# Functionality of the Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) in Maritime Search and Rescue Actions
## 3 Results  
The results of the study are summarized in Table 5. The first column contains the deployment distance, the second column indicates the component labels and columns 3-6 contain the navigator's assessments for each scenario. A total of 24 trials were conducted and rated. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Distance** & **Label** & **Scenario 1** & **Scenario 2** & **Scenario 3** & **Scenario 4** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{4 Nm} & A1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A2 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A3 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A4 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{3 Nm} & A1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A2 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A3 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\  & A4 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{2 Nm} & A1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A2 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A3 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\  & A4 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{1 Nm} & A1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A2 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A3 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\  & A4 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{0.8–0.6 Nm} & A1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A2 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\  & A3 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A4 & 2 & 2 & 2 & 2 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{0.6–0.2 Nm} & A1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\  & A2 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \cline{1-1}  & A3 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \cline{1-1}  & A4 & 2 & 2 & 2 & 2 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 5: Overview of the results. Figure 7: Corrected sweep width for searching in different weather conditions: (**a**) person in water (MOB); (**b**) liferaft. In the first part of the experiment (Scenario 1), the radar was set up manually, and SART devices were placed at distances of 4, 3, 2, 1, and twice at less than 1 nautical mile. Each time, the appropriate functions were used to adjust the radar. The radar range was changed (from 12 to 1.5 nautical miles) to ensure that the response signal was displayed. At a distance of 4 Nm, a signal from the SART was received (A1 = 1), and the visibility of the echo, as well as the compatibility of the expected shape, received a positive evaluation (A2 = 1; A3 = 1). The intensity of the interference was assessed as weak (A4 = 0). At distances of 3, 2, and 1 Nm, a signal was also received, and the liferaft echo was visible. Both parameters received positive assessments (A1 = 1; A2 = 1). The SART response signal appeared as stretched echoes, but they did not form arcs. Such a response signal from the SART device is recognizable to the radar operator and indicates detection of the device, but it is not entirely consistent with the theoretical appearance of the echo. For this reason, this parameter was assessed negatively (A3 = 0). The intensity of the interference was assessed as weak (A4 = 0). For illustrative purposes, sample photos of the radar screen are shown in Figures 8-11. Figure 8 shows the radar image after detecting the SART device at a distance of 2 Nm. The photograph is divided into two parts: the left part shows the electronic chart, while the right part displays the radar image. The current radar settings are manual, with a radar range of 6 Nm. The ship is located at the center of the radar image, which is oriented towards the north. The bow of the ship is pointing towards 316\({}^{\circ}\). To the south of the ship, an echo from the shoreline is visible, extending from east to west. The echoes from the objects are marked with diamonds. Eight characteristic points (echoes) are displayed, indicating the detection of an operational SART device at a bearing of 338\({}^{\circ}\) relative to one of the echoes. Figure 9 shows the radar image at a distance of 1 Nm. The series of response signals is stretched but does not form the expected wide arcs. It is possible to acquire a liferaft echo for tracking. The current radar settings are manual, with a radar range of 3 Nm, a centered image, and relative motion. In each trial, when the vessel approached within less than 1 Nm, the response echo suddenly formed concentric circles, as stated in the instructions (Figure 10). It was no longer possible to isolate the liferaft echo from the radar image. The interference was very strong.