GMDSS Flashcards
What is Sea Area A1?
Within radiotelephone (RT) coverage of a VHF Coastal Radio Station (CRS) which has continuous Digital Selective Calling (DSC) facilities.
Normally around 30-50NM from CRS.
VHF DSC on Ch70 to transmit Distress Alert, followed by VHF RT on Ch16 to transmit Distress Call and Message.
What is Sea Area A2?
Outside area A1, within an RT coverage of at least one MF Coast Station with continuous DSC watch on 2187.5kHz.
Transmit a Distress Alert on 2187.5kHz, followed by MF RT on 2182kHz to transmit the Distress Call and Message.
VHF also may be used to contact vessels in the area.
What is Sea Area A3?
All areas outside A1 and A2, this area is covered by INMARSAT Satellites.
Use INMARSAT to transmit a Distress Alert, followed by voice or telex to transmit a Distress Message.
HF DSC on 8414.5kHz to transmit a Distress Alert, followed by HF RT on 2891kHz to send a Distress Call and Message.
MF and VHF also may be used to contact vessels in the area.
What is Sea Area A4?
All other areas not covered by A1, A2, A3.
These areas are Polar Regions, 76N or 76S.
HF DSC on 8414.5kHz to transmit a Distress Alert, followed by HF RT on 2891kHz to send a Distress Call and Message.
MF and VHF also may be used to contact vessels in the area.
How does a RADAR SART work?
They work on 9GHz 3cm X-Band radars.
Responds and assists in searching for ships and aircraft radars.
Can be detected at 5 miles by ship, 40 miles by aircraft.
Lasts for 96 hours on Standby and 8 hours on Transmitting.
Must be tested and checked monthly.
How it appears on your X-Band Radar:
* 12 dots appear when it’s first picked up.
* Within 1 mile the dots turn into arcs.
* At the location arcs turn to concentric circles.
How does a AIS SART work?
Works similarly to RADAR SART, however once activated, it sends a position report using an AIS position report.
Once activated it stays on all the time.
Normally detected within a 12-mile range.
It is displayed as a red diagonal cross with a red circle on SART complaints (AIS, ECDIS, ARPA).
MMSI starts with 970.
Tested annually.
What is an EPRIB?
(Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
- Provides identity and position information for Search and Rescue (SAR).
- Transmits on 406MHz.
- Once activated it transmits to a Local User Terminal and then on to Mission Control.
- It Transmits for 48 hours.
- Test monthly.
- Must be registered.
What are the GMDSS battery/Reserve power requirements?
- Must start within 45 seconds.
- Must provide at least 18 hours of independent power supply for a cargo ship and 36 hours for cruise ship.
- Could be batteries or an independent generator.
- On and offload voltage tested daily.
- Visual checks monthly.
What are the daily GMDSS tests?
DSC:
* Use Built-in Test Equipment (Self Tests).
Batteries:
* On-load and Offload.
Printers:
* Check there is sufficient paper.
What are the weekly GMDSS tests?
DSC:
* Test by calling an external source, such as a CRS, MRCC, or another vessel.
Emergency generator.
* Test the reserve source of power.
What are the monthly GMDSS tests?
Survival craft VHFs:
* Test the VHF Unit and check batteries are in date and sealed.
EPIRBS:
* Test it using its internal test, visual checks, security checks (seals) and battery dates.
SARTs:
* Carry out tests (Notify other vessels in the vicinity if needed), check images on the X-Band Radar (the concentric circle should appear), visual checks, security checks (seals) and battery dates.
Batteries:
* Visual checks, expiry dates, check with hygrometer where needed.
Antennas:
* Visual checks.
What are the annual GMDSS tests?
AIS SART - Test using built-in test equipment, visual checks, and battery expiry date.
What are the following actions when receiving a VHF distress message in Sea Area A1?
- Log information and call master.
- Monitor R/T Ch16 for mayday call & message.
- Wait a short interval for CRS response.
- Send R/T acknowledgement.
- If no CRS response, relay ashore.
What are the following actions when receiving a VHF distress message in Sea Area A2/A3/A4?
CRS is NOT expected to respond.
* Log the information.
* Inform the Master.
* Set Watch on Ch16.
* Transcribe what is said.
* Acknowledge by RT.
If nothing has been heard and a repeat DSC Alert is received, Relay Ashore by any means.
Consult with the MRCC as to whether they have acknowledged by DSC, if no contact has been made with MRCC, acknowledge by DSC.
What are the following actions when receiving a MF distress message in Sea Area A2?
CRS expected to respond.
* Log the information.
* Inform the Master.
* Set Watch on 2182kHz.
* Transcribe what is said.
* Acknowledge by RT.
If nothing has been heard and a repeat DSC Alert is received, Relay Ashore by any means.
Acknowledge by DSC ONLY when instructed to by a CRS.
What are the following actions when receiving a MF distress message in Sea Area A3/A4?
CRS NOT Expected to respond.
* Log the information.
* Inform the Master.
* Set Watch on 2182kHz.
* Transcribe what is said.
* Acknowledge by RT.
If nothing has been heard and a repeat DSC Alert is received, Relay Ashore by any means.
Consult with the MRCC as to whether they have acknowledged by DSC, if no contact has been made with MRCC, acknowledge by DSC.
What are the following actions when receiving a HF distress message in any Sea Area?
CRS expected to respond:
* Log the information.
* Inform the Master.
* Set Watch on the same band.
* Transcribe what is said.
Wait at least 5 minutes for CRS to acknowledge.
If nothing is heard by RT and a repeat DSC Alert is received, Relay Ashore by any mean.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a HF DSC Distress Alert be acknowledged by DSC or Voice.
What is the format of a urgency R/T message?
- PAN PAN.
- Name + Call Sign + MMSI.
- Position.
- Nature of Urgency.
- Assistance Required.
- Number of Persons onboard.
- Other Information.
- Over.
What is the format of a safety R/T message?
- ‘SECURITE’ x3.
- All Stations or All Ships x3.
- Name of my vessel x3.
- Call sign and MMSI x1.
Message: - SECURITE.
- Name + Call Sign + MMSI.
- Position.
- Nature of Warning + UTC Time.
- Advice.
- Other Information.
- Out.
What is the format of a distress R/T message?
- ‘MAYDAY’ x3.
- Name of my vessel x3.
- Call sign and MMSI x1.
Message: - MAYDAY.
- Name + Call Sign + MMSI.
- Position.
- Nature of Distress.
- Assistance Required.
- Number of Persons onboard.
- Other Information.
- Over.
What is the format of a distress relay R/T message?
- ‘MAYDAY RELAY’ x3.
- All Stations or All Ships x3.
- Name of my vessel x3.
- Call sign and MMSI x1.
Message: - MAY DAY x1.
- Name + Call Sign + MMSI (of the other vessel) or Unknown Vessel.
- Position.
- Nature of Distress.
- Assistance Required.
- Number of Persons onboard.
- Other Information.
- Over.
What additional information may be given during an R/T message?
Master’s intentions.
Type of cargo or any hazardous cargoes.
Weather and sea conditions on scene.
Number of casualties on board.
If preparing to abandon ship:
* Type of abandonment.
* Number of survival crafts being used.
* Number of people abandoned or amount of people still on board.
What documents under GMDSS are required to be carried on-board?
- Ships Radio License:
Specific to each vessel, details the equipment covered by the license and should be kept up to date including when changes are made to the equipment. - GMDSS Radio Operators Certificate.
All seafarers serving on UK-registered ships must hold the appropriate certificate and a GOC (General Operator’s Certificate). - Radio Safety Certificate.
- GMDSS Radio Logbook.
- Admiralty List of Radio Signals.
- Antenna Rigging Plan.
- ITU list of Call Signs and Numerical Identities.
- ITU list of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations.
- ITU list of Ship Stations.
- ITU Manual for use by Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile Satellite Services.
