are usually fitted at each side of the bridge/wheelhouse, for convenience
when abandoning.
GMDSS SARTs are designed to transmit a swept tone in the 3cm
(9GHZ/X-band) radar band. The tone can be detected by any vessel,
with 3cm radar, in range. SARTs have to be switched-on manually before
they will respond to radar interrogation. They should be elevated above
sea level (some manufacturers supply an extension pole with the SART,
with others the extension pole is an optional extra).
When abandoning to a liferaft, switch-on the SART and mount it
on the pole provided. If there is no pole, lash the SART to an oar or
other device to raise it as high as possible (at least one metre above sea
level for reasonable range). SARTs left on the floor ofthe liferaft will not
" SARTFigure 70 .3
SART deploymentEPIRBbe activated until the approaching vessel is within about two miles. SARTs
may be tied-up inside the liferaft canopy, as long as the canopy is not
aluminised (or has some other form of metallic coating designed to keep
survivors wann). Do not deploy a radar reflector with the SART, or you
will block the SART transmission/reception.
When a vessel (or aircraft) approaches your position and the SART
detects the 3cm radar signal ofthat vessel/aircraft, it will start to transmit.
It will also display a light and issue an audible alarm (so that, if you have
been in the liferaft for some time, your attention will be drawn to the fact
that a vessel is near). Once switched-on, the SART will remain in an idle
condition (not transmitting) for up to 96 hours (four days), awaiting a
radar Signal. Once triggered by an approaching vessel's radar, it will
190 THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE