10.0 Testing and Maintenance
The SART is a safety device; it must be regularly checked at least every 2 months as follows. . .
Visually inspect the casing for cracks & punctures.
Extend the pole and check that it operates correctly, and then return the pole to its housing.
Check to ensure the tether lanyard is neatly bundled and firmly secured to the SART.
Ensure the lanyard is NOT tied to any part of the vessel.
Check that the battery expiry label shows sufficient battery life to cover the next routine voyage (See figure 8).
Ensure the safety lock is in place and the integrity seal is not broken.
Confidence check
Push the switch ring to the left and into the test position and hold it there for 10 seconds. Confirm the SART does either (a) or (b) below, then release the switch.
a)Beeps once and the red light flashes continuously every 4 seconds (no Radar within range).
b)Beeps and the red light flashes every 1 second (Answering Radar).
Multiple SART Interrogation Test
If your vessel has two PathFinderTM3 SARTs on board they may be used to test each other. This test requires that each SART is held independently 5 meters away from one another. Turn and hold one SART into the TEST position. It will beep once and the red light flashes continuously every 4 seconds. Next place the 2nd SART into the test mode. Confirm that the 1st SART beeps once every time the 2nd SART is turned into the test mode.
Repeat this sequence to test the 2nd SART.
Functional Test (At least once a year carry out a functional test)
Get someone to watch the Radar screen, while you take the SART to the ship’s bow or at least 20m from the Radar antenna. Hold the switch in its TEST position for no more than 10 seconds. Confirm a "distress" pattern is generated on the Radar screen. At close range the pattern often appears as a series of concentric circles.
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