The most reliable personal locator beacon or EPIRB for New Zealand conditions is one certified for 406 MHz distress transmission with built-in GPS, since this gives search and rescue an accurate fix within minutes rather than a rough search area. For lone workers, hunters and trampers on land, a compact PLB such as the Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 or GME MT610G is the standard choice. For vessels at sea, an EPIRB such as the GME MT605G or Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB1 is the required safety equipment. Mobile Systems supplies and supports the full range from McMurdo, Ocean Signal, GME and Spot, from our base in Mount Maunganui.
The right beacon gets rescue an exact fix in minutes, not a search area.
Personal locator beacons (PLBs) for land and remote workers
A PLB is built for one person, on land, working or travelling out of cellular range. Once activated it transmits a distress signal and GPS position direct to search and rescue via satellite, no phone signal required. Shop all PLBs.
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1
Rated by Ocean Signal as the smallest PLB on the market by volume, with a retractable antenna and a 7 year battery life backed by a 7 year warranty. Fits a pack or lifejacket pocket.
View RescueMe PLB1GME MT610G GPS PLB
Compact, GPS-equipped beacon built for New Zealand's remote terrain, from farms and forestry blocks to backcountry tracks. A well-stocked choice for solo and remote workers.
View GME MT610GGME MT620GR GNSS PLB with Return Link
Adds Galileo Return Link Service, so the beacon shows you when your distress alert has been received. Useful reassurance for lone workers in genuinely remote country.
View GME MT620GRMcMurdo FF220 Mini PLB
Galileo-enabled PLB giving access to an additional satellite constellation alongside GPS for faster, more accurate positioning in difficult terrain.
View McMurdo FF220EPIRBs for vessels and marine safety
An EPIRB is registered to a vessel rather than a person, and is designed to float free or be manually deployed in a marine emergency. Every serious boat, launch or fishing vessel should carry one appropriate to its size and waters.
GME MT605G EPIRB
User-activated EPIRB with integrated GNSS for fast, accurate distress signals. A solid entry point for recreational and small commercial vessels.
View GME MT605GOcean Signal RescueME EPIRB1
Ocean Signal's most compact EPIRB, with a 10 year battery life. A practical choice where space on board is tight.
View RescueME EPIRB1GME MT606G AIS EPIRB
Cat I and Cat II rated EPIRB adding AIS alerting on top of standard distress transmission, so nearby vessels with AIS receivers see your position directly.
View GME MT606GGME MT606FG AIS EPIRB, auto activation
Auto float-free version of the MT606 range, deploying and activating automatically if a vessel goes down rather than requiring manual release. The most hands-off option.
View GME MT606FGMan overboard and satellite messengers
Alongside PLBs and EPIRBs, we supply devices built for related but distinct safety scenarios, from man overboard alerts to everyday satellite check-ins.
Ocean Signal RescueME MOB1
A compact personal AIS man overboard device with integrated DSC, designed to be worn and triggered automatically on immersion.
View RescueME MOB1Spot Messenger Gen4
Everyday satellite messenger with location sharing and emergency SOS, better suited to routine check-ins than a dedicated distress beacon. Also on our GPS Fleet Tracking page.
View Spot Messenger Gen4Why order PLBs and EPIRBs through MSL
Mobile Systems has been solving NZ communication and safety problems since 2000, over 25 years, from our base in Mount Maunganui. We are brand-independent, so our recommendation is built around how and where you will actually use the beacon, not a sales target.
On-site support covers the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō and Waikato directly. Outside that area, we supply and support nationwide, with every unit backed by our in-house workshop.
Common questions about PLBs and EPIRBs
What is the difference between a PLB, an EPIRB and an ELT?
A PLB is registered to a person, pocket-sized and activated manually, which makes it the standard choice for trampers, hunters and lone workers. An EPIRB is registered to a vessel, floats, and is often self-activating on immersion. An ELT is fitted to an aircraft and can activate on impact. All three transmit on 406 MHz and all now come in GPS-equipped versions.
Why does a GPS-equipped beacon matter?
Without GPS, satellites narrow a 406 MHz beacon's position to within roughly 5 kilometres, which can still mean a long search in bush or rough sea. A GPS-equipped beacon sends its coordinates with the alert, typically to within about 50 metres, so rescuers can head straight to you.
Can I use a beacon bought overseas?
Not without recoding. Every beacon is programmed with a country code, and one coded for another country will alert the wrong rescue authority. A beacon can only be registered here once it carries New Zealand's country code (512), which usually means returning it to the manufacturer or an authorised NZ agent.
Do I need to register my beacon?
Yes. Registration links your beacon's unique ID to your contact details, so the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) can act on an alert straight away and often resolve a false alarm with one phone call. Our EPIRB and PLB registration guide walks through the process.
What should I do if I set my beacon off by accident?
Turn it off and call RCCNZ on 0508 472 269 (+64 4 577 8030 from overseas) so a search is not launched. There is no penalty for a genuine accident, but have the beacon checked afterwards to confirm the battery still has enough life left.
How long will a beacon transmit once activated?
PLBs are typically rated for a minimum of 24 hours of continuous transmission, while EPIRBs are rated for a minimum of 48 hours, reflecting the longer response times often involved at sea. Check the rating of your specific model rather than assuming one figure fits every beacon.
Can a PLB replace an EPIRB on a boat?
A PLB can supplement a vessel's safety equipment, particularly for individual crew who may go overboard or leave the boat in a tender, but it is not a like-for-like substitute for a vessel-registered EPIRB. Talk to us about what is appropriate for your boat and the waters you operate in.
Which beacon has the longest battery life before replacement?
Of the range above, the Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB1 leads at 10 years, with the RescueMe PLB1 close behind at 7 years. Battery life is sealed for the unit's life, so it is a genuine point of difference worth checking before you buy.
What do I do with an old 121.5 MHz beacon?
Satellites stopped monitoring 121.5 MHz beacons in 2009, so an old analogue unit will not raise a satellite alert. Do not put it in general rubbish, where it can still set off a false alarm. Hand it in at a Police station, return it when you buy a replacement, or contact RCCNZ for disposal options.
Not sure which beacon suits your work, boat or trip?
Compare models side by side in our PLB comparison chart, see the Safety and Emergency Q&A, or check our PLB hire options for a one-off trip.
Talk to our teamCall 07 575 2966 or email info@mobilesystems.co.nz