MROVCP - EPIRB

Australian Coast Guard Academy : 

Australian Coast Guard Academy MROVCP – Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of Proficiency EPIRB

E P I R B : 

E P I R B EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACON Small, Self Contained Battery Operated Buoyant Radio Transmitter Transmits locating signal (No Voice transmission) Used to assist in locating survivors in Search & Rescue operations Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008 Pg, 2

E P I R B : 

E P I R B All EPIRB activations are treated as an indication of distress If a DISTRESS SITUATION is genuine the EPIRB should be left ON until rescue is complete or SAR authorities have issued instructions to STOP If an EPIRB is set off accidentally the unit should be switched off as soon as possible. The Police or RCA should be notified immediately 3 Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008

E P I R B : 

E P I R B 2 Types of EPIRB for Marine Use 121.5/243Mhz (121) Uses the Civil/Military Aircraft VHF frequencies of 121.5/243MHz 406Mhz (406) Operates on 406.025 MHz – for satellite transmission Transmits a 121.5MHz Homing signal – for aircraft 4 Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008

E P I R B Detection : 

E P I R B Detection 121.5 & 243 MHz are Aeronautical Distress Frequencies: Both types of EPIRB can be detected by Aircraft 5 Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008

121 EPIRB’s DETECTION by AIRCRAFT : 

121 EPIRB’s DETECTION by AIRCRAFT Plane reports its position to RCC who can then roughly determine location of EPIRB Area of detection depends on altitude of aircraft Final location done by specialist aircraft “Homing In” on 121.5MHz signal 6 Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008

E P I R B Detection : 

E P I R B Detection The signals from both 121 and 406 EPIRBs are detected by The COSPAS/SARSAT International Satellite System. System uses several Satellites in Low Earth Polar Orbit to detect activated EPIRB signals and relay them to ground stations, called LUTs (Local User Terminals) which are linked to major rescue coordination centres worldwide. 7 Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008

COSPAS/SARSAT SYSTEM : 

COSPAS/SARSAT SYSTEM 8 Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008 http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/Description/concept.htm

121 EPIRB’s DETECTION by COSPAS/SARSAT : 

121 EPIRB’s DETECTION by COSPAS/SARSAT 9 Signal from EPIRB picked up by Satellite Signal retransmitted to LUT LUT, Albany to RCC Canberra RCC calculates position to within 20km radius Tasks plane or Helicopter to Home in using 121.5 MHz signal Ver 1 Nov 2008 © Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association 2008