Every Singapore vessel owner eventually faces a distress-beacon question at survey time: is the EPIRB registered to the right vessel, is the battery in date, and does the hydrostatic release need replacing? Get any of these wrong and you fail the MPA survey or, far worse, the beacon fails when it matters. This guide covers what an EPIRB and AIS-SART do, what Singapore-registered vessels are required to carry, how to register and maintain them, and what surveyors actually check.
EPIRB vs AIS-SART — two different jobs
An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) transmits a distress alert on 406 MHz to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. It tells a rescue coordination centre who you are and where you are, anywhere on the planet, within minutes. It is the vessel’s primary long-range distress alarm.
An AIS-SART (Search and Rescue Transmitter) is a short-range locating device. It transmits your position over AIS to nearby ships and aircraft so they can home in on a life raft or man-overboard once a search is underway. It complements the EPIRB — it does not replace it.
What Singapore-registered vessels must carry
Requirements scale with vessel class and area of operation. The table below is the typical fit for common Singapore vessel types.
| Vessel type | EPIRB | AIS-SART / SART | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLAS ocean-going | Float-free 406 MHz, GPS-enabled | At least 1 (2 if 500 GT+) | Must be on the GMDSS radio survey |
| Harbour craft (MPA-licensed) | Recommended; required for some classes | Optional | Check the specific HC licence conditions |
| Fishing vessel (offshore) | Float-free 406 MHz | Strongly recommended | Pairs with VMS transponder |
| Yacht / pleasure craft (offshore) | Float-free or manual 406 MHz | Recommended in life raft | Register even when not mandatory |
Registering your EPIRB — the step most owners get wrong
A 406 MHz EPIRB is coded with a unique 15-character hex ID that must be registered against your vessel. An unregistered or wrongly-coded beacon delays rescue and fails survey. For a Singapore-flagged vessel:
- Code the beacon to your MMSI or vessel identity at the point of supply — the retailer or a radio surveyor programs it.
- Register the beacon with the beacon registration database for the flag/administration, with 24-hour emergency contacts, vessel details, and radio equipment on board.
- Re-register on any change of ownership, vessel name, or MMSI. A beacon still coded to a previous owner is the single most common survey deficiency we see.
Unsure whether your vessel will pass its next radio survey?
Tell us your vessel type and trading area. We will list what you need, what you already have, and what is missing.
Battery and HRU replacement — schedule and cost
Two consumable parts govern EPIRB compliance: the internal battery and the hydrostatic release unit (HRU) that lets a float-free beacon deploy automatically. Both have hard expiry dates printed on them.
| Item | Typical life | Indicative SGD cost |
|---|---|---|
| EPIRB battery replacement (service centre) | Every 5-6 years or after activation | 250 – 550 |
| Hydrostatic release unit (HRU) | Every 2 years | 60 – 120 |
| New float-free 406 MHz EPIRB (GPS) | 10-year design life | 700 – 1,400 |
| AIS-SART unit | Battery ~5 years | 350 – 650 |
Pricing is indicative and quote-only in Singapore — the exact figure depends on brand (Ocean Signal, McMurdo, Jotron), whether it is a battery service or full replacement, and labour. Ask for a quote before survey season so parts are in stock.
What MPA surveyors actually check
- Registration matches the vessel — correct MMSI/identity, current owner, valid emergency contacts.
- Battery and HRU in date — expiry labels legible and not passed.
- Correct mounting — float-free bracket clear of obstructions so it releases and floats.
- Self-test passes — the beacon’s built-in test flashes the correct pattern.
- AIS-SART pairs correctly — where carried, it appears on the AIS display during test.
Common deficiencies to avoid
The recurring ones: a beacon still registered to the previous owner; an HRU that expired months ago; a beacon stowed in a locker instead of its float-free bracket; and no record of the last battery service. All of these are cheap to fix in advance and expensive to discover at survey.
Get an EPIRB and AIS-SART quote
Tell us your vessel type and current safety fit, and we will supply, code, register, and survey-prepare your EPIRB and AIS-SART — with battery and HRU service scheduled before your next MPA survey. Sales at Envisiondata Pte Ltd — sales@envisiondatasg.com — or WhatsApp Steve directly on +65 9088 4899.
How we can help
Compliance mistakes usually surface at the worst time: during a survey, a port state inspection or a charterer audit. We help owners get the equipment, licences and paperwork right before that happens.
- Free equipment and licence check for your vessel
- Supply of GMDSS, VHF, EPIRB, SART and AIS equipment
- Installation, programming and survey preparation
- Help with IMDA and MPA application steps
What happens when you contact us
- Short call or meeting — we listen to how your vessels operate.
- Vessel and route review — we check equipment, space, power, contracts and licensing.
- Clear recommendation — a written proposal and SGD quote, with options.
- Install and support — commissioning, testing and ongoing support.
Related: GMDSS sea areas explained
Book a free compliance check
There is no obligation. If your current set-up is already the right one, we will tell you.
About the author
Steve leads Envisiondata Pte Ltd in Singapore. He has more than 20 years in cables, telecom infrastructure and satellite communications across ASEAN. He designs and supports connectivity for tugs, OSVs, harbour craft and commercial fleets across the region.
Written by Steve
Steve has over 20 years of experience in cables, telecom infrastructure and satellite communications across ASEAN. He founded Envision Data to help Singapore and SE Asia vessel operators choose and run the right maritime connectivity, from Starlink and OneWeb to Iridium, Inmarsat and GMDSS.