PSCRB-L3.2

EPIRB, SART and locating devices

PSCRB-M3 · After abandonment · PSCRB-M3-A Keeping survivors alive and making sure they are found.

Being found is most of surviving. **EPIRBs, SARTs, radios and pyrotechnics**, and how to use them well.

Locating devices

Governing: STCW Code Table A-VI/2-1; REG Yacht Code Part A 13.8, 13.9 and LSA table; MGN 665 (M+F) Amendment 1. Builds on: Personal Survival Techniques (PST). See also: GMDSS SRC/ROC/GOC.

Table A-VI/2-1 requires you to use locating devices, including communication and signalling apparatus and pyrotechnics: radio life-saving appliances including satellite EPIRBs and SARTs, and pyrotechnic distress signals. The Restricted criteria add handheld radios, including those with air band as required on passenger vessels, and choosing the right device for the conditions.

What a Part A yacht carries

Item Short range / 24 m+ 500 GT+ 85 m+
EPIRB 1 1 1
SART 1 2 2
Two-way radiotelephones 2 2 3
Rocket parachute flares 6 12 12
Line-throwing appliance set 1 1 1

(Short range and 24 m columns are the same for these items.)

EPIRB

REG Part A 13.8:

  • Installed in an easily accessible position, ready for manual release, able to be placed in a survival craft, and able to float free if the yacht sinks.
  • Registered with the Administration. For UK vessels, MGN 665 Amendment 1 makes registration of EPIRBs and 406 MHz PLBs mandatory.
  • Tested annually and serviced at not more than five-yearly intervals by an approved shore-based maintainer.
  • Additional EPIRBs beyond the requirement need not float free.

When you abandon, take it with you if you can and switch it on; float-free is the backup. Keep it upright, antenna clear, tethered to the craft.

SART

Part A 13.9: the SART is stowed so it can rapidly be placed in any survival craft, with means to mount it at least 1 metre above sea level. Height is range: a SART held in the bottom of a raft is little use. On a searching vessel's radar a SART shows as a line of dots from its position, which changes to arcs and circles as the searcher closes.

Two-way radiotelephones

Handheld GMDSS VHFs give direct contact with rescuers. Keep them charged in the approved stowage, take them into the craft, and conserve battery by listening on a schedule.

Pyrotechnics

Signal Best use
Rocket parachute flare Attract attention at range, typically at night
Hand flare Pinpoint position when a rescuer is close
Buoyant smoke Daylight, show position and wind to aircraft
  • Use them when they are likely to be seen: a ship or aircraft in sight or heard.
  • Keep some in reserve; the second vessel may be the one that sees you.
  • Hold hand flares downwind and over the side.

WARNING - Out-of-date pyrotechnics Expired flares are unreliable and hazardous. Dispose of them through the approved route; do not fire them for practice.

The heliograph and torch

Low-tech and effective: a heliograph flash in sunshine can be seen a long way, and a torch works at night when the flares are gone.

TIP - Know your EPIRB's registration Check that the registration matches the yacht's current name, MMSI and emergency contacts. After a sale or name change it is frequently wrong.

Practice questions

5 questions

recall · core

Under REG Part A 13.8, an EPIRB must be tested annually and serviced at intervals of not more than: (a) 5 years (b) 2 years (c) 10 years (d) 1 year

recall · core

A SART in a survival craft should be mounted at least how high above sea level? (a) 3 m (b) 0.5 m (c) 2 m (d) 1 m

recall · core

How many rocket parachute flares does Part A require on a yacht of 500 GT and over? (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 12 (d) 24

recall · core

Under MGN 665 Amendment 1, registration of EPIRBs and 406 MHz PLBs on UK vessels is: (a) Recommended (b) Mandatory (c) Only for passenger vessels (d) Only for vessels over 500 GT

scenario · core

You are in a raft at night after abandoning. The EPIRB is activated. You hear an aircraft and see a ship's lights on the horizon. What do you do with your locating devices? (a) Wait for daylight before signalling (b) Switch off the EPIRB to save battery (c) Keep the EPIRB transmitting, mount the SART high, call on the handheld VHF, and use a rocket or hand flare when the ship or aircraft is close enough to see it, keeping some in reserve (d) Fire all flares at once

Independent study. xplor is not an accredited training provider and awards no certificate or Certificate of Competency. The PSCRB or PSCRB (Restricted) certificate is issued only after the practical course, including launching, handling and liferaft exercises, at an MCA-approved training provider. AI-drafted content pending subject-matter-expert review.