Issue No.

: FSN070044
MARINE Date : Dec / 21 / 2007
Department : QA Marine Electronics

Service News
×Information Request for work

1 Subject : Information on request to prevent sending false distress alerts

2 Name of the products : GMDSS equipment and INMARSAT
3 Model number : EPIRB, DSC, INMARSAT

4 Details
1) Phenomenon of problem

Japan Coast Guard has issued the "Request to prevent the sending of false distress alerts" to
Suiyokai (*Note) which is mainly composed of radio equipment manufacturers that are the
members of the Marine Radio Communications Committee. In response to this, Suiyokai
strongly requests the manufacturers to practice educational activity regarding false
distress alerts.

*Note) Suiyokai is an association in Japan mainly composed of marine electronics

manufacturers to exchange and familiarize the information related to maritime affairs.

2) Information or countermeasures

1.Distribute the attached documents "Request to prevent the sending of false distress alerts"
issued by Japan Coast Guard and "Precautions for Handling Satellite EPIRB" issued by
Suiyokai to your agents and subordinate companies to familiarize them with the knowledge on
false alerts and the importance of distress alerts.

(1) Knowledge on false alerts

The location of the distress alert button on DSC and INMARSAT should be confirmed (the
button is normally red and labeled as "DISTRESS" in English). In addittion, inform the
following fact on EPIRB: As to the old type EPIRB, it will send a distress alert when it is moved
or dropped off from the mounting base due to its sending mechanism. As to the new type
EPIRB, it will proceed to the preparatory stage to send an alert when it is moved or dropped.

(2) Awareness for importance of distress alerts

The distress alerts can be the last resort for the wrecked vessels, and a false alert will
adversely affect the rescue operation for the actually wrecked vessel.

2. Notification and instruction by utilizing any chances and media (i.e. the website of
subordinate companies)
Notify the information on false alerts and promote an educational instruction to
familiarize the improtance of distress alerts widely and effectively by taking any means.

The relevant documentation can be browsed on the website of QA Dept./Marine Electronics.

5 Attached documents : 1. Request to prevent the sending of false distress alerts

2. Precautions for Handling Satellite EPIRB

6 Issue schedule for Technical Information　: Issued by JAN.2008

 ＮＯＴＩＣＥ！
～Request to prevent the sending
of false distress alerts～
・False distress alerts can endanger lives at sea！
The sending of false distress alerts can be obstacles for search and rescue
aircraft and patrol vessels heading to the scene of actual maritime distress sites.
To more effectively save the lives of actual seafarers in distress requiring rescue
assistance your co-operation is needed not to send unnecessary distress alerts.
In case of sending any false distress alert, please report it immediately to the
Japan Coast Guard (JCG) by emergency call “118” or “03-3591-9000” or to the
nearest JCG coastal station by radio.
※ Please note: You will be penalized if you send the distress alert from your
ship deliberately in any case other than an actual maritime distress.

・Please be sure to follow the items shown below when you are not in need
of maritime distress assistance.
● To prevent the sending of false alerts: EPIRB

●Do not move the EPIRB(equipment for distress alert) nor get
it wet when the switch is in the position of“READY”.
※ Please note: EPIRB will send a distress alert if the device is moved.
ＯＮ

●Do not turn the switch on.

※ Please note: EPIRB will send a distress alert immediately.

●Turn the switch off whenever you move the EPIRB.

● To prevent sending false alerts from ＤＳＣ（Digital Selective Calling）and

IＮＭＡＲＳＡＴ

● Seafarers are required to be sure to confirm where

ＰＵＳＨ
the button for distress alert of those equipments are.

●Do not push the button for distress alert of DSC.

ＰＵＳＨ
●Do not push the buttons of INMARSAT for distress alert
and “QUIET”at the same time.
 Precautions for Handling Satellite EPIRB
Suiyokai head office
Transmission of false alerts due to mishandling of Satellite EPIRB in the occasion of disposal or owner change has been
reported. Moreover, the troubles attributed to the performance degradation of Satellite EPIRB are often recognized.

Therefore, Suiyokai (*Note) will promote awareness as follows on precautions on EPIRB handling when replacing the unit,
decommissioning or selling the ship. We will present these precautions for crew engaged daily on operation of ships.
Please read thoroughly for full comprehension. We would very much appreciate your cooperation.

*Note) Suiyokai is an association in Japan mainly composed of marine electronics manufacturers to

exchange and familiarize the information related to maritime affairs.

Satellite EPIRB has validity duration (limitation of service life)

Satellite EPIRB must be inspected regularly by a service station (*Note) certified by the
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
If the equipment has some troubles, it will transmit false alerts even when in the normal
state or transmit wrong signals when in distress. These phenomena will generate
serious confusion for rescue operation, and the ship owner will be harshly warned by
Mandatory
maritime governmental offices.
Note) Applies if the equipment falls into the mandatory equipment. However, even when EPIRB is
installed as an option, regular inspection by experts is strongly recommended.
If performance degradation is recognized in a regular maintenance service, do not continue to
use the equipment.
If the equipment has some troubles, it may not operate correctly in emergency, or may transmit
Prohibition false alerts resulting in confusion for rescue operation.
Repair it or replace it with new one when found to be degraded.

Satellite EPIRB will automatically detach itself from the ship, float onto the sea surface and transmit signals for indicating
the wrecked position when the ship is submerged. To make those operation easier especially to float onto the sea
surface, EPIRB is installed on the deck which has fewer obstructions for floating. However, installation on the deck will
suffer from wind, rain, sea waves, and direct sunlight, resulting in the performance degradation of the equipment in the
long run whatever maintenance service has been performed.
For this reason, manufacturers determine the service life of EPIRB as 7 years after installation (it may differ depending on
the installation condition).
Part of the Satellite EPIRB function can be restored by replacing the parts when in maintenance service; however, parts
replacement may incur large amount of cost. Although the outer case for installing EPIRB employs the weatherproof
plastic material, it will suffer from water ingress if it deteriorates or cracks minutely by weathering. Replacement of the
case will cost you a large amount.
As to EPIRB which has spent 7 years of operation, replacement with whole new unit is more reasonable compared to
parts replacement. Moreover, the performance will be more reliable with the whole new unit.
Therefore, depending on the result of regular inspection or service, replacement with whole new unit will be recommended
regarding the Satellite EPIRB close to 7 years of installation duration. For the safety of life at sea, we recommend replacing
with new unit before its service life expires.
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 Disposal of Satellite EPIRB

Request the disposal of unnecessary Satellite EPIRB to a distributor, service agency, or

the manufacturer.
Mandatory If EPIRB is inadequately disposed of, it may transmit alerts, which may result in
confusion of rescue operation.

Satellite EPIRB is extremely important equipment that transmits the identification number of the ship to indicate the wrecked
position when the ship is wrecked. If it transmits even when the ship is not wrecked, it will cause serious disruption for
rescue operation, and the ship owner will be harshly warned by maritime governmental offices.
Not only the false alerts transmitted from the EPIRB onboard but also from the disposed EPIRB are not permitted.
When an old EPIRB should be disposed of due to decommissioning, selling of the ship, or replacement of the unit, make
sure to request the following disposition to a distributor, service agency, or the manufacturer.
1) To avoid false alerts, turn the switch of EPIRB to “OFF” position and fix the switch by a stopper.
Depending on the model type, EPIRB may start its operation just after removed from a container or does not have the
OFF position and just indicate “READY.” In these cases, take a measure not to transmit false alerts according to the
work procedure by the relevant manufacturer.
2) According to the Radio Regulation Law, submit the notice of abolishment of radio station or the notice of change of
radio equipment (in the case of unit replacement) to the local Bureau of Telecommunications (or the relevant
governmental office in the case of foreign-registered ship) in which the ship is controlled (main berthing port).
3) Inform the ship’s name and the serial number of the abolished Satellite EPIRB to the manufacturer. (Manufacturers
control each unit after shipment.)
4) Dispose of the unit according to the regulation or rules of the local government related to waste disposal. When in
outside of Japan, dispose according to the relevant country’s law.

Procedure for Selling the Ship (related to Satellite EPIRB)

Request the following procedure to a distributor, service agency, or the manufacturer
when selling the ship.
If the following procedure is neglected, the Satellite EPIRB may transmit false alerts or
Mandatory when in distress it may transmit wrong signals, causing confusion for rescue operation.
In the end, the ship owner will be harshly warned by maritime governmental offices.

Case 1: The ship is sold to a domestic (Japanese) party and the license of radio station should be continued:
(Request the following procedure and work to a distributor, service agency, or the manufacturer.)
1) If the ship’s name is changed, change the registration of the ship’s name in the Satellite EPIRB into the new name
after the issue of nationality certification, and install the EPIRB correctly onboard.
2) According to the Radio Regulation Law, submit the notice for license continuation of radio station to the relevant
local Bureau of Telecommunications in which the ship is controlled (main berthing port) without delay.
3) If MMSI is newly issued, change the MMSI into the new one after approved by the Clause 19 in Radio Regulation
Law, and then install the EPIRB correctly onboard.

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Case 2: The ship is sold to a domestic (Japanese) party but the license of radio station should be discontinued:
(Request the following procedure and work to a distributor, service agency, or the manufacturer.)
1） Turn the switch of the Satellite EPIRB to “OFF” position and fix the switch by a stopper, and store the unit in the
inaccessible location. (*Note)
2） In accordance with the Radio Regulation Law, submit the notice of discontinuation of radio station to the relevant
local Bureau of Telecommunications in which the ship is controlled (major berthing port). It is preferred to submit
beforehand.
3） Request the disposal to a distributor, service agency, or the manufacturer.

Case 3: The ship is sold to a foreign party:

(Request the following procedure and work to a distributor, service agency, or the manufacturer.)
1） Turn the switch of Satellite EPIRB to “OFF” position and fix the switch by a stopper, and store the unit in the
inaccessible location. (*Note)
2） In accordance with the Radio Regulation Law, submit the notice of discontinuation of radio station to the relevant
local Bureau of Telecommunications in which the ship is controlled (major berthing port). It is preferred to submit
beforehand.
3） Confirm that the EPIRB is certified by the country’s type approval test, or is permitted to install even if it is not
certified. (Even if the EPIRB is approved by the Ship Equipment Inspection Society of Japan, it may not be approved
by the relevant country.)
4） Confirm that the instructions indicated on the EPIRB are written in English. (If they are written only in Japanese, the
EPIRB is not allowed to install onto the foreign ship. Remove the EPIRB or request to the manufacturer to modify
the instructions for the foreign ship.)
5） If the EPIRB is not allowed to install, request the disposal of the unit to a distributor, service agency, or the
manufacturer.
6） If it is allowed to install, receive the new MMSI that is assigned by the relevant country and the ship’s name in a
written form (document) from the new owner.
7） Overwrite the ship’s name and MMSI in the EPIRB with those of new licensor’s.
8） Install the EPIRB correctly onboard.

(Note1) Depending on the model type, EPIRB may start its operation just after removed from a container or does not have
the OFF position and just indicate “READY.” In these cases, take a measure not to transmit false alerts
according to the work procedure by the relevant manufacturer.
(Note2) When new MMSI is issued, overwrite with the new MMSI.

We have recognized some cases that a ship is sold with a Satellite EPIRB without changing
MMSI or the ship’s name in it by the following reasons (especially selling to a foreign party) :
（Reason）The new ship’s name is uncertain.
The new MMSI cannot be acquired.
The buyer may carry out the procedure.
Strictly The ship is sold with the EPIRB installed onboard, so it cannot be removed.
prohibited Above reasons are not permissible. If MMSI and the ship’s name are left unchanged, the ship
cannot be identified when wrecked or the rescue operation will be carried out in vain when false
alerts are transmitted.
Remove the Satellite EPIRB if the new MMSI cannot be overwritten.
Removing only the batteries and leaving EPIRB installed onboard is also strictly prohibited.

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