GMDSS Flashcards
Tell me about sea areas
- A1: An area within range of at least 1 VHF coast radio station in which continous DSC alterting is available
- A2: Excluding A1, within range of at least one MF Coast radio station with continous DSC alerting is available
- A3: Excluding A1/A2, within Inmarsat coverage + VHF, MF/HF
- A4: An area excluding A1 / A2 / A3. HF DSC +A1 & A2 requirements
What are the GMDSS sea area distances?
- A1: 20 - 50nm
- A2: 50 - 180nm
- A3: Between 70°N & 70°S
- A4: Outside 70°N & 70°S
How should the DSC tests of VHF/MF/HF equipment be carried out?
- Daily by internal test
- Weekly DSC TEST call to another ship or CRS (with permission) at SAFETY priority
How to conduct Onload/Offload daily battery checks
- Switch from AC to batteries
- Write down the voltage (offload)
- Use PTT RT button & broadcast on non distress frequency
- Whilst pressing PTT write down voltage (On load)
- Compare the voltage difference to ensure it does not drop by more than 10%
When are daily on load/ off load battery tests not required?
- If the GMDSS equipment is continously powered from an emergency generator
- If an automated battery monitoring system is installed
What is a daily test for NAVTEX?
Checking overall condition and ensuring sufficient paper
What are some monthly GMDSS checks?
- Survival craft handheld VHF
- EPIRBs
- SARTs
- Batteries (Physical conditon, security, expiry dates)
Tell me about RADAR-SARTs
- Works on X band (3cm) RADARs
- Displayed as 12 dots on ships RADAR
- When within 1nm dots turn to arcs
- On location arcs turn to circles
- Do not use RADAR-SART at the same time as RADAR reflectors
- Lasts 96hrs on standby/8hrs transmitting
Tell me about AIS-SARTs
- Constantly transmits once activated
- Displayed as a red diagnal cross within a red circle
- Lasts 96hrs
- MMSI begins with 970
- MOB SART lasts 24hrs
- Test only required annually
Tell me about EPIRBs
- Transmission to satellites via 406MHz and then to Rescue Coordination centers (RCCs)
- 121.5MHz used for homing
- Automatic activation when submerged in water and released from its HRU
Tell me about GMDSS batteries/Reserve power
- Lead acid type, wet electrolyte or gel (Maintenance free)
- Daily on and off load voltage test
- Condition and Specific Gravity (SG) of electrolyte (Monthly)
- Cleaning and weather proofing
What is a SG test?
A Specific Gravity (SG) test is a method used to measure the state of charge and health in a lead-acid battery by checking the density of acid compared to water
How is an SG test conducted?
- Proper PPE
- Open vent caps
- Insert hydrometer
- Read the SG value
- Record and repeat for each cell
- Check against standard SG charge levels
- Average Fully charged: 1.27 - 1.28 @ 25°c
Actions on receiving a distress message:
VHF A1
(CRS response expected)
- Set watch RT VHF Ch 16
- Wait for CRS to acknowledge
- Acknowledge by RT
- If no RT heard and DSC repeat alert, Relay ashore
- Acknowledge by DSC only on CRS instructions
Actions on receiving a distress message:
VHF A2 / A3 / A4
(CRS response unexpected)
- Set watch RT VHF Ch 16
- Acknowledge by RT
- If no RT heard and DSC repeat alert, Relay ashore
- Consult MRCC about acknowledging DSC
- If no contact from MRCC, acknowledge and relay DSC
Actions on receiving a distress message:
MF A2
(CRS response expected)
- Set watch to RT MF 2182kHz
- Wait for CRS to acknowledge
- If no RT heard and DSC repeat alert, Relay ashore
- Acknowledge by DSC only on CRS instructions
Actions on receiving a distress message:
MF A3 / A4
(CRS response unexpected)
- Set watch RT MF 2182kHz
- Acknowledge by RT
- If no RT heard and DSC repeat alert, Relay ashore
- Consult MRCC about acknowledging DSC
- If no contact with MRCC, acknowledge and relay DSC
Actions on receiving a distress message:
HF A1/A2/A3/A4
(CRS response expected)
- Set watch RT distress frequency in the same band
- Wait for at least 5 minutes for CRS to acknowledge
- If no RT heard and DSC repeat alert, Relay ashore
NEVER acknowledge HF DSC Alert
RT Urgency Call and Message Format
- PAN PAN x3
- All stations/All ships/Station x3
- Vessel name x3
- Call sign & MMSI x1
- Vessel position
- Nature of the urgency
- Type of assistance required
- Other info
RT Safety Call and Message Format
- SECURITE x3
- All stations/All ships/Station x3
- Vessel name x3
- Call sign & MMSI x1
- Nav warning begins
- Nature of the safety
- The position of the hazard
- The actions required by recipients
RT Distress Message and Call Format
- MAYDAY x3
- Vessel name x3
- Call sign & MMSI x1
- MAYDAY x1
- Distressed vessel name, call sign & MMSI x1
- Distressed vessel position
- Nature of distress
- Type of assistance required
- Other useful info
What can be included in other info?
- Masters intentions
- Cargo types & DGs
- Weather and sea conditions
- Number of casualties and condition of ship/persons
- POBs
- Time of abandonment and type of survival crafts
