Subelement E: Survival Craft Equip & S.A.R.— Topic :
Question 32E2
Element 7R (GMDSS-RO)Which piece of required GMDSS equipment is the primary source of transmitting locating signals?
Explanation
An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacon) transmitting on 406 MHz is designed to broadcast a distress signal and location information via satellite to the COSPAS-SARSAT system. This system then relays the alert to a Rescue Coordination Center, making the EPIRB the primary means for a vessel in distress to *transmit* its location globally for initial alerting and search efforts.
A Radio Direction Finder (RDF) is a *receiver* used by search and rescue to locate a transmitting distress signal, not a primary transmitter of locating signals itself. A Survival Craft Transceiver is for short-range voice communication, not a primary long-range locating signal. A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) operates on X-band radar frequencies (9 GHz), not 406 MHz, and provides a local homing signal when interrogated by a rescue vessel's radar; it's a secondary, short-range locating device.
Related Questions
31E6 Which of the following EPIRBs is most likely to be used to transmit a Distress alert signal?32E1 Which of the following would best be used for visual detection of a distressed vessel?32E3 What may be used as a homing signal by the search and rescue vessels in the immediate vicinity of the ship in Distress?32E4 What part of a satellite EPIRB may function as a visual aid to rescue vessels?32E5 What is an example of a locating signal?