Communications

Question 1

When do you relay a distress call? (3 factors)

Answer 1

1. After receiving a distress alert that its not acknowledged by any station within 5 minutes
2. When the vessel in distress is not able to transmit the alert itself
3. When the master of the ship not in distress, or the MRCC, considers further help is required

Question 2

What would you do when receiving a DSC distress call? (4 factors)

Answer 2

LIST
1. Log Distress alert (time, identity, channel/frequency & position)
2. Inform Call Master
3. Set Watch on Ch 16, 2182 KHz - MF
4. Transcribe (write down) the message and all messages going forward

Question 3

What is a Mayday call?

Answer 3

Distress call, grave and imminent danger to a person or vessel, immediate assistance is required

Question 4

How would you make a Mayday call?

Answer 4

Question 5

How would you reply to a Mayday call?

Answer 5

CALL
Mayday
Vessel in distress x3
This is
Own vessel x3
Call Sign
MMSI

MESSAGE
Received Mayday
I am 15 miles due south of your location
My speed is 15 knots
My ETA is in 1 hour at 1600 UTC
Over.

Question 6

How would you relay a mayday?

Answer 6

CALL
Mayday Relay x3
All stations / (closest MRCC) x3
This is
Vessel name x3
Call Sign
MMSI

MESSAGE
vessels message call (MIPDANIO)

Question 7

What is a Pan-Pan call?

Answer 7

Urgency call, possible assistance needed

Question 8

How would you make a Pan-Pan call?

Answer 8

CALL
Pan Pan x3
All stations x3
This is
Name x3
Call Sign
MMSI

Message
Pan Pan
Identity (Name, Call Sign, MMSI)
Position
Difficulty
Assistance required
Number of persons onboard
Informational (additional)
Over

Question 9

What is MIPDANIO?

Answer 9

Order for “message” part of a call

M - Mayday (or other call)
I - Identity
P - Position
D - Distress (Nature of)
A - Assistance required
N - Number of persons onboard
I - Information (additional)
O - Over

Question 10

What is a Securite call?

Answer 10

Navigational- or weather warnings. Initially announced on Ch 70.
All stations message is issued either on Ch 16 if brief, or on a working channel if longer

Question 11

How to make a Securite call on Ch 16?

Answer 11

CALL
Securite x3
All stations x3
This is
Name x3
Call Sign
MMSI

Message
Securite
Identity (Name, Call Sign, MMSI)
Position of danger + time
Danger (Nature of)
Advice
Navigation / meteorological warning
Informational (additional)
Out

Question 12

How to make a Securite call on a working channel?

Answer 12

CALL
Securite x3
All stations x3
This is
Name x3
Call Sign
MMSI
Channel / Frequency for message
Out

Question 13

How would a DSC message translate to a voice message on Ch 16?

Answer 13

Question 14

What would you do when sending a DSC announcement? (4 factors)

Answer 14

STOW
1. S - Send a DSC Distress / Distress relay / Urgency / Safety announcement
2. T - To All stations - VHF or Geographical area - MF/HF (unless distress)
3. O - ON VHF Ch 70 / MF 2187.5KHz / 8414.5KHz
4. W - Working on Ch 16/ 2812KHz / 8291KHz if assistance is required, or Ch 06 / 2048KHz if assistance is not required

Question 15

What is an undesignated DSC alert?

Answer 15

A quick Alert sent by pressing the RED Distress button(s). This Alert includes MMSI, Position & Time

Question 16

What is a designated DSC alert?

Answer 16

A quick Alert sent by pressing the RED Distress button(s). This Alert includes MMSI, Position & Time. And also Nature of Distress.

Question 17

What would you do when sending out a false DSC distress alert?

Answer 17

1. Let the alert finish, then stop it from repeating.
2. Cancel the Alert by VOICE including your MMSI number.
3. Inform an MRCC by any means.

Question 18

When do you relay a DSC distress Alert? (3 factors)

Answer 18

1. When the vessel in distress is not able to transmit the alert itself
2. When the master of the ship not in distress considers further help is required
3. After acknowledging the DSC alert

Question 19

What tests do you need for a DSC? Daily & weekly

Answer 19

Daily - Internal self-test or a VHF DSC Test Call
Weekly - Live call to an MRCC or shore station