GMDSS Flashcards
Methods of distress notification
Alarm signal or distress call from a vessel at sea, directly or by relay
Distress call or message by aircraft, usually by relay
Alert from vessels equipment, then relayed shore to ship
Visual or sound signals from a nearby ship
Functions of GMDSS
Alerting
SAR co-ordination
Locating
MSI broadcasts
General Comms
Bridge to Bridge Comms
What vessels are subject to GMDSS requirements?
What is the main factor for what equipment is required?
Commerical vessels 500GT and Over
The area of operation
Minimum GMDSS carriage requirements?
VHF radio installation, with Ch 16,13 and 6, DSC 70
2 Sarts if over 500GT
3 portable VHFs if over 500GT
A navtex reciever
Inmarsat EGC reciever
Where can we get more info on GMDSS?
ALRS vol 5
Areas A1-A4?
A1 within VHF range of a coast station in which continuos DSC alerting is available. 20-30M
A2 outside A!, but within MF range of a coast station, 150 M
A3 - Outside A2 but within Inmarsat coverage
A4 Outside A3, 77º N/S
What ar ethe 3 means of Ensuring availability of GMDSS equipment
*At sea maintenance - qualified officer, spares, manual
*Duplication of certain equipment
*Shore-Based Maintenance
What are the power supply requirements for GMDSS?
Main Power
Emergency Power
Dedicated Battery power
Battery Power, how long for? how should the changeover occur?
Battery power for 1 hr with an emergency generator, 6 hrs without
Must be charged by an automatic charger
Changeover from AC to battery must be automatic, such that data held by the equipment is not corrupted or lost.
What is NAVTEX?
How does it work
What frequency
International, Automated system for instantly distributing Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
Includes Nav warnings, Weather warnings and forecasts, SAR notices and similar
Tranmittd from a shore station, 250-400NM range
User selects which shore stations required in Vol 3
Connected to a printer on the bridge
518Khz for English
490 Khz for national language
Where could we lookup info on Navtex?
ALRS Vol 3 MSI
ALRS vol 5 GMDSS
MGN 375 MSI
Which are the mandatory Navtex categories?
What are the letters also used for?
A Nav warning
B Met Warnings
D SAR info and pirate warnings
L Additional Nav Warnings
ALSO select letters dor the sea areas operating in. It is easy to confuse the letter for msg categories, for the letters for sea areas
GMDSS daily Checks
DSC, Internal Self Test of all
Battery state of charge
Printer paper
Radio log, checked and signed by master
GMDSS Weekly checks
Test DSC with a Coast station 2187.5
Test reserve generator
Survival craft 2 way radios, without opening sealed batteries
GMDSS Monthlies
EPIRB self test
Battery and HRU expiry date
Security, cleanliness and integrity of stowage
SART, test against radar
Visual check
BAttery date
Battery Room
State of charge, on/off load
Secured
Electrolyte levels, topped up with distilled water
Specific Gravity, with hydrometer
connections clean
compartment clean/ ventilated
Antennas and insulators - clean, secure, fittings free of salt
What should be the voltage of one on charge cell
or a 24V battery of 12 cells
2.25 per cell
27V for an on charge battery, although 26.7 seems to be the real value
Uses of the 3 radio code words
Mayday - Grave and imminent danger to life
Pan Pan - Urgent message regarding safety of vessel or person
Securite - Important navigation or weather warning (not for routine weather forecasts)
How would you send a Mayday Relay?
By voice only, not DSC
Reciept of Distress, VHF, Mid atlantic
Listen Ch 16 for comms, immediately acknowledge
Call Master
Gather as much info as possible
Consider Relay by voice
Proceed to the casualty at best speed
establish comms with CRS and other nearby vessels
prep to assist
Xband to look for Sart
look outs
rescue boat
Medical team
Receipt of a distress, VHF, A1
Listen Ch16, defer for 5 mins to allow CG to respond
Call master
If no response from CG, acknowledge by voice
Gather info
Consider Mayday relay by voice
Proceed to the casualty at best speed
establish comms with CRS and other nearby vessels
prep to assist
Xband to look for Sart
look outs
rescue boat
Medical team
Receipt of Distress DSC, MF, mid atlantic
Tune to 2182, listen for 5 minutes
Gather info
If no response from MRCC, acknowledge
Call Master
Consider Mayday relay by voice
Proceed to the casualty at best speed
establish comms with CRS and other nearby vessels
prep to assist
Xband to look for Sart
look outs
rescue boat
Medical team
Reciept of Distress by HF, any area
Tune to appropriate frequency, listen for comms
Do not acknowledge
If no acknowledgement, relay ashore
Mayday Relay
Mayday Relay x 3
All Ships/ Specific CG x 3
Ships Name x 3
Mayday
Ships name, C/S, MMSI
Position,
Nature of distress
I require immediate assistance
Number of persons on board
Other info
Over
Mayday call?
Mayday x 3
Ships name x 3
C/S , MMSI
Mayday
Ships name, C/S, MMSI
Position,
Nature of distress
I require immediate assistance
Number of persons on board
Other info
Over
Ch 6?
Primary Ship to Ship, Air to Ship SAR
Ship to Ship channels?
6, 8 , 72, 77
Ch 13?
Bridge to Bridge
How long before departure should the Navtex be switched on?
Check in Vol 5 for broadcast times of appropriate stations, have it switched on early to make sure you recieve them
How to self test the Sat-C
Select appropriate region
Run link test
Also, if you have 2, send a message from one to the other
How to test Fleet 77
in menu, select test distress, and follow on screen intructions
What would you do if you see a red flare?
Take a bearing, approximate position
Then mayday relay
What to do if accidentally send DSC alert, or activate EPIRB
Reset alert, equipment
Broadcast a message by voice cancelling the alert if vhf/MF/ HF
Contact nearest RCC to cancel alert
Log in GMDSS log
Sat C codes 32 ,38, 39 used for?
Sac 32 Medical advice
Sac 38 Medical Assistance
Sac 39 Maritime Assistance
