GMDSS

Question 1

Define “Sea Area A1”…

Answer 1

Area in which you are in continuous coverage of a VHF coast station where DSC is available

Question 2

Define “Sea Area A2”…

Answer 2

Excluding Sea Area A1, area in which you are in continuous coverage of a MF coast station where DSC is available (150NM)

Question 3

Define “Sea Area A3”…

Answer 3

Excluding Sea Areas A1 & A2…
* area in which you are in coverage of INMARSAT satellites covering from 76 degrees N/S
* area covered by a recognised mobile satellite service (Iridium = Globally)

Question 4

Define “Sea Area A4”…

Answer 4

Excluding Sea Areas A1, A2 & A3 - May not exist if recognised mobile satellite service is used

Question 5

You receive a DSC distress alert either via VHF in A1, or MF in A2, what is the acknowledgement procedure…

Answer 5

• Note distress
• Inform Master
• Switch to relevant distress RT frequency (VHF = 16, MF = 2182kHz)
• Allow CRS to acknowledge
• Acknowledge by RT to CRS
• Acknowledge DSC if instructed to do so by CRS
• If no response from distress vessel and CRS in 5 minutes and DSC repeats, RELAY by any method

Question 6

You receive a DSC distress alert by VHF in A2, what is the acknowledgement procedure…

Answer 6

• Note distress
• Inform Master
• Switch to relevant distress RT frequency (this case, VHF = 16)
• Acknowledge by RT
• If no response from distress vessel and CRS in 5 minutes and DSC repeats, RELAY by any method, if still no response by CRS, acknowledge DSC

Question 7

You receive a DSC distress alert by VHF in A3, what is the acknowledgement procedure…

Answer 7

• Note distress
• Inform Master
• Acknowledge by RT
• If no response from distress vessel and CRS in 5 minutes and DSC repeats, acknowledge DSC and RELAY by any method

Question 8

You receive a DSC distress alert by HF, what is the acknowledgement procedure…

Answer 8

• Note distress
• Inform Master
• Wait 5 minutes for CRS to acknowledge
• If no response from distress vessel and CRS in 5 minutes and DSC repeats, RELAY by any method

Question 9

What is the format for transmitting a DISTRESS call?

Answer 9

MAYDAY 3x
This is YOUR SHIP NAME 3x
CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x

Question 10

What is the format for transmitting a DISTRESS message?

Answer 10

MAYDAY 1x
This is YOUR SHIP NAME 1x
CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x
POSITION (either Lat & Long or position of geographically feature)
NATURE OF DISTRESS
TYPE OF ASSISTANCE (this case = immediate)
ANY ADDITIONAL / USEFUL INFORMATION

Question 11

What is the format for acknowledging a DISTRESS call & message?

Answer 11

MAYDAY 1x
NAME OF DISTRESSED VESSEL 3x
THEIR CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x
This is YOUR SHIP NAME 3x
YOUR CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x
RECEIVED MAYDAY

Question 12

The Controlling Station dealing with the distress can transmit what saying to stop unnecessary radio traffic?

Answer 12

SEELONCE MAYDAY

Question 13

What saying can the Controlling Station transmit once the distress is over?

Answer 13

SELONCE FEENEE

Question 14

What is the format for transmitting a DISTRESS RELAY call?

Answer 14

MAYDAY RELAY 3x
Either ALL STATIONS 3x or ALL SHIPS 3x or SPECIFIC STATION NAME 3x
This is YOUR SHIP NAME 3x
CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x

Question 15

What is the format for transmitting a DISTRESS RELAY message?

Answer 15

MAYDAY 1x
DISTRESSED VESSEL NAME, CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x - if not known then say UNKNOWN VESSEL / HELICOPTER / AIRCRAFT
POSITION (either Lat & Long or from you)
NATURE OF DISTRESS
ASSISTANCE (this case = immediate)
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Question 16

What is the format for transmitting a URGENCY call?

Answer 16

PAN PAN 3x
Either ALL STATIONS 3x, ALL SHIPS 3x or NAME OF SPECIFIC STATION 3x
This is YOUR SHIP NAME 3x
CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x

Question 17

What is the format for transmitting a URGENCY message?

Answer 17

POSITION (either Lat & Long or geographical feature)
NATURE OF URGENCY
TYPE OF ASSISTANCE
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Question 18

What is the format for transmitting a SAFETY call?

Answer 18

SECURITE 3x
Either ALL STATIONS 3x, ALL SHIPS 3x or NAME OF SPECIFIC STATION 3x
This is YOUR SHIP NAME 3x
CALL SIGN & MMSI 1x

Question 19

What is the format for transmitting a SAFETY message?

Answer 19

NAV / MET WARNING BEGINS
NATURE
POSITION (either Lat & Long or geographical feature)
ACTION REQUIRED

Question 20

How many NAVAREAs are there?

Answer 20

21

Question 21

What categories of information cannot be rejected by NAVTEX?

Answer 21

A = Nav Warnings
B = Met Warnings
D = Search & Rescue Information
L = Additional Nav Warnings

Question 22

What sections are there in the MCA GMDSS Logbook?

Answer 22

Section A = Particulars & equipment of the ship
Section B = Persons allowed to operate equipment (GOC)
Section C = Testing of equipment
Ensure position is logged daily

Question 23

What are the DAILY checks of your GMDSS equipment?

Answer 23

1. DSC (no radiation - internal check)
2. Batteries (on load & off load)
   Note the difference: OFF LOAD = battery read around 24V when no equipment connected
   ON LOAD = transmitting on MF/HF radio (non distress ideal frequency) should not drop more than 10% - if so, battery is weak or needs charging
3. Printers (enough paper)

Question 24

What are the WEEKLY checks of your GMDSS equipment?

Answer 24

1. DSC (test call on 2187.5kHz)
2. Batteries (reserve power)

Question 25

What are the MONTHLY checks of your GMDSS equipment?

Answer 25

1. Survival Craft VHF (radiation - test call on VHF Ch other than 16)
2. EPIRB (general condition, salt water contacts, lanyard, battery expiry, HRU, condition of mounting)
3. SART (test transmission, radar picture, general condition, battery expiry, condition of mounting)
4. Batteries (physical condition, security, expiry, connections, contents of battery inside - if this, RA, Tool-box Talk, adequate ventilation, PPE, fill with distiled water)
5. Antennas (security, cleanliness, security)

Question 26

What frequency does a RADAR SART operate on?

Answer 26

9.3 - 9.5 GHz

Question 27

What frequency does an EPIRB operate on?

Answer 27

406MHz (can have additional frequency of 121.5MHz as a hoaming device for aircraft)

Question 28

What frequency does a NAVTEX operate on?

Answer 28

518kHz (International) or 490kHz (Local)

Question 29

How many ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signal Volumes are there?

Answer 29

There are 6 volumes

Question 30

List the ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals Volumes…

Answer 30

1 = Maritime Radio Stations (Parts 1 & 2)
2 = Radio Aids to Nav, DGPS, Legal Time, Radio Time Signals and Electronic Position Fixing Systems (Parts 1 & 2)
3 = Maritime Safety Information (Parts 1 & 2)
4 = Meteorological Observation Stations
5 = Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
6 = Pilot Services, VTS & Port Operations (Parts 1 - 8)

Question 31

Which ALRS volume contains details of the Maritime TeleMedical Advice Service (TMAS)?

Answer 31

Volume 1 - Maritime Radio Stations