A locally managed rescue means the man overboard (MOB) alert is sent directly to vessels nearby, enabling an immediate on-scene response. This is also referred to as a local area system and uses:
- 121.5 MHz radio direction-finding tone for homing in on the casualty’s position.
- VHF DSC distress alerts (Mayday) sent on Channel 70 and Channel 16, notifying all DSC-equipped vessels in range.
- AIS GPS tracking that provides updated position data with an accuracy of around ±1 metre.
Because the alert reaches the nearest vessel directly, rescuers can respond in minutes, dramatically improving survival chances.
In contrast, an assisted rescue uses 406 MHz beacons (like EPIRBs or PLBs) that send a signal via the COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite system to a rescue coordination center (e.g., Coast Guard). The center then tasks the nearest SAR unit or vessel to respond. Assisted rescue generally takes longer.
Our team’s suggestion:
For most operations, we recommend having locally managed rescue capability. It allows your own vessel and nearby vessels to respond immediately, significantly reducing recovery times. Assisted rescue remains an important backup, especially offshore or in remote regions, but local alerting saves precious minutes when every second counts.