scope:

This part of IEC 61097 specifies the minimum performance requirements, technical charac- teristics and type-testing requirements of the emergency position-indicating radio beacon used in the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system (EPIRB), as required by the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) as amended, and which is associated with IEC 60945. When a requirement in this standard is different from IEC 60945 or other standards, the requirement in this standard takes precedence. This standard incorporates the performance standards of IMO Resolution MSC.471(101), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations as well as the technical characteristics for such transmitters contained in Recommendation ITU-R M.633, and takes account of the general requirements contained in IMO Resolution A.694(17). This standard also includes minimum performance standards for a non-float-free EPIRB without float-free release mechanism (see Annex C). NOTE 1 - Although a number of the requirements and tests may be similar this standard is not intended to be used with 406 MHz Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) Beacons. All texts of this standard, whose wording is identical to that in the IMO Resolutions A.662(16), A.694(17), and MSC.471(101) will be printed in italics and the Resolution/Recommendation and paragraph number indicated between brackets.