Emergency Beacons: EPIRB Rental Program

Reliable equipment. Shipped directly to you. No hassle peace of mind so you can have a great trip.

The BoatUS Foundation has been providing affordable Boating Safety Equipment Since 1997 – Below we list everything you need to know about our EPIRB Rental Program.

Peace of Mind

Why Rent an EPIRB or PLB?

Your crew relies on you to have the essential safety equipment when you go boating – and that takes a reliable partner. At the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water we have the largest inventory of rental emergency beacons in the country. We proudly offer emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) for the boat and personal locator beacons (PLBs) for the crew. Place your order online or by phone and we will get the equipment to you when you need it.

Reliable equipment

Why Rent an EPIRB or PLB?

For the boater making occasional offshore trips outside of reliable VHF range, it pays to rent:

  • No large investment in equipment that has a limited life-span
  • We handle the NOAA registration so the unit is ready when you get it
  • We cover the equipment maintenance
  • No expensive battery replacement every 5 years
  • Easy online ordering with no security deposit required

How does the Coast Guard know who sent the beacon signal?

This information is very important in case of emergency. As required by law, our beacons’ unique identifier numbers (UIN) have been registered by us with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This means that each beacon’s signal is unique to the vessel to which it is registered. NOAA registration asks for a description of your vessel, making it easier for search and rescue forces to locate you in an emergency.

How do I provide my vessel information?

When you rent a beacon, Foundation staff will ask you for the same information you would provide NOAA in their registration along with a trip itinerary and emergency contact information. We have provided NOAA and the Coast Guard with a toll-free number to our Emergency Dispatch Center that is staffed 24 hours/7 days a week by trained emergency response staff. In the rare event that you may need to activate your rental beacon, BoatU.S. Emergency Dispatch staff will forward your rental information to the Coast Guard or Air Force, and other search and rescue teams.

Note: The Emergency Beacons are registered to BoatUS — you do not need to contact NOAA before your trip.

Safety First, Hassle Free

Reserve Your Equipment

Our ordering program can take reservations up to 6 months in advance of your trip. We ask that you place your order at least 5 business days prior to the date that you need the equipment. This allows for shipping and paperwork processing time. If you contact us less than 5 business days prior to your trip, non-standard or rush shipping charges may apply.

Peak rental season is from May to August. We have a limited supply of equipment, so if your trip is during this time, make your reservation early.

Legal Requirements

This expensive equipment is sent out to customers in good faith that it will be returned. As such, we require a credit card to reserve your order and a contract to be signed before your equipment is shipped. Your credit card will not be charged until your order is shipped.

Maintenance

While there is no guarantee that rented equipment will function as designed, the BoatU.S. Foundation adheres to the maintenance schedule as prescribed by the manufacturer. Since the program was started in 1997, we have never had equipment fail to work properly.

Beacon Rates and Shipping Details

EPIRB

Ocean Signal RescueMe GPS-enabled (aka GPIRB)

GPIRB Rental Rates:

  • $10 Daily Rate
  • $65 Weekly Rate
  • $220 Monthly Rate
  • $25 Standard Shipping – 3 Day UPS Select
  • $45 Rush Shipping – for UPS Overnight or 2 Day
  • Complimentary return postage is included with your order

An activated EPIRB broadcasts a repeating SOS signal with integrated GPS location from virtually any point on earth. The signal is received by COSPAS/SARSAT satellites which identifies the beacon’s position within a few hundred yards in mere minutes. Search and rescue personnel contact BoatUS for critical renter information and the send out appropriate rescue equipment. EPIRBs are suitable for all boats making trips where traditional communications are spotty. An activated EPIRB is effective for 48 hours of continuous operation once activated. An EPIRB may be activated manually or can activate when it comes in constant contact with water. EPIRBs are best used for:

  • Any boat going offshore, out of VHF/cell phone range
  • Any boat going where assistance from other recreational boaters is unlikely
  • Any boat that has crew members with known medical conditions
  • Any boat that just had major structural repairs or is not considered seaworthy
  • Delivery captains delivering a vessel that is new to them
  • Vessels voyaging in treacherous waters or areas known for sudden weather
  • Boaters that want the option of activating the unit manually, or having it self-activate
  • Anyone that wants maximum peace of mind for the vessel and crew
Rent Now

PLB

ACR ResQLink 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon

PLB Rental Rates:

  • $7 Daily Rate
  • $45 Weekly Rate
  • $150 Monthly Rate
  • $25 Standard Shipping – 3 Day UPS Select
  • $45 Rush Shipping – for UPS Overnight or 2 Day
  • Complimentary return postage is included with your order

In some ways, PLBs are like small EPIRBs. They use the same COSPAS/SARSAT satellites and send an SOS signal with integrated GPS position to summon for help. However, due to their compact size the battery capacity is smaller making it effective for only 24 hours of continuous operation once activated and must be activated manually. PLBs are to be properly secured and/or affixed to the boater (i.e. worn). PLBs make a great addition to a rented EPIRB, providing ultimate peace of mind when it comes to your boat and crew. PLBs are also suitable for small craft like paddle sports and personal watercraft making outback voyages to remote locations or anywhere help is hard to come by. PLBs are best used for:

  • Crew members on a boat that also has an EPIRB aboard
  • Crew members that could become separated from the safety of the boat
  • Crew members that are on extended deck watch or operate at night
  • Boaters that are operating a vessel single handedly (i.e., alone)
  • Small boat adventurers taking a trip to remote locations
  • Users of craft where the unit could become substantially wet
  • Operators of personal watercraft or paddle craft where space is limited
  • Conscious users that need assistance from a search and rescue agency
Rent Now

Ordering Information

Place Your Order by Phone or Online:

  • Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST
  • Phone Number: (800) 245-2628
  • Email: epirborders@boatus.com
  • Order Online: https://store.boatus.org
  • Orders placed after 12pm (noon) EST will not be processed until the next standard business day
  • Order dates may not start or end on a weekend or holiday
  • Orders must be approved by staff before it is considered final
  • Our peak season is May through August – reserve your unit today
  • Orders completed by 12pm (noon) EST on standard business days will be processed the same day

Order Rental Equipment in 5 Easy Steps

1. Create Account or Log In first
2. Choose your equipment and select dates
3. Select shipping method and tell us about your trip and boat
4. Confirm shipping, order and trip information
5. Review Rental Terms and Conditions

Rush Orders

The BoatUS Foundation will make all attempts to meet the needs of customers taking unexpected offshore trips. The BoatUS Foundation has a limited supply of equipment for rent and units are loaned out on a first-come first-served basis. Please do not wait to make a reservation. Our peak season is May through August.

  • Supplies are limited – avoid waiting last minute to make a reservation
  • If rush shipping is required in order to meet your deadline, it will be selected for you

Shipping Notes

  • Orders will be shipped within the Continental U.S.
  • No shipping to/from U.S. Territories or International
  • No weekend delivery or pick up service is available
  • You will not be charged for shipping days your unit is in transit
  • You must be logged in to enter shipping address before check out
  • If you didn’t select a shipping option, the most cost effective will be selected for you

Return Policy

  • Keep the shipping box in which your unit arrived – you can use it for returning the unit
  • It is your responsibility to return rental equipment to the BoatU.S. Foundation on time
  • If you need to extend your rental period, please let us know by phoning or emailing so we can authorize an extension of your rental. You will be charged standard rental rates

Late Returns

  • Without prior authorization, renters will be charged a $100 late fee if the rental equipment is not received within 10 days of the originally scheduled return date, plus the daily rental rate.
  • If the unit is not received within 25 days of agreed up return date without prior approval, the renter will be charged the current retail value of the rental unit
  • Properly packaged equipment must go to an official UPS drop-off. Be sure to get a receipt when dropping off. You may search UPS website UPS Global Shipping and Logistics Solutions | Ship and Track Online | UPS – United States to find a location in your area. Please, do not rely on marina staff or any other intermediary to deliver your rental equipment to UPS.
  • The Foundation will not be responsible for any additional return shipping charges, such as weekend or rush shipping, or home pick-up. Any additional shipping charges incurred will be the responsibility of the customer.