🔍 Key Concepts

• EPIRB testing and maintenance intervals under 47 CFR and SOLAS depending on type (float-free, satellite, etc.) • Where an EPIRB must be stowed so it can float free and activate automatically if the vessel sinks • Difference between monthly checks by the crew and longer-interval inspections/servicing by an approved technician

💭 Think About

• Think about which option best supports quick, automatic operation of the EPIRB if the vessel suddenly sinks and there is no time to go inside the ship • Consider whether the crew should visually check and test safety equipment like EPIRBs more often than once a year • Ask yourself: would putting an EPIRB deep inside a space like a wheelhouse or locker allow it to float free if the vessel capsized or sank?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify how often the vessel’s crew is expected to perform simple EPIRB tests or checks (not the professional battery/hydrostatic release service interval) • Check where regulations say an automatic EPIRB should be mounted: can it float free, reach the surface, and transmit without human help? • Confirm whether any answer choice conflicts with the need for rapid access and float-free operation in an emergency