Under what circumstances would a vessel deploy an EPIRB?

A vessel would deploy an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) primarily in situations of distress or when abandoning the vessel during an emergency. EPIRBs are designed to transmit a distress signal via satellite, providing crucial information about the vessel's position to search and rescue authorities. This type of emergency equipment is specifically intended for use when there is an immediate danger to life and the vessel's safety, such as sinking, capsizing, or other catastrophic incidents that require urgent rescue efforts.

Using an EPIRB in these critical situations ensures that help can be dispatched quickly, potentially saving lives. Routine inspections, busy port entries, and calm sailing conditions do not qualify as emergencies, hence they do not necessitate the use of an EPIRB. The system is geared towards maximizing safety and efficiency in distress scenarios, rather than being activated during normal operations or navigational situations that do not pose a threat to the vessel or crew.