National Safe Boating Week Post #2

Today for National Safe Boating Week we are going to talk about EPIRBs and PLBs. An EPIRB stands for Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon and PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon. Both EPIRBs and PLBs operate on the 406 MHz signal using the same COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite system, which is directly monitored by Search and Rescue Personnel. 


Different boaters will have a different need when it comes to choosing an EPIRB or PLB, although both units operate the same way there are key differences in each unit. EPIRBs have a longer battery life and they are designed to float upright in the water when tethered to a person or life raft. You can get and EPIRB in an automatic and manual activation model. PLBs will have a lower battery operating time and will all be manual activation. The good thing about a PLB is the size and potability you can take with you for all of your land based adventures as well. 


When choosing the right EPIRB or PLB remember to stay away from gadget devices, remember only a device that operates on the 406MHz signal is an EPIRB or PLB. These will be the only units using the COSPAS-SARSAT system and monitored by rescue authorities. While gadgets have a place and a purpose but should not be your only signaling source for emergencies. 


Coast Guard Rescues 3 They had a PLB


Here are Other posts about PLBs


PLBs are not Gadgets 


If you missed the Kick off to National Safe Boating Week find it Here 


There is no doubt that EPIRBs and PLBs save lives, they also cut down on search and rescue time as well as the expense. 


If you are injured or in the water you want the Rescue Authorities there as soon as possible.


Here is a good note from the Coast Guard about upgrading to an EPIRB or PLB with a GPS signal built into the unit.

National Safe Boating Week Kick Off

Lets kick off National Safe Boating Week in style ... Today was wear your Life Jacket to work day ...
Also Saturday is Ready Set Inflate Day 

I did not wear mine to work but I can see some inflatable PFDs from my desk that are for sale if you need to stop by Triad Marine and get one to wear to work. Did you know the most important place to wear a life jacket is in the boat! If you are not wearing it then it simply can't save you from drowning. Make sure to check the life jacket laws in your state.

You can find the Texas Laws here


"70% of all boating Deaths are from Drowning, and 90% of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket."  This fact comes to you from the U.S Coast Guard Facebook Fan Page

There are many types of Life Jackets which are sometimes called PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices), choosing the right one for you and your activities in accordance with the laws is really important. Never feel you have to go this alone, reach out to your local marine retailers. If you can't find it locally take to the web, even though we are in Texas we answer questions from all over the country. Why? Because Triad Marine and our employees care about people being informed.

I am a big fan of the inflatable PFDs just because they are so comfortable.

Yes that is me showing off a stylish, comfortable, Pink Mustang Survival Inflatable PFD 

Feel Free to Snag this picture and use it for all of your Social Media Profile Pictures we did!

Be Safe Wear Your Life Jacket 

Make sure everyone on your boat wears one too

Make sure it fits properly

Make sure it is in working condition

Enjoy the time on your boat!

Sold Boats for the Week

Today we delivered 2 boats from 2 different manufactures for 2 totally different purposes. Inflatable boats just have that sort of versatility.

This is an Achilles SG156 Inflatable Boat that will be used by a Fire Department in Magnolia Texas.

This boat typically comes open and is used with a tiller handle motor, but at Triad Marine we can customize your inflatable boat to meet your needs. We added a jockey style console seat with remote steering for the motor. We hope this boat has many good years on the water working because that is what it is for.

The next boat to leave the store sold is a Zodiac Pro Open 650

This boat will be used as a coaching boat for kids that sail, not by the sailing organization but by their parents. The mom plans to use it to capture good pictures of the kids doing their thing.

The boat is 21'4" and is powered by a Yamaha F150 Outboard Motor. This boat will be fast, stable, and fuel efficient. It will not require a large tow vehicle and can also be used for some family fun.

The removable tube set on this boat makes it a real winner as it can be replaced if needed and it can be removed for repair if a customer lives far away from here. They would be able to ship just the tube set using UPS or Fed Ex rather than bringing the whole boat.

Meet "Jibby" as it will be called

Happy Boating "Jibby"