VASUDEVAN PONDICHERRY PH: 91 96299 80476
EPIRB
COSPAS SARSAT
COSPAS
– RUSSIAN WORD
SARSAT
– Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System
What
type of EPIRB it is?
Float free type
What
is the purpose/use of EPIRB?
To
determine the position of survivors during SAR
What does the EPIRB signal indicate?
One
or more persons are in distress and they may no longer be on board and they may
not have receiving facilty
What are the types of EPIRB?
COSPAS SARSAT EPIRB – 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz
406 MHz – exact frequency is 406.037 MHz
INMARSAT EPIRB – 1.6 GHz
VHF EPIRB – CH 70
How do both frequencies transmitted consecutively?
On 406 MHz –(406.037 MHz) It radiates RF burst for
.5 seconds. On 121.5 MHz –It radiates homing signal for 40 seconds. Both are
transmitted consecutively with small intervals
Power output?
406
MHz – 5 watts
121.5
MHz – 100 mw
How is the EPIRB activated?
EPIRB IS activated manually and automatically
How is the EPIRB activated automatically?
In Distress, when Ship is sinking, at the depth of
4 to 4.5 meters –
EPIRB is automatically released from HRU –and comes
to the water surface
Seawater contact screw touches the sea water and
EPIRB starts transmission
How
EPIRB is fitted?
EPIRB is fitted in the HRU frame firmly with spring
loaded locking system
HRU -Hydrostatic Releasing Unit frame
What is the name of switch?
Activation
switch
(The
ring is called activation ring)
How is the EPIRB activated manually?
TAKE IT OUT FROM HRU. BREAK THE SEAL, PULL OUT THE LOCKING PINB. SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY
GOES TO ON POSITION. EPIRB STRATS TRANSMITTING ( transmitting on two
frequencies and also strobe light flashes)
Who
receives the EPIRB signal?
LUT receives EPIRB signal (on 406 MHz)
(LUT determines the position of EPIRB. RCC receives
the information from LUT)
LUT forward the information to RCC through MCC
What is
the function of LUT?
By applying DOPPLER SHIFT method, LUT determines
the position of EPIRB (survivors)
LUT forward the information to RCC through MCC
How is
false alert sent from EPIRB?
Inadvertent activation is caused by human errors
during testing and maintenance of EPIRB/
Mishandling by inexperienced persons
What is HRU?
Hydrostatic releasing unit
What is the validity of HRU?
2 years
Why EPIRB
is tested every month?
EPIRB is kept for prolonged periods of continuous exposure to extreme
weather conditions, with minimal maintenance attention; It is required to be
ready to work without flaw, first time, in an emergency.
EPIRB and its ancillary devices should be inspected monthly to ensure
that they are always ready to work.
What is the use of Lanyard?
To secure the EPIRB when people are in distress and in the life craft
(10 metres length)
What is the EPIRB BATTERY?
Lithium battery
Battery life for most EPIRBs is 5 years.
The battery must be
replaced on or before the expiration date or if the EPIRB has been used in an
emergency regardless of the length of time.
EPIRB batteries are designed to operate the beacon for a minimum of 48
hours.
(Activation switch, sea switch ant test button are
available in sailor model SE406 II EPIRB)
What is
EPIRB guard receiver?
EPIRB
guard receiver (ALRS. Vol. 5)
What is the intensity of light?
Intensity
of Light = .75 candla,
Radius
– 14,000 meters (14 Km)
What is 121.5 MHz?
121.5
MHz – Aero distress frequency
When EPIRB starts transmission/activated?
After
50 seconds, EPIRB makes its first distress transmission
How do you test EPIRB?
It
is a monthly test
Take
out EPIRB from HRU
In
EPIRB,
Switch
has 3 positions. ON, OFF and TEST. It is a spring loaded switch.
Push
and hold the switch in the TEST position for 15 seconds
Initially
we can see a continuous blips and followed by a single strobe flash
After that, what will you do?
Make
a log entry
VASUDEVAN PONDICHERRY PH: 91 96299 80476
What are the maintenance of EPIRB?
1.
Check
the fitment of EPIRB ( whether it is firmly fitted. A spring loaded fitment)
2.
Take
out the EPIRB from HRU. Check the physical condition of EPIRB
(check any corrosion or any crack, any
physical damage)
3.
Read
the Instruction Label (how to activated and how to test)
4.
Check
the battery expiry date and annual service date
(battery
expiry – 5 years before the expiry date, battery has to be changed
Every
year EPIRB should be given to SBM for annual test)
5.
Check
the HRU validity ( 2 years)
6.
Check
the lanyard (nylon rope – 10 meters)
7.
Testing
EPIRB (monthly)
EPIRB
Intensity of light (EPIRB flash intensity)
.75 Candela (unit of luminous intensity)
Radius – 14 Km
121.5
MHz – Aero distress freq
After
50 seconds – EPIRB makes its first Distress transmission
EPIRB
AERIAL
– Built in vertical Omni directional GPS path aerial
Phase
Modulation
406
MHz - 5 Watts
121.5
MHz - 75 mw
GEOLUT
– LUT in GEOSAR system
LEOLUT
– LUT in LEO SAR system
MCC – Indian MCC,
Bangalore
|
LUT – Lucknow (UP) & Bangalore
|
RECEIVED EPIRB SIGNALS
IN
REAL TIME MODE
First
emergency alert is received within five minutes of activation
IN
GLOBAL MODE
Receiving
EPIRB signals extends to 45 minutes- 90 minutes
What type of aerial used in EPIRB?
Aerial
– built in vertical, omni directional, GPS path ae
GEOLUT – LUT in GEOSAR system
LEOLUT – LUT in LEOSAR system
GEOSAR system – Geo stationary system
for SAR
LEOSAR system – Low Earth orbiting
system for SAR
Where
are the LUTs in India?
LUT in INDIA – LUCKNOW (UP) and
Bangalore
Where
is MCC in India?
MCC – Indian MCC – Bangalore
What
is the function of MCC related to EPIRB?
Registration of EPIRB is done in MCC
EPIRB Installation itself – fitment is
designed to release itself and float free before reaching at depth of 4 m at a
list or trim of any angle as per IMO resolution
Emission – G1B – 406 MHz
After
distress situation is over,
retrieve the EPIRB and deactivate it.
Who allotted MMSI?
In India, DGS
What information do LUT receive from EPIRB signal?
15 digits hexadecimal ID and MMSI
VASUDEVAN PONDICHERRY PH: 91 96299 80476
Regular Maintenance of EPIRB:
(This question about regular maintenance-monthly,
yearly, twice a year)
Check
fitment of EPIRB at regular intervals on duty
Monthly
EPIRB test – on board
Yearly
– by SBM – annual test
Every
two years – Replace HRU with plastic bolt
Every
5 years – change Battery (SBM test and self test on board))
How do you remove the battery from EPIRB?
EPIRB has two halves. Upper half and lower half
There screws in between fitted joining the two halves
Unscrew them and take out the battery from the lower half
(with the help of user manual)
STANDGUARD EPIRB GUARD RECEIVER
An audible alarm and visual indication
- EPIRB is activated automatically.
In
Distress,
when
ship is sinking,
at
the depth of 4 to 4.5 meters.
Water
gushes inside the HRU chamber
and
due
to the hydrostatic pressure,
A
small knife which is inside the HRU cuts the holding rod
and
EPIRB
is released from HRU.
EPIRB
comes to water surface and floats
Sea water touches sea water contact switch
And EPIRB is activated
EPIRB
transmits on two frequencies.
406
MHz and 121.5 MHz
Also
Every
4 seconds it will transmit a flash
- EPIRB is activated manually.
Take
out from the HRU
Break
the seal
Pull
out the locking pin.
The
switch goes to the ON position
EPIRB
starts transmission
EXTRA QUESTIONS:
Down
link frequency of EPIRB
1544.5
MHz
Validity of GOC GMDSS
certificate/licence
10
years
What is the
INDIA’s part in search and rescue in EPIRB?
India is a member of the international
COSPAS-SARSAT programme for providing
distress alert and position location
service through LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search And Rescue) satellite
system.
Where are the
LUT in India?
Under
this programme, India has established two
Local User Terminals (LUTs), one at
Lucknow and the other at Bangalore.
Where is the MCC in India?
The Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC), is
located at ISTRAC, Bangalore.
Which low
polar orbiting satellite tracks the EPIRB signals in India?
INSAT-3A located at 93.5 deg East is
equipped with 406 MHz Search and Rescue payload that picks up and relays alert
signals originating from the distress beacons of maritime, aviation and land
users.
What is
INSAT?
INSAT and GOES systems have become an
integral part of the COSPAS-SARSAT system and they complement the LEOSAR system
Which
countries are covered by Indian LUT?
Indian LUTs provide coverage to a
large part of Indian Ocean region rendering distress alert services to
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
