GMDSS System

Question 1

What does GMDSS stand for?

Answer 1

Global Maritime Distress Safety System

Question 2

Which chapter if SOLAS will you find regulations for radio communications?

Answer 2

SOLAS Chapter IV (4)

Question 3

What vessels are required to carry a GMDSS?

Answer 3

As per SOLAS Ch.IV:
- Cargo Ships 300gt or above
- All Passenger Ships

In international voyages.

Question 4

What is MSI stand for? And what is it?

Answer 4

Maritime Safety Information.

Safety related information received by the GMDSS.

Question 5

What are the MF, HF, and VHF working frequencies)

Answer 5

MF: 300kHz - 3MHz
HF: 3MHz - 30MHz
VHF: 30MHz - 300MHz

Question 6

What does DSC, RT, and Telex stand for and what the difference between them?

Answer 6

• Digital Selective Calling
• RadioTelephony: Voice Calls
• Telex: Comms by Text

Question 7

What are the four types of messages on the GMDSS? And what are they? And how do you announce them?

Answer 7

• Distress, Grave & Imminent Danger Requires Immediate attention. MAYDAY.
• Urgency, Concerning safety of person or ship, PAN PAN
• Safety, Navigational & Metrological warnings, SECURITE
• Routine, Not distress urgency or routine, Routine Call

Question 8

How would you alert other vessels/coast station that your vessel is sinking?

Answer 8

• Send DSC Distress Alert
• Distress Call Saying MAYDAY

Question 9

How would you alert other vessels/coast station that a sighted vessel is sinking?

Answer 9

• Send DSC Distress Relay Alert
• Distress Call MAYDAY RELAY

Question 10

How would you inform other vessels/coast station of a none life-threatening medical emergency?

Answer 10

• Send DSC Urgency Announcement
• Urgency Call using PAN PAN

Question 11

How would you inform other vessels/coast station of a container sighted floating?

Answer 11

• Send DSC Safety Announcement
• Safety Call SECURITE

Question 12

What is MMSI, Call Sign, and MID? And what are they used for?

Answer 12

MMSI: Maritime Mobile Service Identity, used for DSC of a ship or station.

Call sign: Used to identify Vessels

MID: Maritime Identification Digits, first 3 number of MMSI indicating ship nationality.

Question 13

What are the MID values of UK vessels)

Answer 13

232, 233, 234, and 235

Question 14

What are the sections of the GMDSS Logbook?

Answer 14

Section A - Ship Particulars
Section B - Details of Radio Personnel
Section C - Record of Communications

Question 15

What are the required publications to carry relating to GMDSS?

Answer 15

• Radio Regulations (ITU)
• List of Ship Station (ITU)
• List of Coast Stations (ITU)
• IAMSAR III (SOLAS)
• International Code of Signals

Question 16

What are the GMDSS logbook daily entries?

Answer 16

• Ship’s Position
• Daily Tests
• Master’s Signature