EPIRB PRECAUTIONARY SAFETY ALERT - GME
Submitted by Pete D on Thu, 2013-12-19 13:47
Just got this in a Marine Safety email.
Check bottom right of above page.
Basically, a few are failing.
When you need it, you want it to work!
Cheers Pete
Ben85
Posts: 442
Date Joined: 20/11/11
thanks for the heads up Pete,
thanks for the heads up Pete, I will check mine when I get home
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Me too
I know that I have one off the models mentioned. Pete D i have pasted the message on here because this is important:
BACKGROUND
Standard Communications Pty Ltd designs and manufactures a range of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons
(EPIRBs) that are marketed globally under the GME brand.
As a result of market place feedback Standard Communications Pty Ltd has become aware of a small number of instances
where GME EPIRBs have failed the self test procedure. A consequence of such failure may mean the EPIRB will not operate
in an emergency situation.
INVESTIGATION
Subsequent testing and investigation in the company’s Sydney engineering laboratory, identified a microprocessor
malfunction that effectively shuts the beacon down, hence the self test failure.
Detailed analysis has shown that the failures have occurred in EPIRBs manufactured in the 2005 – 2010 period; to
date the overall failure rate remains low, never the less as a responsible supplier of safety at sea equipment, Standard
Communications Pty Ltd has in consultation with National Maritime Authorities voluntarily elected to publish this
precautionary safety alert.
MODELS IMPACTED
GME MT400, GME MT401, GME MT406G, GME MT401FF, GME MT403/G and GME MT403FF/FG
GME EPIRBS manufactured between January 2005 and June 2010 have been identified as being at risk.
None the less,
GME strongly recommends that all EPIRBs are tested at regular intervals (approximately monthly or prior
ACTION REQUIRED
Owners of all GME EPIRBs are required to undertake an immediate test of their beacon using the following procedure:
1.
metallic objects during testing.
Remove the beacon from the bracket. Keep the antenna well clear of2.
Lift the cover marked ‘LIFT’.3.
Briefly press then release the yellow ‘TEST’ button.4.
to show it is functioning correctly.
The unit will give a double beep and flash of the strobe light5.
Close the switch cover and press firmly into place until it clicks.6.
Self test instructions are printed on the beacon’s front panel; they are also detailed in the owner’s instruction booklet.
In the unlikely event of any beacon tested failing to produce a positive self test result, owners should immediately contact
their point of purchase or the GME email hotline of
Return the beacon into theCONTACT INFORMATION
A division of Standard Communications Pty Ltd.
PO Box 96, Winston Hills, NSW 2153, Australia
PHONE:
+61 (0)2 8867 6000, FAX: +61 (0)2 8867 6199www.gme.net.au
mtfail@gme.net.au
EPIRB PRECAUTIONARY
SAFETY ALERT
Date :
November 4 2013Effecti ve:
Immediatelyto an extended voyage).
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Cheers for that better give
Cheers for that better give mine a test for sure !
Def something that i have forgotten to do for a while !!
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Mine checked and AOK
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk