Ensuring Proper Operation and Detection of Radar Search and Rescue Transponders issued by US Coast Guard

On November 25th, 2022, the United States Coast Guard has issued a marine safety alert about reducing the effectiveness of radar SARTs.

The purpose of this Safety Alert is to address issues that may reduce the effectiveness of a radar Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) during an emergency.

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that vessel owners, operators, and crewmembers:  

• Incorporate the above information into their SART training and testing, in order to better prepare to use or detect a SART during an emergency.  
• Ensure that all safety equipment is maintained in accordance with the SART owner’s manual. As with all safety equipment onboard a vessel, the usefulness and effectiveness of a SART are dependent on several factors, including proper maintenance, testing, training, and operating procedures.  The primary source for maintenance, testing, and operating procedures is the SART owner’s manual.  

Developed by Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise and distributed by the Office of Investigations and Analysis.

Questions may be sent to HQS-SMB-CGINV@uscg.mil.

For more information, please see the link below:

RELEVANT DOCUMENT (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

Ensuring Proper Operation and Detection of Radar Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs)