EPIRB

SPEECH

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TOPICS
SPEECH - EPIRB

Introduction - What is an EPIRB and when should an EPIRB be

activated
Types of EPIRB
How does an EPIRB work?
Using an EPIRB
Battery
False alerting
Testing EPIRB
Maintenance of EPIRB
Conclusion
Bibliography

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INTRODUCTION
SPEECH - EPIRB

What is An Emergency Position Indicating

Radio Beacon (EPIRB)?
When should an EPIRB be activated?

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TYPES OF EPIRB

SPEECH - EPIRB
EPIRBS under the COSPAS-SARSAT system work on the 406.025 MHz
COSPAS-SARSAT and 121.5 MHz bands and are applicable for all sea areas.

This EPIRB works on a 1.6 GHz band. These are applicable for sea areas
INMARSAT E A1, A2 and A3.

This works on the 156.525 MHz band and is applicable for sea area A1
VHF CH 70 only.

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HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

Local User Terminal (LUT)

Mission Control Centre (MCC)

Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

Local User Terminal (LUT)

Mission Control Centre (MCC)

Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1

Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

2
UIN - Unique Identifier Number
The ship’s identification
Date of the event 406 MGz
Local User Terminal (LUT)
The nature of distress
Emergency contacts
The position

121.5 MGz

Mission Control Centre (MCC)

Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1

Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

2
3

406.025 MGz
Local User Terminal (LUT)

121.5 MGz

Mission Control Centre (MCC)

Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1

Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites
Calculates the position of the casualty using
2 Doppler Shift
3

406.025 MGz
Local User Terminal (LUT)

The digital message

121.5 MGz 4
Mission Control Centre (MCC)
Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1

Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

2
3

406.025 MGz
Local User Terminal (LUT)

121.5 MGz 4
Mission Control Centre (MCC)
Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1
5
Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

2
3

406.025 MGz
Local User Terminal (LUT)

121.5 MGz 4
Mission Control Centre (MCC)
Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1 SAR Team sent to distress
5
location
MRU Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
6

SAR SAR
 HOW DOES AN EPIRB WORK? 5

Search and Rescue

Satellites

2
3

406.025 MGz
Local User Terminal (LUT)

121.5 MGz 4
Mission Control Centre (MCC)
Distress call utiilizing
emergency beacon
1 SAR Team sent to distress
5
location
Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
6

SAR SAR
 USING AN
SPEECH - EPIRB 6

EPIRB
Activation Methods Importance of Proper Battery Operation and
for EPIRBs EPIRB Positioning Reliability of EPIRBs

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 BATTERY
SPEECH - EPIRB 8

The expiry date of the battery is mentioned on the EPIRB. However, it should be replaced
every 2 to 5 years.

VOLTAGE: CAPACITY: REPLACEMENT:

12 volt battery. 48 hours of Use proper replacement
transmitting battery.
capacity.

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 FALSE ALERTING 7
SPEECH - EPIRB

The EPIRB might get activated by mistake by an

MISTAKE BY AN individual onboard and send false alarms. If the
INDIVIDUAL EPIRB is falsely activated, the nearest coast
station or RCC (Rescue Co-Ordination Center)
must be informed immediately of this event and
cancel it.
The cancellation intimation must also be sent to the
appropriate authority (for example, DG Shipping for Indian
Registered Ships or ships plying in Indian waters when the false
alert is transmitted). The shipowner and/or the agent must also
be informed.

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 TESTING EPIRB
9
SPEECH - EPIRB

The EPIRB should be tested once a month to ensure operational

integrity. The procedure to do so is as follows:

Press and release the test button on the EPIRB

The red lamp on the EPIRB should flash once
Within 30 seconds of pressing the button, the strobe, as well
as the red light, should flash several times
After 60 seconds of operation, the EPIRB will switch off

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 MAINTENANCE OF EPIRB
10
SPEECH - EPIRB

The EPIRB must be inspected visually for any defects such as cracks
It is advisable to clean the EPIRB once in a while with a dry cloth
While cleaning, the switches must be specifically checked
The lanyard of the EPIRB must be neatly packed into the container of the
EPIRB without any loose ends dangling about
The expiry date of the battery must be checked to cover the immediate as
well as the next voyage at the least
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 MAINTENCANCE OF EPIRB
11
SPEECH - EPIRB

Send the EPIRB back to the service agent or the supplier if the EPIRB fails
the monthly checks
Change the battery onboard if the facilities are available or send it to the
servicing agent if there isn’t
If the EPIRB has been used in an emergency, it must be returned to an
authorised service agent for a battery change.
If the HRU has crossed its expiry date, the HRU ought to be replaced on
board, and HRU must be marked with an expiry date two years into the
future.
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 CONCLUSION
SPEECH - EPIRB

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-safety/what-is-epirb-
emergency-position-indicating-radio-beacon/

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THANK YOU
CENTRO DE INSTRUÇÃO ALMIRANTE GRAÇA ARANHA (CIAGA)
ESCOLA DE FORMAÇÃO DE OFICIAS DA MARINHA MERCANTE (EFOMM)
STUDENT: N3043 Malvão and N3069 Alípio
CLASS: N36.1
Professor: Laura