registration. Points of contact for Cospas-Sarsat 406MHz beacon
registration are listed in ALRS Vol. S. Registering your EPIRB will
identify the specific EPIRB serial number or other ID to your vessel
and will show the maximum number of people normally carried onboard;
your means of communication; and a 24-hour shore contact (someone
the MRCC can call if EPIRB alerts are received from your vessel).
EPIRB installation, maintenance and checks
EPIRBs are usually installed in a housing with a Hydrostatic
Release Unit (HRU) that will allow the EPIRB to be released,
automatically, if the vessel sinks to a predetermined depth. If that happens,
the EPIRB will start to transmit automatically when it floats to the surface.
There is no need for anyone to get hold of the EPIRB and switch it on,
when released automatically on sinking. You will also be able to take the
EPIRB manually from the housing and switch-on manually (e.g. if the
vessel is on fire, you would not leave the EPIRB in its housing to be
consumed by flame). All EPIRBs are fitted with a lanyard, for tying to
the liferaft or to a person in the water.
The EPIRB should be checked/tested each month (or otherwise
according to manufacturer's instructions). As a minimum, you should
check that:
The self-test is giving the correct indication according to the manual.
The battery is still in-date.
The housing is clean, secure and has not been fouled.
The HRU is still in date.
The EPIRB lanyard has not been tied to any part of the vessel.
Care should be taken to avoid accidental transmission when
cleaning and checking the EPIRB.
If your EPIRB is activated accidentally, contact a MRCC as
quickly as possible. They will want to know your position and the
serial number of the EPIRB. Do not switch-off the EPIRB before
contacting the MRCC - they may have to isolate your alert from any
other that may have started around the same time. When instructed by
the MRCC, you can switch-off the EPIRB and return it to its bracket.Search and Rescue (radar) transponder (SART)
The primary GMDSS method oflocal homing on a casualty (ship
or person in distress) is by use of a SART. The SART is not a float-free
device - you have to take the SART with you when abandoning. SARTs
MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 189