Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTI ON MANUAL
OWNER DETAILS
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Address:
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Beacon UIN/15-HEX ID:
Congratulations on purchasing your new Accusat
™
MT400 series EPIRB. The
Accusat
™
MT403FF and MT403FG are the most advanced 406 MHz Digital
Satellite Beacons available today. Using new digital frequency generation
technology, GME have developed and approved world wide, a new family of
affordable high performance 406 MHz beacons.
Although the satellite EPIRB is one of the most significant advances in search
and rescue technology in many years. It is not a substitute for a marine
radio – Mariners should not be over-reliant on any single system. Wise, safe
Mariners plan carefully, ensure that shore contacts know their sail plan, carry
a marine radio, EPIRB and the right range of other safety equipment, and
operate their craft sensibly to suit conditions at sea.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Accusat
™
MT403FF and MT403FG Digital Emergency Position Indicating
Radio Beacons (EPIRB) are designed for use when the safety of your craft
and crew is endangered and you have no other means of communication.
An EPIRB can save your life and the lives of
others on board by leading an air/sea rescue
to your precise location. In the past, extensive
and lengthy searches have been carried out for
missing craft, sometimes to no avail.
Your GME EPIRB is a self contained 406 MHz
radio transmitter that emits an internationally-
recognized distress signal on a frequency
monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite
system. The distress transmission contains
a unique identity code which can be cross
referenced to a database of registered 406 MHz Beacons,
allowing the Beacons owner or vessel to be immediately
identified in the event of an emergency. Both models can be manually
activated by the operator in an emergency situation. Each will also
automatically activate out of it’s housing, if floated in water. The special
auto-release housing provided with your MT403FF/FG not only provides
day to day protection from the environment, but will automatically deploy
the beacon when a predetermined water depth is reached. This combination
of automatic deployment and activation may prove to be invaluable in an
emergency, where it might otherwise not have been possible to reach and
manually remove, then activate, the EPIRB.
Each of these models additionally includes a 121.5 MHz VHF Homing
Transmitter and the latest in ultra high performance Solid State Strobe
technology, all to assist in guiding rescuers to your precise location.
Furthermore, unique to the MT403FG, is an inbuilt GPS Receiver System.
Typically within minutes of activation the MT403FG is able to relay its precise
location through the search and rescue satellite system providing nearly
instantaneous alert and location information to the Authorities.
ABOUT THE COSPAS-SARSAT SYSTEM
The COSPAS-SARSAT (C/S) system is a complete global search and rescue
service using geostationary and polar orbiting satellites. Many countries
provide ground facilities known as Local User Terminals (LUT’s).
From their fixed relative position in space C/S geostationary satellites provide
a continuous watch over many regions of the world. They are useful in
providing an immediate alerting capability, and where an active 406 MHz
beacon is also GPS equipped, location information as well to the Authorities.
Each satellite within the constellation of C/S polar orbiting satellites views
a smaller area of the earths surface at any instant, but due to their relative
movement will achieve complete global coverage over time. These polar
orbiting satellites provide both alerting and location information for all types
of active 406 MHz beacons to the Authorities.
The satellite detection of less capable 121.5/243 MHz (only) type beacons is
limited, and will be phased out completely over the coming years.
REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
Registration of your 406 MHz satellite EPIRB with the Registration Section of
your National Authority is important because of the global alerting nature of
the COSPAS-SARSAT system.
Owner Registration Forms for registering your beacon may be supplied within
the packaging, otherwise, your National Authority will be able to provide the
correct forms. Up to date forms are often available online.
The information provided in the registration is used only for search and
rescue purposes. Promptly fill in the owner registration form upon completion
of the sales transaction, then mail, fax or email it to your National Authority.
If the beacon is to enter service immediately, complete the registration form
and fax or email the information.
Should the beacon be transferred to a new owner, as the previous Owner you
are to inform your National Authority by email, fax, letter or telephone of the
name and address of the new Owner.
The new Owner of the beacon is required to provide their National Authority
with the information as shown on the registration form. This obligation
transfers to all subsequent owners.
NOTE: Your MT403FF/FG has been programmed with a unique identifying code
which will be transmitted by the beacon in an emergency. Registering your
beacon provides the authorities with immediate access to your details when
the beacon is detected. This means they will know who you are, who your
emergency contacts are and what type of vessel or craft you are in. In situations
of accidental activation they can also immediately eliminate your beacon as an
emergency situation by contacting you when activation is detected.
PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION
The signal from an EPIRB is regarded by authorities as an indication of
distress and is given an appropriate response. It is the responsibility of every
owner of an EPIRB to ensure that it is not activated unintentionally or in
situations that do not justify its use.
The MT403FF/FG will not commence transmitting until approximately 60
seconds after activation, providing a safety period of audible and visual
warning. If you hear the beacon beeping while it is being carried or stowed,
you may still be able to deactivate it during this time period without
actually transmitting a distress signal. If in doubt, report the incident to your
local authorities just in case.
To minimize the possibility of accidental activation, EPIRB owners are urged
to pay careful attention to the following points:
1. Always stow the EPIRB with the switch cover closed and within the
Auto-release housing. The housing and switch cover are designed
specifically to prevent accidental activation.
2. Avoid stowing the EPIRB where it may lie in water.
3. Do not allow children to interfere with the EPIRB and/or housing.
5.
Educate others on board your vessel regarding the consequences of activation.
6. When it comes time to finally discard the beacon follow the DISPOSAL
instructions.
NOTE: The Auto-release Housing temporarily inhibits the EPIRB water activation
operation – always store the beacon within the housing.
INSTALLATION
The MT403FF/FG can be mounted upright against, or horizontally over, a
flat panel or bulkhead. When selecting a location it is vitally important to
consider the following:
s¬¬¬2EADY¬ACCESS¬IN¬AN¬EMERGENCY¬AND¬PROTECTION¬FROM¬INADVERTENT¬DAMAGE
s¬¬¬¬)N¬THE¬CASE¬OF¬AN¬EMERGENCY¬AUTORELEASE¬THE¬%0)2"¬MUST¬BE¬ABLE¬
to surface freely without becoming trapped by the sinking vessel or
entangled with associated external structures. Locate the housing
externally to the vessel in a clear open space; and remember that the
craft may list or roll during submersion.
s¬¬¬¬)T¬IS¬RECOMMENDED¬TO¬SELECT¬A¬LOCATION¬HIGH¬ON¬THE¬VESSEL¬4HIS¬WILL¬ENSURE¬
auto-release operation in the event the vessel capsizes without sinking.
s¬¬¬¬4HE¬SPECIlED¬#/-0!33¬3!&%¬$)34!.#%¬IS¬THE¬MINIMUM¬ALLOWABLE¬
separation between the EPIRB/housing and any magnetic navigational device.
EPIRB Dimensions: 260 mm (h) x 102 mm (w) x 83 mm (d)
Materials: UV stabilized plastic chassis.
Performance: IEC 61097; IEC 60945;
AS/NZS 4280.1;
ETSI EN 300 066
Transport Class : Exempt from UN3091
Patent Number: GB2420058, other patents applied for.
AUTO-RELEASE HOUSING
Release:
Automatically before reaching 4 metres water depth or
manually by operator.
Protection: Impact resistant housing fully encloses EPIRB for
environmental protection.
Mounting: On flat surface fixed at four (4) points to vessel
!
Refer to manual for placement.
Housing Weight: 1.1 kg (nominal).
Housing Dimensions: 385.5 mm (h) x 157.5 mm (w) x 102.5 mm (d).
Materials: Marine grade stainless steel and long life UV
Polypropylene stabilised enclosure.
Routine
Service: Fully user replaceable HRU at 2 year intervals as per
applicable authority requirements.
OTHER FEATURES
Retention Lanyard:
Buoyant type approximately 5.5 metres.
Reflector: SOLAS retro-reflective tape encircling unit above waterline.
Solid-state Strobe: High reliability solid state 3 emitter design exceeds
IMO requirements.
Compass Safe
Distance 0.7 m (EPIRB in Auto-release Housing).
* Standard factory setting. Retailer programmable via external interface.
Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.
GME SIX (6) YEAR WARRANTY
GME limit this warranty to the original purchaser of the equipment.
GME warrant this product to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of 6 years from the date of purchase from the
authorised retailer.
Replacement of batteries due to expiry or usage is excluded from this Warranty.
Should the product require servicing during this period, all labour and parts
used to effect repairs will be supplied free of charge. GME reserve the right
to determine whether damage has been occasioned by accident, misuse or
improper installation, whereby the Warranty could be void.
In the event of a defect occurring during the Warranty period, the original
purchaser may return the defective unit along with suitable proof of
purchase (i.e. receipt, credit card slip etc.) and a full description of the
defect to the retailer from whom the unit was purchased. The retailer will
forward the unit to an authorised GME Service Depot in your State.
All freight charges incurred for transportation by the retailer or GME are the
purchasers’ responsibility.
EMER GENCY
POSITION INDICATING
RADIO BEACON
EPIRB
406 MHz
Homer/Strobe
AUTO R E L E ASE
MT403FF
MT403FG
AUTO R E L E ASE
& IN B U I LT GPS
P/N: 310406 Dwg No: 44055-1
www.gme.net.au
Standard Communications PTY LTD.
HEAD OFFICE: Locked Bag 2086, North Ryde, N.S.W. 1670, Australia.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
INTERNATIONAL ENQUIRIES
International enquiries should be direccted to: [e-mail]
NATIONAL AUTHORITY DETAILS
Australia
24 hour Emergency Contact
Phone: [phone]
Registration
Beacon Registration Section, AusSAR
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181, Canberra ACT 2601
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Ph: Freecall* 1800 406 406 (Australia only)
[phone] (In Business hours
local or international)
* Calls from mobile attracts a connection
charge.
New Zealand
24 hour Emergency Contact
Phone: [phone]
Registration
Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand
PO Box: 30050, Lower Hutt 5009
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR DETAILS
GPS ANTENNA
MT403FG
MT403FF
Patent Number: GB2420058