Operating Procedure - mcmurdo E3 Owner's Manual

4. OPERATING PROCEDURE

An EPIRB is a piece of life saving equipment. Its sole purpose is to call for help.
It must only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger.
4.1 Sinking
If you have a category 1 "float-free" enclosure (see marking on enclosure label),
then if your vessel sinks, the E3 will automatically release itself from its enclosure
before it reaches a depth of 4 metres. The E3 will float to the surface and start to
operate because its sea switch is activated.
If possible, the E3 should be recovered and
tied (using its lanyard) to one of the liferafts.
An EPIRB is meant to mark survivors, not the
accident scene. For best operation leave the
E3 floating in the sea near the liferaft.
4.2 Abandon ship
If the vessel is sinking and there is time to fetch the EPIRB then this should always
be done. Release the E3 from its mounting bracket as described in section 4.3 or
4.4 and carry it to one of the liferafts. Once the liferaft is in the water, uncoil the
lanyard and tie it to the liferaft, then throw the E3 overboard so that it floats next to
the liferaft. The E3 will operate because its sea switch will activate.
4.3 Releasing E3 from a wall bracket
If you have an E3 fitted into a wall bracket then follow the instructions below to
release it from the bracket...
Squeeze top until
1
it springs up
Misuse can involve a severe penalty.
Lift up to
free base
5
Pull
3
forward
Pull
4
down
2