IEC 61097-1-2007 PDF

Full title and description

Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) - Part 1: Radar transponder - Marine search and rescue (SART) - Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results. This part of IEC 61097 specifies operational and performance standards and type-testing methods for SART units used in search and rescue operations at sea, in support of SOLAS requirements and relevant IMO and ITU-R recommendations.

Abstract

IEC 61097-1:2007 establishes mandatory performance characteristics, environmental and battery requirements, radio and antenna characteristics (including optional circular polarisation), labelling and operational requirements, and the test methods and pass/fail criteria for radar search-and-rescue transponders (SART) to ensure reliable detection and interoperability with shipborne radar systems. The document updates the 1992 edition to reflect newer IMO and ITU-R measures.

General information

• Status: Current (second edition).
• Publication date: 27 June 2007.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 47.020.70 (Navigation and control equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2007).
• Number of pages: 15 pages.

Key bibliographic and stability details (edition, page count and committee) are recorded in the IEC bibliographic entry and in several national adoption records.

Scope

Specifies the performance standards and type-testing of marine radar transponders (SART) used in search and rescue operations at sea as required by SOLAS (1988 amendments, relevant chapter/regulation references). The standard is associated with shipborne radar and general maritime equipment standards (for example IEC 60936 and IEC 60945), incorporates IMO Resolutions A.530(13) and A.802(19) and references ITU‑R Recommendation M.628, and covers operational arrangements (including pole arrangement), radio characteristics, environmental and battery endurance requirements, labelling and required test results.

Key topics and requirements

• Operational requirements: activation, prevention of inadvertent activation, user information, labelling and pole arrangement per IMO guidance.
• Radio characteristics: operating frequency, polarisation (linear and optional circular), sweep form and sweep rate, response signal format and timing.
• Antenna and mounting: antenna height/characteristics, polarisation and radiation pattern requirements to ensure detection by ship radars.
• Range performance: minimum detection ranges and test procedures to demonstrate expected detection by radar targets.
• Environmental and battery tests: temperature, shock, vibration, immersion/buoyancy considerations where applicable, and battery endurance criteria for standby and active operation.
• Type testing and required test results: defined test methods and pass/fail criteria covering electrical, radiated, environmental and functional behaviour.
• References and conformance: normative references to IMO resolutions and ITU‑R recommendations, and alignment with IEC maritime equipment requirements.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers and designers of maritime search-and-rescue equipment (SART), shipbuilders and outfitters, maritime certification and testing laboratories, flag state and port state authorities, marine surveyors, and rescue coordination centres use this standard to design, evaluate and certify equipment to meet SOLAS/GMDSS requirements. It is also used by compliance officers and procurement teams specifying SART for ships and survival craft.

Related standards

IEC 61097 is a multi-part GMDSS series; related parts include IEC 61097-2 (EPIRB / COSPAS‑SARSAT), IEC 61097-12 (survival craft portable VHF radiotelephone) and IEC 61097-14 (AIS-SART), among others. IEC 61097-1 is also associated with general maritime equipment standards such as IEC 60945 (general requirements for shipborne navigational equipment) and IEC 60936 (shipborne radar).

Keywords

SART, radar transponder, GMDSS, SOLAS, maritime search and rescue, radar, IEC 61097-1, IMO, ITU‑R, type testing, maritime safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61097-1:2007 is an international standard specifying operational and performance requirements, and test methods/results, for marine radar search-and-rescue transponders (SART) used under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers functional and radio performance requirements, antenna and polarisation characteristics, environmental and battery endurance tests, labelling and user information, specific type-test methods and the required pass/fail results needed to demonstrate compliance with SOLAS and related IMO/ITU recommendations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Equipment manufacturers, test laboratories, certification bodies, shipbuilders, flag/port state authorities, and procurement or compliance teams responsible for meeting SOLAS/GMDSS requirements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61097-1:2007 is the second edition (2007) and replaced the 1992 edition; it is the current edition for Part 1 as published by IEC (status entries show it as the active second edition). Users should check national adoption lists or the IEC catalogue for any corrigenda, national deviations, or more recent amendments before relying on the standard for certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61097 is a series covering GMDSS equipment (multiple parts addressing EPIRBs, AIS-SART, VHF survival-craft radios, etc.). IEC 61097-1 is Part 1 (SART) within that series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: SART, radar transponder, GMDSS, SOLAS, search and rescue, IEC 61097, performance requirements, type testing, IMO, ITU‑R.