SART, Search and Rescue Transponder, is a mandatory equipment required on board vessels by SOLAS regulations. SART is a battery powered radar transponder when activated by survivors will respond to detected radar signals of ships thus notifying the position of survivors.

SART can only be detected by X-band radar which has a wavelength of 3 cm.

SART Photo by Sunil Unnikrishnan

X-band radar signals of ships within vicinity (max 8 to 10 miles) will trigger the SART from standby mode to send out its signal which will then be displayed on other ship’s radar screen.

Mockup of a radar screen displaying a SART cod...

As a cargo when SART is transported it’s classified as Dangerous Goods Class 9 UN 3091 LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT.


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By Shashi Kallada

35 years in Merchant Shipping, Last 23 years working on IMDG Code. Ex Sailor, Ex Manager Global Dangerous Goods Maersk Line.

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