The G8 AIS EPIRB is the world’s first EPIRB to combine the global 406MHz professional search and rescue alert, with the localised locating and tracking power of AIS. With the added benefits of dual GNSS including Galileo and GPS, it is one of the world’s most powerful EPIRBs.
McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB
Rugged, multi GNSS 406MHz 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
- Multi GNSS including Galileo
- 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
Discover more in the TECHNOLOGY tab below
406 MHZ TRANSMITTER
| Frequency | 406.040 MHz + 1kHZ |
| Power output | 5 W nominal |
| Modulation | Phase (16KOG1D) |
121.5 MHZ TRANSMITTER
| Frequency | 121.5 MHz + 3 kHz |
| Power output | 100 mW nominal |
| Modulation | Swept tone AM (3K20A3X) |
AIS TRANSMITTER (SEE NOTE 1)
| Frequencies | 161.975 MHz (AIS1); 162.025 MHz (AIS2) |
| Power output | 1 W nominal |
| Modulation | Phase (16KOGXW) |
GNSS RECEIVER (SEE NOTE 2)
| Constellations | GPS, Galileo |
| Frequencies | 1575.42 MHz (GPS, Galileo); |
| Sensitivity | -167 dBm minimum |
| Satellites tracked | 72 channel |
STROBE LIGHT
| Type | 3 high intensivity LEDs |
| Light output | 0.2 cd minimum |
| Flash rate | 23 flashes per minute |
BATTERY
| Type | Lithium iron disulphide |
| Operating life | 48 hours minimum |
| Shelf life (in-service life) | 10 years from date of manufacture (see Note 3) |
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 | 423x104x103 mm (incl. antenna) |
| Length of antenna | 206 mm |
DIMENSIONS (MANUAL BRACKET)
| Weight | 110 g |
| Height/Width/Depth | 270x125x121 mm |
DIMENSIONS (FLOAT FREE ENCLOSURE)
| Weight | 1075 g |
| Height/Width/Depth | 416x126x132 mm |
STANDARDS APPLIED
| COSPAS-SARSAT | C/S 1.001 C/S T.007 |
| Europe | MED (wheelmark) |
| USA | USCG & FCC; FCC ID; TBA; 4 7 CFR Parts 80, 2; |
| International standards | Dependant on variant IEC 61097-2; IEC 60945 incl. Corrigendum1; Industry Canada RSS-287; AS/NZS 4280.1; IMO MSC/Circ. 862 |
| IMO regulations | A.662(16); A.694(17); A.810(19); A.814(19) |
PART NUMBERS
| SmartFind E8 Manual EPIRB | 23-001-004A |
| SmartFind E8 Auto EPIRB | 23-001-504A |
| SmartFind G8 Manual EPIRB | 23-001-002A |
| SmartFind G8 Auto EPIRB | 23-001-502A |
| SmartFind G8 AIS Manual EPIRB | 23-001-001A |
| SmartFind G8 AIS Auto EPIRB | 23-001-501A |
NOTE 1: AIS is available on the G8-AIS model only
NOTE 2: GNSS is available on the G8 and G8-AIS models only
NOTE 3: 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
Launched in 2018, the McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS is the world’s first EPIRBs to include 406MHz, 121.5MHz, AIS and GNSS (better known as GPS) to accelerate search and rescue. The unique power of these award-winning beacons is in the flexibility and additional tracking capabilities long demanded by maritime customers. This will further reduce rescue times by combining the global location power of 406MHz with the localized rescue capacities of AIS.
One of the world’s most powerful EPIRBs, driving accelerated rescue times via:
- Faster alert detection on the 406 MHz frequency through our MEOSAR compatibility
- The world’s first QUADROTECH® EPIRB, with four search and rescue frequencies, the SmartFind G8 AIS 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.
- World’s first convergence of 406 and AIS, combining the global alerting of 406 MHz with the localised locating and tracking power of AIS
SmartFind E8/G8 Auto-Housing
A fully protective, spring-loaded enclosure, the auto-housing automatically deploys and activates the EPIRB when it is submerged between 1 – 4m. The SmartFind G8 auto-housing incorporate fixing points which ensure previous McMurdo auto-housing units can be retrofitted with minimum impact, when upgrading your vessels EPIRB.
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 EPIRB range is supplied with a ten-year battery, but battery replacement kits have 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 see product datasheet
