The solo sailor aboard the Dasher was only able to put out a faint and broken Mayday distress call, after his navigation equipment on board failed, leaving him disoriented amid poor weather and low visibility.
But he was able to activate his personal locator beacon.
Emergency services initially searched five miles north of Guernsey, where the sailor said he was, but could find no trace.
But the PLB helped them look eight miles west-southwest of Casquets Lighthouse and find the vessel.
Mr Granger said a registered and functioning PLB was a vital piece of equipment for anyone at sea, as it helps search and rescue teams to track down a casualty and respond quickly in an emergency.
The hand-held piece of equipment costs around £350 and is commonly seen on commercial boats and becoming more prevalent on leisure crafts.
‘This is a vital piece of kit when things go wrong,’ Mr Granger said.
‘And it is a bit of a drop in the ocean, compared with the price of running a boat.’
Originally developed from the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, a PLB uses satellites, so can give a position anywhere.
It is also important to have the device registered, especially if it is second-hand.
This allows for searchers to know the size and type of boat they might be looking for, as well as the name and details of the person who might be carrying the device.
Owners should also ensure the batteries work before setting sail.
PLBs can be activated by pushing a button or when it gets wet, such as someone going overboard.
The sailor on Friday was left navigating by iPad after his ship’s systems went down.
Mr Grange said this highlighted the importance of a PLB.
‘A PLB works independently of other on-board equipment, so the casualty on this occasion was able to transmit their location despite only having a weak radio signal and no navigation equipment,’ he said.
‘Having a personal locator beacon saved what could have become a long and protracted search, which, depending on your circumstances, could make all the difference in a rescue mission.’
Channel Islands Air Search accountable manager John Fitzgerald reiterated this message.
‘For Air Search, the use of a PLB makes locating a casualty more effective,’ he said.
‘We have the advantage of height over the water, and our systems have a much greater chance of picking up the signal from the beacon.’
The sailor on Friday, and his cat, were in good health after the rescue and left over the weekend, sailing in a convoy and with extra crew.
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