GMDSS EPIRB and SART Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On what frequency band does a radar Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) operate?
- 406 MHz
- 121.5 MHz
- 9 GHz (X-band) (Correct answer)
- 156.8 MHz (VHF Channel 16)
Correct answer: 9 GHz (X-band)
A radar SART operates on the 9 GHz X-band frequency, responding to interrogations from standard marine radar sets carried by ships and search aircraft.
Question 2: How is a traditional radar SART typically activated?
- Automatically when immersed in seawater
- Manually by survivors in the survival craft (Correct answer)
- Automatically triggered by a satellite uplink signal
- Remotely activated from a rescue coordination center
Correct answer: Manually by survivors in the survival craft
Traditional radar SARTs are activated manually by survivors, who switch the unit on when they see or hear a searching vessel or aircraft approaching.
Question 3: What pattern does an activated SART display on a ship's X-band radar screen?
- A single large bright blip at the SART's position
- A series of 12 concentric arcs or rings (Correct answer)
- A figure-eight pattern centered on the SART
- A straight line of dots pointing toward the SART
Correct answer: A series of 12 concentric arcs or rings
An activated SART generates 12 equally-spaced concentric arcs or rings on the interrogating radar screen, allowing rescuers to identify and home in on the distressed craft.
Question 4: What is the required minimum standby operating duration of a SART before it is activated by survivors?
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- 72 hours
- 96 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 96 hours
A SART must be capable of operating in standby mode for at least 96 hours before activation, ensuring it remains functional throughout an extended search and rescue operation.
Question 5: To maximize detection range, how should a SART be positioned when awaiting rescue?
- At water level to minimize wind resistance
- Submerged just below the surface for stability
- As high as possible above sea level (Correct answer)
- At exactly 1 meter above the waterline per SOLAS regulations
Correct answer: As high as possible above sea level
Holding the SART as high as possible above sea level increases the radar line-of-sight distance, significantly extending the range at which a searching vessel's radar can detect it.
Question 6: What is the approximate radar detection range of a SART when the rescuing ship's radar antenna is at 15 meters height?
- 1 nautical mile
- 5 nautical miles
- 8 nautical miles (Correct answer)
- 20 nautical miles
Correct answer: 8 nautical miles
When a ship's radar antenna is at approximately 15 meters above sea level, a SART at survival craft level can typically be detected at a range of about 8 nautical miles.
Question 7: After completing the 96-hour standby period, for how many additional hours must a SART remain operational in active (responding) mode?
- 2 hours
- 4 hours
- 8 hours (Correct answer)
- 12 hours
Correct answer: 8 hours
Following the 96-hour standby period, a SART must remain capable of actively responding to radar interrogations for at least 8 hours.
GMDSS EPIRB and SART Operations 2
On what frequency band does a radar Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) operate?