This pictorial shows how the components of the rescue system interact with each other.

COSPAS: Cosmicheskaya Systyema Polska Aariynyich Sudov (Russian)
SARSAT: Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking

Founded in 1982 by USA, Canada, Russia, and France.  Currently 38 nations are participating. The system only receives 406 MHz signals.



The COSPAS-SARSAT system is comprised of two completely independent satellite systems.

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LEOSAR Satellite System	GEOSAR Satellite System
Low Earth Orbit satellites	Geostationary satellites
6 active satellites	6 active satellites
600-700 mi. altitude	22,000 mi. altitude
~4,500 mi. swath	Continuous coverage of assigned region
Doppler effect location method	Receives GPS position data
~100 min. per orbit	~2-15 min. notification time
~1 hour notification time	~.05 nautical mile search radius
~2.3 nautical mile search radius

In addition to the satellites, there are ground-based components:

LTUs	Local User Terminals
MCCs	Mission Control Center located in Suitland, MD (operated by NOAA)
RCCs	Rescue Coordination Centers operated by US Coast Guard
SARs	Search and Rescue Forces (land and air SAR is coordinated by US Air Force, sea SAR is coordinated by US Coast Guard

For more information on the satellite systems, visit the link below.

http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/

ALERT: As of Feb. 1, 2009 Cospas-Sarsat ceased coverage of 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz Emergency Beacons

For more information on the NOAA Satellite and Information Service, click on the link below.

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

For sailors, the rescue all starts on water.  Several leading emergency beacon suppliers are listed below:

ACR Electronics	http://www.acrelectronics.com/
Revere	http://www.acrelectronics.com/
Spot Satellite	http://www.findmespot.com/

EPIRBs are designed and intended for use by vessels.

Categories	Category I	automatic deployment and activation, must be able to float free
	Category II	manual deployment and activation, must be accessible and kept mounted on the manufacturer's bracket
Classes	Class 1	rated for operation in extreme cold (48 hours min. @ -40 deg. F)
	Class 2	rated for operation in temp range (48 hours min. @ -4 deg. F)
Hydrostatic Release	activates when submerged
	must be replaced every 2 years in service or 3 years from manufactured date.

PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) are designed and intended to be used by individuals (up to 40 hrs. at -4 deg. F, 8 hrs. min. at -40 deg. F).  These products usually incur a monthly fee for the service and are used for personal tracking, messaging, or emergency location.

EPIRBs and PLBs characteristics:

•  406 MHz primary digital frequency (50x more powerful than old analog system)
•  121.5 MHz SAR homing frequency
•  Can be GPS enabled
•  Must meet stringent COSPAS-SARSAT specs
•  Must approved by FCC in USA
•  5-year battery service  life

Make sure that the EPIRB is registered.  Each EPIRB has a unique ID number (country coded by the manufacturer for country of registration).  A radio license is not required for registration in the USA (may be required for registration in other countries).  Each owner of the EPIRB must register the unit either by mail, FAX or on-line.  The registration decal must be attached to the beacon. For on-line registration, the link is shown below below.  There is no cost for registration.

http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/

Test the EPIRB but follow guidelines:

• Test the beacon accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
• Use the dedicated TEST button/switch for the unit
• Test only for designated duration set by the vendor
• Not more than once per month, not more than 60X in five years
• False alarms can result in severe penalties
• If accidentally activated, deactivate immediately and call the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at 800-851-3051

Amver, sponsored by the US Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.  Details at link below:

http://www.amver.com/

For a real life Coast Guard rescue in operation which highlights the importance of the EPIRB, watch the sailing documentary "Gales, Whales and the Baja Ha-Ha."