The transmitting-receiving antenna of the RLR must be located at least 1 m above the water surface. In this case, the ship's radar detection distance (located at an altitude of 15 m) is up to 5 miles. The detection distance of the RLC from an aircraft (helicopter) at an altitude of 1 km is 30-50 miles.
According to IMO requirements, passenger ships and ships over 500 must have 2 RLRs.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is intended to provide emergency signals and to facilitate search and rescue operations for ships and aircraft in distress. The accident signals the radio to alert search and rescue services of the shipwreck. Picture 2.
There are the following types of emergency beacons:
COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite Radio: This type of radio signal is transmitted over COSPAS-SARSAT Satellites at a frequency of 406 MHz;
INMARSAT-E Satellite Radio: This type of radio signal INMARSAT Broadcast via satellites;
VHF Radio: Used on Channel 70 in coastal areas.
Picture 2
The EPIRB is installed on the open deck of the ship in such a way that it can be easily picked up and transported to the rescue vehicle, or can be automatically detached from the ship when it sinks and rise to the surface. In general, the principle of operation of the COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite Radio beacon is as follows: after activation, the radio starts to give a signal. This signal contains information about the ship-owner, registration port, call signal, identification number, which was previously entered into his memory. The satellites receive these signals and transmit them to the search and rescue centre, the search and rescue centre identifies the source of the signal and organizes rescue operations.
The INMARSAT-E satellite radio coordinates are entered from an internal GPS device or a GPS receiver on board the ship. EPIRB, which works with this system, operates only in the coverage area of Inmarsat satellites - the area between the 700 northern latitudes and 70 southern latitudes.
If the EPIRB is activated incorrectly (false alarm), special procedural rules must be followed to alert the search and rescue centre that the signal is off.
There are many different designs of EPIRBs. They differ in both appearance and method of operation. However, in all cases, there are two methods of signalling for EPIRBs - manual and automatic.