RYA SRC EPIRB, SART & Emergency Equipment 5

Question 1

A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) differs from a vessel EPIRB primarily because:

Accepted Answer

A PLB is registered to an individual person rather than a vessel

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

9 GHz (X-band)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Periodically as specified by the manufacturer, typically monthly

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Switch off the EPIRB and notify the appropriate rescue coordination centre that it was a false alert

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

AIS channels 87B and 88B (161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz)

Answer

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.

RYA SRC Practice Test

RYA SRC Practice Test

RYA SRC EPIRB, SART & Emergency Equipment 5