That’s the cautionary message of Chris Hopkins from HM Coastguard when asked about full-scale rescues triggered by false alerts from maritime beacons incorrectly thrown out with the rubbish.
Chris works as Satellite Communications and UK Mission Control Centre Manager, based at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Fareham, Hampshire.
Chris said: “HM Coastguard has been involved with countless rescues where a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Positioning Indication Radio Beacon (EPIRB) has meant the difference between life or death.
“But there have also been examples of false alerts from a beacon that has simply been chucked out without a few important steps being taken first.”
A PLB dumped at a waste recycling centre, for example, was the source of an alert in Exeter which scrambled Dawlish Coastguard Rescue Team.
Our teams can’t stand down until they can be confident no one is at risk
Without an update of its disused status, and calls to registered numbers going unanswered, the search in January 2023 continued for about two hours until the PLB could be traced to a skip and destroyed.
On 15 April 2026 it became a legal obligation for PLBs to be registered and have accurate and up-to-date entries on the Beacon Registry, which can be done online in 15 minutes at no cost.
It applies to PLBs that are carried on board a UK flagged vessel, hovercraft or mechanically propelled watercraft, such as jet skis. The registration requirement already covers EPIRBs.
Chris added: “Our teams can’t stand down until they can be confident no one is at risk, so we encourage everyone to follow the three Rs when disposing of their beacon.”
1/ Remove the batteries
By taking out the batteries when a beacon is no longer needed, you immediately stop any chance of the device broadcasting an alert. Check the device’s instructions for the right procedure.
2/ Recycling centre
Once power has been removed, make sure you dispose of both the beacon and the batteries properly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation but this often means taking it to a recycling centre.
3/ Registry
Make sure your beacon registration details are up to date.
If you have an online Beacon Account, please delete your disposed beacon record. You can do this by clicking the Delete link to the far right of the relevant Hex Id after signing in at https://www.gov.uk/register-406-beacons
To set up an online Beacon Account, email ukbeacons@mcga.gov.uk or call +44 (0)20 3817 2006.
Find out about Personal Locator Beacon registration requirements here: MGN 665 (M+F) Amendment 1 Mandatory registration of EPIRBs and PLBs.
