EPIRB & SART Servicing in Rabigh.

EPIRB and SART servicing

EPIRB and SART servicing covers the annual testing, shore-based maintenance and battery management of the two devices that tell rescuers a ship is in distress and where to find it. A 406 MHz satellite EPIRB sends a coded distress alert through the Cospas-Sarsat system and, on newer models, a GNSS position and an AIS locating signal. A radar SART or AIS-SART is taken into the survival craft so that searching ships and aircraft can home in on survivors.

Because these devices are used only in an emergency, faults such as wrong coding, expired batteries or seized release units often go unnoticed until a test or inspection. vslSafety coordinates approved testing stations and service agents at the vessel's port so that the ship has valid test reports before the radio survey or port State control inspection.

Regulatory requirements and standards

SOLAS regulation IV/15 requires satellite EPIRBs to be annually tested for all aspects of operational efficiency, with special emphasis on emission on the operational frequencies, coding and registration, and to be maintained at intervals not exceeding five years at an approved shore-based maintenance facility. For cargo ships the annual test is carried out within three months before the expiry date, or three months before or after the anniversary date, of the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate. It may be conducted on board or at an approved testing station. IMO guidance is given in MSC.1/Circ.1040/Rev.1 (annual testing) and MSC/Circ.1039 (shore-based maintenance). IACS unified interpretation SC 279 expects the annual test to be completed within the survey window and before the survey is completed.

New EPIRB performance standards in resolution MSC.471(101) apply to EPIRBs installed on or after 1 July 2022 and require a built-in GNSS receiver and an AIS locating signal. Under the SOLAS chapter IV text in force from 1 January 2024, search and rescue locating devices (radar SART or AIS-SART) are covered by regulation IV/7. Radar SARTs are built to resolution A.802(19) as amended by MSC.247(83), and AIS-SARTs to MSC.246(83).

Inspection and servicing intervals

Item	Requirement	Interval	Reference
406 MHz satellite EPIRB	Annual test by an approved testing station or surveyor	Annual, within the radio certificate survey window	SOLAS IV/15, MSC.1/Circ.1040/Rev.1
406 MHz satellite EPIRB	Shore-based maintenance at an approved facility	Not exceeding 5 years	SOLAS IV/15, MSC/Circ.1039
EPIRB battery	Replacement before the marked expiry date	As marked by the maker	Maker instructions
Hydrostatic release unit	Replacement of disposable units	Typically every 2 years (for example Hammar H20)	Maker instructions
Radar SART / AIS-SART	Inspection, self-test and battery expiry check	At the radio survey and per maker's instructions	SOLAS I/9, IV/7

What the service includes

• Visual inspection of the EPIRB, bracket or float-free housing, lanyard, labels and operating instructions
• Self-test and measurement of the 406 MHz emission and 121.5 MHz homing signal with a calibrated beacon tester
• Decoding of the transmitted message and comparison of the hexadecimal ID with the registration and ship's MMSI or call sign
• Check of GNSS position output and AIS locating signal on beacons that have them
• Verification of registration with the flag administration or national registry
• Battery and hydrostatic release unit expiry checks, with replacement using maker-approved parts
• Five-yearly shore-based maintenance, including battery change, seal renewal and full performance test
• SART and AIS-SART inspection, self-test, battery expiry and mounting position check
• Issue of the annual test report or shore-based maintenance certificate

Equipment types covered

Providers commonly service float-free Category I and manual Category II 406 MHz EPIRBs, radar SARTs operating in the 9 GHz band, and AIS-SARTs, together with their brackets and hydrostatic release units. Makers frequently encountered include McMurdo, Jotron, Kannad, Tron and Ocean Signal. The VDR float-free capsule contains an EPIRB-type beacon and is covered under VDR annual performance testing, while the wider radio installation is handled under GMDSS and radio communication.

Common defects and PSC deficiencies

• No valid annual test report or shore-based maintenance overdue
• Hydrostatic release unit expired, fitted the wrong way or secured with a non-approved bolt
• EPIRB battery past its expiry date, or no expiry marking visible
• Beacon ID not matching the registration, or registration not updated after a change of name, flag or owner
• Float-free arrangement obstructed so the beacon cannot float clear
• SART batteries expired or SARTs stowed away from the survival craft embarkation area
• Crew unaware how to cancel a false alert

Certificates and documents you receive

After an annual test you receive an EPIRB annual test report showing the measured frequency, power, decoded ID and checks performed, often on a flag or class form. Shore-based maintenance produces a maintenance certificate with the next due date and details of replaced batteries and seals. Replaced hydrostatic release units and batteries are recorded with their new expiry dates, and SART checks are noted in the service report.

How to prepare the vessel

Keep the previous test report, shore-based maintenance certificate and registration document ready, and check battery and release unit expiry dates on board before the call. Allow access to the beacon position on the bridge wing or monkey island. If the beacon has to go ashore for maintenance, ask whether a loan unit is available, since the ship must not sail without a compliant EPIRB.

Information needed for a quotation

• Vessel name, IMO number, MMSI, flag and class
• Port, ETA and ETD
• EPIRB maker, model, serial number and hexadecimal ID
• Battery and hydrostatic release unit expiry dates
• Date of the last annual test and last shore-based maintenance
• Number, maker and model of SARTs or AIS-SARTs
• Whether spare batteries, HRUs or a replacement EPIRB are needed

vslSafety coordinates an approved testing station or maker's agent at the vessel's port and confirms scope and timing before attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How often does an EPIRB need to be tested?

A satellite EPIRB must be tested every year and serviced at an approved shore-based maintenance facility at intervals not exceeding five years, under SOLAS regulation IV/15. On cargo ships the annual test is aligned with the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate survey window. The year in which shore-based maintenance is done normally counts as the annual test.

How often should the EPIRB hydrostatic release unit be replaced?

Most EPIRB hydrostatic release units are disposable and have a fixed life set by the maker. Common units such as the Hammar H20 are replaced every two years, and the expiry month and year are marked on the unit. Always fit the release unit, bolt and any associated parts approved for the specific bracket, and record the new expiry date in the ship's maintenance system.

Do existing EPIRBs need to be replaced with AIS-equipped models?

Resolution MSC.471(101), which requires a GNSS receiver and AIS locating signal, applies to EPIRBs installed on or after 1 July 2022. Existing beacons that met the earlier standard can generally remain in service while they are maintained and tested, but a replacement unit fitted today will normally need to meet the new standard. Check with your flag if in doubt.

What is the difference between a SART and an AIS-SART?

A radar SART responds to a ship's or aircraft's 9 GHz radar and shows a line of dots on the radar screen leading to the survival craft. An AIS-SART transmits AIS position reports that appear on AIS displays and ECDIS. SOLAS accepts either as the search and rescue locating device, and both need regular self-tests and battery replacement before expiry.

Can the annual EPIRB test be done on board?

Yes. SOLAS allows the annual test to be done on board or at an approved testing station. The tester uses equipment that reads the beacon's transmission without sending a live alert. Five-yearly shore-based maintenance is usually done ashore, so plan enough time in port or arrange an exchange unit.