Emergency Position

Indicator Radio Beacon

VISTERNEANU LUCIAN
GR. FE44
Owners, operators, and crew members all are well aware how important it is to have
equipment in good working condition, especially equipment that may be needed in
case of an emergency and particularly such as a sinking.
This EPIRB is a radio transmitter - as such, your existing radio license must be
updated to include this EPIRB. When an EPIRB is transferred to a new vessel, the
EPIRB must be re-programmed to include the relevant information as required by
the country controlling the new vessel.
EPIRBs are designed to transmit a radio signal when activated. The signal is picked up
by a SAR satellite and sent to a ground receiving station and on to a control center.
The source is identified through registration. A Rescue Coordination Center will
attempt to contact the owner for information and verification or dispatch rescue
resources to the location of the signal.
A transmission usually gets processed as follows:

The transmitter is activated, either automatically in a crash or after sinking, or

manually by survivors of an emergency situation.
At least one satellite picks up the beacon's transmission.
The satellites transfer the beacon's signal to their respective ground control stations.
The ground stations process the signals and forward the data, including approximate
location, to a national authority.
The national authority forwards the data to a rescue authority
The rescue authority uses its own receiving equipment afterwards to locate the
beacon and commence its own rescue or recovery operations.
Once the satellite data is received, it takes less than a minute to forward it to any
signatory nation.
Effective Use. EPIRBs are designed to be used in the water, and actually use the
water to maximize their signal strength. Also, they broadcast best when no metal
objects are close by to interfere with their signal. So, to make the most of an
EPIRB in case of an Emergency:
Be sure the EPIRB is floating in the water.
Secure the EPIRB to the vessel or survival craft with its lanyard or other line.
Keep the activated EPIRB away from any metal structures that could block its
signal.
Location
The location selected must be sufficiently robust to support the
weight of the entire unit. Exposure to the elements and surrounding hazards
along with vibration should also be taken into consideration when choosing
the location. Ensure that the mounting location allows easy access to the
EPIRB for maintenance and servicing.
To ensure that the EPIRB will always float free from the sinking vessel
ensure that the float free housing is located high up on the
superstructure, free from any obstructions and located in a position that
it will not be trapped, regardless of the angle the sinking vessel may be
in. Ensure the EPIRB it is mounted with the antenna facing upwards.
Auto or Manual EPIRB?
An EPIRB can be activated either manually or automatically when the EPIRB
comes into contact with water.

Manual activation brackets will cover the water sensors, preventing them from
activating the EPIRB if, for example, a wave breaks over the boat, and keeping it
in a handy location should you need to access it quickly.

Auto Float-free housings, automatically deploy the EPIRB when submerged to a

depth lower than 2 - 4 metres in the sea. They work by means of a Hydrostatic
Release Unit which cuts the EPIRB free from its housing, causing it to activate.
The EPIRB can also be removed from the auto housing to be activated manually.
EPIRB PLB
Category I, 406 MHz model Category II, 121.5/243 MHz model

Global detection - Regional satellite Regional earth station needed - not

earth station not needed available in many ocean areas.
Potential for detection by overflying
aircraft.

Reliable beacon with low false alarms Beacons often incompatible with satellites.
and high probability of detection. Designed for detection by aircraft. High
number of false alarms is typical.

Beacon signal coding and exclusive High false alert rate due to alerts
international use of the 406 MHz generated by other transmitters within
frequency band for distress beacons the 121.5 MHz
assures a signal received is from an
EPIRB - no problem with false alerts
from non-beacon sources

1.5 nautical mile accuracy and a 10-20 nautical miles accuracy. Search
second signal provided to use for and rescue forces can home on the
homing. primary signal.

Beacon is coded with owners name, No way to know whether signal is from
address, phone, vessel type etc. an EPIRB, similar aviation beacon, or
non-beacon source. No coded information
with signal.

Good ambiguity resolution, i.e. can Hard to know which of two separate
promptly launch rescue unit to a positions calculated with first satellite pass
known position with an alert from is the beacon location. Usually must wait
a single satellite pass. for a second satellite pass to resolve.
Digital mode: 406 MHz beacons
406 MHz beacons transmit bursts of digital information to orbiting satellites,
and may also contain a small integrated analog (121.5 MHz) homing beacon.
They can be uniquely identified (via GEOSAR). Advanced beacons encode a GPS
or GLONASS position into the signal. All beacons are located by doppler
triangulation to confirm the location. The digital data identifies the registered
user. A phone call by authorities to the registered phone number often
eliminates false alarms (false alarms are the typical case). If there is a problem,
the beacon location data guides search and rescue efforts. No beacon is
ignored. Anonymous beacons are confirmed by two doppler tracks before
beginning beacon location efforts.
406 MHz beacon facts and transmission schedule
406 MHz beacons transmit for a quarter of a second immediately when turned on,
and then transmit a digital burst once every 50 seconds thereafter. Both GEOSAR and
LEOSAR satellites monitor these signals.
The repetition period shall not be so stable that any two transmitters appear to
be synchronized closer than a few seconds over a 5-minute period. The intent is that
no two beacons will have all of their bursts coincident. The period shall be randomised
around a mean value of 50 seconds, so that time intervals between transmission are
randomly distributed on the interval 47.5 to 52.5 seconds. (specification for First-
Generation beacons) [13]
Preliminary Specification for Second-Generation Beacons. From beacon
activation a total of [6] initial transmissions shall be made separated by fixed [5s
0.1s] intervals. The first transmission shall commence within [3] seconds of beacon
activation.
Transmissions shall then occur at nominally [30] second intervals until [30
1] minutes after beacon activation. The repetition period between the start of two
successive transmissions shall be randomised around the stated nominal value, so that
intervals between successive transmissions are randomly distributed over [5]
seconds. Subsequent transmissions [TBD].[14]
406 MHz beacons will be the only beacons compatible with the MEOSAR (DASS)
system.[15]
406 MHz beacons must be registered
Testing and Servicing
An EPIRB must be tested when it is installed and at least once
each month thereafter. Your EPIRB should have a test position on the
activation switch that allows the entire unit (electronics, battery, and
antenna) to be tested without generating a false alarm. The battery on
your EPIRB must be replaced before the expiration date marked on the
battery, or immediately after the EPIRB is used for any purpose other
than being tested. Maintain a record of the EPIRB testing and battery
replacement.
An EPIRB should be serviced only by the manufacturer or an
approved facility. Ensure your EPIRB is installed in its approved bracket or
holder and in a location so that it will float freely to the surface during an
emergency.
Registration
All 406 MHz EPIRBs must be registered with NOAA (the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration). There is no cost for registering your
EPIRB. If you sell your EPIRB, make sure that the purchaser re-registers it
with his name and information, otherwise you may be contacted if it is
activated.