We are wanting to sail offshore next year, so are beginning to get prepared. Is there a PLB that can connect to the plotter in case of a MOB or do you need a specific MOB device?

We see there are specific MOB devices, but we feel as if we don't want to replace the PLB's with them... as if we are in the middle of the ocean, likely no one is going to be around anyway. But, in saying that, if we're able to rescue each other as quickly as possible because the location is sent to the plotter, that a massive advantage!

Ideally, both would be good to have! But kind of thinking 2 devices on a life jacket would be a bit bulky. Curious to hear opinions and what other cruisers do ??

Practise MOB exercises in reasonable weather so you can assess if you can meet the challenge before you go out buying stuff that you will most likely never use in anger.

If you fit an AIS transponder or a simple VHF radio with an AIS receiver that you can connect to your chart plotter, (Given the cheap cost of an AIS/VHF combo you really shouldn't go sailing without one),,,
you then will have the capability of finding a MOB on the chart plotter if he is wearing one of these
www.whitworths.com.au/acr-aislink-mob-personal-man-overboard-beacon

Tgt sounds like a great idea, wouldn't surprise me if something along those lines is in development now.

You can get a personal AIS mob beacon which is not a plb
also there are plb /ais beacons
last time I looked there was a delay in the final approval for use with AS requirenents due to battery life but otherwise all good

What Jolene said.
This is my AIS plb, good for line of sight MOB notification as compared to an Epirb where you're waiting for Canberra to instigate SAR efforts. You can simply rely on the AIS indication, or you can also programme it with your boats MMSI number and it will issue a DSC alerts as well.

They're not really bulky enough to be noticeable when wearing it, the bracket in the pic clips it onto your pfd breathing tube so it's out of the way and you kinda forget it's there.
rigging it to auto trigger when your pfd inflates needs a quiet moment and a good stiff drink, but other than that they're a great piece of kit if sailing in company. .
Cheers,
SB



Edit: Nod to Lydia, he is correct in these should not be referred to as a PLB, this term is reserved for EPIRB devices. Its proper name is an AIS MOB transmitter. My bad, sorry.

Faced with the choice, I went the AIS MOB route for a cruising couple. An EPIRB will not sound an alarm on the VHF or be trackable on your chartplotter. Range is limited to a few k's though so only effective if attended to within a finite time limit.

Another option is to use a personal epirb and carry a DSC VHF handheld. The ultimate rescue combo as long as the MOB is conscious.