Rent an EPIRB or PLB
Reliable equipment. Shipped directly to you. No hassle peace of mind so you can have a great trip.
About Our Program
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 FedEx Express Saver
- $45 Rush Shipping – for FedEx Overnight or 2 Day
- Complimentary return postage is included with your order
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
- 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 2pm EST on standard business days will be processed the same day
- Orders placed after 2 pm EST will not be processed until the next standard business day
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
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 FedEx Express Saver
- $45 Rush Shipping – for FedEx Overnight or 2 Day
- Complimentary return postage is included with your order
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
- 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 2pm EST on standard business days will be processed the same day
- Orders placed after 2 pm EST will not be processed until the next standard business day
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
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
- In-person pick up available in Annapolis, MD only
- 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 may be given to any FedEx driver or FedEx affiliated shipping store within your area. You may call 1-800-Go-FedEx or visit www.fedex.com to find a location in your area. Please, do not rely on marina staff or any other intermediary to deliver your rental equipment to FedEx.
- 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 renter, unless prior arrangements are made with the Foundation.