Have you ever wondered why it costs so much to have a new battery fitted to an Epirb? McMurdo was recently asked to explain why the five-year Epirb service costs as much as 40% of the original price. This is the company's reply:
“At first glance this amount of money would seem a lot to pay to get a battery replaced. However, an Epirb is not like a torch or digital camera, whose consumer-priced batteries get used and then replaced at regular intervals.
“The Epirb is heavily legislated by a number of international regulatory bodies. These stipulate the performance characteristics and in some cases the manufacturing method, and most importantly of all, the service techniques that must be applied.
“This means that any Epirb going through a five or six-year service has to be treated virtually as though it was a brand new unit. In other words the unit is stripped down, the battery is replaced along with a number of major seals, and then it is re-assembled.
“After this the unit has to go through full electronic, mechanical and environmental tests to ensure that the unit will perform as new for the following five to six years. As part of these tests we have to check all output signals and message-read, to ensure that the correct data is being outputted, plus we run a full 100% waterproof test.
“On top of all of this we have to record all of the results in a set format which is laid out by the authorities, so that at any stage through its life the Epirb can be inspected by any international service dealer or shore-based maintenance approved service centre, to continue to ensure that the integrity of the Epirb remains at 100%.
“In all, the battery itself represents about 60% of the costs. The other 40% covers an hour's workshop time, administration and shipping costs. Thus, the split on costs is a true reflection of the time and effort required to fulfil all the necessary requirements.
“Here at McMurdo we are well aware of the customer perception of this cost, and work is continuously underway to search for improvements. The new Smartfind Epirb battery replacement is over 20% cheaper than the previous model. Additionally, the battery is also now classed as non-hazardous, greatly reducing overseas shipping costs, and you can carry it on an aeroplane, or on any vessel around the world without extra cost.
“As to the £15 shipping charge, this does not just pay for the carrier, but the unit has to be packed safely and carefully, administration costs have to be covered.”
For more information visit www.mcmurdo.co.uk
