EPIRB programming
The EPIRB must be programmed with the vessel's MMSI before it is used and must be labelled
accordingly.
How to program
Before purchasing an EPIRB, the following information must be communicated to the
authorised dealer:
The MMSI code
If there are other operational EPIRBs on board and their number.
The name of the vessel
In this way the dealer will have all the data to program the EPIRB and label it.
For programming purposes, the manufacturer, distributor or an authorized station may
provide, if the reseller is not one of these subjects, it is assumed that he has established a
relationship with one of them in order to deliver the programmed EPIRB.
What is released after programming
The dealer (among other documents), will have to release the programming report that
contains all the data entered and among these also the MMSI, useful to verify that the
station has not made any errors.
The report also reports the UIN (also called hex ID) that expresses in hexadecimal format
the data entered inside, the UIN is important because it will be required for the registration
of the EPIRB at the center COSPAS-SARSAT Bari.
It is important that the report also shows the date of programming, the date of the
next SBM (next SBM date) and the signature of the final verification and approval officer.
EPIRB labelling
The labelling as well as required is important to facilitate the testing and verification
operations and must report:
THE MMSI
The UIN code
The name of the vessel
The date of the next SBM
An example of labelling is shown in the images on the left.
Other information affixed by the manufacturer, such as: model name, serial number, type
and warnings, is also stamped on the EPIRB.
EPIRB Programming Technical Notions
The EPIRB identification data must be stored in an internal memory that will contain the
message that will be sent in case of activation.
The message can be of two types:
"112 bit "Short Message Format" - uses bits from position 1 to 112, range called PDF-1
"Long Message Format" 144 bits - the bits from position 113 to 144 that are called PDF-
2. It is used for EPIRB with GPS, because the position information also travels within
the message and the "Short Message" would not be able to contain this information.
Protocols for models without GPS
For an EPIRB without GPS (both automatic and manual), the "Maritime User Protocol" is
used in Italy. In some countries it is possible to program the EPIRB using the International
Name and also in this case the "Maritime User Protocol" must be used.
Protocols for GPS models
For EPIRBs with GPS, the "Standard Location Protocol" should be used, which allows the
position information to be reported to an accuracy of 4 seconds (approximately 120 meters).
In the Standard Location Protocol, information about the grades is given in PDF-1 and the
remainder in PDF-2.
In some countries, in some cases you need more space for identification data and in this
case you have to use the "User Location Protocol" which reduces the position information
to an accuracy of only 4 minutes (approximately 6 miles), because for the position
information the message can only use the PDF-2.
Using the Serial User Protocol
In some countries such as Great Britain, if the boat is not equipped with MMSI (even Great
Britain like Italy does not accept the International Name), is tolerated the programming of
the EPIRB through its serial number using precisely the "Serial User Protocol". However, in
the case of EPIRB with GPS you must use an international serial number assigned to the
manufacturer because the message is normally not able to contain all the bits of the serial
number of the unit.
Among the "Related Items" we release a direct link to the COSPAS-SARSAT to the page to
decode the UIN code, useful to verify any information entered.
International name
The International Call Sign is assigned during the release of the RTF License and
identifies the radio station on board.
The InternationalCall Sign is issued together with the RTF License and identifies
the declared VHF worldwide.
In some countries the Call Sign is also used to program some devices such as
the EPIRB with this callsign.
It is advisable to put near the VHF on board, a label that shows this name, in fact in
emergency calls may be required to pronounce this identifier.
SBM EPIRB
SBM, Shore Based Maintenance, is defined with IMO MSC/Circ.1039 which indicates
the terms for replacing the battery or the EPIRB itself.
The EPIRB is subject to the SBM at intervals decided by the local authorities, but
not exceeding 5 years. In Italy the time interval is set at 4 years.
In practice after 4 years that the EPIRB has been put into service, it is necessary to
replace the EPIRB or its battery, even if the expiry date of the battery stamped on
the EPIRB is later.
With the circular prot. N.0009605 of 02/02/2010, the Ministry of Economic
Development Department of Communications, also listening to the opinion of the
General Command of the body of the Harbour Offices, clarifies that
the IMO circulars MSC 1039 and MSC 1040 refer to the apparatus and not to the
unit on which it is to be installed. Therefore, IMO circulars MSC 1039 and MSC
1040 are considered to be applicable regardless of the use of the equipment.
