Stay Connected
Beyond the Shore
Rent EPIRBs, AIS-MOB beacons, personal locator beacons, satellite communicators, satellite phones and satellite internet equipment for offshore sailing, ocean racing, solo sailing, coastal cruising and recreational boating.
Marine Safety & Communication Gear
Equip the vessel and the crew, then add offshore communication, tracking or internet connectivity based on your voyage or race.
ACR GlobalFix EPIRB — Cat 1
Category 1 EPIRB with hydrostatic-release housing for automatic deployment. Rental includes personalized NOAA registration.
ACR GlobalFix EPIRB — Cat 2
Manually deployed 406 MHz EPIRB with GPS and 121.5 MHz homing capability. Personalized NOAA registration included.
Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 AIS
Compact AIS-MOB beacon for lifejacket integration, with AIS position transmission and integrated DSC capability.
ACR ResQLink PLB
Floating 406 MHz GPS personal locator beacon that stays with the sailor as an individual emergency layer.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Lightweight two-way satellite messaging, tracking and interactive SOS for communication beyond cellular coverage.
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus
Two-way satellite communication with expanded messaging features, tracking and SOS for offshore and coastal trips.
Iridium 9575 Extreme
Rugged satellite phone for sailors who need actual voice calls beyond cellular coverage.
Starlink Mini
Compact satellite internet equipment for supported marine use where portability and storage space matter.
Starlink Gen 3
Full-size satellite internet setup for supported marine use where a larger system and separate Wi-Fi router fit the trip.
Equip the Boat. Equip the Crew.
EPIRBs, PLBs and AIS-MOB beacons solve different problems. Offshore sailors—especially solo and shorthanded crews—may use more than one layer.
EPIRB — The Vessel
A registered 406 MHz distress beacon intended for the vessel. Choose Category 1 automatic-release housing or Category 2 manual deployment based on your needs and requirements.
PLB — The Person
A compact 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon carried by an individual sailor, giving that person a dedicated distress-alerting layer.
AIS-MOB — Man Overboard
Designed to transmit a man-overboard alert and position to compatible AIS equipment on your vessel and nearby boats for rapid local recovery.
Preparing for a Sailing Race or Regatta?
Race organizers may require specific emergency beacons, personal AIS-MOB equipment, satellite tracking or communication equipment. Always verify the current Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and applicable equipment rules for your event.
Offshore & Ocean Racing
Build around the event’s required vessel beacon, personal crew equipment and offshore communications rather than assuming one device satisfies every requirement.
Solo & Shorthanded Sailing
Personal emergency and overboard equipment deserves special attention when there may be few—or no—other crew aboard to initiate a recovery or distress call.
Race & Regatta Tracking
inReach satellite tracking can provide position updates for race organizers, family and followers through Garmin MapShare or compatible tracking services.
Which Equipment Is Right for You?
Start with what you need to accomplish on the water. Many offshore sailors and racing crews will use more than one type of equipment.
Vessel Distress Beacon
Equip the boat with a registered 406 MHz emergency beacon.
Category 1 or Category 2 EPIRBCrew-Overboard Alerting
Help your boat and nearby AIS-equipped vessels locate a person in the water.
Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 AISPersonal Emergency Beacon
Carry a dedicated 406 MHz distress beacon on the individual sailor.
ACR ResQLink PLBSatellite Messaging & Tracking
Send messages, share position and access interactive SOS beyond cell service.
inReach Mini 2 or Mini 3 PlusActual Voice Calls
Make satellite voice calls beyond cellular coverage.
Iridium 9575 ExtremeSatellite Internet
Add internet connectivity where the rental plan and coverage support your voyage.
Starlink Mini or Gen 3Marine Safety & Communication Comparison
These products serve different roles. Confirm the specific rules that apply to your boat, race or voyage.
| Capability | EPIRB | AIS-MOB | PLB | inReach | Iridium Sat Phone | Starlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Vessel distress | Local MOB recovery | Personal distress | Messaging / tracking | Voice communication | Internet |
| 406 MHz Distress Alert | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| AIS MOB Position Broadcast | — | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Two-Way Satellite Messaging | — | — | — | Yes | Limited messaging | Via internet |
| Satellite Voice Calls | — | — | — | — | Yes | Via internet |
| Tracking / Position Sharing | Distress position | MOB position | Distress position | Yes | GPS capability | — |
| Internet Access | — | — | — | — | — | Yes |
Boating & Marine FAQ
What’s the difference between an EPIRB, PLB and AIS-MOB beacon?
An EPIRB is primarily a vessel distress beacon using the 406 MHz search-and-rescue satellite system. A PLB is a compact personal 406 MHz distress beacon carried by an individual. An AIS-MOB beacon is focused on rapid local man-overboard recovery by transmitting the person’s position to compatible AIS equipment on the vessel and nearby boats.
Should offshore sailors carry both an EPIRB and personal emergency equipment?
They serve different purposes. An EPIRB is associated with the vessel, while a PLB or AIS-MOB device can stay with an individual sailor. What you should carry depends on the voyage, crew arrangement, applicable regulations and any race-specific equipment requirements.
Why is AIS-MOB especially relevant to solo or shorthanded sailors?
A person-overboard incident can develop extremely quickly. AIS-MOB equipment is designed to transmit an alert and position to compatible equipment nearby. Solo sailors should also consider their complete overboard-prevention and distress plan because there may be no crew remaining aboard to perform a conventional recovery.
Can I rent an EPIRB for a sailing race?
Yes. OER rents Category 1 and Category 2 ACR GlobalFix EPIRBs. Verify your race’s current rules before ordering so you know the required beacon type, mounting or deployment requirements and any other specifications.
Can an inReach replace an EPIRB or PLB?
They are different systems with different purposes. inReach provides two-way satellite messaging, tracking and interactive SOS; EPIRBs and PLBs are dedicated 406 MHz distress beacons. Do not assume one satisfies a regulation or race requirement written for another.
Can I use Starlink offshore?
Starlink coverage and plan terms vary. Confirm that the OER rental plan and current Starlink coverage support the waters and type of voyage you are planning before relying on it for marine internet access.
Can OER help with tracking for a sailing race or regatta?
OER can support event tracking using inReach satellite devices and Garmin MapShare or compatible race-tracking services. Contact OER about the requirements and scale of your event.
Leave the Shore. Stay Connected.
Build the emergency, communication and tracking setup for your next sailing race, offshore passage, solo voyage or recreational boating trip.
Browse Boating & Marine Rentals
