Just because the United States Senate passed a bill to delay the transition to digital TV don't think search and rescue authorities are going to continue monitoring and responding to 121.5 and 243 analog ELTs and EPIRBS.
The switch to an all digital distress notification system is spearheaded by the Cospas-Sarsat system, not the United States Government. The February 1, 2009 deadline is fast approaching and mariners have been instructed on what to do in order to ensure their distress calls are received by search and rescue authorities. For those of you who still have questions you can read more about the transition here and here.
The bottom line is mariners should ensure they have properly registered (United States or Internationally ) digital 406 EPIRB equipment aboard their vessels.
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