# Functionality of the Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) in Maritime Search and Rescue Actions
## 2 Materials and Methods
In an emergency, the survivor should mount the device on top of the raft. The SART device is part of the ship's equipment and should be taken by the crew before abandoning the ship. It should be mounted as high as possible. During the experiment, activation and deactivation of the SART device occurred on command. The navigator on the vessel uses radar to detect the device. The navigator then tracks the echo of the liferaft, determines the echo parameters, sails the rescue vessel to the object, and observes the changes in the radar image. Figure 6 presents the approach to the liferaft. The evaluation of the results of the experiment was conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively. The qualitative assessment involves the navigator visually examining four components and rating them on a scale. The qualitative method is applicable here because it reflects the natural use of the radar by the operator. The experiment has its limitations due to the conditions under which it was conducted. These conditions include specific weather conditions and the use of particular equipment (radar model, SART device model, height of radar antenna placement, and position of the SART device). The conditions of the experiment may affect the results. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline
**No.** & **Stage** & **Description** \\ \hline
1 & Communication & Rescue vessel and support boat communicate by VHF radio. \\ \hline
2 & Deployment & The surface units are positioned at appropriate distances. \\ \hline
3 & Radar settings & The radar is to be prepared according to the correct procedure, adapting to external and navigational conditions. The navigator selects manual and automatic settings. The radar antenna is located at a height of 6 m. \\ \hline
4 & SART activation & The SART device is correctly placed at a height of 1.5 m on the liferaft and activated as instructed. A radar reflector will also be used in some scenarios. \\ \hline
5 & Radar observation & The navigator waits for the SART response by observing the radar image. Once detected, the navigator analyzes the signal, determines the parameters (distance, bearing), and evaluates the radar image features. \\ \hline
6 & Approach & During the approach, the navigator observes changes in the radar image, identifies the moment of interference, and assesses the possibility of acquiring and tracking the echo. \\ \hline
7 & Switching off & The device is switched off when its position is reached. \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Stages of the experiment. The most important element of the experiment is the device that receives the SART signal: the marine radar. As the condition of the radar device and its settings are crucial to its ability to display the image correctly, the radar must be properly maintained and tested. Before using the radar in the experiment, a performance test was conducted, and the magnetron parameters were checked. Settings such as range, gain, and clutter were adjusted according to the navigational and weather conditions. The navigator adhered to all procedures and best maritime practices for radar preparation and operation. This ensured maximum data reception. The study examined the following components:  
1. Detectability of the SART device by ship radar (A1);
2. Distinctiveness of the liferaft echo on the radar image (A2);
3. Compatibility of the response signal shape (A3);
4. Interference in the radar image (A4). A two-level scale was used for the first three components. The assessment involves determining whether the feature is present (rating: 0 points for a negative evaluation, 1 point for a positive evaluation). The two-level scale specifies that the minimum criteria are met as follows: for component A1 (detectability)--detected/not detected, for component A2 (distinctiveness)--echo visible/not visible, and for component A3 (shape)--compatible/incompatible. For the fourth component, A4 (interference), a three-level scale was used.