EPIRB/SART
critical
Known Models (3)
ACR Electronics (USA) GlobalFix / ResQLink EPIRB
406 MHz EPIRB
· Distress Signal (Satellite)
Voltage: Battery
type: EPIRB (406 MHz)
size_range: ['GlobalFix V4', 'ResQLink 400']
variant_count_approx: 2
period_start_year: 2000
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Battery
construction: Waterproof housing, 406 MHz, GPS, strobe light
Common Failures:
- • Battery expiry
- • HRU expiry
- • GPS module failure
- • Antenna damage
Service: Battery every 5 years. HRU every 2 years. Monthly self-test.
Spares: ACR Electronics (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Lead time: 1-3 weeks.
Jotron (Norway) Tron EPIRB / SART
406 MHz EPIRB / AIS-SART
· Distress Signal
Voltage: Battery
type: EPIRB / AIS-SART
size_range: ['Tron 60GPS EPIRB', 'Tron AIS-SART']
variant_count_approx: 2
period_start_year: 1990
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Battery
construction: Waterproof housing, 406 MHz / AIS transmitter
Common Failures:
- • Battery expiry
- • HRU expiry
- • Antenna issues
Service: Standard EPIRB/SART maintenance per SOLAS.
Spares: Jotron (Tjodalyng, Norway). Lead time: 2-3 weeks.
McMurdo / Orolia (UK/France) SmartFind EPIRB / SART
406 MHz EPIRB / 9 GHz SART
· Distress Signal (Satellite/Radar)
Voltage: Battery
type: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) / SART (Search and Rescue Transponder)
size_range: ['SmartFind E8', 'SmartFind S20', 'SmartFind G8 (AIS-SART)']
variant_count_approx: 3
period_start_year: 2005
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Battery
construction: Waterproof housing, 406 MHz transmitter (EPIRB), 9 GHz transponder or AIS (SART)
Common Failures:
- • Battery expiry — replacement every 5 years (CRITICAL)
- • Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) expiry
- • GPS module failure from age
- • Antenna damage from impact
- • Float-free bracket corrosion
Service: Battery replacement every 5 years. HRU replacement every 2 years. Monthly self-test. Annual inspection at GMDSS survey. COSPAS-SARSAT registration must be current.
Spares: McMurdo/Orolia (Portsmouth, UK). Batteries: 2-3 weeks. HRUs: widely available.