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