Orolia G5 2 User Manual
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SMARTFIND
E5/G5
USER MANUAL
This manual is applicable to both the E5 Smartfind and the G5
Smartfind Plus EPIRBs. The Smartfind Plus contains a GPS receiver for
improved positional accuracy; some parts of this manual are applicable
only to the Smartfind Plus, and are marked accordingly.
APPLICATION
This EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is
designed for use in maritime emergencies, and is approved for
these contingencies.
It is not designed or recommended for use on land or in the air.
Use the EPIRB only in situations of grave and imminent danger.
Intentional false alerts may result in penalties.
REGISTRATION
This EPIRB must be registered with the appropriate national
authority.
The function of the EPIRB is to send an alert to the COSPASSARSAT satellites, as described in the Appendix. How soon an
alert is received depends on the positions of the satellites at the
time, and can be influenced by overhead obstructions aboard
the vessel. Rescue time following an alert depends on the
overall performance of the Search and Rescue organisations,
which is outside the control of McMurdo Ltd.
Disclaimer
McMurdo Ltd reserves the right to change this specification at
any time without notice and hereby specifically disclaims liability
for any consequences of such action.
IN EMERGENCY
Remove the EPIRB completely from its
bracket or enclosure
Hold the lanyard spool and throw the EPIRB
into the water where it will self-activate
OR
If time permits, pull the tear-off tab up, then
press the activation button and slide the
switch left
Contents
1 Recommendations and safety notices ................................................................2
2 Mandatory Registration.........................................................................................3
2.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................................3
2.2 How to register ..................................................................................................................3
2.3 Warranty form....................................................................................................................4
2.4 Radio licence.....................................................................................................................4
2.5 Sale or transfer..................................................................................................................4
3 Description.............................................................................................................6
3.1 Bulkhead bracket...............................................................................................................8
3.2 Float-free enclosure ..........................................................................................................9
4 Controls................................................................................................................10
4.1 Activation switch..............................................................................................................10
4.2 TEST button ....................................................................................................................10
4.3 Sea switch .......................................................................................................................10
4.4 LEDs................................................................................................................................10
4.5 Buzzer .............................................................................................................................11
5 Operating procedure ...........................................................................................12
5.1 Sinking.............................................................................................................................12
5.2 Abandon ship ..................................................................................................................12
5.3 GPS Operation (Smartfind Plus only)..............................................................................12
5.4 Releasing EPIRB from a bulkhead bracket .....................................................................15
5.5 Releasing EPIRB from an enclosure...............................................................................16
5.6 Manual activation ............................................................................................................16
5.7 Deactivation.....................................................................................................................17
5.8 Re-fitting EPIRB ..............................................................................................................17
6 False alerts...........................................................................................................21
6.1 Stand down rescue services ...........................................................................................21
6.2 Turn off the EPIRB ..........................................................................................................21
6.3 Dealing with a transmitting EPIRB ..................................................................................22
7 Fully disabling an EPIRB ....................................................................................23
8 Bulkhead bracket installation.............................................................................24
8.1 Siting ...............................................................................................................................24
8.2 Mounting procedure ........................................................................................................24
9 Enclosure installation .........................................................................................26
9.1 Siting ...............................................................................................................................26
9.2 Mounting procedure ........................................................................................................26
9.3 Mounting instruction plate ...............................................................................................27
9.4 Marking Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) expiry .............................................................27
9.5 Marking vessel name ......................................................................................................28
10 Maintenance.........................................................................................................29
10.1 Self Test & inspection......................................................................................................29
10.2 Mechanical inspection .....................................................................................................31
10.3 HRU replacement............................................................................................................32
10.4 Battery replacement ........................................................................................................33
10.5 Servicing..........................................................................................................................33
10.6 Transportation .................................................................................................................33
10.7 GMDSS inspections ........................................................................................................34
11 How does it work? ...............................................................................................35
12 Technical specification .......................................................................................36
12.1 Declarations of Conformity ..............................................................................................37
13 Appendix – Satellite Systems ............................................................................ 38
14 United States EPIRB registry system............................................................. 40
15 Product Warranty................................................................................................ 41
16 End of Life Statement ......................................................................................... 42
1 RECOMMENDATIONS AND SAFETY
NOTICES
• This EPIRB is an emergency device for use only in grave
and imminent danger.
• False alerts endanger lives. Help to prevent them;
understand how to activate and de-activate your
equipment. Intentional false alerts may involve penalties.
• Read the complete manual before installing, testing or
using the EPIRB.
• Ensure you test the EPIRB monthly – see section 10.1
• Ensure the EPIRB is registered with your local
authorities (Flag State nation) – see section 2.
• The EPIRB contains no user serviceable parts. Do not
open. Return to your dealer for battery replacement or
other service.
• This device contains Lithium batteries; do not
incinerate, puncture, deform or short-circuit. Take care if
you need to dispose of these batteries or the complete
EPIRB – refer to section 10.3
• This device emits radio frequency radiation when
activated. This radiation is not classed as harmful;
however, it is advisable not to handle the antenna while
the unit is activated.
• It is advisable not to stare directly at the strobe LEDs.
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2 MANDATORY REGISTRATION
Vessel
(UIN)
You must register your EPIRB with the appropriate authorities.
Failure to register may slow the rescue and lead to loss of life.
In the USA failure to register may result in a fine.
In the UK you are legally required to register your EPIRB.
2.1 Overview
Every EPIRB is pre-programmed with a unique identity before it reaches the
customer. This is done by the manufacturer or, in some cases, the distributor. The
identity includes a 3 digit country code. This is the country that takes responsibility for
storing that particular EPIRB’s registration details. In most cases this is the country to
which the vessel is flagged. The country programmed into your EPIRB can be found
from its rear identity label. You must register with this country.
Unique
Identity
Number
When you activate your EPIRB in an emergency, the nearest maritime search and
rescue coordination centre (MRCC) will receive the message and decode the country
code (e.g. 232). They will then access the registration database for that country and
expect to find details of your vessel, its radio equipment and who to contact. If they fail
to find this information, this may slow down any rescue.
2.2 How to register
Three registration forms are provided, two are for future use and one must be
completed immediately. These forms are pre-printed with your EPIRB’s identity; all
you have to do is complete details of your vessel and provide contact numbers.
Wherever possible the forms are also pre-printed with the correct mailing address and
a faxback number. If your form does not have a mailing address, contact your
supplier. When you have completed the form, you can choose to fax it or mail it.
It is usual to receive confirmation when you register. In the UK and USA you will also
receive a “Decal” sticker which you must fit to the EPIRB itself. The Decal is proof of
registration. Not having a Decal is an offence.
MV BELLANA
EPIRB 1
1D1400063F81FE0
FLAG 232 G BRITAIN
SERIALISED 000012
CATEGORY 1 – AUTO
Class 2 –20/+55 C (-4/+131 F)
Country
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Useful registration contacts are:
USA Sarsat Beacon Registration
NOAA, NSOF, E/SP3,
4231 Suitland Road,
Suitland MD 20746
Tel 888 212 7283 Fax 301 817 4565
Details of the North American on-line registration systems are given on Page 40.
COSPAS-SARSAT provide registration details for many countries; use the web
address www.cospas-sarsat.org and follow the links to 406 MHz Beacons and
Registration; alternatively. There is direct access to the database on
www.406registration.com
UK EPIRB Registry
HM Coastguard (Southern)
Pendennis Point, Castle Drive
Falmouth TR11 4WZ
Tel 01326 211569 Fax 01326 319264
2.3 Warranty form
Please complete the warranty form supplied and fax or mail it to McMurdo Ltd. Failure
to do this may delay any future warranty claim.
2.4 Radio licence
An EPIRB is a radio transmitter and must therefore be added to your radio licence. If
you have been allocated a radio call sign, then you already have a radio licence for
your VHF or MF radio set. You should update your licence to include your EPIRB. For
further details see your licence or use these contact numbers:
USA FCC Tel: 888 225 5322 Website: www.fcc.gov\Forms\Form506\506.pdf
UK Ship Radio Licensing, Radio Licensing Centre, The Post Office, PO Box
1495
Bristol BS99 3QS Tel: 0870 243 4433 Fax: 0117 975 8911
Minicom: 0117 921 9550 Website: www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk/
2.5 Sale or transfer
EPIRBs registered in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia do not need to be reprogrammed when transferred to a new vessel. Simply complete another registration
form to inform the authorities of the transfer. Use one of the spare forms provided or
contact McMurdo Ltd for a blank form. (See warranty section at rear for address).
For most other countries, the EPIRB must be re-programmed with either the new
vessel’s Maritime Mobile Station Identity (MMSI) or its radio call sign, whichever is
required by the country controlling the new vessel.
Since the EPIRB identity contains a country code, it follows that changing the flag
state of the vessel also means the EPIRB must be re-programmed. Programming can
be carried out at McMurdo Ltd or any of our designated agents. For details of your
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nearest agent, either contact McMurdo Ltd using the details in the warranty section, or
visit the McMurdo Ltd web site at www.mcmurdo.co.uk.
2.5.1 Mandatory information for Oceania
(The term Oceania is normally used to designate all the islands of the Central
and the South Pacific including Australia and New Zealand.)
Advice to owners of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons:
Registration of 406 MHz satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons
(EPIRB) with the EPIRB Registration Section of the appropriate Maritime Safety
Authority (MSA – see below) is mandatory because of the global alerting nature of the
system.
The information provided in the registration card is used only for rescue purposes.
Fill in the owner registration card immediately on completion of the sales transaction.
Mail the registration card immediately.
If the beacon is to enter service immediately, complete the registration card and fax
the information to the MSA. The original card must still be mailed to the MSA for hardcopy reference and filing.
If the current owner is transferring the beacon to a new owner, the current owner is
required to inform the MSA by letter, fax or telephone of the name and address of the
new owner.
The subsequent owner of the beacon is required to provide the MSA with the
information shown on the owner registration card. This obligation transfers to all
subsequent owners.
*The MSA is the Australian Maritime Safety Authority or the Maritime Safety Authority
of New Zealand, as appropriate, whose respective fax numbers are 06 257 2036
(Australia) and 04 382 6482 (NZ).
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3 DESCRIPTION
The EPIRB is a powerful self-contained distress transmitter. It is powered by a Lithium
battery that has a replacement interval of 5 years. An EPIRB is intended to be a oneshot device; once activated it will operate for at least 48 hours. It operates best while
floating in water, but it can also be operated while on board a vessel or in a life raft.
The key components of your EPIRB are:
Antenna This is a flexible whip. It must be near vertical when operating.
If the antenna gets bent, gently straighten it out.
Strobe light These are the bright white LEDs visible through the clear lens
dome. When the EPIRB is activated they will flash every few
seconds.
Red LED Visible through the clear lens dome at the rear of the EPIRB.
This stays on or flashes to show which mode the EPIRB is in.
Green LED Where fitted (beside the red LED), this flashes when the GPS
acquires a position fix.
Sea switch The two studs on the sides of the EPIRB are sea switch contacts.
Submerge these in water to activate the EPIRB automatically.
Keep these contacts clean – see section 10.2
Activation switch Pull the tear-off tab upwards to release the switch, then push the
switch in and move it fully left.
Test button This button enables the user to run test sequences to verify the
readiness of the EPIRB.
Lanyard Pull the lanyard spool down to free it. Use the cord to tether the
EPIRB to a survival craft.
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Strobe
Test
button
Antenna
Red LED
Green LED
Activation
switch
Lanyard
Sea switch
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r
emovable
collar
CARRYSAFE collar
3.1 Bulkhead bracket
If you purchased the manually activated EPIRB version, this is normally supplied with
a bulkhead mounting bracket (see section 8). The EPIRB is released by pulling out a
R-clip.
The bulkhead bracket should be sited in plain view near an emergency exit.
To avoid accidental activation if the EPIRB is removed from its mounting, the bracket
is in two sections. The removable collar section contains the deactivating magnet for
the EPIRB, so the demounted EPIRB with its attached CARRYSAFE collar cannot be
activated by moisture. This allows it to be removed easily and transported in, for
example, a wet grab bag.
EPIRB in CARRYSAFE
WARNING
The EPIRB will NOT be activated by moisture while it is in the bracket or
in the CARRYSAFE collar (but it may activate if placed in close
proximity to a magnet). The EPIRB must be removed from all parts of
the bracket; it will then activate if immersed or if switched on manually.
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Press to release
Fixed bulkhead mount
3.2 Float-free enclosure
If you purchased the automatically activated version (‘a’ suffix), also known as the
“float-free” version, then your EPIRB is supplied in a plastic enclosure (see section 9).
This is much more than just a protective housing; it contains a spring-loaded lever
which automatically pushes the enclosure lid off and releases the EPIRB if your vessel
sinks. This automatic ejection is controlled by a device called a Hydrostatic Release
Unit (HRU). If the enclosure is sinking then before it reaches 4 metres (13 feet) depth
the HRU cuts a plastic rod that retains the lever; this ejects the lid and releases the
EPIRB which floats to the surface and switches on automatically, as shown below:
1. As the vessel sinks, the enclosure fills with water. The HRU contains a
blade which is released due to water pressure acting on a diaphragm.
Before it reaches a depth of 4 metres, the HRU will operate and cut the
plastic rod, releasing the coil spring.
2. The spring pushes the EPIRB and the enclosure lid outwards. As the lid
pivots off it disengages from the moulding lip that helped hold it in place.
The lid is weighted so it rolls over and falls away.
3. As the EPIRB floats away, it moves out of range of the magnet. Once
away from the magnet its sea switch becomes armed.
4. The sea switch activates. The EPIRB then floats on the water surface
with its strobe light flashing. After 50 seconds it makes its first distress
transmission.
If you need to activate your EPIRB manually, it can be freed from the enclosure after
pulling out the R-shaped retaining pin and removing the lid.
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4 CONTROLS
4.1 Activation switch
This slide switch is protected against accidental activation by a red tear-off seal which
indicates if the EPIRB has been activated previously.
The EPIRB can be activated manually by tearing the seal upwards, depressing the
locking button on the switch and sliding the switch to the left.
When the EPIRB is activated the strobe will start to flash immediately, but the EPIRB
will not make any distress transmissions for 50 seconds. This gives you a chance to
turn off if you activated it accidentally. During this time the red LED illuminates
continuously. When the red LED starts to flash, the 50 seconds delay has passed and
distress transmissions have started.
4.2 TEST button
This control allows various test sequences to be run on the EPIRB. Details of these
tests are given in Section 10.1.
4.3 Sea switch
It is important to realise that the only time the EPIRB is completely off is when it is
fitted in its mounting bracket or enclosure. As soon as you take it out, a magnetic
switch activates and puts the EPIRB into its “ready” state. It will not drain the battery in
this state, but it will turn on automatically if the sea switch contacts are immersed in
water. The sea contacts are the two studs, one on each side of the EPIRB.
Although you can control the EPIRB manually with the activation switch, the sea
switch overrides any manual settings. For the manual switch to operate properly the
EPIRB must first be dry so that the sea switch is de-activated.
To ensure the sea switch operates properly in rough seas, it has a built-in time delay.
It has to be wet for at least 2 seconds before it will activate and it has to be dry for at
least 8 seconds before it will de-activate.
4.4 LEDs
4.4.1 Strobe (white)
The strobe is the visual means of locating the EPIRB. When activated, the strobe
flashes (approximately) 21 times per minute, with a pause during the time when the
EPIRB is transmitting on 406 MHz.
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