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Guernsey mariners urged to register safety beacons ahead of new UK requirements

Guernsey mariners urged to register safety beacons ahead of new UK requirements
  • New UK registration requirements for Personal Locator Beacons on flagged vessels come into force on 15 April 2026
  • Guernsey Coastguard strongly encourages all local mariners to register their PLBs and EPIRBs despite not being legally required
  • Registration allows Maritime Watch Officers to quickly identify who is in trouble and what resources are needed for response
  • Two separate rescue incidents in local waters last year demonstrated the value of emergency beacon devices
  • Registration is free, takes 15 minutes, and can be completed online at www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons
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Guernsey mariners are being strongly encouraged to register their Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) ahead of new UK requirements that could "make the difference between life and death" in an emergency at sea.

New registration requirements for UK-flagged vessels and marine craft will come into force on 15 April 2026, bringing PLBs in line with the registration rules for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).

EPIRBs are vessel-specific devices which can be automatically or manually activated by anyone in distress, transmitting their vessel's position to Coastguard agencies by satellite. PLBs are smaller, manually activated handheld devices that can be worn on a lifejacket or clothing.

Guernsey's Harbour Master and Head of Guernsey Coastguard, James Way, said: "While the new PLB registration requirements apply specifically to UK-flagged vessels, we strongly encourage all Guernsey mariners to register their PLBs and EPIRBs as well. When a beacon is activated, every second counts.

"Having accurate, up-to-date registration details allows our Maritime Watch Officers to quickly understand who is in trouble, where they may be, and what resources are needed to respond. Registering your PLB or EPIRB is quick, free, and one of the simplest ways to improve your safety at sea."

While HM and Guernsey Coastguard respond to all PLB and EPIRB alerts, a registered device also allows Coastguard operators to quickly distinguish between a false alarm and a genuine emergency.

UK Distress & Security Beacon Registry Manager Linda Goulding said: "The benefit of registering your PLB is simple: it gives yourself – and everyone you're with – a head start to being rescued from an emergency. The registration process is free, takes just 15 minutes, and could make the difference between life and death."

PLBs and EPIRBs work independently of a vessel's power or navigation systems, which can fail during emergencies.

The value of carrying a registered emergency device was demonstrated in two separate incidents in local waters last year. In April 2025, a sailor and his cat were rescued after their 10-metre yacht lost all navigation and communication equipment in poor weather, around 5–6 nautical miles north of Guernsey.

Later the same month, another mariner was rescued 8 nautical miles southwest of the Casquets Lighthouse following a power failure and the loss of all onboard navigational equipment.

PLB and EPIRB registration is free and can be completed online at www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons. Mariners are reminded to keep their registration details up to date to ensure search and rescue teams can locate and assist them quickly in an emergency.

Key terms

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
Small handheld emergency devices worn on lifejackets or clothing that transmit distress signals via satellite to coastguard agencies. They are manually activated and registered to an individual person rather than a specific vessel.
New UK registration rules from April 2026 specifically affect UK-flagged vessels, but Guernsey authorities recommend all local mariners register their PLBs for faster emergency response.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)
Vessel-specific emergency devices that can be automatically or manually activated to transmit the vessel's position to coastguard agencies by satellite. They are permanently mounted on boats and registered to the vessel.
EPIRBs already have registration requirements, which PLBs are now being brought in line with under the new UK regulations affecting UK-flagged vessels operating from Guernsey waters.
UK-flagged vessels
Ships or boats that are registered under the British flag and subject to UK maritime law and regulations. The flag state determines which country's maritime rules apply to a vessel.
Many vessels operating from Guernsey are UK-flagged and will be subject to the new PLB registration requirements from April 2026, though all Guernsey mariners are encouraged to register regardless of flag state.
Maritime Watch Officers
Coastguard personnel who monitor distress signals and coordinate search and rescue operations. They are responsible for responding to emergency beacon alerts and organizing rescue resources.
Guernsey Coastguard's Maritime Watch Officers respond to all PLB and EPIRB alerts in Channel Islands waters and need accurate registration details to mount effective rescues.
406 MHz and 121.5 frequencies
Radio frequencies used by emergency beacons - 406 MHz transmits to satellites for global distress alerts, while 121.5 MHz provides a homing signal for rescue teams to locate the exact position.
These are international maritime emergency frequencies that Guernsey Coastguard monitors, with the satellite system providing coverage across the busy shipping lanes around the Channel Islands.
Casquets Lighthouse
A lighthouse located on dangerous rocks 8 miles northwest of Alderney in the Channel Islands. Built in 1724, it's known for the treacherous waters around it that have caused numerous shipwrecks.
The Casquets represents the kind of hazardous waters around the Channel Islands where emergency beacons are vital - it's administered by the Bailiwick of Guernsey and illustrates why proper safety equipment registration is crucial for local mariners.

Q&A

Q: When do the new UK registration requirements for PLBs come into force?
A: The new registration requirements for UK-flagged vessels and marine craft will come into force on 15 April 2026.

Q: How much does it cost to register a PLB or EPIRB?
A: PLB and EPIRB registration is completely free and can be completed online at www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons.

Q: What's the difference between a PLB and an EPIRB?
A: EPIRBs are vessel-specific devices which can be automatically or manually activated, transmitting the vessel's position to Coastguard agencies by satellite. PLBs are smaller, manually activated handheld devices that can be worn on a lifejacket or clothing.

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