Radar Reflector

A radar reflector is a passive device carried on liferafts and lifeboats to make them more visible on a ship’s radar. It does not transmit any signal; instead, it simply reflects incoming radar waves back to their source, producing a stronger radar echo and helping rescuers detect the survival craft at longer distances and in poor visibility.

A reflector does not require batteries, power supply, or maintenance, and it works in all weather conditions. Under SOLAS requirements, every liferaft and lifeboat must be equipped with a radar reflector as part of its standard inventory.

Although a radar reflector is much simpler than a SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) — and does not generate its own signal — it remains an important lifesaving device. The device shall be mounted on a pole, at a height of at least 1.5 m above the water — or higher, if specified by the manufacturer.

VOCABULARY:

radar reflector — радиолокационный отражатель
passive device — пассивное устройство
make liferafts / lifeboats more visible — повышать заметность спасательных плотов / шлюпок
reflect incoming radar waves back to their source — отражать входящие радиолокационные волны обратно к источнику
produce a stronger radar echo — создавать более сильный радиолокационный отраженный сигнал (радиоэхо)
help rescuers detect the survival craft — помогать спасателям обнаружить спасательное средство
require batteries, power supply, or maintenance — нуждаться в аккумуляторах, электропитании или обслуживании
SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) — радиолокационный спасательный ответчик
mount the device on a pole — устанавливать устройство на штангу (стойку)