Maintenance Of The Float-Free Dru; Monthly Maintenance And Self Test - Furuno VR-7000 Operator's Manual

2. MAINTENANCE
2.2

Maintenance of the Float-free DRU

The capsule of the Float-free DRU transmits the signal similar to the distress signal of a satellite
EPIRB. Therefore, trouble to the search and rescue authorities may occur if the capsule acciden-
tally transmits the signal. If accidental transmission occurs, stop the transmission and inform the
search and rescue authorities of the accidental transmission.
Contact information
A (cellular) telephone is usable in Japanese
coastal waters.
You can contact with the coast guard using the
marine VHF band (within 25 miles from the coast).
You can contact with the coast guard using the ra-
dio telephone of MF 2182 kHz (within 150 miles
from the coast).
A satellite radio telephone like a Inmarsat is us-
able.
Things to inform
Ship's name, call sign, MMSI, time, location, fact of the accidental transmission and own contact in-
formation.
2.2.1

Monthly maintenance and self test

Do the maintenance and self test every month.
Notice for the maintenance and self test
• There are two electrodes at the back of the capsule (see
right figure). If these electrodes are shorted by water with
the capsule released from the bracket, the capsule may
transmit the signal accidentally. Therefore, do not wash the
capsule with water or release the capsule in rain and rough
seas. When the capsule is seated in the bracket correctly,
the electrodes are invalid. So, the capsule does not transmit
the signal if the capsule get splashed with water.
• You can do the self test with the capsule seated in the brack-
et. However, the capsule can not transmit the test signal and
test result may be "NG" when the bracket is fastened to a
steel plate. In this case, release the capsule from the bracket and do the self test again.
Note: Silicone grease is applied to the bottom of the capsule (see the next page). When you
release the capsule during the self test, hold the capsule by its handle to prevent foreign mate-
rial from contacting the grease. If foreign material contacts the grease, wipe off the grease, then
reapply it.
• The capsule transmits 406 MHz test signal. This signal does not initiate search and rescue op-
erations because the satellites recognize it as a test signal. However, do not do the self test
more than necessary.
• The capsule transmits 121.5 MHz homing signal in the self test. Aircrafts receive this homing
signal. Do the self test five minutes every hour on the hour because the homing signal is recog-
nized as a test signal during this time period.
• You can maintain the Float-free DRU and do the self test with the VDR powered. However, the
capsule should be returned to the bracket within 10 minutes after its release. The data buffer of
118 or 03-3591-9000 (Japan Coast Guard)
Use the radio telephone of VHF channel 16 to
contact the coast guard.
Use the radio telephone of MF 2182 kHz to con-
tact the coast guard.
• Contact with the search and rescue authori-
ties in each flag state.
• For Japanese-flagged vessel, contact Japan
Coast Guard at 81-3-35919000.
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Electrode