GMDSS Flashcards
What are the MF frequencies for:
1. DSC alerting/ RT distress
2. Routine ship to shore DSC calling
3. Shore to Ship routine DSC calling
4. Ship to Ship Routine DSC calling
5. R/T Ship to Ship (Securite)
- 2187.5/2182 (R/T)
- 2189.5
- 2177
- 2177
- 2048
What are the HF DSC frequencies for Distress Alerting, DSC and R/T
4MHz
6MHz
8414.5 KHz (preferred DSC)
8291 KHz (preferred R/T)
12 MHz
16 MHz
In what publication do we find HF stations for Alerting/calling/announcements?
BPG ‘A’checklist
IAMSAR Vol 3
ALRS Vol 5
ALRS vol 1
What is the primary VHF inter ship routine channel/communications between Ships and Aircraft
Ch 06
What is the ship-ship safety of navigation channel
Ch 13
Satellite Special access code 32
what shall we do?
Medical Advice
Satellite Special access code 38
Evacuate
Medical Assistance
Satellite Special access code 39
999 Coastguard
Maritime assistance (example, oil spill)
Satellite Special access code 41
Rain and sun
Weather obvs
Satellite Special access code 42
It might hurt you!
Navigational warning
Satellite Special access code 43
Where are we?
AMVER or ships positions reports
MMSI codes:
0
00
4
7
970
111
0 Group call
00 coast station
Inmarsat C
Inmarsat FBB
AIS sart
SAR aircraft
MSI frequencies
518kHz
490kHz
4209.5kHz
1.5/1.6GHz
Navtex international (english)
Navtex local language
Navtex tropical
Inmarsat and EGC Safety Net
Frequencies for:
EPIRB Alerting
EPIRB Homing
SART
406 MHz (All sea areas)
121.5 MHz
9-10 GHz (x band 3cm)
Maximum power output for:
VHF
MF
HF
25 W
400 W
1500 W (1.5Kw)
Always use the minimum power necessary for RELIABLE communications
Why do we not call between ships on duplex?
Ship stations cannot hear duplex transmissions
How long do we wait between routine calls on VHF?
Call-2 mins-call-2mins-call-3mins
The four inter-ship routine VHF channels
06 Primary
08 Secondary
72
77
On board communication VHF channels
15/17
Who does GMDSS apply to
> 300 GT, on an international voyage
<300GT, carrying 12 or more passengers
Sea area operation requirements
Daily tests
Test DSC internally without radiating signal
Check battery voltage, top up electrolyte if needed
Check printers have adequate supply of paper
Log checked by Master
Weekly tests
Run emergency power supply if other than battery (generator)
test of DSC equipment by test call to a CS (VHF/MF/HF)
Test of Handheld Emergency GMDSS VHF units
Monthly tests
TEST EPIRB and SART
Check EPIRB and SART for security and damage
Performance verification test of Sat C
Inspect battery system, boxes, framework, connections, SG check (1.265)
Comparison on and off load
Inspect antennas for damage
Documents to be carried by GMDSS compliant vessels
Radio log book
Ships license
Certificates of radio operators
AMLRS vol 1-6
ITU List of Ships Stations and Maritime Service Identity Assignments
ITU list of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations
Copy of the Post Office Act 1884
Distress MESSAGE Format
Mayday
Identity (name, Call Sign, MMSI)
Position
Danger (nature)
Assistance
Number of Persons
Information (any other information)
Over
Numbers are always said in the format TWO-FOUR, not Twenty Four
When may a station transmit a Distress Relay Alert
After receiving a distress alert that has not been acknowledged within 5 minutes
When a vessel in distress is unable to make the alert themself
When the controlling station or MRCC decides further assistance is required
Distress Alert Relay format (Call and Message)
Mayday relay x 3
All Stations/CS x 3
This is
Name x 3 (own vessel)
Call Sign
MMSI
Mayday x1
Name + Callsign +MMSI (vessel in danger)
Position
Danger (nature)
Assistance required
Number of persons
Information (other)
Over
How would a CS alert ships to a distress in their area?
Far from their area?
DSC Mayday alert relay to:
All ships
Group of ships
Geographical Area
Specific Vessel
Distress alert relay through satellite, EGC through Inmarsat C
In Acknowledging VHF/MF DSC distress Area A1-A2 you would:
Wait a short period to allow MRCC to do so
Acknowledging VHF/MF DSC Distress Area A3-A4
In the vicinity of the distress
Listen to message, Acknowledge Immediately by R/T and inform an MRCC
Acknowledging HF DSC?
do not do by any means whatsoever, set watch to R/T frequency, if no acknowledgement by MRCC or no subsequent communications, relay the distress alert by any means (HF or Satellite)
False DSC alert Procedure
- Let Alert Finish
- Stop it from repeating
- Cancel alert by R/t giving your MMSI number
- Inform an MRCC or CS by any means necessary
Where should we address MF/HF DSC distress alert relays, urgency, safety announcements?
Geographical area or specific group or individual station
DSC CALLS should be repeated when?
And if not acknowledged a second time?
After 5 minutes
After 15 Minutes
Direct/Space wave
Ground wave
Sky wave
VHF
MF
HF
What is contained in:
ALRS Vol. 1
Coast Radio Stations (public correspondence)
What is contained in:
ALRS Vol 5.
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
What is contained in:
ALRS Vol. 6
Pilot Services and Port Operations
ITU documents
Interco (international code of signals)
List of ship stations
List of special services and radio determination stations
Manual for the Maritime Mobile Service and Mobile Satellite Service
Which Communications equipment uses printers
NAVTEX
DSC
SAT C
What are the NAVTEX permanently selected messages and RECOMMENDED messages to select
A. Navigational Warnings
B. Meteorological Warnings
D. SAR Information
E. Meteorological Forecasts
L. Additional Navigational Services
Letters on NAVTEX controller functions
F
D
S
P
Forward paper
Dimmer
Silence alarm
Power
What is an NCS
network co-ordination station
Responsible for overall frequency, line allocation and traffic management of a region for the Maritime Mobile Satellite Service (MMSS)
What is GMDSS?
(This could also be considered to be the contents of ALRS Vol 5)
An internationally agreed upon set of standards and procedures, to allow for:
Alerting (inc. Position)
SAR co-ordination
Locating (homing)
Maritime Safety Information Broadcasts
General Communications
Bridge-Bridge Communications
What is NAVTEX?
A tech space receiver, that receives MSI through the MF radio band width.
What is DSC?
Digital Selective calling, an automatic means of sending alerts/announcements/calling
A fully charged Battery Should read how many volts per cell?
Therefore, a 24 v battery should read:
24v battery has 12 cells
2.25v per cell
27 volts
Minimum Carriage Requirements (to meet with SOLAS)
VHF radio station capable of transmitting DSC on 70, and RT on 16,13, and 06
One SART if <500gt, Two SARTS if >500gt
TWO Portable VHF transceivers if <500gt, THREE if >500gt
NAVTEX when operating in NAVTEX areas
Inmarsat C EGC receiver, when in areas not covered by NAVTEX and HF
Carriage requirements based on Areas of Operation:
A1- 20-30Nm
VHF and DSC
A2 - Approx 100nm
MF, VHF DSC
A3, Coverage of INMARSAT geostationary satellites
VHF, MF, DSC and INMARSAT c
A4, 70°N and 70° S
VHF, MF, HF, DSC, INMARSAT c
What are the SES stations for Inmarsat C
Atlantic Ocean Region West
Atlantic Ocean Region East
Indian Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Three ways of ensuring Availability of Ship Station Equipment:
At sea electronic Maintenance
Shore based Maintenance Certificate
Duplication of Equipment
Actions on encountering flares:
Take a bearing of flares
Mayday relay
Inform Master
Proceed at best speed on instruction from Master
Post additional Lookouts with Binoculars
X band radar on and tuned for SART
RB and medical crew ready
Consult IAMSAR Vol 3, ships SMS and contingency guides
Log events
What is an MMSI
A Maritime Mobile Service Identity Number
What is the ITU
International Telecommunications Union
