Navigation Lights & Radio Communications Flashcards
When are you required to use navigation lights?
Between sunset and sunrise and during any period of reduced visibility (fog or heavy rain).
Navigation lights are based on what factors?
- The size of the vessel
- If it is power or sail
- If it is underway or at anchor
What are the requirements for a Masthead Light?
- White
- Light covers an arc of 225 degrees from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on both sides
What are the requirements for a towing light?
- Yellow
- Light covers an arc of 135 degrees
- Position is as close to the stern as possible
What are the requirements for a port side light?
- Red
- Light covers an arc of 112.5 degrees on port side
- Position forward area
What are the requirements for a starboard side light?
- Green
- Light covers an arc of 112.5 degrees on starboard side
- Position forward area
What are the requirements of the stern light?
- White
- Light covers an arc of 135 degrees
- Position as close to the stern as possible
What are the light requirements for a human powered boat?
- One lantern showing a whit light that must be used far enought in advance to prevent collision
Boats at anchor “Rule 30”
Under 7 m
- 1 all-round white light (at night)
- 1 anchor ball (during the day)
7m to 50 m
- 1 all-round white light (at night)
- 1 anchor ball (during the day)
What lights must a sailboat display at night when motor sailing?
- 1 masthead light - white
- Sidelights
- Red port
- Green starboard
- 1 sternlight - white
What lights must a sailboat display when sailing at night?
- Sidelights
- Red (Port)
- Green (starboard)
- 1 sternlight - white
Single Station Call
Vessel calling another vessel
Call
- EAGLE
- This is
- SNOWGOOSE
- Over
Reply
- SNOWGOOSE
- This is
- EAGLE
- Go to Channel 71
- Over
Establishing contact on Channel 71
Call
- SNOWGOOSE
- This is
- EAGLE
- Over
Response
- EAGLE
- This is
- SNOWGOOSE
- (Message)
Signing out when communications is finished
Eagle Signs Off
- Eagle OUT
Snowgoose Signs Off
- Snowgoose OUT
What is a distress message comprised of?
- The distress signal Mayday
- The name of the vessel in distress (once)
- Particulars of its position (as accurately as possible)
- Nature of the distress and kind of assistance required
- A description of the vessel in distress
- The number of persons onboard and injuries (if applicable)
- Any other information which might facilitate rescue
- The name of the vessel
- The word over
Example of Distress Call
From SEADOG
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
This is
SEADOG SEADOG SEADOG
MAYDAY SEADOG
Position two miles south of Merry Island
Have struck a log and taking on water
Engine seized
Two seve foot Bayliner, white with orange stripe
Three people onboard, one injured
SEADOG
OVER
Urgency Signal
- Indicates that the station calling has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft or other vehicle or the safety of a person.
- The Urgency signal is Pan Pan spoken three times and sent before a call
PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
This
Auger Auger Auger
Located two miles due west of Refugee Island
Have damaged rudder, unable to steer
Request tow to nearest Marina
Auger
Over
Example acknowledgement of receipt of a Distress Message to SEADOG
The vessel Auger is able to render assistance
SEADOG SEADOG SEADOG
This is
AUGER AUGER AUGER
I am located one mile south and proceeding to your location to render assistance
ETA approximately one zero minutes
Cancellation of distress
Proper Procedure
- The distress signal MAYDAY (once)
- The words “ALL STATIONS” (three times)
- The word “This is”
- The name of the station transmitting the message
- The filing time of the message
- The name of the vessel in distress (once)
- The words “SEELONCE FEENEE”
- A short plain language description of why the distress situation is being cancelled
- The name of the vessel cancelling the distress
- The word OUT
Example of cancellation of distress (by rescue vessel “AUGER”)
MAYDAY
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
This is
AUGER AUGER AUGER
one eight three zero eastern standard time
SEADOG
SEELONCE FEENEE
Example of “Cancellation of Urgency”
PAN PAN
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
This is
AUGER AUGER AUGER
Under tow to Marina
URGENCY ENDED
AUGER
OUT
What is the range of the VHF band?
20 nautical miles
What is the frequency for distress calling?
Channel 16
156.8 MHz (VHF radio)
2182 KHz (MF radio)
Radio silence periods
No vessel shall transmit on MF 2182 KHz during the mandated silence period other than emergency situations.
- Radio silence period commences on the hour and on the half hour for 3 minutes.
Vessels fitted with VHF radios are not required to maintain a listening watch during these radio silence periods
What are the digital selective calling frequencies for distress?
- 525 MHz (VHF radio) Channel 70
- 5 KHz (MF)
Channel 70 may not be used for voice communications. DSC radios will not permit voice transmissions on this channel
To establish communication in a harbour, or in close proximity,
What wattage should be used?
1 Watt,
Only increase to 25 watts if no response
International Radiotelphone Alarm Signal
- Consists of a continuous transmissions of two audio tones that produce a warbling sound fro a period of at least 30 seconds.
- The purpose is to alert stations monitoring 2182 kHz (MF) and VHF Channel 16 that a distress call and message is to follow.
Safety Signal
The safety signal has priority over all other communications, except Distress and Urgency.
- The signal is the word “Securite” spoken three times
- The safety signal indicates that the station calling is about to transmit a message containing an important navigational or meteorological warning
Example of a Safety Call
SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
This is
AUGER AUGER AUGER
Safety message concerning Crysler Park Marina to follow Channel 06
AUGER
OUT
EPIRB
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
Distress signal transmitted on 406.025 MHz to SAR authorities through satellite systems
GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
- Is an international system employing advanced digital technology
- Developed by the International Maritime Organization
- Digital data is monitored on VHF 70 (2187.5 kHz)
- It is mandatory on large cargo ships and passenger ships on international voyages or in the open sea and for non pleasure craft of closed construction more than 8 metres (26 feet) in length.
- It is Voluntary for recreational vessels
MMSI
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
Digital Selective Calling Radio
- DSC equipped vessels and shore stations are assigned a unique identity number; known as a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.
- This number is exclusive to that specific vessel or station
- The MMSI consists of nine digits, the first three identify the country of origin
- Canadian vessels are assigned 316
What are the definitions of Sidelights
What is the definition of a Masthead light.
What are the Arcs of Visibility for a Masthead light?
What are the Arcs of Visibility for Sidelights?
Sidelights must be visible 22.5 degrees abaft the beam.
What does this mean ?
It is just adding 22.5 degrees to the 90 degree angle to the beam.
What is the difference between a Flashing Light and Special Flashing Light?
What are the light requirements for power driven vessels less than 50 m ?
What are the light requirements for power driven vessels less than 12 m ?
What are the light requirements for Sailing Vessels ?
What are the light requirements for sailing vessels under 7 m.
What are the indentification lights for a vessel not under command ?
What are the indentification lights for restricted ability to maneuver ?
What are the indentification lights for constrained by draft ?
