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Automatic
Activation: the ability of an EPIRB to turn itself on upon
contact with water. |
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Automatic
Deployment: the ability of an EPIRB to release itself from
bracket via the Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) after being submerged.
(Category I) |
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BRC:
Battery Replacement Center. An authorized ACR Service Center that can test
and replace EPIRB batteries and reprogram 406 MHz EPIRB's UIN. See website
to locate BRC nearest you. |
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Category
I EPIRB: type of 406 MHz EPIRB that will automatically deploy
and activate when in contact with water. Unit can be manually activated
while in its bracket or manually deployed and activated. |
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Category
II EPIRB: type of 406 MHz EPIRB that is manually deployed.
EPIRB will automatically activate when in contact with water and not in
its bracket. |
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China Classification Society
http://www.ccs.org.cn/en/index.htm |
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Class
1 EPIRB: and EPIRB that is rated for operation in extreme cold
climates (48 hrs @ -40°C, -40°F). All ACR 406 MHz EPIRBs are rated Class
1. |
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Class
2 EPIRB: an EPIRB that is rated for operation in more temperate
climates (48 hrs @ -20°C, -4°F). |
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COB:
Crew-Overboard |
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COSPAS-SARSAT:
the international cooperative among the United States, Canada, Russia and
France that operates the satellite monitoring system for 406 MHz EPIRBs. |
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EPIRB:
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. A 406 MHz EPIRB broadcasts
on that frequency and is capable of transmitting a unique coded signal
identifying the carrying vessel. A Class B EPIRB transmits only an
audio tone alert on 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz and is not capable of
vessel identification. |
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FCC:
Federal Communications Commission is a United States governmental
agency responsible for regulating products manufactured in the United
States, that transmit over the airwaves. |
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FIELD PROGRAMMABLE: a 406 MHz EPIRB whose digitally Unique Identifier Number (UIN) can be reprogrammed by selected
BRCs worldwide. |
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FLOATS: the product is capable of floating in water. In the case of EPIRBs, unit must be held upright to transmit. |
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FLOATS UPRIGHT:
the EPIRB will float with the antenna in a vertical position,
completely out of the water. Unit will transmit effectively when
floating in this position. |
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FULL FUNCTIONAL SELF-TEST:
this feature, found on ACR 406 MHz EPIRBs, tests battery for voltage,
creates a test message, sends the message, fires the strobe, and, if
equipped with it, confirms the GPS is operational by conducting a GPS
Circuitry Test. Single, three-position switch for easy test of battery,
EPIRB and GPS operation.
Regarding
GlobalFix™ 406 EPIRB with Integral GPS, GPS Acquisition Test feature
can be initiated by holding test switch up at the finish of self-test,
and for an additional 10 seconds. GPS will power up and acquire a
satellite fix. A green LED confirms a successful acquisition. This
should only be done once in the life of the GlobalFix™ to minimize
drain on the battery. |
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GEOSAR:
geostationary high earth orbiting satellites that receive 406 MHz
signals nearly instantaneously. Position is provided by a GPS-enabled
EPIRB. |
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GMDSS:
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Minimum safety standards
agreed to by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). |
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GPS
INTERFACE: the EPIRB has the ability to receive position data from an external source to transmit along with the emergency signal. |
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HIGH IMPACT POLYCARBONATE BLEND:
the extremely durable material used by ACR to withstand exposure to harmful UV, oil, seawater, impact and raft-packing. |
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HRU:
Hydrostatic Release Unit. A device which senses water pressure and
allows an EPIRB to be released from its bracket at approximately 4 m
(13.1 ft) of depth. |
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ILS:
In Line Speaker. An EPIRB equipped with a speaker that emits an audible
warble to confirm activation and transmission of distress signal or to
notify of accidental activation. |
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INTEGRAL GPS:
406 MHz EPIRB with a built-in GPS receiver. It is self-contained and
needs no external position data input when transmitting an emergency
signal. |
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LEOSAR: low earth orbiting satellite that receives signals from EPIRBs and records their Doppler shift data. |
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LUT:
Local User Terminal. The initial ground receiving station that picks up
EPIRB signals from LEOSAR and Geosar and forwards them to the Mission
Control Center. It also calculates the location
of the signal by
precisely measuring the Doppler shift caused by the relative motion
between the satellite and the emergency beacon. |
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MANUAL ACTIVATION:
the EPIRB must be turned on by the user
(in an emergency). |
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MANUAL DEPLOYMENT:
the act of releasing an EPIRB from its bracket by hand. Some brackets
will only deploy manually, while others can deploy both automatically
and manually. |
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MCC:
Mission Control Center. The location that gathers satellite information
from the LUT, verifies user registration information to determine if
the signal may be a false alarm, then issues an alert to the
appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). |
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MED:
Marine Equipment Directive. European approval for equipment that conforms
to IMO/SOLAS requirements. |
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NMEA 0183:
the standardized protocol for data transmission developed by the
National Marine Electronics Association that governs the type and
sequence of information shared by navigational equipment. |
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NOAA:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The United States
government agency that, among other things, manages the USA’s EPIRB
registration database and serves as a nodal MCC. |
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PLB:
Personal Locator Beacon. A 406 MHz PLB broadcasts on that frequency and is
capable of transmitting a Unique Identifier Number (UIN) identifying the
carrier. |
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RCC:
Rescue Coordination Center. The location that deploys and directs search and rescue personnel. |
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RDF: Radio Direction Finder. |
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R&TTE:
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment. European approval for
equipment that conforms to CE requirements. |
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SAR: Search and Rescue. Emergency response forces that could be funded by federal, state, municipal or private agencies. |
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SART:
Search and Rescue Transponder. This device amplifies a radar’s signal
and returns it with an enhanced signature on the radar’s screen that
includes a line of 12 “blips”—designed to get the attention of the
operator. |
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SOLAS:
Safety of Life at Sea. Minimum safety standards agreed to by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO). |
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STROBE:
intense, extremely conspicuous pulsing light for enhanced location in poor visibility conditions. |
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UIN:
the Unique Identifier Number programmed into 406 MHz EPIRBs that is
registered at the appropriate national authority and broadcast by the
EPIRB in an emergency. |
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USCG:
United States Coast Guard, the United States Marine SAR response agency. |
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WATERPROOF:
the ability of a piece of equipment to prohibit water penetration of
its exterior case or housing. Often rated as the ability to continue to
remain functional despite complete immersion to a specified depth. |
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WATER-RESISTANT:
the ability of a piece of equipment to continue functioning if it comes
in contact with water but is not immersed. Sometimes called SPRAY or
SPLASH-RESISTANT. |
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WATER SENSOR ACTIVATION:
the unit will turn on when it has been armed and comes in contact with water. |
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WEEE: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive |