AIS-EPIRB Simulator

A float-free 406 MHz EPIRB with a built-in AIS locator. The alert goes to the rescue centre by satellite, and nearby ships see it on their AIS.

MEOSAR FLOAT-FREE 406 EPIRB CAT I · GNSS · AIS T HRU HRU depth 0.0 m IN BRACKET

A vessel's rail with an AIS-EPIRB in its float-free bracket, the sea below, a satellite above and a nearby ship on the horizon.

Mode switch
READY: activates by itself when floating in water.
Strobe Tx / Pass GNSS Fault AIS
Hold 1 s: self-test
Hold 5 s: GNSS

Nearby ship's AIS display

North upHDG 090°
AIS 12 NM RINGS 4 NM TAP = INFO
Range

Tap a target to see its details.

Armed Next —T+0:00

Free practice

    Beacon status

    0406 MHz bursts
    —Next burst
    —Transmitting for
    48 hBattery
    Location
    In bracket
    AIS locator
    As well as 406 and 121.5 MHz, it sends its GNSS position on the two AIS channels (161.975 and 162.025 MHz) once a minute. Nearby ships see it on their AIS display, chart plotter or ECDIS, with an alarm: EPIRB ACTIVE.
    MMSI 974
    The AIS part has its own ID starting 974 (for example 974 01 2345). 970 is an AIS-SART, 972 an AIS man-overboard device. The 406 MHz message still carries the vessel's own ID.
    Two ways to be found
    406 MHz reaches the RCC through Cospas-Sarsat, wherever you are. AIS reaches ships within about 5 nm straight away, so a ship nearby may get to you first.
    New EPIRBs
    EPIRBs fitted on SOLAS ships from 1 July 2022 must include the AIS locator.
    121.5 MHz
    Off
    GNSS
    Off
    AIS
    Off
    AIS MMSI
    974 01 2345
    Self-tests run
    0

    Alert chain

      Nothing sent yet.

      AIS: nearby ships

        The AIS locator is off.

        ShipMMSI starts with a country code (Israel 428)
        EPIRB ACTIVEcircle with a cross, MMSI 974…
        EPIRB TESTduring a self-test only

        Decoded 406 MHz message

        Event log

          Unit label

          Tap a line to check it.

          406 MHz AIS-EPIRB · CAT I · AIS 974 01 2345SV AMALIA · 428 123 456

          Key facts

          406 MHz
          5 W digital burst about every 50 seconds. Carries the beacon's unique ID, and its GNSS position when it has a fix.
          121.5 MHz
          Low-power homing signal. Aircraft and ships use it to find the beacon in the final stage of the search.
          Strobe
          High-intensity white light flashing 20–30 times a minute to help searchers see the beacon at night.
          Battery
          At least 48 hours of operation. Replace by the expiry date on the label.
          HRU
          Hydrostatic release unit. Frees the EPIRB at 1.5–4 m depth so it floats up and activates. Usually replaced every 2 years.
          Category I / II
          Cat I is float-free and activates automatically. Cat II is manual only.
          Testing
          Self-test monthly, annual test, and shore-based maintenance at intervals of no more than 5 years.
          Registration
          Register the beacon with the national authority. The RCC uses it to identify the vessel and call its emergency contacts.
          False alert
          Switch the beacon off and immediately tell the nearest RCC or coast station. Never just switch off and say nothing. Ships nearby will also have seen EPIRB ACTIVE on their AIS.
          AIS test
          The self-test sends a short AIS test message: your own AIS shows EPIRB TEST, not a distress alarm.