McMurdo SmartFind G8 PLUS AIS EPIRB

The new SmartFind G8 PLUS AIS EPIRB includes an AIS locating signal and an Infra-Red (Night-Vision) optical signal to aid detection of survivors in low light conditions.

Rugged, multi GNSS 406MHz Satellite EPIRB with both GPS and Galileo receivers, unique inbuilt AIS, optimised for new MEOSAR system


Operating Frequencies:

  • 406MHz
  • 121.5MHz
  • Multi GNSS
  • AIS

Features

  • Built in AIS for localized rescue
  • Multi GNSS including Galileo & GPS
  • Meets IMO requirement; MSC.471 (101)
  • Infrared (Night-Vision) optical signal
  • Accidental activation protection
  • Rugged construction optimised for commercial environments
  • Hands free carry strap
  • 360-degree strobe
  • Comes with safety bracket
  • 10-year battery life
  • Sealed Electronic Unit
  • Sealed Battery Unit
  • Manual/Auto release options

This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

406 MHZ TRANSMITTER

Frequency 406.040 MHz
Power output 5 W nominal
Modulation BSPK (16KOG1D)

121.5 MHZ TRANSMITTER

Frequency 121.5 MHz
Power output 70 mW nominal
Modulation AM Swept tone (3K20A3X)

AIS TRANSMITTER

Frequencies 161.975 MHz (AIS1); 162.025 MHz (AIS2)
Power output 1 W EIRP
Modulation GMSK/FM (16K0GXW)

GNSS RECEIVER

Constellations GPS, Galileo
Frequencies 1575.42 MHz (GPS, Galileo)
Sensitivity -167 dBm minimum
Satellites tracked 92 channels

OPTICAL HOMER

Day and night vision strobe 3 points of high intensity LEDs
Light output 0.75 cd / 2.5 mW/sr minimum
Flash rate 23 flashes per minute

BATTERY

Type Lithium iron disulphide
Operating life 48 hours minimum
Shelf life 10 years from date of manufacture (see Note 1)

ENVIRONMENT

Operating temperature -20 °C to +55 °C (-4 °F to +131 °F)
Storage temperature -30 °C to +70 °C (-22 °F to +158 °F)
Automatic release depth 4 m maximum

DIMENSIONS (EPIRB)

Weight 710 g
Height/Width/Depth 425 X 105 X 105 mm (incl. antenna)
Length of antenna 225 mm

DIMENSIONS (MANUAL BRACKET)

Weight 110 g
Height/Width/Depth 135 x 125 x 125 mm

DIMENSIONS (FLOAT FREE ENCLOSURE)

Weight 1075 g
Height/Width/Depth 415 x 135 x 135 mm

STANDARDS

COSPAS-SARSAT C/S T.001; C/S T.007 – Pending
Europe/UK MED / UKCM – Pending
USA USCG & FCC – Pending
International standards  

IEC 61097-2 ED4
IEC 60945 incl. Corrigendum1 (Portable)
IEC 61108-1 (GNSS variant)
RTCM 11000.5
ITU-R M.1371-5
Industry Canada RSS-287
AS/NZS 4280.1

IMO regulations MSC.471(101): A.662(16); A.694(17);
A.814(19)

PART NUMBERS

SmartFind G8 PLUS AIS EPIRB – Manual 23-002-001A
SmartFind G8 PLUS AIS EPIRB – Auto 23-002-501A

NOTE 1: As a responsible manufacturer, McMurdo recommends a 5-year health check at the nearest McMurdo approved service agent. Shore based maintenance mandated vessels, battery health check or replacements should be carried out in accordance with flag Administration requirements and not exceeding 5 years.

Technology Overview

Our unparalleled marine heritage, history of innovation and commitment to quality mean the next generation of SmartFind EPIRBs include previous innovations as standard. They are MEOSAR Compatible® for enhanced detection and location performance, combine the global 406 MHz professional search and rescue alert, with the localised locating and tracking power of AIS, they have a ruggedized base and an easy service battery. The false activation protection of the manual bracket and multiple self-tests all contribute to total user confidence.  Customers know they can trust McMurdo when their lives are at risk.

The new McMurdo SmartFind G8 PLUS EPIRBs benefit from an AIS locating signal, visible to AIS receiver equipped vessels in the vicinity, and an Infrared (Night-Vision) optical signal to aid detection of survivors in low light conditions. Infrared is detectable at greater range and in poorer conditions than standard EPIRB lights, therefore further accelerating recovery times.

Driving accelerated rescue times via:
Further enhancing our earlier World’s first convergence of 406 and AIS, combining the global alerting of 406 MHz with the localised locating and tracking power of AIS.
Faster alert detection on the 406 MHz frequency through our MEOSAR compatibility.
QUADROTECH® EPIRB, with four search and rescue frequencies, the SmartFind G8 PLUS range supports the Alert, Locate, Tracking and Recovery elements of search and     rescue.
Greater location detection speed and accuracy, as the multi-constellation GNSS receivers work with a wider range of satellites including Galileo and GPS.
Infrared is detectable at greater range and in poorer conditions, therefore further accelerating recovery times.

SmartFind G8 Auto-Housing

A fully protective, spring loaded enclosure, the float free auto-housing automatically deploys and activates the EPIRB when it is submerged between 1 – 4m. The SMARTFIND auto-housing incorporates fixing points which ensure previous McMurdo auto-housing units can be retrofitted with minimum impact, when upgrading your vessel’s EPIRB. 

SMARTFIND range EPIRBs are available as either a category 1 or category 2 EPIRBs:  

Category 1 EPIRB models
Supplied inside a float free auto-housing and automatically deployed and activated when in contact with water (although they can also be manually activated).

Category 2 EPIRB models
Supplied with a unique SmartTransfer bracket to prevent accidental activation, once manually removed from the bracket the EPIRB is activated manually or via
water contact.

Safe Operational EPIRB Life

Seas of Solutions Safe Operational EPIRB Life guidance is that EPIRBs should be considered for decommissioning after 12-15 years, as this reduces the risk of environmental impact on beacon performance and ensures end users have beacons with the latest technology. As a result, the SmartFind G8 PLUS EPIRB is supplied with a ten-year battery, but battery replacement kits have a minimum five-year battery, to encourage regular professional checks of the units and reduce the likelihood of the beacons remaining on board vessels beyond the recommended operational life.

For more information and product comparison see product datasheet