Re: [Paddlewise] Ch 16 and DSC - Illegal made Legal

From: Michael Daly <mikedaly_at_magma.ca>
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2006 23:55:15 -0500
mike dziobak wrote:

> Can a rescue
> chopper or boat locate the source of an EPIRB signal in a storm on the
> open sea before it's too late?

Potentially.  Since the EPIRB sends signals via satellite, as long as the 
satellite is within range of a ground station, the signal is relayed within 
seconds.  The signal then gets to the rescue centre in couple of seconds more 
and the identity of the user and the GPS location is directly available.  The 
next period of time is that required to dispatch a rescue craft to the location. 
   This is obviously the longest period in the scenario.

The EPIRB can be tracked from aircraft AFAIK, so it should be found even if the 
vessel drifts from the time of initial signal.

If you need help in ten minutes, you're out of luck.  If you can hang on for an 
hour or more, depending on distance from the rescue craft's origin and its 
speed, you should be helped.

Mike
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Received on Sun Nov 19 2006 - 21:04:33 PST

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