JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

ALERTS
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NON-BEACON BEACON UNRESOLVED
ALERTS ALARMS ALERTS
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HOAX DISTRESS INADVERTENT UNRESOLVED
ALARM ALARM ALARM
Figure 3-1. Explanation of COSPAS-SARSAT Alerts {1}
either unresolved or determined to result from a non-beacon
source. Once alerts are determined to be the result of beacon
signals, they are referred to as alarms.
3. For COSPAS-SARSAT purposes, beacon alarms are either distressrelated,
inadvertent, intended to deceive, or unresolved. The
terms "false alerts" and "false alarms" are used in various
ways. Generally, as shown in Figure 3-1:
a. False alerts include non-beacon alerts and those
unknown number of unresolved alerts that did not result from a
beacon signal (unresolved alerts may include some unknown
beacon signals).
b. False alarms include hoaxes, inadvertent alarms, and
those unknown number of unresolved alarms that are not related
to a distress incident.
4. See Volume II, Chapter 5 for standard international message
formats for communicating with any COSPAS-SARSAT MCC.
D. EPIRB/ELT false alarms
1. Incidents involving activation of EPIRB/ELTs, in non-distress
or non-emergency situations, which result in the deployment of
SAR units, are frequent. Often these false alarms can be
attributed to improper storage and handling of these devices.
It is important that users of EPIRB/ELTs understand that
beacon activations result in the expenditure of SAR resources;
misuse cannot be tolerated. The FCC will issue warning
letters or violation notices and fines, if appropriate, in
cases involving non-distress activation of EPIRB/ ELTs.
Before the FCC can take action, each case of false activation
must be fully identified, documented and reported.
2. Cases involving activation of an EPIRB/ELT as a hoax or
through gross negligence should be reported to the FCC field
office nearest to the infraction locations citing:
a. Non-compliance with FCC Rules and Regulations,
Subpart G, 47 CFR 80.311, for violations involving hoax
EPIRB/ELT transmissions; or
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