From 12th January 2012, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) like the SafeLink SOLO have been permitted for use on land in the UK as well as at sea, following a change in legislation by OFCOM, the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom.

Whilst the use of PLBs has been permitted in maritime and aviation environments, OFCOM’s published regulations now permit the use of PLBs on land in the UK, which heralds huge progress for the safety of those taking part in outdoor activities around the country. It is recommended that anyone venturing in to remote areas where there are limited means of communication, whether that be on land or at sea, carries a PLB. In the event that the emergency services cannot be contacted via phone due to battery or signal strength, a PLB gives a direct method of alerting the search and rescue authorities, no matter how remote the location.

So, if you already have or are planning on getting yourselves a SafeLink SOLO for use on your kayak, yacht or wind surfer, remember that you can now take it with you if you plan to do the Three Peaks Challenge, or spend a week fell-walking in the Lake District, or indeed do any land-based activities in the UK.