Which device is primarily used for automated distress alerts via satellite at sea?

• A. Satellite EPIRB
• B. NAVTEX receiver
• C. SART
• D. DSC transceiver

Answer: (A)

Automated distress alerts at sea require a beacon that sends signals directly to satellites for global rescue coordination. A Satellite EPIRB is built for this purpose. When activated, it transmits a 406 MHz distress signal to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network, often with GPS location data, so authorities worldwide can locate and respond quickly. It can be triggered automatically (for example, upon immersion) or manually, ensuring alerts even if no one is able to actuate it.

NAVTEX receivers are for receiving weather and safety broadcasts, not sending distress signals to satellites. A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) helps rescuers locate a vessel on radar, but it doesn’t transmit satellite-based distress alerts. A DSC transceiver can initiate distress calls over VHF/MF/HF radios, but those alerts rely on terrestrial networks and coast stations rather than satellites, so they aren’t automatically routed to the global satellite SAR system.