RYA SRC EPIRB, SART & Emergency Equipment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) differs from a vessel EPIRB primarily because:
- A PLB transmits on 121.5 MHz only
- A PLB is registered to an individual person rather than a vessel (Correct answer)
- A PLB uses VHF radio to alert the coastguard
- A PLB can only be activated manually, never automatically
Correct answer: A PLB is registered to an individual person rather than a vessel
A PLB is registered to an individual and is intended for personal use, whereas an EPIRB is registered to a vessel and is designed to identify that specific vessel.
Question 2: Which radar frequency band does a conventional SART respond to?
- 3 GHz (S-band)
- 9 GHz (X-band) (Correct answer)
- VHF (156–174 MHz)
- 406 MHz (UHF)
Correct answer: 9 GHz (X-band)
A conventional SART is triggered by and responds on the 9 GHz X-band, which is the standard radar frequency used for navigation on most commercial and leisure vessels.
Question 3: When should the self-test function of an EPIRB be carried out?
- Every day at noon
- Only when the battery is replaced
- Periodically as specified by the manufacturer, typically monthly (Correct answer)
- Never — testing can trigger a satellite alert
Correct answer: Periodically as specified by the manufacturer, typically monthly
Manufacturers typically recommend monthly self-tests using the built-in test mode, which does not transmit a live distress signal via satellite.
Question 4: If an EPIRB activates accidentally and a satellite alert has been transmitted, what action should be taken first?
- Leave the area immediately to avoid a fine
- Switch off the EPIRB and notify the appropriate rescue coordination centre that it was a false alert (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as false alerts are automatically cancelled
- Discard the EPIRB overboard
Correct answer: Switch off the EPIRB and notify the appropriate rescue coordination centre that it was a false alert
You must immediately switch off the EPIRB and contact the relevant RCC (in the UK, HM Coastguard via VHF Ch 16 or phone) to cancel the false alert and prevent unnecessary SAR resources being deployed.
Question 5: An AIS SART transmits on which channel/frequency?
- VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz)
- AIS channels 87B and 88B (161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz) (Correct answer)
- 406 MHz via COSPAS-SARSAT
- 9 GHz X-band radar frequency
Correct answer: AIS channels 87B and 88B (161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz)
An AIS SART transmits a Class-A AIS position report on the two AIS working channels (87B and 88B), making it visible on any vessel fitted with an AIS receiver or AIS-capable chartplotter.
Question 6: What colour light does a float-free EPIRB flash to indicate it is transmitting after deployment?
- Red (Correct answer)
- Green
- White
- Blue
Correct answer: Red
An activated EPIRB flashes a red LED to indicate that the distress signal is being transmitted.
Question 7: Under SOLAS, the battery of a float-free EPIRB must be replaced or recharged when:
- The unit is older than 10 years
- The battery expiry date has passed or the unit has been activated for more than one hour (Correct answer)
- The EPIRB has been dropped in water
- The unit has failed two consecutive self-tests
Correct answer: The battery expiry date has passed or the unit has been activated for more than one hour
SOLAS requires the battery to be replaced or recharged by the marked expiry date or after cumulative activation exceeds one hour, whichever comes first.
RYA SRC EPIRB, SART & Emergency Equipment 5
A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) differs from a vessel EPIRB primarily because: