EPIRB with AIS regulation

According to the new rules set in IMO’s MSC 101/24/Annex 24 2.3.16, every EPIRB installed on a ship must have the internal AIS frequency along with the 406 MHz channel and the GNSS receiver. The new rules will come into force on July 1, 2022, and each EPIRB installed on or after that date has to comply with it. Vessels governed by SOLAS regulations must have EPIRBs with an integrated AIS which notifies other nearby AIS equipped vessels if a vessel is in distress. An internal GNSS receiver is mandatory to locate the vessel and the beacon requires infrared and well visible light. This improved performance enables quicker and more efficient response and aims to locate distressed vessel faster, saving lives.