DESCRIPTION

Search and rescue radar Transponders (SARTs) are the main means in the GMDSS
for locating ships in distress or their survival craft, and their carriage on board
ships is mandatory. The SART is a small, battery powered, omni–directional radar
receiver and transmitter.

BATTERY Life

standby condition - at least 96 h,

whilst being interrogated - 8 h

PURPOSE AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF A

SART
A SART operates in the 9 GHz (3 cm or ‘X-band’) radar frequency band and, on
receiving a signal from a ship or aircraft radar, transmits a series of response
(homing) signals.

These response signals will be seen on the ship or aircraft radar screen as a line of
12 dots (0.64 n miles apart) extending approximately 8 n miles outward from the
SART’s position along its line of bearing. This unique radar signal is easily
recognised and allows the rescue vessel or aircraft to locate the survival craft. As
the SART becomes closer, another 12 dots are produced, also 0.64 n miles apart
(see Section 11.1.4).

A SART will not respond to 3 GHz radar (also referred to as 10 cm or ‘S-band’)

radar.

INDICATION OF OPERATION AND

INTERROGATION
On activation the SART will provide a visible and/or audible indication of its
correct operation. It will also provide an indication when it is being interrogated by
radar signals from a searching ship or aircraft.

LOCATION DISTANCES
A SART should respond when interrogated by a shipborne X-band radar with a
scanner height of 15 m within 8 n miles. A SART should also respond when
interrogated by a compatible X-band radar fitted to an aircraft operating at a height
of 3 000 feet at a distance of at least 30 n miles.

As height is the key to improving the distance that a SART will respond to a radar
signal, survivors should endeavour to mount the SART as high as possible in a
lifeboat or life raft, by lashing it to an oar, etc. Some models of SART incorporate
mounting poles for this purpose. The vertical polar diagram of the antenna and the
characteristics of the device will permit the SART to respond to radars under heavy
swell conditions. SART transmission is substantially omni-directional in the
horizontal plane.

The response from the SART is received by the vessels/helicopters/planes X-band radar

and appears as a line of 12 equally spaced dots/arcs/circles (distinctive "distress" pattern)
on a line of bearing from the vessels/helicopters/planes location, with the closest dot
indicating the SART location.

Action to be taken on receiving SART signal

If someone sees the pattern formed by the SART appearing on his X-band radar display,
he should:

 inform the nearest MRCC or SRC as soon as possible (MRCC will hold control

of SAR operation and give instructions for effective SAR operation as feedback),
 try to contact survivors by VHF on VHF CH 16 (survivors may have handheld VHF),
 try to identify location of SART visually (if possible),
 alter course to search for a life raft at the SART location (if possible).