ocean SIGNAL PLB3 Personal Locator Beacon User Manual

: June 10, 2024
: ocean SIGNAL

Table of Contents

ABOUT YOUR PLB3
OPERATION
TESTING
APPROVALS
Warranty Information
Extended Warranty
References
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Download This Manual (PDF format)

ocean SIGNAL PLB3 Personal Locator Beacon User Manual

ABOUT YOUR PLB3

COSPAS/SARSAT System
The basic Cospas-Sarsat concept is illustrated in the adjacent figure. The System is composed of:

SYSTEM

distress radio beacons IELTs for aviation use. EPIRBs for maritime use, and PLBs for personal use) which transmit signals during distress situations instruments on board satellites in geosta-tionary and low-altitude Earth orbits which detect the signals transmitted by distress radio beacons
ground receiving stations, referred to as Local Users Terminals !LUTA which receive and process the satellite downlink signal to generate distress alerts
Mission Control Centers (MCCs) which receive alerts produced by LUTs and forward them to Rescue Coordination Centers IRCCsI, Search and Rescue Points Of Contacts (SPOCs) or other MCCs

The Cospas-Sarsat System includes two types of satellites:

satellites in low-altitude Earth orbit ILEO) which form the LEOSAR System
satellites in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) which form the GEOSAR System

The new MEOSAR system, which is not yet fully operational, already brings significant advantages to many users in terms of better satellite coverage, faster alerts and improved detectability and is also the basis for the Return Link Service IRLS) on Galileo satellites.

Return Link Service
The Galileo Return Link Service IRLSI is a free-of-charge global service available to Cospas-Sarsat RLS compatible beacons. The RLS feature is an indication on the PLB3 that confirms to the User that the distress signal from the PLB3 has been localised by the Cospas-Sarsat system and is being sent to the SAR authorities. It does NOT mean that a search and rescue mission has been launched, but onty confirms that the distress alert has been received by the Cospas-Sarsat system and is being routed to the appropriate SAR agencies. The KS aims to send an acknowledgment to the beacon within 30 minutes Following activation [the response may not be received by the beacon for signif-icantly longer). RLS is an optional function and may not be permitted in all countries. The full RLS specification can be found here: htlpsfigsc- europa.euisitesidefault/filesisitesialUfilesiGableo-SAR-SDD.pdf

AIS System

MS systems operate on VHF radio bands and transceivers are fitted to all commercial shipping and an ever growing number of recreational vessels globally. Shortly after activation an AIS Man Over Board device will activate an alarm on all AIS equipped vessels within VHF range alerting them to the fact that a person is in the water needing assistance. Often it is a vessel in the close vicinity of an incident that is able to react and ef Feet a rescue quicker than the emergency services. Emergency service craft are fitted with AIS receivers allowing them to pinpoint a casualty in the water more precisely than any other system.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Use only in situations of grave and imminent danger MANUAL ACTIVATION

Following activation ensure the antenna is fully released and the unit has the best possible view of the sky for optimal performance.

If the strobe light does not start flashing, manually switch the PLB3 on by pressing the ON Key
Always turn off the PLB3 immediately after you have been rescued to avoid interference with other users.
To turn off the beacon press and hold the TEST/OFF button until the red LEO flashes twice.

OPERATION

WARNING: Use only in situations of grave and imminent danger. Deliberate misuse may result in a severe pena\ty.

Ensure that your PLB3 is always fitted with an unused battery that is within the marked expiry date. Failure to do so may result in reduced operating time when used in a real emergency. Please observe the recommendations on testing in section 3 of the User Information Wfien litteé to a lite jac rt, to prevent accidental activation, ensure tfie clrar cover is fitted over the grey slider as described in Section 5 of the User lanual with enough free trnqtt of tte activation tape so it witt not pull on the slider during normal activity of the carrying the RLB3 ensure the Arming’ loss always secure the PLB3 to your person or tile jacket usin9 the supplied OBSTRUCT’ befow’the red arming slider in clear vigw of the sky. Covering this aree will intertei•e with the Gf4SS reception sné msg reduce position accuracy

Activation when installed in a life jacket
When correctly packed in a life jacket the PLB3 will activate when the life jacket inflates. Should the life jacket fail to fully inflate, it may be necessary to assist the Activation Slide by pulling on the Activation Tape to fully release the Activation Slide

Manual Activation
To manually activate your PLB3 in an emergency: Slide tfie reé Arming Slide éown. Slide the grey Activation Slide to tfie Left or Right.

GNSS Test

This test should only be performed wtere tte PLB0 has a clrar and unobstructed view of tte sky. Ttis is required to ottow the GNSS receiver to acquire a oignal from sufficient satellites to allow it to determine a position. Ensure the area marked “GNSS Antenna” is not obstructed. Press and hold the TEST key. The LED will illuminate red to indicate the key has been pressed, then start flashing. Shortly afte; the LED will cease flashing and become a steady red light. Release the TEST Key when the LED is steady. During the GNSS test the LED will repeat a short green flash unti I either a position fix is obtained or the GNSS test fails. A successful test will be indicated by long red followed by a num ber o( green LED flashes and an unsuccessful test will be indicated by a number of red LED flashes. Ihe number of flashes indicates the number a! GN’2S tests remaining Ie.g. 7 flashes = 7 tests remaining].

TESTING

When carrying out any test the antenna shoutd be extended. If the PLB3 activates during tte removal of the antenna retainer, press and hold the TEST/OFF button until the LED flashes red twice to deactivate. See section 2.6 of the user manual for antenna rewind instructions. Should a test fail it is advised to repeat the test to confirm failure before returning the PLB3 to Ocean Signal or an approved service agent

Functional test
To test your PLB3 is functioning correctly, press and hold the TEST/OFF Key. The LED will i lluminate red to indicate the key has been pressed. then start flashing. Release the TEST Key now. After a short pause the strobe will flash and the indicator LED will produce a flash sequence. the flash sequence indicates the total num her of hours that the battery has already been in use, u p to

APPROVALS

For approval documents see: https://oceansional.com/aoorovals-documents
USA Pending
Canada Pending
European Declaration of Conformity Ocean Signal Ltd. declares the radio equipment type PLB3 is in compliance with Dir. 2014/53/EU.
UK Pending
Australia / New Zealand Pending

406MHz Transmitter
Transmit Power Frequency Modulation Encoding Rate
AIS Transmitter Transmit Power IEIRP) Frequency Baud rate Synchronisation Messages Repetition interval
121.5MHz Transmitter Transmit Power (PERPI Frequency Modulation Modulation Factor Modulation Duty Cycle Frequency Stability Duty Cycle Visible Light Strobe Light Type Light Colour Intensity Flash Rate
Infra Red Strobe Light Type Light Colour Intensity Flash Rate
Battery Type Operating lifetime Lithium Metal Weight (for air transport) Replacement Interval MSS Receiver Satellite Channels Sensitivity Cold Start Re-acquisition GPS Antenna

Warranty Information

Limited Warranty
Your Ocean Signal product is warranted against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase and in accordance with the following conditions.
Ocean Signal will at its discretion, repair or replace faulty product free of charge excluding the cost of shipping. Proof of purchase shalt be required in order for a warranty claim to be valid from the original purchaser. All claims shall be made in writing to Ocean Signal or an approved service dealer or distributor. Ocean Signal shall not be liable to the buyer under the above warranty:

for any repairs or modifications carried out on the product using parts that are not supplied or approved by the manufacturer Ocean Signal including batteries and for work carried out other than by Ocean Signal or approved service dealers,
for any part, material or accessory that is not manufactured by Ocean Signal the consumer will be covered by the guarantee / warranty offered to Ocean Signal by the manufacturer or supplier of such a component,
for product which has not been fully paid for,
for any product supplied by Ocean Signal to a customer under an alternative warranty or commercial agreement,
for the cost of shipping product from the customer to Ocean Signal. The Battery is only warranted until the date of expiry and provided the unit is tested in accordance with the information in the user manual as noted by the electronic witness stored within the product. The following specific item is excluded from this warranty:
Damage to the antenna This warranty does not affect your statutory rights.

Extended Warranty

ENTER YOUR PRODUCT DETAILS TO GAIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD

Apply for free at www.oceansignal.com/warranty

By entering your product details you add 3 years to the warranty period. For full details on extended warranty o^ tha product see www.oceansignalcomMarranty.