epirb false alarms The Global Maritime Distress & Safety System The cornerstone of GMDSS is the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.     More EPIRBs transmissions are automatically retransmitted to Rescue Co-ordination Centres. Up to 97% of EPIRB transmissions in a year are false alerts.     More If RCCs are not informed quickly of false alerts, the shipowner can face heavy fines. Ships rarely know when they have lost an EPIRB and transmitted a false distress alert. A Standguard alarm gives audible warning that an EPIRB has been armed and triggered.