SMARTFIND E5 and G5 EPIRB User Manual
Safety notices CAUTION: The EPIRB is an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. Use only in situations of grave and imminent danger to life. CAUTION: False alerts endanger lives and cause disruption to Search and Rescue services. Deliberate misuse of the EPIRB could result in penalty. WARNING: Spring action antenna deployment; tilt the EPIRB away from your face when deploying the antenna. CAUTION: Do not dismantle the EPIRB. Contains no user-serviceable parts. CAUTION: Contains lithium batteries.
Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 OVERVIEW ............................................................................ 5 DESCRIPTION ....................................................................... 6 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS ........................................... 7 EPIRB STOWAGE ................................................................. 8 EPIRB OPERATING PROCEDURE ..................................... 10 GETTING THE BEST FROM THE EPIRB ...........................
1 OVERVIEW This Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is intended for carriage on SOLAS and non-SOLAS vessels. When carrying an EPIRB on board you enjoy the reassurance of a last resort safeguard against any life threatening incidents that may occur anywhere in the world. Only operate the EPIRB in situations of grave and imminent danger to life. False alerts endanger lives. Help prevent them by understanding how to look after the EPIRB.
2 DESCRIPTION An EPIRB is intended to be a one-shot device. Once activated it will transmit emergency alerts for at least 48 hours. The EPIRB will work best while floating in water, but can also be operated while on board a vessel, in a liferaft or on land (when placed on the ground). The key components of your EPIRB are: Antenna Flexible whip, should be near vertical when operating. Strobe Light Flashing signal light, visible through the clear lens dome when the EPIRB is switched on.
3 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS Manual actvation (switch) The EPIRB is manually activated break off the anti-tamper tab to gain access to the manual activation switch beneath. Automatic Sea switch (contacts) When the EPIRB is released from its bracket a magnetic switch activates and places the EPIRB into a “ready” state. It will turn on automatically if the sea switch contacts on either side of the EPIRB body are immersed in water regardless of the status of the manual activation switch.
4 EPIRB STOWAGE Bulkhead bracket (category 2) The bulkhead bracket has two parts. The EPIRB can be quickly unclipped from the bulkhead mount for easy stowage. Always transport the EPIRB in the Carrysafe collar. The Carrysafe collar keeps the EPIRB protected against accidental activation even when wet. Press catch and lift the Carrysafe Releasing EPIRB from the bulkhead bracket Pull the R-clip out of the bracket to release the retaining strap.
Float-free enclosure (category1) The float-free version EPIRB has a plastic enclosure. It contains a spring-loaded lever which automatically pushes the enclosure lid off and releases the EPIRB if the vessel sinks. Automatic ejection is controlled by a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) before it reaches 4 metres (13 feet) depth. As the EPIRB floats away it automatically activates. i Never tie the EPIRB lanyard to the vessel because doing so would prevent the EPIRB from floating free.
5 EPIRB OPERATING PROCEDURE Vessel Sinking If abandoning ship and there is time to fetch the EPIRB, release the EPIRB from its mounting bracket and carry it with you to the liferaft. Category 1 float-free enclosure Automatic activation If the vessel sinks, the EPIRB will automatically release itself from its enclosure before it reaches a depth of 4 metres. The EPIRB will float to the surface and automatically start to operate.
Turning the EPIRB off Should the EPIRB be activated by mistake or if the emergency ends then the EPIRB can be turned OFF by sliding the activation switch fully to the right. After water activation, dry the sea switch contacts and wait about 8 seconds for the automatic sea switch to de-activate. The strobe light will stop flashing and the red LED will go out.
6 GETTING THE BEST FROM THE EPIRB The EPIRB is designed and optimised to be used floating in the sea. But it can also be used in other situations.
BEST Stowing the EPIRB Manual bracket Hold the bracket collar open and drop the EPIRB into the bracket. The slots in the EPIRB fit over the locating lugs in the bracket. Hold the collar shut and fit the R-clip to secure the EPIRB. Fold over the antenna and locate the end moulding in the retaining slot.
Re-fitting into enclosure 1. 2. 3. 4. Place the EPIRB on its side in the enclosure with the TEST button in view. Engage base of EPIRB into the recess in the lever arm. Bend the antenna and retain it in the recess. Refit cover squarely, engaging the guides at the top end and the rod through hole in cover. 5. Locate cover onto back plate and snap the lower end down over locating lug 6. Refit R-clip into groove at end of release rod.
7 FALSE ALERTS If the EPIRB has been accidentally activated, or if rescue is affected before arrival of the rescue services: i Switch off the EPIRB and notify the appropriate rescue services or authorities at the earliest possible time. i Contact the rescue services, coastguard, or police by radio or telephone to advise them of the false alert.
8 INSTALLATION Bulkhead bracket When selecting a suitable mounting position consider: i Ease of access in an emergency. i Position at least 1 metre from compass equipment and 50 cm from powerful magnets e.g. magnets found in loud speakers and radio equipment. i Allow sufficient clearance above the EPIRB to allow for easy removal from the bulkhead bracket. Mounting procedure The bulkhead bracket is designed to mount on a flat surface using four fixing points.
Category 1 automatic release installation The enclosure should be mounted upright against a vertical bulkhead. Alternately, it may be mounted horizontally on a flat surface, such as a cabin roof. No other orientations are recommended. It is critical to locate the enclosure in a position where the released EPIRB will not get trapped by overhangs, rigging, antennas etc, should the vessel ever sink. An expanse of flat surface is required to allow the enclosure lid to eject.
Category 1 enclosure installation outline Marking Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) expiry (Category 1 enclosure) The HRU has a two year in-service life starting from the date of installation of the EPIRB. The installer must mark off the month date of two years into the future on the body of the HRU and put the same month date onto the label on the outside of the enclosure. Mark the HRU by cutting out the corresponding month and year label date.
Marking vessel name The vessel name should be marked on the EPIRB body and on the Category 1 enclosure if fitted. Alpha-numeric stickers are provided to do this, protect the markings with a section of the clear adhesive label provided.
9 SELF TEST Self test button The EPIRB has a built-in self test capability that will confirm whether the battery is healthy, both distress transmitters are functional and that the high intensity strobe light is operational. It is recommended to self test the EPIRB monthly, more frequent self testing can put unnecessary drain on the battery. During the EPIRB self test, a specially coded test transmission is sent that will not alert the authorities.
Take the EPIRB outside under an unobstructed sky. Press and hold the TEST button until the red LED lights, then release. Wait for the standard self test to complete, then immediately the strobe light flashes, press and hold the TEST button for 15 seconds or until the red LED lights again. The red LED will stay ON and the green LED will begin to flash. The TEST button may now be released. Typically the test will run for 15 minutes, during the test do not shield the EPIRB and do not stand over it.
Inadvertent operation The anti tamper switch cover must be replaced by a service agent and the remaining battery life checked (see below). Battery replacement The exact battery expiry date is marked under the EPIRB lens dome and repeated on the outside of the Category 1 enclosure. The batteries must be replaced when: i i i i The expiry date has been reached or The EPIRB has been used in an emergency situation or A false activation exceeds 6 hours of use.
Category 1 enclosure HRU replacement The HRU has a mandatory 2 year service replacement interval. WARNING: Failure to replace the HRU after 2 years in service has elapsed may result in the EPIRB not automatically deploying in an emergency. CAUTION: It is most important that all of the supplied replacement parts are fitted, never reuse an old plastic rod or fixing E-clip. Only ever fit an original McMurdo replacement HRU Kit: Part No.82-962-001A.
Transportation Passenger Aircraft This product contains small lithium metal batteries. The EPIRB can normally be taken on board a passenger aircraft as a personal item in carry-on hand baggage. We recommend declaring the EPIRB to airline staff at check in, in the same way you would for a laptop PC or video camera.
11 SPECIFICATION 406 MHz Transmitter 121.5 MHz Homer Strobe light Operating frequency Power output Modulation Operating frequency Power output Modulation Type Light output Flash rate GPS Receiver (Smartfind G5 Centre frequency Plus only) Sensitivity Operating life Shelf life Operating Environment temperature Storage temperature Automatic release depth Physical Weight Height of body Length of antenna Approvals Satellite system Europe USA Worldwide Meets IMO regulations 406.
12 WARRANTY STATEMENT IMPORTANT Orolia Ltd warranty registration Congratulations on purchasing your beacon. As standard your unit has a one year (12 months) warranty from the date of purchase shown or your invoice, however, this can be extended by a further four years by simply registering your unit on-line at: www.mcmurdomarine.com Then follow the REGISTER WARRANTY link at the top of the page.
13 END OF LIFE STATEMENT At the end of the EPIRB’s useful life, it is vital that the battery be disconnected from the main unit to prevent false alarms. False alarms cause expensive disruption to Search and Rescue services and may endanger lives as a consequence. It is also necessary that the EPIRB and its battery pack be disposed of in a manner that does not present a threat of environmental damage. Battery Removal instruction Refer to section 7.
14 ANNEX 1. REGISTRATION INFORMATION Registration of 406MHz satellite EPIRBs with the EPIRB Registration Section of the national authority is mandatory, due to the global alerting nature of the Cospas-Sarsat system. The information provided in the registration is used only for search and rescue purposes. If the EPIRB is to enter service immediately, complete the registration card and fax or email the information to the relevant national authority. Some administrations allow for on line registration.
Finland Point of contact: The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority Tel: +358 9 69661 Fax: +358 9 6966410 Web: www.ficora.fi France Point of contact: FMCC Tel: +33 5 61274636 Fax: +33 5 61274878 Email: fmcc@cnes.fr Online registration: https://registre406.cnes.
Switzerland UK Point of contact: Federal Office of Point of contact: The EPIRB Registry, The Communications Maritime and Coastguard Agency Tel: +41 32 3275511 Tel: 01326 211569 Fax: +41 32 3275555 Fax: 01326 319264 Email: n/a Email: epirb@mcga.gov.uk Online registration: n/a Online registration: www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/epirb USA Important information Beacon registration is now available on-line. This is the preferred method of registration; point your browser to http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.
Orolia Ltd Silver Point Airport Service Road Portsmouth PO3 5PB United Kingdom Phone: Fax: +44 (0)23 9262 3900 +44 (0)23 9262 3998 Email: Website: service.mcmurdo@orolia.com www.mcmurdomarine.
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