RYA SRC EPIRB, SART & Emergency Equipment

Question 1

What does EPIRB stand for?

Accepted Answer

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

406 MHz

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Search And Rescue Transponder

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Category 1 activates automatically when submerged; Category 2 requires manual activation only

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

X-band (9 GHz)

Answer

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.

RYA SRC Practice Test