What features may be found on GMDSS satellite EPIRB units?

(C). Float-free release bracket, strobe light & Distress alert transmission on 406 MHz.

47 CFR 80.1085(a)(6) A satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) which must be:

• (i) Capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406.0-406.1 MHz band (406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB); and

• (ii) Installed in an easily accessible position, ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft, capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat, and capable of being activated manually.

See Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 80 Subpart W on § 80.1085 Ship radio equipment - General.

The EPIRB must have a strobe light which starts flashing when unit is activated. See presentation EPIRB’s How the System Works

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What feature is NOT a component of a 406 MHz satellite EPIRB?

(D). Aural locator signal.

Features of EPIRB include:

• 121.5 MHz emergency homing transmitter.
• Emergency transmission on 406.025 MHz.
• Float-free release bracket.

See presentation How the System Works

Also, overview on Wikipedia on Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon

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What statement is true regarding 406 MHz EPIRB transmissions?

(A). Transmits a unique hexadecimal identification number.

EPIRB is the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

EPIRB transmits a UIN, Unique Identifier Number, which is permanently hard coded in each unit. The unique ID can be found on the outside of the unit printed on white label. This UIN is in Hexagonal digits. Both letters and digits are used to generate a 15 numbers unique identification number of the unit. EPIRB sends 3 groups of 5 characters, such as A2B3C5 34252 3B77A.

For more information, please see Marine Insights article on What is An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)?

Hexagonal Base 16 Numeric System
We operate normally in base 10 system, with 10 digits, and the 11th moves 10 to left plus one. Computers understand only 0 and 1 (on or off). Thus, computers operate on base 2 system. Hexadecimal system uses 16 digits. Because 16 is a multiple of 2, hex numbers are easily converted to base 2 numbers.

It is very easy to read a hex number, but it takes time to read a binary number. A hex number equals four binary digits. So, 00 to FF in hex is equivalent to 00000000 to 11111111.

See Wikipedia article on Hexadecimal

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Which of the following is normally part of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs?

(B). A 5-watt 406-MHz alert beacon, Automatic Hydrostatic Release (ARM), strobe light.

The EPIRB unit includes a 5-watt and a 0.25-watt radio transmitter. Both work on the 406 MHz frequency which is the global distress frequency.

The 5-watt radio transmitter is configured to work with the GOES weather satellite in the geosynchronous orbit.

For more information, please see Marine Insights site on What is An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)?

47 CFR 80.1085(a)(6) A satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) which must be:

• (i) Capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406.0-406.1 MHz band (406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB); and

• (ii) Installed in an easily accessible position, ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft, capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat, and capable of being activated manually.

See Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 80 Subpart W on § 80.1085 Ship radio equipment - General.

The EPIRB must have a strobe light which starts flashing when unit is activated.
See presentation How the System Works

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Which of the following statements concerning EPIRBs is FALSE?

(B). The Inmarsat system provides worldwide coverage for Distress alerts.

EPIRB communication involves:

• The COSPAS-SARSAT system may take a full hour or more to provide an alert.

• The GOES weather satellites are in a geostationary orbit.

• 406 MHz EPIRB units may be equipped with GPS receivers.

The EPIRB must have a strobe light which starts flashing when unit is activated.

See presentation How the System Works

Also, overview on Wikipedia on Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon

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Which of the following EPIRBs is most likely to be used to transmit a Distress alert signal?

(C). 406 MHz EPIRBs

The 406 MHz frequency is THE internationally recognized distress signal, coming from EPIRB units.

47 CFR 80.1085(a)(6) A satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) which must be:

• (i) Capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406.0-406.1 MHz band (406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB); and

• (ii) Installed in an easily accessible position, ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft, capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat, and capable of being activated manually.

See Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 80 Subpart W on § 80.1085 Ship radio equipment - General.

See presentation How the System Works

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