an EPIRB, PLB or AIS-MOB beacon for a sailing race?
Yes, OER rents marine emergency equipment for races and regattas. However, race requirements vary. Always check the current Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and applicable equipment rules to confirm the exact equipment your event requires before reserving.
Can a Garmin inReach replace an EPIRB or PLB?
No. Garmin inReach provides satellite messaging, tracking and interactive SOS, but it is not a 406 MHz EPIRB or PLB. Use each device for the role it is designed to perform and follow any applicable vessel, voyage or race requirements.
Can I use Starlink on a boat?
Yes, within the limits of the OER rental service and current Starlink coverage. OER’s marine rental use includes coastal coverage up to 12 nautical miles off the coast in territorial waters where active coverage is available. Starlink provides internet connectivity and should not be treated as emergency distress equipment.
What if I am organizing a race and need to track the entire fleet?
Fleet and event tracking is handled through OER Tracking, our separate race-tracking business. Race directors, sailing clubs and event organizers can visit OERTracking.com for multi-device satellite tracking and event support.
Leave the Shore. Stay Connected.
Rent the emergency, communication and connectivity equipment you need for your next offshore passage, sailing race, coastal cruise or boating adventure.
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