IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases

Question 1

Position of the IMO SMCP in maritime practice
The IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) has been compiled:
A. To assist in the greater safety of navigation and of the conduct of the ship,
B. to standardize the language used in communication for navigation at sea, in
port approaches, waterways and harbours, and on board vessels with
multilingual crews, and
C. to assist maritime training institutions in meeting the objectives mentioned
above.
D. All of the above.

Answer 1

D. All of the above.

Question 2

As far as its application is concerned the IMO SMCP is divided into 2 sets of phrases they are:

Answer 2

1. External Communication Phrases
2. Internal Communication Phrases

Question 3

True or False IMO SMCP builds on a basic knowledge of the English language. It was drafted intentionally in a simplified version of maritime English.

Answer 3

True This was to reduce grammatical, lexical and idiomatic varieties to a tolerable minimum.

Question 4

True or False Block language is applied to Navigation Warnings, Emergency and Other situations that uses sparingly or omits the function words like the, a/an, is/are.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

IMO SMCP further communicative features may be summarized in the answer card.

Answer 5

IMO SMCP
1. Avoiding synonyms
2. Avoiding contracted forms
3. Providing fully worded answers to “yes/no” questions and basic alternative answers to sentence questions
4. Providing one phrase for one event
5. Structuring the corresponding phrases according to the principle: identical invariable plus variable.

Question 6

Receipt the phonetic alphabet…. Refresh in answer card.

Answer 6

Question 7

Recite the phonetic numbering 1 - 10. Answers on the answer card.

Answer 7

Question 8

When using shore to ship and ship to shore communication what are the eight message markers that can signal the intent of a conversation or broadcast.

Answer 8

1. Instruction
2. Advice
3. Warning
4. Information
5. Question
6. Answer
7. Request
8. Intention

Question 9

When answer to a question is in the affirmative what should the response be? When the information is not immediately available? When the information cannot be obtained?

Answer 9

Yes … followed by the appropriate phrase in full.
Same for No.
Stand by … followed by the appropriate phrase in full.
No information … followed by the appropriate phrase in full.

Question 10

When an instruction or advice is given what should the response be?

Answer 10

“I will (not) / can (not) … “ followed by the instruction or advice.

Question 11

What is used for a distress message, urgency message and safety message?

Answer 11

MAYDAY, PAN PAN and SÉCURITÉ.

Question 12

When advising to switch VHF channel what do you say? When changing VHF channel?

Answer 12

“Advise (you) change to VHF Channel…”
“Changing to VHF Channel …”

Question 13

When a Correction or Mistake is made what is the phrase?

Answer 13

“Mistake . . .” Followed by the word
“Correction . . .” Plus the corrected part of the message

Question 14

When any part of the message is sufficiently important how should it be phrased?

Answer 14

“Repeat . . . “ followed by the massage again.

Question 15

How are numbers spoken over the radio?
A. In one digit
B. In separate digits
C. Either A or B
D. None of the above

Answer 15

B. In separate digits. 150 is One-five-zero. 2.5 is two decimal five

Question 16

How are bearings vocalized over the radio?
A. Bearings “From” the mark
B. Bearings “From” the vessel
C. Bearings “To” the mark
D. A and B only

Answer 16

D. A and B only

Question 17

How should relative bearings be expressed over the radio?
A. To the marks true bearing
B. To the vessels head
C. To the vessels Stern
D. All of the above

Answer 17

B. To the vessel’s head

Question 18

Distances over the radio should be expressed in ________ or __________.

Answer 18

1. Nautical Miles
2. Cables