Even after the CG calls it a PLB in the article, the writer describes it as the "vessel's personal locator beacon". Read the comments to the story; the readers call it an EPIRB and GPS device.

Really though, it's just semantics; different acronyms for virtually the same result. Maybe instead of buying the boat an EPIRB the owner bought a PLB which he left on the boat . . . So does that make it an imPersonal Locator Beacon or is it an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (lower case)? Who cares -- they had one, used it and the Coasties were able to come up with a relatively cheap save.

Like the FF 210 in my flight bag . . I really expect the aircraft's ELT (analog) to sink if we are ever forced to ditch. The beacon I take with me is my personally owned PLB, but it will function as an 406 MHz ELT (emergency locator transmitter) if I ever use it following a ditch.