Water Survival 929 Practice Test

Raising the SART above the water ensures radar visibility. The SART acts as a radar beacon that responds to incoming radar; if it sits too low, spray, waves, or the vessel’s own structure can obscure or weaken the signal. Placing it at least one meter above the water keeps the beacon clear of spray and wave action, giving passing ships a reliable reflection and making the beacon easier for radar to detect at various ranges. This height is a standard minimum that works well in typical rescue scenarios without being impractical to rig.