🔍 Key Concepts

• U.S. Coast Guard carriage and testing requirements for EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) • Difference between self-test by the operator and formal inspection/servicing intervals • How often manufacturers and regulations typically allow routine self-tests without affecting the battery or hydrostatic release

💭 Think About

• Think about how frequently a crew could realistically test an EPIRB without draining the battery or risking damage—would that be weekly, monthly, or annually? • Consider how other required safety gear (like life rafts or fire extinguishers) are typically inspected vs. used—does "prior to use" make sense for an emergency beacon? • Ask yourself which interval best balances staying sure the beacon works with not over‑testing and wearing out the equipment.

✅ Before You Answer

• Check what the EPIRB manufacturer’s instructions say about recommended self‑test intervals and how that lines up with regulatory expectations. • Verify that the chosen interval would keep the beacon reliable throughout the year, not just at one point in time. • Make sure you distinguish between a brief self‑test done by the crew and a full annual service done by an approved technician or facility.