Commercial in Confidence
Smartfind EPIRB service manual
Page 7
1.5. False alarms
Every care must be taken to avoid the generation of false alarms.
Modern EPIRBs are activated by sea switches. The mounting bracket (both Autocover
and Manual) incorporates a magnet to disable the sea switch. However, if the EPIRB is
wrongly fitted the magnet will fail to disable the sea switch, so water may activate the
EPIRB. To prevent this, simply ensure that the EPIRB is correctly fitted.
For test purposes the EPIRB may be operated in the following ways
without
generating
a false alarm:
1. Self test mode (but avoid repetitive self tests)
2. Live mode for less than 50 seconds (after 50s a live transmission is made)
3. Live mode in a screened enclosure
If for any reason the EPIRB is activated outside a screened enclosure (other than as a
self test) for more than 50 seconds, it must be assumed that a false alarm has been
generated. If this occurs:
1. Deactivate the EPIRB (see below).
2. The rescue services must be informed that there has been a false alarm. Use any
means available to contact the coastguard or the nearest Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre (MRCC); state that there has probably been a false alarm,
identify the location of the EPIRB and if possible give the EPIRB ID.
De-activating a live EPIRB
Remove the EPIRB from any water and dry the outside. Wait about 8 seconds for the unit
to de-activate automatically.
If it fails to deactivate ensure that the activation switch is fully off (slide to right).
If the EPIRB continues to transmit, it may have a fault. To prevent further nuisance, it is
recommended that the unit is allowed to exhaust its battery whilst the alarm signals are
suppressed. The recommended procedure is:
1. Cut off the antenna.
2. Place EPIRB in a metal enclosure, or wrap in metal foil.
3. Leave for three days until the battery is exhausted.
If it is absolutely necessary to fully disable the EPIRB (by unplugging the battery) then
please see the relevant section of this manual.
NOTE: All EPIRBs (even ‘unprogrammed’ ones) will transmit.
