Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Friday, June 27, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    India

    Indian stakeholders warn ship retirement rule may cut 20,000 jobs

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Netherlands

    Fire breaks out aboard inland cargo vessel in the Netherlands

    seafarers

    Regulatory focus: New STCW requirements effective from 2026

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    hydrogen norway

    New green hydrogen facility in Norway aims to launch in 2028

    green shipping recycling

    BIMCO: 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next 10 years

    towngas

    Towngas signs green methanol agreements

    shanghai port

    Shanghai completes world’s fist STS transfer of liquid carbon

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    iaph cyber security

    IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

    germany latvia

    Latvia and Germany collaborate on smart port initiative

    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    germany latvia

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    US Iran

    US contemplates easing sanctions against Iran to aid recovery

    USA

    Veson Nautical: US boasts 4th largest fleet valued at USD 116.5 bn

    ETF ocean pact

    ETF: Ensure ocean workers are not just consulted but involved

    container ship

    BIMCO Container Outlook: Stable demand despite uncertainties

  • Columns
    fuels

    VPS: Effect of FAME contamination on engine oils

    strait of Hormuz

    Could the Strait of Hormuz close amid an Iran–Israel war?

    LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety

    ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    India

    Indian stakeholders warn ship retirement rule may cut 20,000 jobs

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Britannia: Follow safety protocols carefully

    Netherlands

    Fire breaks out aboard inland cargo vessel in the Netherlands

    seafarers

    Regulatory focus: New STCW requirements effective from 2026

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    hydrogen norway

    New green hydrogen facility in Norway aims to launch in 2028

    green shipping recycling

    BIMCO: 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next 10 years

    towngas

    Towngas signs green methanol agreements

    shanghai port

    Shanghai completes world’s fist STS transfer of liquid carbon

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    iaph cyber security

    IAPH releases cyber security guidelines for new port technologies

    germany latvia

    Latvia and Germany collaborate on smart port initiative

    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    germany latvia

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    US Iran

    US contemplates easing sanctions against Iran to aid recovery

    USA

    Veson Nautical: US boasts 4th largest fleet valued at USD 116.5 bn

    ETF ocean pact

    ETF: Ensure ocean workers are not just consulted but involved

    container ship

    BIMCO Container Outlook: Stable demand despite uncertainties

  • Columns
    fuels

    VPS: Effect of FAME contamination on engine oils

    strait of Hormuz

    Could the Strait of Hormuz close amid an Iran–Israel war?

    LR: Good data is a crucial foundation for improving safety

    ABS Consulting: Make cyber risk part of the daily safety conversation

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Lessons learned: What to do as a survivor floating in the sea

by The Editorial Team
May 24, 2023
in Accidents
NTSB Investigation

Credit: Shutterstock

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

As the Nautical Institute reports, during a recent marine search and rescue incident, a survivor was drifting in the water holding an activated 9 GHz (X-band radar) Search and Rescue Transponder (SART).

The incident

The survivor saw four vessels pass close by as he held the SART above water, but none of the vessels’ crews detected the SART on their radars.

RelatedNews

Lessons learned: Hold a dropped object prevention survey

Lessons learned: Review gas engine startup procedures

The survivor was finally rescued after three hours in tropical storm like conditions. After the incident, the survivor’s SART was tested. It was found to be in good condition and operating in accordance with all requirements for a 9 GHz SART.

So, what went wrong?

The post-incident analysis revealed the X-band radar settings that are optimal for navigation might actually prevent the SART signature from displaying on a searching vessel’s radar screen. The gain, sea clutter, rain clutter, and tuning on X-band radars are commonly operated in Auto mode, but this was found to drastically reduce or completely eliminate the ability of the receiving radar to display the dots or circular lines that indicate the SART’s position.

In addition, the orientation of the SART antenna and the height of the SART above the water both affect the ability of an X-band radar to detect a SART. The SART is designed to free-float or to be mounted on a pole in a life raft or on a survival craft. This height above the water will improve the device’s ability to transmit and receive signals, while also providing a much better target than a SART floating in the water.

The narrow end of a SART is the antenna. This should be vertical and as high as possible. But the narrow end is also the only suitable location for a person in distress to firmly hold a SART. If a person in the water holds a SART by its antenna, the SART’s ability to transmit and receive signals from an X-band radar will be reduced.

Lessons learned

  • If you are on a vessel that has been assigned search and rescue duties and are searching for possible survivors, do not use the AUTO mode for radar rain, sea and gain settings. Use the manual modes and adjust the rain and sea clutter settings to the lowest possible setting that will still give a somewhat clear screen. The gain should be put to the highest possible adjustment without causing undue radar returns that pollute the screen.
  • If you are a survivor floating in the sea and have an activated SART in hand, hold it as high as possible above your head but do not use the narrow end as a handle. This is the antenna.
  • If you are a survivor in a lifeboat or liferaft, mount the SART as high as possible with the narrow end up
Lessons learned: What to do as a survivor floating in the seaLessons learned: What to do as a survivor floating in the sea
Lessons learned: What to do as a survivor floating in the seaLessons learned: What to do as a survivor floating in the sea
Tags: lessons learnedThe Nautical Institute
Previous Post

OSM Maritime and Thome Group complete merger

Next Post

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding delivers ammonia fuel supply system

Related News

lessons learned
Safety

Lessons learned: Switching off a circuit doesn’t ensure full isolation

June 19, 2025
How to manage distressing events whilst at sea
Mental

Lessons learned: Demanding work strains mental health

June 18, 2025
bma fall from height
Accidents

BMA Investigation: Crew member falls from height

June 17, 2025
lessons learned
Accidents

Lessons learned: Regularly inspect critical components

June 12, 2025
lessons learned
Accidents

Lessons learned: Ensure that equipment is fully cooled

June 10, 2025
BSEE lessons learned
Accidents

Lessons learned: Risk doesn’t stop at the worksite

June 6, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA