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6 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.
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 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
What to report
6.2 Turn off the EPIRB
If the EPIRB was activated by mistake, then turn it off:
• 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 activation switch fully to the right.
• 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
Region
Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico
Pacific
From any location
From any location
Telephone
(212) 668 7055
(510) 437 3700
(800) 323 7233
01326 317 575
EPIRB Unique ID (UIN)
Date, time & duration
Cause of activation
Location when activated
False Alerts
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