What is the minimum number of approved Category 1 EPIRBs a self-propelled vessel on an international voyage must have?

A self-propelled vessel on an international voyage is required to have at least one approved Category 1 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). This requirement is established under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, which mandate that vessels must carry EPIRBs as a critical part of their safety equipment.

Category 1 EPIRBs are designed to float free and activate automatically when submerged, providing an essential safety measure to alert search and rescue services in case of an emergency at sea. Therefore, the presence of at least one approved EPIRB ensures that the vessel has the capability to signal for help effectively, which is vital for the safety of both the crew and the vessel itself during an international voyage.

Other options suggesting more than one EPIRB can be overly cautious but do not reflect the regulatory minimum set for international voyages, while the choice indicating no requirement at all fails to acknowledge the importance of possessing this lifesaving equipment.