User Manual

EPIRB
 Contents I

Index

Ch. I Introduction 2
1 Application
................................................................................................................................... 2
2 Registration
................................................................................................................................... 3
3 How does
...................................................................................................................................
the system work? 4
4 Activation
................................................................................................................................... 5

Ch. II Components - Funcionality 8

1 Transmission
...................................................................................................................................
frequencies 13

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

I
Chapter I
Introduction
 Introduction 2

1 Introduction
The COSPAS - SARSAT is a service of polar-orbiting satellites through which are received
and relayed distress alerts from satellite EPIRB determining the location of these.

Your EPIRB contains two radio transmitters: one operating at 406 MHz which transmits an
alert which can be received by satellites, and one operating at 121.5 MHz which transmits
a signal which can be received by overflying aircraft and Search & Rescue (SAR) homing
receivers. When you activate the EPIRB, both transmitters start broadcasting signals.
Providing the EPIRB’s batteries are in good condition, the transmission will continue for a
minimum of 48 hours.

The 406 MHz alert signal can be detected by SAR satellites. American, European and
Indian authorities operate a series of satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to
detect and locate aviators, mariners and land-based users in distress. The satellites,
together with a world-wide network of ground stations and Mission Control Centres
(MCC) form the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program whose mission is to relay distress
signals to the international search and rescue community.

Ground stations track these satellites and process the distress signals to obtain a location
(by using Doppler location techniques) of the distress. The processed information is then
forwarded to an MCC where it is combined with other location and registration information
and passed to a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) which alerts the appropriate SAR
authorities. Successive satellite passes refine and confirm this information. Alternatively,
beacons such as Smartfind Plus can use the GPS system to obtain a very accurate
position. This position is then transmitted as part of the distress signal.

The network of orbiting satellites can detect signals over the entire surface of the earth;
in addition, there are four geostationary satellites that appear fixed in position and which
detect signals over enormous areas (approximately one-third of the surface of the earth,
but excluding Polar regions). However, the geostationary satellites, because they are fixed
with respect to the earth, cannot determine the position of the EPIRB using Doppler.

Once it has been activated for a distress situation, an EPIRB should not be switched off
until the SAR agency directs this.

An EPIRB must be:

installed on the ship in an easily accessible place

ready to be manually released and be transported by a person to a survival craft
able to escape and float if the ship is sinking, automatically activated when it is afloat
able to activate it manually

1.1 Application
This EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is designed for use in maritime
emergencies, and is approved for these contingencies. Use it only in situations of grave
and imminent danger. Intentional false alerts may result in penalties.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 3 User Manual - EPIRB

1.2 Registration
This EPIRB must be registered with the appropriate national authority.

Failure to register may slow the rescue and lead to loss of life.

Every EPIRB is pre-programmed with a unique identity before it reaches the customer. This
is done by the manufacturer or, in some cases, the distributor. The identity includes a 3
digit country code. This is the country that takes responsibility for storing that particular
EPIRB’s registration details. In most cases this is the country to which the vessel is
flagged. The country programmed into your EPIRB can be found from its rear identity label.
You must register with this country.

The label also contains the Vessel name, the unique identification number (ID), the serial
number (S/N) and MMSI.

When you activate your EPIRB in an emergency, the nearest maritime search and rescue
coordination centre (MRCC) will receive the message and decode the country code (eg
701 Argentina). They will then access the registration database for that country and
expect to find details of your vessel, its radio equipment and who to contact. If they fail
to find this information, this may slow down any rescue.

How to register an EPIRB

Three registration forms are provided, two are for future use and one must be completed
immediately. These forms are pre-printed with your EPIRB’s identity; all you have to do is
complete details of your vessel and provide contact numbers. Wherever possible the forms
are also pre-printed with the correct mailing address and a faxback number. If your form
does not have a mailing address, contact your supplier. When you have completed the
form, you can choose to fax it or mail it.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 Introduction 4

1.3 How does the system work?

The picture below shows the operating fundamentals of EPIRBs - COSPAS / SARSAT
system.

In an emergency situation, the EPIRB is activated in manually or

1
automatically mode.

The EPIRB transmits an "emergency code" and activates the strobe light
2
indicating that is in operation.

The signal is received by a COP-SARSAT satellite and is sent to the

3
nearest station.

The station calculates the EPIRB location and decrypts the identification
4
code.

The central rescue station uses the identification code to determine the
5 type of ship, its owner, size and contacts for emergencies. The Rescue
Centres are contacted and alerted to start the rescue operation.

SAR organisms locates the EPIRB using the information of the exact
6
position, the signal emitted 121.5 MHz and the strobe light.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 5 User Manual - EPIRB

1.4 Activation
In an emergency:

Remove the EPIRB completely from its bracket or enclosure.

Hold the lanyard spool and throw the EPIRB into the water where it will self-activate.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 Introduction 6

OR

If time permits, pull the tear-off tab up, then press the activation button and slide the
switch left.

OR

Held down the Test button for 20 seconds.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

Chapter II
Components - Funcionality
 Components - Funcionality 8

2 Components - Funcionality

The EPIRB is a powerful self-contained distress transmitter. It is powered by a Lithium

battery that has a replacement interval of 5 years. An EPIRB is intended to be a one-shot
device; once activated it will operate for at least 48 hours. It operates best while floating
in water, but it can also be operated while on board a vessel or in a liferaft.

The key components of an EPIRB are:

Antenna

This is a flexible whip. It must be near vertical when operating.

Strobe light

These are the bright white LEDs visible through the clear lens dome. When the EPIRB is
activated they will flash every few seconds.

When the EPIRB is activated the strobe will start to flash immediately, but the EPIRB will
not make any distress transmissions for 50 seconds. This gives you a chance to turn off if
you activated it accidentally. During this time the red LED illuminates continuously. When
the red LED starts to flash, the 50 seconds delay has passed and distress transmissions
have started.

Red LED

Visible through the clear lens dome at the rear of the EPIRB. This stays on or flashes to
show which mode the EPIRB is in.

Green LED

Where fitted (beside the red LED), this flashes when the GPS acquires a position fix.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

9 User Manual - EPIRB

Sea switch

The two studs on the sides of the EPIRB are sea switch contacts. Submerge these in
water to activate the EPIRB automatically.

HRU

When the EPIRB sinks the water pressure actives the HRU mechanism that unlocks the beacon.

The following images show the HRU operating along a bar of depth of the EPIRB:

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 Components - Funcionality 10

1. When the EPIRB take contact with the water, it floods the HRU through the holes.

2. The pressure of water activates the spring that actuates as a knife.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

11 User Manual - EPIRB

3. The knife cuts the pod that supports the EPIRB.

4. The cut pod goes out of the HRU, opens the support of the EPIRB and leaves the beacon.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 Components - Funcionality 12

Expiration Date

The expiry of the HRU is marked in the part that covers him. The estimated date is 2 years after the
installation of the EPIRB on the ship, and only can be marked by the manufacturer or an
authorized service station.

In the tag you see that the HRU expires on August 2011.

Activation Switch

This slide switch is protected against accidental activation by a red tear-off seal.

The EPIRB can be activated manually pulling the tear-off tab upwards to release the
switch, then push the switch in and move it fully left.

Test

This button enables the user to run test sequences to verify the readiness of the EPIRB.

As an important item of safety equipment, your EPIRB should be checked regularly. The
EPIRB has a built-in test capability that can be used as a confidence check. This self-test
confirms that the battery is healthy, that the GPS receiver and both distress transmitters
are functional and that the strobe light is operational. The self-test should be performed
monthly, but not more frequently.

To do this, perform the following steps:

Press the TEST button until the red LED lights, then release the button.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 13 User Manual - EPIRB

The EPIRB will test its internal components and then make test transmissions at 121.5
and 406 MHz monitoring the transmitter output.

If all tests are successful, the buzzer will sound and the red and white strobe LEDs will
flash together a number of times.

If any test is unsuccessful, nothing will flash and the red LED will go out.

This button also allows the activation of the EPIRB, if held down for 20 seconds.

Lanyard

Pull the lanyard spool down to free it. Use the cord to tether the EPIRB to a survival craft.

2.1 Transmission frequencies

The transmission frequencies are 406.033 MHz and 121.500 MHz.

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.

 Index 14

Keywords -S-
SARSAT 2

-4- Sea switch

Strobe light
8
8
406 MHz 2

-T-
-A- Test 8
Activation 5
Activation Switch 8
Antenna 8
Application 2

-C-
Components 8
COSPAS 2

-E-
EPIRB 2

-G-
Green LED 8

-I-
Introduction 2

-L-
Lanyard 8

-M-
MRCC 3

-R-
Red LED 8
Registration 3

© 2016 Advenio Software S.R.L.