GMDSS

Question 1

How would you define Sea Area A1?

Answer 1

The sea area in which the vessel is in continuous coverage of a DSC-capable VHF coast station

Question 2

Define Sea Area A2

Answer 2

Outside of A1, where the vessel is in continuous coverage of DSC-capable Medium Frequency (MF) coast station

Question 3

What is Sea Area A3?

Answer 3

Outside of A1 and A2, within coverage of IMO-recognized mobile satellite services.
Generally 70N to 70S

Question 4

Bounds of Sea Area A4?

Answer 4

Outside of A1, A2 and A3, generally considered to be the Polar Regions.

Question 5

Your vessel is passing Wolf Rock and receives a distress call on VHF RT.

Actions?

Answer 5

Commence logkeeping.
Call master.
Wait up to 5 minutes for response from HMCG.
Prepare to render assistance.

Question 7

Receipt of DSC Alert on MF frequency. Actions?

Answer 7

Advise Master, commence logkeeping.
Set watch on 2182kHz.
Acknowledge by RT ONLY! Acknowledging via DSC will cancel the transmission.
Relay to Coast Station (DROBOS)
Proceed at best speed to distress.

Question 8

How do you acknowledge distress by RT?

Answer 8

MAYDAY
[Distress Name and Callsign]
THIS IS
[OWN VESSEL] x3
RECEIVED MAYDAY.
STATE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED.

Question 9

Do you have to respond to distress?

Answer 9

There is a legal obligation laid out in UNCLOS, SOLAS V Reg 33 and International Convention on Salvage.

If, for whatever reason, it is impractical to proceed to aid distress, this should be noted in the GMDSS log.

Question 10

What is a securité for?

Answer 10

Advises of nav and met warnings, and any other warning needing to be issued that may concern the safety of life at sea, yet may not be particularly life-threatening.

Question 11

Under what circumstances might you issue a securité?

Answer 11

• Loss of mooring line/containers/other large items overside
• Commencement of underwater operations
• Encountering debris, flotsam or jetsam that may pose a hazard to navigation
• Any situation per SOLAS V Reg 31

Question 12

SOLAS V Regulation 31 and 32.
What do these regulations give guidance on?

Answer 12

Transmission and contents of danger messages.

Question 13

SOLAS V Reg 31 - what needs to be reported?

(hint: FUCDIT)

Answer 13

• Ice
• Dangerous derelict
• Tropical storm
• Conditions for Ice Accretion
• Unexpected Winds of BF 10 or above
• Flotsam, jetsam or other direct hazard to navigation.