406 MHz beacons privacy information notice
Updated 4 May 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maritime-and-coastguard-agency-privacy-notices/406-mhz-beacons-privacy-information-notice
1. How we use your information
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) collect and retain the personal information provided when you register a UK coded 406 MHz beacon. These beacons include Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELTs) used in aircraft, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) carried by individuals and used in multiple-environments or those beacons carried on vessels in a maritime environment such as Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), Simplified Voyage Data Recorders (S-VDRs) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS). We will use this information to fulfil our Search and Rescue operations as mandated by the UK government and under International Maritime Organisation recommendations, Cospas-Sarsat and the Safety of Life at Sea convention requirements.
Your beacon information allows the MCA to identify persons in distress and helps save lives. Where information is provided to us when you register a personal beacon, we will use your beacon registration information to contact you and/or your emergency contact or contacts if your beacon is activated and a distress signal received.
There is a legal carriage requirement to carry EPIRBs and/or PLBs on certain Fishing Vessels as well as Merchant Vessels and the registration of these 406 MHz beacons is mandatory, as per the Statutory Instrument 2000 No 1850. Records relating to such beacons should be checked and the registration updated annually or within a 5-year period as outlined in MSN 1810.
2. How long we will retain your information
We will only keep your personal data for as long as it is needed for the reasons set out in this policy or as long as it is required by law. You can update, edit and remove your personal details at any time.
Up to date and valid information is fundamental in assisting HM Coastguard with search and rescue investigations and response. Customers should check and validate their information regularly, or within 5 years of the initial registration date. Customers should update their records if there are any changes to their information. If you no longer own the registered beacon, customers should delete their beacon information from their account.
Non-digital customers can use the beacon registration paper form to supply the MCA Beacon Registry team with the required information and they will create an online account on behalf of the customer. Once the online account has been created, the paper registration form will be destroyed. Non-digital customers can update, edit, and remove personal details or delete beacon information by contacting the MCA Beacon Registry team on +44 (0)20 3817 2006. The MCA Beacon Registry team will periodically review beacon records held.
3. Who we will share your information with?
Global search and rescue authorities and those delegated authorities, such as RNLI lifeboats, police or rescue helicopter crew, that are directly involved with investigations relating to a beacon activation. In addition, for the purpose of verification, we share data where applicable with beacon manufacturers, suppliers and programmers, Shore based maintenance providers and assigned and approved radio surveyors, in accordance with MSC 1039 and MSC 1040.