False Alarms; Stand Down Rescue Services; De-Activate The Epirb; Dealing With A Transmitting Epirb - mcmurdo 406 EPIRB User Manual

6. FALSE ALARMS

False alarms are a serious problem for the rescue services. About 90 % of EPIRB initiated
distress alerts turn out to be false alarms. If you EPIRB should cause a false alarm, follow the
instructions below.

6.1. Stand down rescue services

It is most important that you contact the nearest search and rescue authorities and tell them
it was a false alarm, so that they can stand down any rescue services. Use any means at you
disposal to make contact. Often this can be by VHF radio to the local coastguard or mobile
phone if you are within coastal range, but MF/HF DSC and Inmarsat A, B, C, M may also be
used. Useful contacts are:
Country Region
US Atlantic/Gulf of Mexiko
Pacific
From any location
UK From any location

6.2. De-activate the EPIRB

If the EPIRB was activated by mistake, then de-activation is simple:
• Remove the EPIRB from any water and dry its sea switch contacts.
• Wait about 8 seconds for the sea switch to de-activate.
• If the EPIRB is still flashing then it must have been turned on manually.
• Slide the switch cover fully to the right.
• Press and release the READY button.
• The EPIRB should now stop flashing.
• Refit the EPIRB correctly into its mounting bracket or enclosure.
Modern EPIRBs have sea switches and it is not uncommon for the sea switch to activate in
rough seas or heavy rain simply because the EPIRB has been badly fitted in its mounting
bracket. The EPIRB bracket has a hidden magnet to hold the EPIRB in an off state. If the
EPIRB is wrongly fitted the magnet does not do its job and heavy seas may activate the sea
switch. The simple cure is to ensure the EPIRB is correctly fitted as shown in sections 5.8. or
5.8.2.

6.3. Dealing with a transmitting EPIRB

In the unlikely event that you EPIRB develops a fault and will not turn off, then prevent its
radio signal from reaching the satellite using one of the following methods:
• Remove the antenna. Wrap the EPIRB in metal foil and take it below decks.
or
• Remove the antenna and place the EPIRB in a metal container or locker.
Telephone What to report
(212) 668 7055 EPIRB Unique ID (UIN)
(510) 437 3700 Date, time & duration
Cause of activation
(800) 323 7233
Location when activated
01326 317 575
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