Pathfinder SART (Search And Rescue Transponder)

• Enhances radar returns with 12 intense blips, whereby the first blip represents the SART
• Unit transmits through the 9.2-9.5 GHz band marine radar when interrogated by radar
• Vessel mounting bracket and collapsible pole stowed inside SART
• Exclusive ACR Test mode for visual/audible feedback
• High impact polystyrene case designed to withstand rugged environments
• Compact 12.5 x 3-in unit easily packs into liferaft
• 10 meter (33 ft) lanyard for security
• Waterproof to 10 meters (33 ft)
• Requires lithium battery (5-year replacement life)
• Worldwide certification; complies with IMO/GMDSS, approved by USCG, MED
• Operational Life - 96 hours in stand-by mode; in excess of 8 hours in operational mode
• Application: mandatory requirement for all vessels governed by GMDSS; any yacht or vessel carrying more than one life raft to accommodate crew and passengers

How the pathfinder Works?

The pathfinder helps search and rescue services to quickly locate a life raft in the event of a rescue at sea. The SART can either be stowed in a life raft, or mounted next to emergency exits and the carried to the life raft in an emergency.

During an emergency, simply switch the SART on. When a vessel or aircraft with marine X-band radar comes within 5 to 7 nautical miles of the life raft, the SART generates a distinctive “distress” pattern on the radar screen. The ship’s radar signal guides the rescuers directly to the START.

A SART is a Search and Rescue Transponder that provides location information to search radars operating in the X-band (9.2 – 9.5 GHz). Once activated, the SART detects the radar signal of the search craft and sends a series of response pulses to the radar of the search craft, which in turn causes a series of 12 equally spaced arcs to appear on the radar display (see Figure 1). The arcs indicate the range to the SART location. The rescue craft follows the direction shown and proceeds to the SART. Note that the number of viewable “dots”, as shown in Figure 1, is dependent on the radar setting, the range scale and the distance to the SART.