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Distress Signal Onboard

Pyrotechnic devices onboard ships are used to send distress signals to alert other vessels in emergency situations. They produce visual signals like flames, smoke, and parachute flares. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) automatically transmit a vessel's location via satellite to search and rescue teams when activated. EPIRBs must be tested monthly, maintained, and registered to ensure proper operation in an emergency.

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Hasan Mahmud Bin Sayed
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115 views15 pages

Distress Signal Onboard

Pyrotechnic devices onboard ships are used to send distress signals to alert other vessels in emergency situations. They produce visual signals like flames, smoke, and parachute flares. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) automatically transmit a vessel's location via satellite to search and rescue teams when activated. EPIRBs must be tested monthly, maintained, and registered to ensure proper operation in an emergency.

Uploaded by

Hasan Mahmud Bin Sayed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distress signal onboard

Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable


of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained
exothermic chemical reactions for the production of
heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound.
Used under extreme emergency situations (such as
distress), these are provided onboard ships to grab the
attention/inform ships within range so as to seek help
and assistance of the vessels for rescue. Basically, it is
a visual method of sending SOS signals. These
pyrotechnics are used in time of distress is mentioned
in Annex 4 of COLREGs.
• In the unfortunate event (such as an ‘abandon
ship’ situation) wherein one’s own ship is
beyond saving, pyrotechnics can be one of the
last resorts for the ship personnel’s survival
and rescue out at sea. Pictorial representation
for usage at sea is displayed on the cover of
each of the units mentioned below.
Locations of pyrotechnic

• Location of pyrotechnics (in parenthesis is the minimum carriage requirement as


per SOLAS)

• Bridge
• Rocket Parachute Flares (12 nos)
• Buoyant smoke signal with light (02 nos; 01 on each side, port, and starboard)
• Line throwing appliance (at least 04 nos)

• Lifeboat (each)
• Hand Flares (06 nos)
• Rocket Parachute Flares (04 nos)
• Buoyant smoke signal (02 nos)
Annex IV - Distress Signals
• Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions
- COLREGS - International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea - International
Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 - Annex IV - Distress Signals
•   1 The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate
distress and need of assistance:
• (a) a gun or other explosive signals fired at intervals of about a minute;
• (b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus;
• (c) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
• (d) a signal made by any signalling method consisting of the group ... --- ... (SOS) in the
Morse Code;
• (e) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “MAYDAY”;
• (f) the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.;
• (g) a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything
resembling a ball;
Annex IV - Distress Signals
• (h) flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);
• (i) a rocket parachute flare or a hand-flare showing a red light;
• (j) a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke;
• (k) slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;
• (l) a distress alert by means of digital selective calling (DSC) transmitted on:
– (i) VHF channel 70, or
– (ii) MF/HF on the frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz
or 16804.5 kHz;
• (m) a ship-to-shore distress alert transmitted by the ship’s Inmarsat or other
mobile satellite service provider ship earth station;
• (n) signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio beacons;
• (o) approved signals transmitted by radiocommunications systems, including
survival craft radar transponders.
Colreg Annex IV Distress signal
• 2 The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals, except for
the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the
use of other signals which may be confused with any of the above
signals, is prohibited.
•   3 Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International
Code of Signals, the International Aeronautical and Maritime
Search and Rescue Manual, Volume III and the following signals:
• (a) a piece of orange-coloured canvas with either a black square
and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the
air);
• (b) a dye marker.
EPIRB
• What is Epirb on ship?
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB) is a device to alert search and rescue
services (SAR) in case of an emergency out at
sea. It is tracking equipment that transmits a
signal on a specified band to locate a lifeboat,
life raft, ship or people in distress
Types Of EPIRB

• COSPAS-SARSAT– EPIRBS under the COSPAS-


SARSAT system work on the 406.025 MHz and
121.5 MHz band and are applicable for all sea
areas
• INMARSAT E– 1.6 GHz band is the one which
this EPIRB works on. These are applicable for
sea areas A1, A2 and A3
How Does An EPIRB Work?

• The device contains two radio transmitters, a


5-watt one, and a 0.25-watt one, each
operating at 406 MHz, the standard
international frequency typically signalling
distress, 406MHz. The 5-watt radio transmitter
is synchronised with a GOES weather satellite
going around the earth in a geosynchronous
orbit.
How Does An EPIRB Work?

• An EPIRB transmits signals to the satellite. The signal consists of an encrypted


identification number (all in digital code) which holds information such as the
ship’s identification, date of the event, the nature of distress and chiefly, the
position.
• A UIN is a Unique Identifier Number that is programmed into each beacon at the
factory. The UIN number consists of 15 digit series of letters and numbers that
make up the unique identity of the beacon. The UIN is on a white label on the
exterior of the beacon. The UIN is also referred to as the Hex ID.
• The Local User Terminal (satellite receiving units or ground stations) calculates
the position of the casualty using Doppler Shift (is the change in frequency or 
wavelength of a wave (or other periodic events) for an observer moving relative
to its source).
• The LUT passes on the message to the MRCC (Mission Rescue Co-Ordination
Centre). Furthermore, the MRCC is responsible for the SAR ops and oversees the
execution of the rescue mission.
How Does An EPIRB Work?

• In case the EPIRB is not compatible with a GPS receiver, the


geosynchronous satellite orbiting the earth can pick only the radio
signals emitted by the radio. The location of the transmitter or the
identity of the owner cannot be deduced in this case.
• These satellites can only pick up trace elements of such signals and they
can only give a rough idea of the location of the EPIRB. A signal of
406MHz is treated as an emergency signal as per international standards.
• The signal could help you in locating the transmitter even if it is 3 miles
away. The vessel or the individual in distress could be identified if the
EPIRB is registered. If an emitter transmits signals of 121.5 MHz, the
rescuer or concerned party can reach the lost person even if they are at a
distance of 15 miles. The accuracy of reaching the target could be
magnified if an EPIRB also contains a GPS receiver.
Using an EPIRB

• The EPIRB needs to be activated to emit signals. This could be done by


pushing a button on the unit, or it could happen automatically if and when
it comes in contact with water. The latter variety is known as
hydrostatic EPIRB; the quality makes hydrostatic EPIRBs the best choice for
sailors because they could be automatically activated in case the ship or
vessel meets an accident and finds itself in deep waters.
• The point to be kept in mind is that EPIRB needs activation to be operative,
and this could happen only when it emerges from the bracket it is placed
in. This could be done manually or it could happen automatically, as said
earlier. The device is essentially battery-operated. This helps because
power is the first entity to be affected in case of a calamity.
EPIRB
• Battery
• 12 Volt battery
• 48 hours of transmitting capacity
• Normally replaced every 2 to 5 years
• False Alerting
• It is possible that the EPIRB might get activated by mistake by an individual
onboard. In order to prevent a chain of SAR operations in motion it is imperative
that the EPIRB false transmission is cancelled. In case the EPIRB is falsely
activated, the nearest coast station or RCC (Rescue Co-Ordination Center) must
be informed immediately of this event and as mentioned, cancel it.
• The cancellation intimation must also be sent to the appropriate authority (for
example, DG Shipping for Indian Registered Ships or for ships plying in India
waters when the false alert is transmitted). The shipowner and/or the agent
must also be informed.
Testing EPIRB

• The EPIRB should be tested once a month to ensure


operational integrity. The procedure to do so is as
follows:
• Press and release the test button on the EPIRB
• The red lamp on the EPIRB should flash once
• Within 30 seconds of pressing the button, the strobe,
as well as the red light, should flash several times
• After 60 seconds of operation, the EPIRB will switch
off
Maintenance of EPIRB

• The EPIRB must be inspected visually for any defects such as cracks
• It is advisable to clean the EPIRB once in a while with a dry cloth
• While cleaning, the switches must be specifically checked
• The lanyard of the EPIRB must be neatly packed into the container of the EPIRB
without any loose ends dangling about
• The expiry date of the battery must be checked to cover the immediate as well as the
next voyage at the least
• Send the EPIRB back to the service agent or the supplier if the EPIRB fails the monthly
checks
• Change the battery onboard if the facilities are available or send it to the servicing
agent if there isn’t
• If the EPIRB has been used in an emergency, it must be returned to an authorised
service agent for a battery change.
• In the event that the HRU has crossed its expiry date, the HRU ought to be replaced on
board and HRU must be marked with an expiry date 2 years into the future.

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