mcmurdo Ltd SMARTFIND E5/G5 USER MANUAL
This manual is applicable to both the E5 Smartfind and the G5 Smartfind Plus EPIRBs. The Smartfind Plus contains a GPS receiver for improved positional accuracy; some parts of this manual are applicable only to the Smartfind Plus, and are marked accordingly.
APPLICATION This EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is designed for use in maritime emergencies, and is approved for these contingencies. It is not designed or recommended for use on land or in the air. Use the EPIRB only in situations of grave and imminent danger. Intentional false alerts may result in penalties. REGISTRATION This EPIRB must be registered with the appropriate national authority.
IN EMERGENCY Remove the EPIRB completely from its bracket or enclosure Hold the lanyard spool and throw the EPIRB into the water where it will self-activate OR If time permits, pull the tear-off tab up, then press the activation button and slide the switch left
Contents 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3 3.1 3.2 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 7 8 8.1 8.2 9 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Recommendations and safety notices ................................................................2 Mandatory Registration.........................................................................................3 Overview ...........................................................................................................................
13 14 15 16 Appendix – Satellite Systems ............................................................................ 38 United States EPIRB registry system............................................................. 40 Product Warranty ................................................................................................ 41 End of Life Statement .........................................................................................
1 RECOMMENDATIONS AND SAFETY NOTICES • This EPIRB is an emergency device for use only in grave and imminent danger. • False alerts endanger lives. Help to prevent them; understand how to activate and de-activate your equipment. Intentional false alerts may involve penalties. • Read the complete manual before installing, testing or using the EPIRB. • Ensure you test the EPIRB monthly – see section 10.
2 MANDATORY REGISTRATION You must register your EPIRB with the appropriate authorities. Failure to register may slow the rescue and lead to loss of life. In the USA failure to register may result in a fine. In the UK you are legally required to register your EPIRB. 2.1 Overview Every EPIRB is pre-programmed with a unique identity before it reaches the customer. This is done by the manufacturer or, in some cases, the distributor. The identity includes a 3 digit country code.
Useful registration contacts are: USA Sarsat Beacon Registration NOAA, NSOF, E/SP3, 4231 Suitland Road, Suitland MD 20746 Tel 888 212 7283 Fax 301 817 4565 UK EPIRB Registry HM Coastguard (Southern) Pendennis Point, Castle Drive Falmouth TR11 4WZ Tel 01326 211569 Fax 01326 319264 Details of the North American on-line registration systems are given on Page 40. COSPAS-SARSAT provide registration details for many countries; use the web address www.cospas-sarsat.
nearest agent, either contact McMurdo Ltd using the details in the warranty section, or visit the McMurdo Ltd web site at www.mcmurdo.co.uk. 2.5.1 Mandatory information for Oceania (The term Oceania is normally used to designate all the islands of the Central and the South Pacific including Australia and New Zealand.
3 DESCRIPTION The EPIRB is a powerful self-contained distress transmitter. It is powered by a Lithium battery that has a replacement interval of 5 years. An EPIRB is intended to be a oneshot device; once activated it will operate for at least 48 hours. It operates best while floating in water, but it can also be operated while on board a vessel or in a life raft. The key components of your EPIRB are: Antenna This is a flexible whip. It must be near vertical when operating.
Antenna Strobe Red LED Green LED Test button Activation switch Lanyard Sea switch Page 7
3.1 Bulkhead bracket If you purchased the manually activated EPIRB version, this is normally supplied with a bulkhead mounting bracket (see section 8). The EPIRB is released by pulling out a R-clip. The bulkhead bracket should be sited in plain view near an emergency exit. To avoid accidental activation if the EPIRB is removed from its mounting, the bracket is in two sections.
3.2 Float-free enclosure If you purchased the automatically activated version (‘a’ suffix), also known as the “float-free” version, then your EPIRB is supplied in a plastic enclosure (see section 9). This is much more than just a protective housing; it contains a spring-loaded lever which automatically pushes the enclosure lid off and releases the EPIRB if your vessel sinks. This automatic ejection is controlled by a device called a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU).
4 CONTROLS 4.1 Activation switch This slide switch is protected against accidental activation by a red tear-off seal which indicates if the EPIRB has been activated previously. The EPIRB can be activated manually by tearing the seal upwards, depressing the locking button on the switch and sliding the switch to the left. When the EPIRB is activated the strobe will start to flash immediately, but the EPIRB will not make any distress transmissions for 50 seconds.
4.4.2 Red LED The red LED is used to indicate transmissions by the EPIRB. When activated, it flashes alternately with the strobe to indicate a good transmission on 121.5 MHz. Every 50 seconds it illuminates for 2 seconds to indicate a good transmission on 406 MHz; immediately before the transmission the LED flashes rapidly as a warning to the user. When the EPIRB is first activated the red LED is illuminated continuously until the EPIRB begins to transmit, when it begins to flash. 4.4.
5 OPERATING PROCEDURE An EPIRB is a piece of life saving equipment. Its sole purpose is to call for help. It must only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger. Misuse can involve a severe penalty. 5.1 Sinking If you have a category 1 “float-free” enclosure (see marking on enclosure label), then if your vessel sinks, the EPIRB will automatically release itself from its enclosure before it reaches a depth of 4 metres.
Getting the best from your EPIRB Your EPIRB is designed and optimised to be used floating in the sea. However, if you have to use it in other situations, this section provides guidance on how to get the best from your EPIRB.
In a life raft: OK DO: • Make sure you switch on the EPIRB • Hold the EPIRB up as high as possible. Note: the high intensity flashing strobe light may cause discomfort if viewed for prolonged periods.
5.4 Releasing EPIRB from a bulkhead bracket If you have an EPIRB fitted into a bulkhead bracket, pull the R-clip out of the bracket to release the retaining strap. Hold the antenna to prevent it springing loose and lift the EPIRB out of the mounting points.
5.5 Releasing EPIRB from an enclosure If your EPIRB is fitted inside a full enclosure, first remove the R-clip from the retaining rod, then pull off the enclosure cover and remove the EPIRB. 5.6 Manual activation If the vessel is not sinking but there is imminent danger, remove the EPIRB from its bracket and activate it manually as shown below. Note that once activated it will flash immediately, but it will not transmit a distress call for 50 seconds.
5.7 Deactivation If your EPIRB has been activated for a cumulative period in excess of 6 hours then its battery should be replaced. This is necessary to ensure that in an emergency it will operate for the full 48 hours required by international regulations. See section 10.4 for battery replacement instructions. If the EPIRB was activated by mistake or if the emergency ends then the EPIRB can be reset back to its “ready” state as follows: If EPIRB is still flashing then it has a fault.
Align slot with lug Fit R-clip Locate end of antenna in slot Page 18
5.8.2 Re-fitting into enclosure • • • • • • • Referring to the illustration, place the EPIRB on its side in the enclosure. As illustrated, the TEST button is furthest from the back of the enclosure. Engage base of EPIRB into the recess in the lever arm. Push the EPIRB into the enclosure to engage the retaining clip. Bend the antenna as shown and retain it in the recess. Refit cover squarely, engaging the guides at the top end and the rod through hole in cover.
Cover correctly fitted to base Page 20
6 FALSE ALERTS False alerts are a serious problem for the rescue services. About 90% of EPIRB-initiated distress alerts turn out to be false alerts. If your EPIRB should cause a false alert, follow the instructions below. 6.1 Stand down rescue services It is most important that you contact the nearest search and rescue authorities and tell them it was a false alert, so that they can stand down any rescue services. Use any means at your disposal to make contact.
6.3 Dealing with a transmitting EPIRB In the unlikely event that your EPIRB develops a fault and will not turn off, then prevent its radio signal from reaching the satellite using one of the following methods: • Cut off or fold down the antenna. Wrap the EPIRB in metal foil and take it below decks. • Cut off or fold down the antenna and place the EPIRB in a metal container or locker. or Take care when dealing with the antenna. Handle the antenna as little as possible. Refer to Section 1 for warnings.
7 FULLY DISABLING AN EPIRB In the unlikely event that your EPIRB refuses to turn off then it may have a fault. Procedures for dealing with a faulty EPIRB are covered in section 6 on false alerts; in simple terms you should do the following: • De-activate the EPIRB as described in section 6.2 • Suppress its signal by removing the antenna and wrapping the EPIRB in metal foil, as described in section 6.3 • Leave for 3 days until the battery is used up. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY OTHER COURSE OF ACTION.
8 BULKHEAD BRACKET INSTALLATION 8.1 Siting The bulkhead bracket should ideally be sited in plain view near an emergency exit. When choosing a suitable mounting position you should also consider: • Ease of access in an emergency. • Mount at least 1 metre (3’) from any compass equipment. • If there is any likelihood of the EPIRB being replaced in its bracket after activation then ensure that the antenna has as clear a view of the sky as possible. 8.
8.2.1 Mounting instruction plate The EPIRB is supplied with a self-adhesive instruction plate, which has basic visual instructions showing how to operate the EPIRB in an emergency. Mount the instruction plate next to the EPIRB so that it is easily visible in an emergency. During vessel maintenance, ensure the plate does not get painted over or cleaned down with strong degreasing solvents.
9 ENCLOSURE INSTALLATION 9.1 Siting The enclosure should be mounted upright against a vertical bulkhead. Alternately, it may be mounted horizontally on a flat surface, such as a cabin roof. No other orientations are recommended. If you have a float-free EPIRB it is critical that you choose a position where the released EPIRB will not get trapped by overhangs, rigging, antennas etc, should the vessel ever sink. An expanse of flat surface is required to allow the enclosure lid to eject.
9.3 Mounting instruction plate The EPIRB is supplied with a rigid plate giving visual instructions on how to operate the EPIRB in an emergency. Mount this next to your EPIRB as explained in section 8.2.1. 9.4 Marking Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) expiry If you are installing a float-free EPIRB you must now mark the HRU expiry date. The HRU has a 2 year in-service life which starts as soon as it gets exposure to a marine environment.
9.5 Marking vessel name In many countries it is usual to have your EPIRB programmed by your supplier (see registration section). Your supplier will then mark all the EPIRB labels accordingly. However, if your EPIRB was purchased in the USA, Canada or UK then your EPIRB will have all the necessary markings except for vessel name. In these countries it is usually left to the customer to mark the vessel name during installation.
10 MAINTENANCE 10.1 Self Test & inspection As an important item of safety equipment, your EPIRB should be checked regularly. The EPIRB has a built-in test capability that can be used as a confidence check. This self-test confirms that the battery is healthy, that the GPS receiver and both distress transmitters are functional and that the strobe light is operational. The self-test should be performed monthly, but not more frequently.
10.1.3 GPS operation test (Smartfind Plus only) To comply with COSPAS-SARSAT regulations, the Smartfind Plus EPIRB is also capable of checking the correct operation of the GPS receiver. This test consumes significant reserve capacity of the EPIRB battery, consequently it can only be performed a fixed number of times. It is recommended that this test is performed only if the performance of the GPS receiver is suspect.
10.2 Mechanical inspection During these monthly checks you should take the opportunity to inspect the EPIRB and its mountings visually for deterioration or damage. Note that the EPIRB is designed to allow water to circulate around the outer edge of the dome (inside the outer clear plastic edge but outside the waterproof seal), consequently a volume of water in this area is of no consequence.
10.3 HRU replacement If you have an EPIRB in an enclosure marked Category 1 then it contains a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU). This has a 2 year replacement interval. WARNING: Failure to replace the HRU at 2-yearly intervals may result in it not actuating correctly and releasing the EPIRB in an emergency. The expiry date, which is marked on the HRU and on the enclosure side label should be checked regularly.
10.4 Battery replacement The EPIRB uses three 9V Lithium battery packs, McMurdo Ltd type 82-939. Typically these will have to be replaced every 5 years. The exact battery expiry date is marked on the rear of the EPIRB lens dome; if you have a full enclosure, it is also marked on the outside of the enclosure. The battery expiry date should be checked regularly.
10.7 GMDSS inspections If your vessel is subject to GMDSS regulations then you can expect to get regular visits from ship surveyors enforcing national legislation. They will check the expiry dates and activate the EPIRB to prove that it really works and they will read the identity message stored inside the EPIRB to check that you have registered it properly. Leisure vessels are not subject to these inspections. However, in some countries passenger and fishing vessels are covered by the legislation.
11 HOW DOES IT WORK? Your EPIRB contains two radio transmitters: one operating at 406 MHz which transmits an alert which can be received by satellites and one operating at 121.5 MHz which transmits a signal which can be received by overflying aircraft and Search & Rescue (SAR) homing receivers. When you activate the EPIRB, both transmitters start broadcasting signals. Providing the EPIRB’s batteries are in good condition, the transmission will continue for a minimum of 48 hours.
12 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 406 MHz Transmitter 121.5 MHz Homer GPS Receiver (Smartfind Plus only) Strobe light Battery Environment Operating frequency Power output Modulation Operating frequency Power output Modulation 406.028 MHz + 1 kHz 5 W typical Phase (16K0GID) 121.5 MHz +3.5 kHz 50 mW radiated typical Swept tone AM (3K20A3X) Centre frequency 1.
12.
13 APPENDIX – SATELLITE SYSTEMS COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system The COSPAS-SARSAT system provides distress alert and location information to search and rescue authorities anywhere in the world for maritime, aviation and terrestrial users in distress. There are two satellite arrays carrying the COSPAS-SARSAT system. The principal array is LEOSAR (Low Earth Orbit Search and Rescue) which has seven satellites in polar and near-polar orbits.
Global Positioning System (GPS) The GPS system is a satellite array which enables a receiver located anywhere on Earth to determine its position with high accuracy. The array uses 24 satellites (plus spares) orbiting the Earth in six orbital planes, four satellites per plane, as shown below. These are arranged so that at least five satellites are within range of any receiver (which can be anywhere) at all times.
14 USA EPIRB REGISTRY SYSTEM Important information Beacon registration is now available on-line. This is the preferred method of registration; point your browser to http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov and follow the instructions on-screen. Use the EPIRB form. Other Information At present, NOAA still accepts registration by mail or fax. The registration forms are pre-printed with the correct mailing address and fax number. A registration form may be downloaded from the website given above.
15 PRODUCT WARRANTY Subject to the provisions set out below McMurdo Ltd warrants that this product will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 24 months from the date of purchase.
16 END OF LIFE STATEMENT At the end of the EPIRB’s useful life, it is vital that the battery be disconnected from the main unit to prevent false alarms. False alarms cause expensive disruption to Search and Rescue services and may endanger lives as a consequence. It is also necessary that the EPIRB and its battery pack be disposed of in a manner that does not present a threat of environmental damage.
McMurdo Ltd Silver Point Airport Service Road Portsmouth PO3 5PB United Kingdom Phone: Fax: +44 (0)23 9262 3900 +44 (0)23 9262 3998 Email: customerservice@mcmurdo.co.uk Website: www.mcmurdo.co.
82-810-001 Issue 6
