The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which manages the registration database in the U.S. for all PLBs, EPIRBs and related beacons, has recently added a new category for a beacon-related rescue—fishing gear.

The story starts early in the morning of October 19th when recreational fisherman Eric Pierce of Boca Raton returned to the dock after a night of swordfishing. While trailering his 31-foot sport fisherman, a fishing buddy grabbed Pierce’s fishing gear and set it on the dock—some $6,000-plus in gear, including a recently purchased ACR PLB.

Pierce trailered his boat and drove home, none the wiser that he had left all of his gear sitting on the dock. Two days later he checked his boat and found no gear, and after some quick calls he learned it had been left behind at the dock.

After checking with the city’s dock manager and leaving his contact information should anyone turn in the gear, Pierce called staff at NOAA to report a missing Personal Locator Beacon. NOAA dutifully took the information and suggested Pierce fill out and file a report with local police.

“I figured the gear was gone, but thought I would follow through the next day with the report,” Pierce recalled.

As he sat down to fill out the police report, the phone rang and it was NOAA calling to say they had located Pierce’s missing gear.

The explanation was that around 3:30 am on that same morning, Captain Rick Occhipinti of Snapperhead Fishing Charters in Boca Raton pulled up to the same Palmetto Dock in Boca Raton and found the gear.

“Captain Rick went through my bags and couldn’t find any trace of the owner’s identity, except for the PLB, which carried a unique identification code,” said Pierce. “He knew that all beacons were required to be registered with NOAA and was counting on the fact that I filed my data, which I did.”

Captain Rick said he first went back to the dock hoping that a note from the owner would have been left behind (Pierce later tried to put up a flyer but park rangers wouldn’t allow it). Captain Rick then called NOAA and explained that he had found the gear, which included a PLB. NOAA pulled the registration data, which now included a report about the missing gear, and took Captain Rick’s contact information.

“I told my friends that if another fisherman found the gear that I would get it back. We’re a really close fraternity,” said Pierce, who has been fishing South Florida waters for the past 35 years.

So thrilled to get his gear returned, Pierce offered the captain a reward.

“I offered him cash or a fishing trip, and he took the fishing trip,” said Pierce. “I certainly respect him for what he did and will tell everyone that I know how important it is to register those emergency beacons. They save lives, and in my case they saved my gear.”

Upon hearing the story, ACR Electronics’s management decided to also reward Captain Rick. They are shipping him a ResQFix 406 Personal Locator Beacon.

Upon hearing the news, Captain Rick quipped: “I really could have used one a few years ago when another boat I owned sank off Boca Raton and I had to swim ashore. I certainly will register it when it arrives so NOAA will know who I am and where I’m from.”

A PLB/P-EPIRB/P-ELT is a satellite-signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted and where the situation is grave and imminent and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance. All beacons must be registered following purchase– a simple and quick process, now with a web-base internet filing option (www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) manages the registration database in the U.S. for all PLBs, EPIRBs and related beacons.

Informational Addendum from NOAA:

What to do if a beacon is lost or stolen.

If lost: Inform NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283) that your beacon has been lost. NOAA will update your beacon registration information with the appropriate information.

If stolen: Report to your local police department that the beacon has been stolen. Contact NOAA at 1-888-212-SAVE (7283) with the following information so your beacon registration information can be updated.