Circular Letter
MSC/Circ.1123.

GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF L-BAND SATELLITE EPIRBs

(26 May 2004)

 

1.  The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth session (12 to 21 May 2004), approved the annexed Guidelines on annual testing of L-band satellite EPIRBs, as required by SOLAS regulation IV/15.9, which entered into force on 1 July 2002.

 

2.  These Guidelines complement those given in MSC/Circ.1040 for annual testing of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs.

 

3.  Member Governments are invited to bring these Guidelines to the attention of shipping companies, shipowners, ship operators, equipment manufacturers, classification societies, shipmasters and all parties concerned.

 

ANNEX.

GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF L-BAND SATELLITE EPIRBs

 

1. The annual testing of L-band satellite EPIRBs is required by new SOLAS regulation IV/15.9 which entered into force on 1 July 2002.

 

2. The testing should be carried out using suitable test equipment capable of performing all the relevant measurements required in these guidelines. All checks of electrical parameters should be performed in the self-test mode, if possible.

 

3. The examination of the installed L-band satellite EPIRB should include:

 

.1 checking position and mounting for float-free operation;

 

.2 verifying the presence of a firmly attached lanyard in good condition; the lanyard should be neatly stowed, and must not be tied to the vessel or the mounting bracket;

 

.3 carrying out visual inspection for defects;

 

.4 carrying out the self-test routine;

 

.5 checking that the EPIRB identification (installed (9-digit)