False Alerts; Notify Rescue Services; Deactivate The Epirb; Faulty Epirb - mcmurdo Smartfind G8 AIS User Manual

5

FALSE ALERTS

False alerts are a serious problem for the rescue services. About 90% of
EPIRB-initiated distress alerts turn out to be false alerts. If your EPIRB should
cause a false alert, follow the instructions below.
5.1

Notify rescue services

It is most important that you contact the nearest search and rescue authorities
and tell them it was a false alert, so that they can stand down any rescue
services. Use any means at your 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:
Country
USA
UK
5.2

Deactivate the EPIRB

1. Deactivate the EPIRB following the procedure on page 14.
2. Re-fit the EPIRB to either the manual bracket or float-free enclosure
following the procedure on pages 15 & 16.
5.3

Faulty EPIRB

In the unlikely event that your EPIRB develops a fault and will not turn off
remove the battery pack from the EPIRB (see page 31).
If this is not possible, cut off or fold down the antenna and then wrap the
EPIRB in metal, take it below decks or place in a metal container or locker.
Leave the EPIRB in this condition for 3 days until its battery is dead, then refer
to page 33 for instructions on returning the EPIRB for servicing.
WARNING – Take care when handling the antenna. Handle as little as
possible.
Region Telephone
Atlantic / Gulf
(757) 398-6390
of Mexico
Pacific (510) 437 3700
From any
(800) 323 7233
location
From any
01326 317 575
location
Page 18
What to report
EPIRB Unique ID (UIN)
Vessel name/ID
Date, time & duration
Cause of activation
Location when activated