Search And Rescue Transponder (Radar SART)

A survival-craft locating device that replies to a searching 9 GHz radar with a distinctive series of returns.

When interrogated by compatible X-band radar, a radar SART produces a line of dots or arcs on the rescuer’s display leading towards the device. It is carried on ships and survival craft under applicable GMDSS requirements.

It must be mounted as high as practicable and activated according to its instructions. An AIS-SART is a different device that broadcasts AIS position reports rather than responding to radar.

How it works

When more than 2M away, the SART appears as a series of 12 dots on the screen, showing the direction of the signal.
When the searching asset is around 1M away, the display turns to a series of arcs, homing in on the SART.
When close, less than 0.2M, the display shows concentric circles with the SART in the middle.