47
xkcd #3169: EPIRBs
(imgs.xkcd.com)
Title text:
'Oh no, the box is drifting out into the harbor!' 'Yeah, I wouldn't worry about losing it.'
Transcript:
Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com
Source: https://xkcd.com/3169/
what does programming them include? Just a ship identifier?
It's been a while, but off the top of my head: MMSI (which is basically the radio installation identifier. Same number is used for AIS), and an ID digit (0 in wheelhouse, 1 on starboard bridge wing, 2 on port, etc)
I have a handheld one—to float with me in a liferaft, etc—and it gets registered to a vessel or vehicle. Whenever I want to use it on something different, contact the federal government, advise of the new vessel ID or vehicle registration, and it's now associated with the new one.
I don't think it matters much since it is a beacon after all, but I think it helps in searching. Also, a lot of other details are registered along with it so they know who to send the tens of thousands in fines to if I somehow bypass all three "Are you really sure?" switches and fire the thing off inappropriately.
Any chance what you have is not an EPIRB, but a SART? SARTs are only registered with beacon ID and doesn't require programming. Shows up on radar and sometimes AIS also. No sat comms involved.
Registration Status: Registered.
Beacon Type: EPIRB.
406MHz GPS (Cat. 2) 66-channel. Beacon Status: Operational.
Battery Expiry Date: 01/10/2028.
It's UIN—which I obv won't give lol— doesn't hold an MMSI. The main reason being EPIRBs aren't just for marine craft.