# Presentation: 657486

## S    A    R    S    A    T

- <date/time>

**S    A    R    S    A    T**

** **

**NOAA Small Boat Program Workshop**
**Personal EPIRBs**
**Oct 10, 2003 – Seattle, WA**

## Overview

**SARSAT 101**
**   ****Beacons**
**   ****Ground Stations (LUTs)**
**   ****Mission Control Centers (MCCs)**
**   ****Rescue Coordinations Centers (RCCs) **
**   ****121.5 MHz Phaseout, Carriage Reqs, The Future**
**   ****The Bottom Line**
**The FastFind Plus PEPIRB**
**Ok, Now What Do We Do With It?**
***   *****Registration**
**  ****Let’s Avoid Calling the Coasties...**
**  ****Use of Direction Finders**
**  ****Q & A*****	***

_**Overview**_

## What is Cospas-Sarsat???

**COSPAS =****	****Cosmicheskaya Systyema Poiska Aariynyich Sudov **
**	****	*****Which loosely translates into:  “The Space System for ******	******	******the Search of Vessels in Distress”***
***	*****	**
**SARSAT =****	****Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking**

***What is Cospas-Sarsat???***

**In short, Cospas-Sarsat takes the “search” out of **
**Search & Rescue**

## Slide 4

## Emergency Beacons

_**Emergency Beacons**_
**Two types: 121.5/243 MHz and 406 MHz**
**Three applications: **
**Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacons (EPIRB) ****	**** *****for Maritime Uses***
**Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) ****	****	*****for Aviation Uses***
**-  Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)***** for Remote Area Recreational Uses  *****- NOW AVAILABLE!!!**

## 121.5 MHz Beacons

_**121.5 MHz Beacons**_
**Older technology**
**Not designed for satellite processing (no store & forward capability)**
**Analog signal only = no identification code**
**Does not have global coverage!**
**Low power ( < 1 watt)**
**Less rigid standards**
**Poor location accuracy = Usually no better than 12 miles**
**USMCC handles 250-400  ‘hits’ per day.  99.9% are false!!**
**	****-****	****Only 1 in 8 alerts come from beacons.  The rest are***** *****ATM machines, pizza ovens, and the University of Arkansas Scoreboard!**
**	****-****	****High false alert rate makes first-alert launch unfeasible...**

## 121.5/243 MHz Coverage “Holes”

**121.5/243 MHz Coverage “Holes”**

## 243 MHz Beacons

_**243 MHz Beacons**_
**Similar to 121.5 MHz beacons**
**Primarily used by the military**
**Many existing 121.5 MHz also transmit on 243 MHz**

## 406 MHz Beacons

_**406 MHz Beacons**_
**Newer technology**
**Designed for satellite processing (store & forward)**
**Global coverage**
**Digital signal**
**Increased power (5 watt)**
**Unique Identification**
**Rigid specifications**
**More Accurate = 2 - 3 mile location accuracy.  **
**	****Even better with integral GPS units = 100 meter accuracy!**

## Beacons with Navigation (GPS)  Input

_**Beacons with Navigation (GPS)  Input**_
***Improved location accuracy***
***Instantaneous detection AND location!***

**121.5 MHz**

**406 MHz**

**406 MHz with GPS**

**Search Time = 12+ hours**

**Search Time = 2 - 3 hours**

**Search Time = **
**Minimal**

## Slide 11

## Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment

**2 Types of Satellites:****  **
**Low Earth Orbiting Search And Rescue (LEOSAR)**
**	****(8) Satellites in Orbit:**
**	****-****	****COSPAS 4, 9, 10**
**	****-****	****SARSAT 4, 6, 7, 8, 9**
**Geostationary Orbiting Search And Rescue (GEOSAR)**
**	****(4) Satellites in Orbit:**
**	****-****	****GOES 8 (West) **
**	****-****	****GOES 10 (East)**
**	****-****	****INSAT 3A**
**	****-****	****MSG**

_**Cospas-Sarsat Space Segment**_

## Detection of a 121.5/243 MHz beacon requires mutual visibility between beacon, satellite and ground station (LUT)

**121.5/243 MHz Beacon**

**LEO Satellite**

**LUT**

**Detection of a 121.5/243 MHz beacon requires mutual visibility between beacon, satellite and ground station (LUT)**

**406 MHz Beacon**

**LEO Satellite**

**LUT**

**406 MHz beacon detections can be stored on board the satellite and re-broadcast later**

## Local Mode (‘Bent Pipe’) Operations

_**Local Mode (‘Bent Pipe’) Operations**_

## Global Mode (‘Store & Forward’) Operations

_**Global Mode (‘Store & Forward’) Operations**_

## Slide 16

## Cospas-Sarsat Ground Stations

_**LEOSAR Local User Terminals**_
_**(LEOLUT) **_
**Track COSPAS and SARSAT satellites**
**Recover beacon signals**
**Perform error checking**
**Perform Doppler processing**
**Send alert to Mission Control Center**

_**Cospas-Sarsat Ground Stations**_

## 42 LEOLUT Locations Worldwide

**42 LEOLUT Locations Worldwide**

## United States LEOLUTs 

**Maryland**

**Florida**

**Texas**

**Alaska**

**Hawaii**

_**United States LEOLUTs **_

**Guam**

**California**

***(Deployable LUT)***

## GEOSAR Local User Terminals (GEOLUT) 

_**GEOSAR Local User Terminals (GEOLUT)**_*** ***
**Track GOES and INSAT satellites**
**Recover beacon signals**
**Perform error checking**
**Send alert to Mission Control Center**

## 9 GEOLUT Locations Worldwide

**9 GEOLUT Locations Worldwide**

**GOES**

**-**

**W**

** **

**(135°W)**

** **

**GOES**

**-**

**E**

** **

**(75°W)**

** **

**INSAT**

**-**

**3A**

** **

**(95.5°E)**

** **

**MSG**

** **

**(0°)**

** **

**Wellington **

**–**

** ****New Zealand**

** **

**Bangalore **

**-**

** ****India**

** **

**Santiago **

**-**

** ****Chile**

** **

**Maspalomas **

**-**

** ****Spain**

** **

**Trenton **

**-**

** ****Canada**

** **

**Combe Martin **

**-**

** ****UK**

** **

**Eizeiza**

** **

**–**

** **

**Argentina**

** **

**Toulouse **

**-**

** ****France**

** **

**Brasilia **

**-**

** ****Brazil**

** **

## Slide 22

## Mission Control Centers (MCC)

_**Mission Control Centers (MCC)**_
_** **_
**Receive alerts from national LUTs and foreign MCCs.**
**Validate, match and merge alerts to improve location accuracy and determine the correct destination.**
**Query 406 MHz Registration Database and transmit registration info with distress alert.**
**Transmit alerts to Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs) and SAR Points of Contact (SPOC) and filter redundant data.  **
**All USMCC functions are handled automatically...no manual intervention.**
**24 x 7 x 365 operational center**

## Mission Control Centers (MCC) – 24 Locations

_**Mission Control Centers (MCC) – 24 Locations**_

## Activity

**Handle 250-400 121.5/243 alerts/day**
**Handle 15-20 406 MHz alerts/day**
**Transmit 1200 messages/day**
**Schedule and ingest data from **
**	****500 satellite passes/day**

**Register 50 new beacons/day**
**Update 60 beacon registrations/day**
**Confirm 300 beacon registrations/week**
**Enter 35 incident feedback reports/day**

- _Activity_

- The United States
- Mission Control Center
- Suitland, MD

## Slide 26

## Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs)

**  ****Receive SARSAT Distress Alerts from the USMCC**
**  ****Coordinate the Rescue Response**

**U.S. Coast Guard**
*** Responsible for all Maritime Alerts ***

**U.S. Air Force**
*** Responsible for all Inland Alerts ***

## North America Rescue Coordination Centers & their Areas of Responsibility (AOR’s)

**North America Rescue Coordination Centers & their Areas of Responsibility (AOR’s)**

**RCC**
**   ****ALAMEDA**

**RCC**
**SEATTLE**

**RCC **
**JUNEAU**

**RCC**
**NORFOLK**

**RCC**
**HONOLULU**
**(CG / PACOM)**

**RSC**
**SAN JUAN**

**RCC**
** ****MIAMI**

**RCC**
**BOSTON**

-         ***RCC***
***      ******VICTORIA***

-         **RCC**
**NEW ORLEANS**

-        **RCC**
** ****CLEVELAND**

**AFRCC**
**LANGLEY**

**AKRCC ELMENDORF**

**U.S.  DOD RCC’s**

***CANADIAN RCC’s***

**COLOR KEY:****            USCG RCC’s**

-         ***RCC***
***      ******HALIFAX***

***RCC***
***TRENTON***

## United States 

**United States **
**Cospas-Sarsat Program Administration**

**Inland SAR**

**Maritime SAR**

**Research & Development**

**System Operation**

**Representative to Cospas-Sarsat Program**

## Organizational Structure

_**Organizational Structure**_

**National Environmental Satellite,**
**Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)**

**National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration**
**(NOAA)**

**Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution**
**(OSDPD) **

**Direct Services Division**
**(DSD) **

**SARSAT Program Office &**
**the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC)**
**Suitland Federal Center, Suitland MD**

## National Search And Rescue Committee

_**National Search And Rescue Committee**_

**DOC**

**DOD**

**DOI**

**NASA**

**SARSAT Lead,                 Satellite Services**
**(NOAA)**

**Inland SAR Lead**
**(USAF & DPMO)**

**Regulations for Radio Facilities & Frequency Issues**

**SAR Services**
**(****Nat’l Park Service)**

**Research and Development**

**SAR Lead/Regs**

**FAA**

**Regulations**

**USCG**

**DHS**

## International Organization

_**International Organization**_
**Initially developed under interagency Memorandum of Agreement signed in 1979**
**International Cospas-Sarsat Programme Agreement signed on July 1, 1988 among the governments of Canada, France, the former U.S.S.R and the United States**
**Association with Programme allows States to contribute towards the ground segment or participate in international Cospas-Sarsat meetings**
**Goals of Cospas-Sarsat are to support SAR objectives of ICAO and IMO.  Therefore, C-S maintains a close partnership with these U.N. agencies and the ITU**

## International Maritime Organization

**International Maritime Organization**
**UN specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety (Mandates use of emergency beacons)**

**International Civil Aviation Organization**
**UN specialized agency responsible for aviation matters and improving civil aviation safety (Mandates use of 406 MHz beacons)**

**International Telecommunications Union**
**UN specialized agency responsible for coordinating global telecommunications (406 MHz beacon specifications)**

## 35 Member Nations & 2 SAR Organizations Officially Participate in Cospas-Sarsat

**35 Member Nations & 2 SAR Organizations Officially Participate in Cospas-Sarsat**

## Member Nations

**        ****Algeria****	****	****	****Argentina****	****	****Australia****	**
**Brazil****	****	****	****Canada****	****	****	****Chile****	****	****    China (P.R. of)  ****	****	****Denmark ****	****	****France****	****	**
**Germany****	****	****	****Greece****	****	****	****India**
**Indonesia****	****	****	****Italy****	****	****	****Japan**
**Korea (Rep. of)****	**** ****	****Madagascar****	****	****Netherlands (The)****	**
**New Zealand****	****	****	****Nigeria****	****	****	****Norway****	**
**Pakistan****	****	****	****Peru****	****	****	****Russia**
**Saudi Arabia****	****	****	****Singapore****	****	****South Africa****	**
**Spain****	****	****	****Sweden****	****	****	****Switzerland**
**Thailand****	****	****	****Tunisia****	****	****	****United Kingdom****	**
**Vietnam****	****	****	****USA**

**The International Telecommunication Development Corporation (ITDC) **
**The Marine Department of Hong Kong, China **

_**Member Nations**_

_**Participating Organizations**_

## *** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION ***

***** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION *****

**International Cospas-Sarsat Council (in conjuction with IMO/ICAO)**
**announces the Termination of 121.5 MHz Satellite Alerting on **
**01 February 2009 at its 25****th**** General Session (October 2000)**

## *** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION ***

***** 121.5/243 MHz PHASE-OUT DECISION *****

***So, what does this mean to you ***
***and that old 121.5 MHz EPIRB of yours???...***

***Again, here are the reasons why this decision was made*****:**

**   ****Coverage – Global vs Local**
**   ****False Alerts**
**   ****Identification**
**   ****Accuracy**
**   ****Alerting**

## FCC/USCG 406 MHz Vessel Carriage Requirements

**     ****All vessels 300 gross tons or greater (SOLAS)**
**     ****Vessels engaged in transporting 6 or more persons**
***** In the U.S. all Commerical Fishing Vessels *****
-     **All vessels in Hawaiian waters operating beyond 1 nmi of        shore shall carry a 406 MHz EPIRB or DSC-VHF Radio**
*(State legislature passed law in May, 2003.  Effective Jan 1**st**, 2004)*

_**FCC/USCG 406 MHz Vessel Carriage Requirements**_

**...****it becomes “illegal for use” on Jan 1****st****, 2007!!!**

- This is a new regulation under the recently issued
- FCC Title 47, Part 80 rules *(August, 2003)*

**Can no longer purchase a 121.5 MHz EPIRB as of Feb 1****st****, 2003**

## The Future of Cospas-Sarsat...

*The Future of Cospas-Sarsat...*
***	******	******	*****The ****Distress Alerting Satellite System**

**  ****406 MHz “bent-pipe” repeaters on future GPS satellites**
**  ****Full compatibility with existing + future 406 MHz  ****	****beacons**
**  ****Continued global detection and location:**
**  ****Greater than current Cospas-Sarsat accuracy**
**  ****Alert data downlink will continue to be freely available ****	****internationally**
**  *****Possible two-way return link***

*GPS Satellite*

## The Bottom Line...

_**2002 COSPAS-SARSAT Rescues**_
-   1,545 persons rescued in 365 SAR events worldwide
- 	-  1341 maritime rescues in 239 SAR events
- 	-  83 aviation rescues in 47 SAR events
- 	-  121 land rescues in 79 SAR events
_**2002 U.S. SARSAT Rescues**_
-   171 persons rescued in 69 SAR events nationwide
-  133 maritime rescues in 64 SAR events
-  11 aviation rescues in 5 SAR events
-  27 land rescues in 18 SAR events

- Since 1982 over 15,000 lives rescued via Cospas-Sarsat!   Nearly 5,000 in U.S. AOR’s alone!

_***The Bottom Line...***_

## The Bottom Line...

**Worldwide Distribution of C-S Aided Rescues in 2002**

_***The Bottom Line...***_

## The McMurdo/Pains-Wessex

***The McMurdo/Pains-Wessex***
***FastFind Plus Personal EPIRB (PEPIRB)***

**   ****Only personal beacon currently on the market with **
**	****integral GPS**
**   ****406 MHz transmitter *****(and all the advantages therein)***
**   ****121.5 MHz homing frequency *****(important!)***
**   ****Coded as an EPIRB and not a PLB (only USCG & NOAA)**
**   ****Alert time to USMCC within 3 minutes**
**   ****Positional accuracy to 100 feet *****(best case)***
**   ****Positional updates every 20 minutes**
**   ****User replaceable lanyard attachment**

- _General Specs_

## The McMurdo/Pains-Wessex

***The McMurdo/Pains-Wessex***
***FastFind Plus Personal EPIRB (PEPIRB)***

- •  **User replaceable battery packs (Class 1 & Class 2)**
**   ****24-hour battery at Class 1 or Class 2 temps**
**   ****Temperatures:**
**	****Storage: -67F to + 158F (Class 1)****	****Operating: -40F to + 131F (Class 1)****	****Storage: -22F to + 158F (Class 2)****	****Operating: -4F to + 131F (Class 2)**
**   ****Flotation:**
**	****Category 1:  Must float in water**
**	****Category 2:  Not required to float**
***Note:  FastFind Plus with Class 1 battery does not float!***

- _General Specs_

## Register The PEPIRB...

**Register The PEPIRB...**

**Some reasons why registration is important:**
**Required by law**
**Saves SAR resources**
**Allows us to know who is in possible distress**
**Allows SAR to contact **_**you, your lab/ship/office/etc.**_

**Ok, Now what do we do with it???**

**Online:  www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov, or**
**              ****www.sarsat.noaa.gov**
**By Phone:  1-888-212-SAVE  or 1-301-457-5678**
**By Fax:  1-301-568-8649**

**Where To Register It???**

## NOAA’s New OnlineBeacon Registration Database

**NOAA’s New Online****Beacon Registration Database**

**www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov**

## Slide 46

## Slide 47

## Slide 48

## Slide 49

## Slide 50

## Slide 51

## Slide 52

## Slide 53

## Avoid Calling the Coasties...

**Avoid Calling the Coasties...**
**	****...****know how to use your PEPIRB**

**Read the Manual & Get Familiar **
**With Your PEPIRB**
**Conduct One Self-Test Before **
**	****An Outing Or Once x Month**
**Replace the Battery ~5 Years**
**Avoid Placing Where It Can Be **
**	****Damaged Which May Activate It**

## Avoid Calling the Coasties...

**Avoid Calling the Coasties...**
**	****...****know WHEN to use your PEPIRB**

**In Situations Of Grave & Imminent Danger **
_**Where No Other Means of Communication Exist**_

**How To Operate:**
**Pull the red tab**
**Antenna will automatically deploy**
**Push start button**
**Ensure PEPIRB has clear view of sky**
**Keep antenna & antenna well as dry as possible**

## What to do if your PEPIRB 

**What to do if your PEPIRB **
**is accidentally activated**

**Shut It Off, Einstein!  (50-second “oops” factor built-in)**
**Call the nearest Coast Guard Station and inform them**
**	****of accidental activation.  Give them your name, vessel name,**
**	****time of activation (or best guess), etc.**
**3)****	****Contact McMurdo/Pains-Wessex to reset the PEPIRB and to replace the battery**

## Direction Finders (DF’ers)

**Direction Finders (DF’ers)**

_**Hand – Held Models**_
***ACR’s Vecta-2***

_**Fix-Mount Models**_
***Becker, McMurdo, etc***

**Used For Terrestrial**
**Location**
**Works with all Beacons **
**due to 121.5 MHz homers**
**Provides MOB capability**
**Can be used with 121.65 MHz**
**training beacons**

## Additional Man Over Board (MOB) &

**Additional Man Over Board (MOB) &**
**Diver Locating Devices for use with DF’ers**

**McMurdo Guardian **
_**Wristwatch**_
***121.5 MHz Only***
***Depth to ~150 feet***
***8 hour battery***
***Not detectable by sats***

***McMurdo PEPIRB***** **
**Dive Canister**
***Depth to ~500 feet***

_**ACR DiveResQ**_** **
***121.5 MHz Only***
***Depth to ~200 feet***
***24 hour battery***
***Retractable antenna extends above water line***

## Any Questions???

_**FOR MORE INFO...**_

**LT Dann Karlson**
**U.S. NOAA Corps**
**NOAA/SARSAT**
**E/SP3, FB4, Room 3320**
**5200 Auth Road**
**Suitland, MD  20746**

**1-301-457-5678 x114**
**Or 1-888-212-7283 x114**
**Fax:  1-301-568-8649**
**Daniel.Karlson@noaa.gov**

**Visit Our Website:  www.sarsat.noaa.gov**

**Any Questions???**