Satellite EPIRB
Inspection
- Is the EPIRB installed correctly at the designated position?
- Is the housing free of damages?
- Are ship's name, call sign & MMSI clearly marked on the device?
- Are operating instructions available & clearly legible?
- Is HRU properly rigged?
- Is the HRU in date and the expiry date marked ? (Note: HRU valid period is 2 years or otherwise stated on the product after installation)
- Is the lanyard stowed but not attached to the ship's structure?
- Is the battery in date? (Note: Shore-based maintenance shall be carried out once the battery is replaced)
- Is the proper IMO symbol being posted in the vicinity of the unit?
- Is EPIRB being self-tested on monthly basis and logged in GMDSS Log Book?
Service / Certification
Is EPIRB being tested annually for all aspects 3 months before or after the anniversary date of the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate?
Is shore-based maintenance being carried out at intervals not exceeding 5 years?
Common Poor Practices
- The operation instructions were to clearly displayed.
- The ship's name, call sign and MMSI were not marked on the unit.
- No evidence of monthly inspection in GMDSS logbook.
References
IMO, GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF EMERGENCY POSITION-INDICATING
RADIO BEACONS (EPIRBs). MSC/Circ/1040-Rev.2. Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://sar.mot.go.th/document/5NMI%2520IMO%2520SAR/EPIRBs%2520AND%2520SHIPS%2520SEARCH,%2520RESCUE%2520LOCATING%2520DEVICE/MSC.1-Circ.1040-Rev.1%2520Guidelines%2520on%2520annual%2520testing%2520of%2520emergency%2520position-indicating%2520radio%2520beacons%2520(EPIRBs).pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjgsIucw8qKAxXaxQIHHQxdF4AQFnoECBUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Sz2XEvWnRzOhM6CL-olEe
IMO, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR FLOAT-FREE EMERGENCY POSITION-INDICATING RADIO BEACONS (EPIRBs) OPERATING ON 406 MHz. RESOLUTION MSC.471(101). Available at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/MSCResolutions/MSC.471(101).pdf&ved=2ahUKEwis_7SswsqKAxXkxQIHHeFaDaoQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2PEXNtqZbhw5xmAwLrYklS
IMO, International Convention for the Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS).
OCIMF, SIRE 2.0
Rightship, Inspection Ship Questionnaire 3.1