RYA SRC EPIRB, SART & Emergency Equipment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does EPIRB stand for?
- Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (Correct answer)
- Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon
- Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon
- Emergency Patrol Indicating Radio Broadcast
Correct answer: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, a distress alerting device used at sea.
Question 2: On which frequency does a 406 MHz EPIRB primarily transmit its distress signal?
- 156.8 MHz (Channel 16)
- 406 MHz (Correct answer)
- 2182 kHz
- 243 MHz
Correct answer: 406 MHz
Modern EPIRBs transmit on 406 MHz, which is monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system for fast detection and accurate location.
Question 3: What does SART stand for?
- Search And Rescue Transponder (Correct answer)
- Search And Rescue Transmitter
- Safety And Rescue Transponder
- Ship And Rescue Tracker
Correct answer: Search And Rescue Transponder
SART stands for Search And Rescue Transponder — it responds to radar interrogation to help rescuers pinpoint a survivor's location.
Question 4: What is the key difference between a Category 1 and a Category 2 EPIRB?
- Category 1 activates automatically when submerged; Category 2 requires manual activation only (Correct answer)
- Category 1 is for offshore use; Category 2 is for coastal use only
- Category 1 has a longer battery life than Category 2
- Category 1 transmits on 406 MHz; Category 2 transmits on 121.5 MHz
Correct answer: Category 1 activates automatically when submerged; Category 2 requires manual activation only
A Category 1 EPIRB is float-free and activates automatically when submerged to 1–4 metres; a Category 2 EPIRB must be manually activated.
Question 5: On which radar frequency band does a SART respond when interrogated?
- S-band (3 GHz)
- X-band (9 GHz) (Correct answer)
- C-band (5 GHz)
- L-band (1.5 GHz)
Correct answer: X-band (9 GHz)
A SART responds to X-band (9 GHz) radar, which is the standard navigation radar fitted to most vessels and used by Search and Rescue craft.
Question 6: How should a Category 1 EPIRB be stowed on a vessel?
- In a waterproof box stored below decks
- In a float-free bracket on the vessel's exterior so it can self-deploy (Correct answer)
- In the engine room for quick crew access
- Secured inside the wheelhouse at all times
Correct answer: In a float-free bracket on the vessel's exterior so it can self-deploy
A Category 1 EPIRB must be mounted in a float-free bracket on the exterior of the vessel so it can automatically release and activate if the vessel sinks.
Question 7: What does PLB stand for in the context of maritime emergency equipment?
- Personal Locating Beacon
- Personal Locator Beacon (Correct answer)
- Portable Locating Beacon
- Personal Location Broadcaster
Correct answer: Personal Locator Beacon
PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon, a smaller personal device that transmits on 406 MHz and is registered to an individual rather than a vessel.
