Which statement about EPIRBs after an incident is correct?

Which statement about EPIRBs after an incident is correct?

• A. They may be left adrift as a DMB
• B. They should not be left afloat as a DMB
• C. They should be removed and abandoned
• D. They should be used as a flotation device

Answer: (B)

EPIRBs are emergency distress signaling devices that transmit a beacon with your location to rescue authorities when activated. After an incident, leaving an EPIRB afloat as a drifting beacon risks creating a false distress alert, wasting search-and-rescue resources, and potentially confusing responders who might act on a signal that isn’t real. The best approach is to secure or recover the beacon and follow proper procedures to deactivate or hand it over to authorities, rather than letting it drift or using it as a flotation device. It should never be left unattended in the water or discarded improperly.

EPIRBs are emergency distress signaling devices that transmit a beacon with your location to rescue authorities when activated. After an incident, leaving an EPIRB afloat as a drifting beacon risks creating a false distress alert, wasting search-and-rescue resources, and potentially confusing responders who might act on a signal that isn’t real. The best approach is to secure or recover the beacon and follow proper procedures to deactivate or hand it over to authorities, rather than letting it drift or using it as a flotation device. It should never be left unattended in the water or discarded improperly.