marine rescue sMRT V100 User Manual

790000022_sMRT V100 User Manual

Version 2.0_20150112

January 2015

sMRT V100

User Manual

sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

Table of Contents

Part I Introduction

Part II Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

Part III Warnings & Safety Information

Part IV sMRT V100 Overview

.............................................................................. 10

sMRT V100 Features

Part V sMRT V100 Operation

.............................................................................. 16

Cancelling Alerts

.............................................................................. 17

Testing

Part VI Recertification and Servicing

Part VII Declaration of Conformity

Part VIII Warranty

Part IX Terms of Sale

Part X Disclaimer

Part XI Trademark Notice

Part XII Technical Specifications

Index

sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

1 Introduction

This user manual provides all the information required to operate and test the sMRT V100. The following symbols and conventions are used to indicate important information. Always observe these instructions. Ensure you read the Warnings and Safety Information section of this manual before first use of the device.

Warnings: Instructions that, if ignored, could result in death or serious personal injury caused by incorrect operation of the equipment. These must be observed for safe operation.

Cautions: Instructions that, if ignored, could result in personal injury or material damage caused by incorrect operation of the equipment. These must be observed for safe operation.

Important Note: Important instructions that should be adhered to during operation.

Typographic Conventions

1. sMRT V100 hardware features are displayed in bold uppercase letters, e.g. SWITCH LOCK.

2. sMRT V100 operation states are displayed in bold uppercase letters surrounded by square brackets, e.g. [READY].

Using your sMRT V100 for the First Time

Carefully read the Warnings and Safety Information section in this manual prior to using the sMRT V100 for the first time. To operate correctly, the sMRT V100 should be professionally fitted to an MRT approved PFD by a service centre authorised by MRT. Visit the MRT website www.mrtsos.com for specific instructions on accessing the sMRT V100.

Prior to first use perform a full system test to confirm the device has been correctly programmed with your destination MMSI numbers. A device MMSI number is programmed into the unit at the factory and recorded on the label on the rear of the device. Destination MMSI

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numbers are also required for alerting vessels in your fleet during closed loop alerting sequences in an emergency. These numbers are programmed into VHF DSC radios on vessels in your fleet. They should be supplied to MRT, or an authorised service agent, in order to configure these destination MMSI numbers into each unit prior to being fitted into an MRT approved PFD.

Warnings: DO NOT unzip the main PFD zip. Use the sMRT V100 access point zip in the life jacket to prepare the sMRT V100 for use.

sMRT V100 Record of Ownership

Manufacturers of man overboard devices maintain an ownership database in order to assist Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities in the event of an emergency. Registration of your product updates this database and is necessary to validate the device warranty. To register online, go to www.mrtsos.com and select ‘Product Registration’ from the Support menu.

sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

2 Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

AIS

Automatic Identification System: Automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites.

AMSA

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

DSC

Digital Selective Calling – technology used to automate calling on terrestrial marine radio systems.

ECDIS

Electronic Chart Display and Information System

EPIRB

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.

FCC

US Federal Communications Commission

MAYDAY

Voice distress priority message

MMSI

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (DSC identity number)

MSLS

Maritime Survivor Locating System

Unit of power measurement; one thousandth of a Watt

PFD

Personal Flotation Device

PLD

Personal Locating Device

RTCM

Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services

SAR

Search and Rescue

USCG

US Coast Guard

VHF

Very High Frequency radio band – 30 to 300 MHz.

Watt - unit of electrical power measurement

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3 Warnings & Safety Information

WARNING:

The sMRT V100 is not an EPIRB and its emergency transmission is not detected by orbiting satellites. The sMRT V100 is a short range Personal Locating Device (PLD), that transmits an emergency message via VHF DSC and AIS only. Before first use perform a full system test and confirm that the device has been correctly assigned with device and destination MMSI numbers. After deployment into active service, a regular full system test of the sMRT V100 should be performed every 3 months. Do not test the device more than once per month to avoid affecting battery performance in an emergency. The sMRT V100 should ONLY be used in an emergency. DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY. The destination MMSI numbers of vessels in your fleet must be configured into the sMRT V100, or VHF DSC closed loop alerts will not be transmitted by the device during the first minutes of activation in an emergency. This could delay rescue and lead to loss of life. Annual inspection and recertification of the sMRT V100 by MRT Ltd. or an authorised service agent is required every 12 months. Do not dismantle the sMRT V100 as it contains no userserviceable parts. MRT Ltd. and authorised service agents offer a full and comprehensive service and repair facility for recertification of units and battery replacement. The sMRT V100 emits radio frequency radiation when in use. Avoid handling the antenna when activated. The high intensity strobe light on the unit may cause discomfort if it is viewed for long periods. Avoid staring directly at it when operational. The sMRT V100 uses positional data derived from its internal GPS antenna to define the location of a man overboard. A clear view of the sky is required to obtain a GPS position. Please note that the device is only as accurate as the positional data it receives. The GPS system is currently managed and maintained by the US Government, who can from time-to-time alter its effective accuracy. Contains lithium batteries; do not puncture, deform, short-circuit, recharge or incinerate the V100.

sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

LIFE JACKET & PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) USAGE WARNINGS:

The sMRT V100 must only be fitted/attached to life jackets approved by MRT Ltd. Only MRT approved attachment kits/pouches are to be used to attach the unit to the life jacket. The sMRT V100 must be fitted strictly in accordance with the life jacket manufacturer & MRT's instructions as supplied. The sMRT V100 must only be fitted by an approved service centre authorised by MRT. The life jacket is to be serviced according to the manufacturer's specifications. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that any ancillary equipment, such as survival suits/harnesses, PPE, clothing etc., does not interfere with the operation of the sMRT V100.

CAUTION:

Do not paint your sMRT V100 or clean it with aggressive detergents or solvents. Some cleaning materials may damage the seals and affect the integrity of the device.

To ensure the sMRT V100 operates as intended in an emergency:

o Avoid dropping the unit. o Avoid leaving the unit unnecessarily in full sun where it may

be exposed to excessively high temperatures.

o Inspect the device periodically for signs of wear and tear,

visible cracks or other damage.

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4 sMRT V100 Overview

The sMRT V100 is a multi-system Personal Locating Device designed to RTCM Standard 11901.1 specifications for use during an emergency at sea. The integration of VHF DSC and AIS technologies equips mariners in distress with life-saving technology to vastly improve the likelihood of rapid location and recovery by a vessel or Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities.

How the sMRT V100 Works

The sMRT V100 uses the marine VHF radio band to transmit distress alerts and updated GPS positions regularly from the survivor in the water to VHF DSC radios, as well as AIS equipped vessels within range. A 30 second delay period prior to activation is designed to avoid the device being activated accidentally.

The sMRT V100 transmits AIS and emergency VHF DSC transmissions after activation. AIS transmissions take precedence over VHF DSC transmissions and will be transmitted first. The sMRT V100 uses an internal GPS receiver to acquire a position within approximately one minute of activation. The device then sends VHF DSC and AIS transmissions containing the survivor's current position.

Some marine radios are able to output a waypoint of the GPS position embedded within distress alerts to chart plotters. AIS alerts are routinely displayed on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). Compatible chart plotters or ECDIS can use these waypoints to provide the direction and rate of drift of the survivor, as well as range and bearing information.

Emergency alerts operate on a timing schedule and are repeated at regular intervals to update rescue teams and assist in tracking the survivor in the water. The STROBE light on the device flashes once per second after activation and assists with visual homing at night or in poor weather conditions.

sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

sMRT V100 Transmissions

1W AIS transmissions after activation and every minute thereafter.

500mW VHF DSC transmission after activation, after GPS position acquired, then every 5 mins for 30 mins, then every 10 mins until DSC acknowledgment or battery expires.

Open loop transmissions until DSC Acknowledgment received.

Closed loop transmission period. Note: the RTCM operation profile includes 5 minutes closed loop activation; ETSI profile includes 10 minutes closed loop activation.

2 minute VHF DSC receiver activation period after VHF-DSC transmissions; VHF radio acknowledgment may be received by sMRT V100.

Prevention of Accidental Activation

The flush-mounted design of the SWITCH LOCK, ACTIVATION SWITCH and ON TAB prevents the device from being accidentally

activated. In addition, manual activation is a two stage process, requiring the user to remove the SWITCH LOCK and slide the ACTIVATION SWITCH to the [READY] position to arm the device. The user must also remove the ON TAB to activate the device.

If the device is accidentally activated, the deliberate warning period after automatic activation enables the user to switch the device [OFF] before transmissions commence. To help prevent false alarms:

1. Keep the device away from young children and educate all users in device operation and the ramifications of false alarms.

2. Disarm the device from the [READY] state when not in use for long periods.

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4.1 sMRT V100 Features

sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

Water Activation Sensor

The sMRT V100 features an automatic WATER SENSOR. After the PFD inflates and the WATER SENSOR is submerged continuously for 5 seconds, the device will automatically activate after a 10 second time delay.

Test Spot

A TEST SPOT is located on the left side of the sMRT V100. Place the TEST MAGNET over the TEST SPOT to activate a full device test and

verify GPS acquisition is functioning. For more information see Testing.

12 sMRT V100 User Manual v2.0

5 sMRT V100 Operation

WARNING: DO NOT unzip the main PFD zip. Use the sMRT V100 access point zip in the life jacket to prepare the sMRT V100 for use. The ON TAB is attached to the PFD. DO NOT remove the ON TAB from the sMRT V100 during setup as this will activate the device when it is in the [READY] position and send distress alerts. The sMRT V100 should only be used in an emergency. DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY.

The sMRT V100 must be professionally fitted to an MRT approved PFD to operate correctly. This ensures the device is in the most effective position for water activation and emergency transmissions, while the PFD assists the casualty to remain afloat and face-up when in the water. The water sensor and antenna are attached and the device is inserted into a purpose-built pouch for stability. The device is [OFF] when shipped and needs to be configured in the [READY] state prior to use.

WARNING: See the MRT website www.mrtsos.com for specific instructions on accessing the sMRT V100 inside your sMRT PFD.

Remove the sMRT PFD from its plastic shipping package.

Open the device access point zip in the PFD. The SWITCH LOCK is attached to the PFD to prevent it being lost.

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marine rescue sMRT V100 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual