Module 1, Part 3 Distress Communication Flashcards
What is the priority of distress communication?
It shall have absolute priority over all other transmissions.
What frequencies can be used?
A distress call and message from a ship should be first transmitted to stress safety on calling frequency of 2182 kilohertz or VHF channel 16. Coast Guard radio stations do not monitor general radio service
What is the distress signal?
In marine radio communications the distress signal consists of the word Mayday
What does Mayday indicate?
A. The station sending the signal or a person on board is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance or
B. aware that a ship aircraft or other vehicle is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance
Who can send a distress call?
Only the authorized person in command of the station
The distress call should comprise of:
A the alarm signal
B the distress signal mayday spoken 3 times
C the words ‘this is’
D the name of the vessel in distress spoken three times
What does the international radiotelephone alarm signal consist of?
A continuous transmission of two audio tones that produces a warbling sound for a period of at least 30 seconds but not exceeding one minute the purpose of this signal is to alert stations guarding 2182 kHz or VHF channel 16 that a distress call and message is to follow
Coast Guard radio stations use the signal prior to issuing a Mayday relay
What shall the distress message be composed of? 9 parts
A. the distress signal mayday
B. the name of the vessel in distress (once)
C. particulars of its position as accurately as possible
D. nature of the distress and kind of assistance required
E. a description of the vessel in distress
F. the number of persons on board and injuries if applicable
G. any other information which might facilitate rescue
H. the name of the vessel
I. the word ‘over’
What channel would you normally use for a distress call?
Channel 16
What other channels may you use for a distress call?
Any channel
What type of communication has priority over a distress call?
None, distress has absolute priority.
You hear a distress call. What must you do?
Cease your transmission and listen to the frequency to see if the call is being answered (typically by the Coast Guard).
What is the distress signal?
Mayday
What does ‘Mayday’ mean?
The station (or personnel) is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
In a distress call, how many times do you say “Mayday”?
Three times
When is the distress message sent?
As soon as possible following the distress call.
How many times may a distress message be repeated?
As often as necessary until an answer is received (or it is no longer feasible).
A vessel that can give assistance should wait for what?
For the Coast Guard to have a chance to reply to the distress message.
You hear a distress call and you are in the area. While the Coast Guard is establishing contact, what do you do?
Proceed towards the distress vessel.
If the Coast Guard does NOT acknowledge the distress call and you can help, what key words do you use to acknowledge the call?
Received Mayday
If you are able to act as an intermediary when the Coast Guard can’t hear the distress vessel, what words do you use?
Mayday Relay
You should make certain that ‘who’ is aware of a distress call.
Coast Guard
Why is the word Mayday used to precede all transmissions in distress traffic?
So that any station hearing a transmission becomes aware that a distress situation is in progress.
Hearing a distress situation in which you cannot assist, what must you do?
Follow the traffic until it is evident that assistance is being provided.
You have been involved in a distress situation that is now canceled. What must you do?
You must make certain that the Coast Guard is aware of the reason for the cancellation.
The control of Distress traffic is the responsibility of whom?
The ship in distress, or the station that sent the Distress message.
During most incidents, which station normally will assume control?
The Coast Guard Radio Station
To whom should the cancellation of a Distress message be addressed?
All Stations
The ship sending the Distress message is in control unless what?
Unless control has been delegated.
What actions should happen as soon as a Distress call is heard?
Immediately cease any transmission, and continue to listen to the Distress Call (usually on Ch 16)
What two circumstances of grave and imminent danger exist??
Threatened by or Aware of grave and imminent danger.
The International Radio Alarm consists of:
Two audio tones that produce a warbling sound.
The purpose of the Int’l Radio Alarm is:
to alert stations that a Distress call and message are to follow
If a Distress call is not acknowledged, what are the next two steps?
Repeat the message
Switch to another channel (preferably a local working channel)
When a Distress call has been acknowledged by CGR, and you are nearby, what two things should you do?
Proceed towards the distress call location.
Monitor the channel 16
If assistance is requested of you, what must you do?
Call CGR stating your location, speed and ETA.
During Distress traffic, how often should the word Mayday be used?
It should precede all transmissions. i.e. Mayday, Sundancer, This is Seadog, etc.
Who should use the Seelonce Distress command and who should use Seelonce Mayday command?
The controlling station uses Seelonce Mayday, all others use Seelonce Distress.
When issuing a Seelonce command, what message should also be said?
Stop transmitting
