GMDSS Trainer
Subelement D: Other GMDSS Equipment— Topic :

Question 33D3

Element 9 (GMDSS Maintainer)

How often must the EPIRB battery be replaced?

Explanation
EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) batteries are designed to provide power for a minimum of 48 hours of continuous operation in an emergency. To ensure this critical performance, regulatory standards mandate their replacement every five years or immediately after any actual use. Using an EPIRB, even for a short duration, significantly depletes the battery's capacity, compromising its ability to function for the required duration in a subsequent emergency. The five-year interval accounts for natural degradation over time, ensuring the device remains reliable for its intended life-saving purpose. Options A, B, and D do not meet these established safety and performance standards for EPIRB battery maintenance.