What is Search and Rescue Transponder (SART)?

SART/ Search and Rescue Transponder

SART/ Search and Rescue Transponder is used during maritime emergencies to locate a ship’s position if it goes off-track.

There is a radar-SART and AIS-SART, which is GPS-based.  SARTs are brightly coloured, can be held in one hand, are battery-operated and made of waterproof components.

They are used in ships, lifeboats, and liferafts and are designed to remain afloat for long, even if the vessel sinks.

Per GMDSS regulations, ships between 300 and 500 GRT must carry one SART, and ships over 500 GRT must have two onboard. They must be mounted where they can be swiftly placed in a survival craft. Most ships have SARTs on the bridge or close to bridge wing doors. They can also be stowed in survival craft.

The bright orange colour of Search and Rescue Transponders ( SART) enables quick detection, whereas the combination of transmitter and receiver allows it to transmit and receive radio signals.

SARTs have been instrumental in rescuing several crafts and ships by reacting to the search signal sent from an X-band