That requirement should have come out of the investigations into the Kotuku tragedy in 2006, he says.
Kotuku's emergency locator beacon was in the wheelhouse and could not be reached when the vessel suddenly capsized and flooded, MNZ found.
In its accident report, MNZ recommended its steering group consider requiring vessels of Kotuku's class to carry Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons on hydrostatic releases external to the wheelhouse.
Float-free beacons placed clear of any obstruction would usually enable the unit to float to the surface in the event of a sudden capsize and start transmitting an emergency signal, alerting the Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
Easy Rider capsized about midnight on Wednesday carrying nine people but it was not until it missed a 2pm helicopter rendezvous on Thursday that anyone knew something was amiss.
Mr Little said he was shocked when he received calls about Easy Rider.
"It makes me so angry that we have been through one tragedy and now we have almost exactly the same scenario where no-one knew until it was too late."
Mr Little said he raised the issue after the Kotuku incident, believing float-free beacons could save lives and calling for their use to be mandatory.
"Maritime should have picked up on this last time. Two or three people may have been able to be saved if we knew."
However, the beacons were not required by MNZ on that class of vessels, he said.
"Someone should be held accountable ... not much has changed [since Kotuku]."
An MNZ spokesman yester-day said it could not comment on the issue until Monday.
Associate Minister of Transport Chris Tremain said it was too early to comment about the sinking.
"We don't yet know all the facts about the loss of the Easy Rider and it would be premature to try and connect this to other accidents or recommendations.
"There will be a full investigation to see whether there are any broad safety issues which need to be addressed," he said.
