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How to register your Ocean Signal PLB1 – country by country

|20/10, 2025

How to register your Ocean Signal PLB1 – country by country

A complete guide showing you how to register your personal locator beacon (PLB1) in different countries, what rules apply, and what steps you need to follow to ensure your equipment works when it's truly needed.

Owning an Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 is an important step towards increased safety at sea, in the air, or on land. However, for the emergency beacon to function optimally and for rescue services to act quickly in an emergency, it must be registered with the correct national authority.

Here is an overview of how to register your PLB1 in various Scandinavian countries – with direct links where available.

PLB1 – Your Personal Lifeline in Emergencies

A PLB1 (Personal Locator Beacon) is a personal emergency beacon that sends an emergency signal via the global Cospas-Sarsat satellite network. When the unit is activated, your exact position is transmitted directly to the rescue services, enabling a rapid response. For rescue services to identify you and act effectively, your PLB1 must be registered with correct contact details and usage information.

Please note that your PLB1 must be coded for the country where you are registered for the registration to work correctly.

All owners and operators of 406 MHz emergency beacons – including ELT, PLB, and EPIRB – should register their units. The registration information is crucial for the work of rescue services in an emergency and increases your chances of quick and effective help.

Vessels covered by the SOLAS convention and aircraft subject to ICAO regulations are required to register their emergency beacons. In addition, several national authorities, such as Traficom in Finland, require 406 MHz units to be registered.

Sweden

A PLB1 may be used at sea and on land.
The user creates an account and registers their unit with the IBRD (International Beacon Registration Database).

Finland

A PLB1 may be used at sea and on land.
The user must first apply for a "serialized number from the database of the Finnish Transport and Communication Agency (Traficom)" which is then programmed into the PLB1 by the supplier before delivery. The user creates an account and registers their unit with the IBRD (International Beacon Registration Database).

Denmark

A PLB1 may only be used at sea.
The user must first apply for an MMSI number for the PLB1 to be registered in the same way as an EPIRB. The data, along with the customer's details including personal identification number, is then programmed into the PLB1 by the supplier before delivery. The user creates an account and registers their unit with the IBRD (International Beacon Registration Database).

Norway

A PLB1 may be used at sea and on land.
The user applies for a permit to use a PLB1. The user creates an account and registers their unit with the IBRD (International Beacon Registration Database).

Other countries & more information

If you want to know what applies to other countries or delve deeper into the regulations for emergency beacons, you can visit: Handbook of Beacon Regulations

Tips for registration

  • Have the PLB1 unit's HEX-ID at hand (found on the unit's label).

  • Provide contact persons who can confirm your position in case of an alarm.

  • Update the registration if you change address, phone number, or area of use.

Registering your PLB1 is not just a requirement – it's a life-saving measure. Make sure your unit is correctly registered before you embark on your adventures!