🔍 Key Concepts

• GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) categories of equipment and their main purposes • Differences between distress alerting, homing/locating, and two-way voice communication • How EPIRBs, SARTs, and survival craft radios are each used in an emergency

💭 Think About

• For each option, ask: Is this mainly for starting the distress alert, helping rescuers home in on you, or for talking once help is nearby? • Think about which device is automatically detected by satellite and rescue coordination centers versus which devices only work when a search unit is already in the area. • Consider the normal operating frequency bands for EPIRBs and for SARTs in GMDSS. Do they both use 406 MHz?

✅ Before You Answer

• Know the standard operating frequency for an EPIRB used in the GMDSS system. • Know the standard operating frequency for a SART and which radar it responds to. • Be clear on which equipment is defined as the primary long-range locating/alerting device versus close‑range homing aids.