GMDSS Maritime Radio Operator

GMDSS

Maritime Radio Operator

Thomas Gantioler

October 2010

GMDSS Maritime Radio Operatorwww.gantioler.at

Author

fig. 1: Gantioler

Thomas GantiolerMooshoefe 8b6074 RinnAustriamobile: [email protected]

www.gantioler.at

Maritime radioinstructor and examiner.

I can not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions or forany consequences resulting therefrom for following contents.

All rights reserved.

photo: Michael Schallhart

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Contents

I Short Range CertificateSRC 11

1 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System GMDSS 121.1 Regulations and Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

1.1.1 Safety Of Life At Sea SOLAS . . . . . . . . . 121.1.2 Radio Regulations RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

1.2 Shorebased system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131.2.1 Sea areas A1-A4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131.2.2 Master Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141.2.3 Search And Rescue SAR . . . . . . . . . . . 14

1.3 Shipborne system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151.3.1 Radio equipment for small crafts . . . . . . . 151.3.2 Ship radio licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161.3.3 Radio operator certificate . . . . . . . . . . . 171.3.4 Radio secrecy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181.3.5 Accounting Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181.3.6 Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2 VHF Maritime Mobile Radio 192.1 VHF Radio Telephone RT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2.1.1 Receiver RX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192.1.2 Transmitter TX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192.1.3 VHF handheld device . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2.2 VHF Digital Selective Calling DSC . . . . . . . . . . 202.2.1 Maritime Mobile Service Identification MMSI 202.2.2 Type of calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202.2.3 VHF DSC controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

2.3 Very High Frequency VHF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212.3.1 VHF wave propagation . . . . . . . . . . . . 212.3.2 VHF antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212.3.3 Simplex ship to ship and ship to shore . . . . 21

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2.3.4 Duplex ship to shore . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212.3.5 VHF Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212.3.6 VHF international channels 01-28 . . . . . . 222.3.7 VHF international channels 60-88 . . . . . . 232.3.8 VHF international channel usage . . . . . . . 242.3.9 VHF national private channel usage . . . . . 24

2.4 RT communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252.4.1 Phonetic Alphabet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252.4.2 Standard Marine Communication Phrases SMCP 262.4.3 Maritime radio stations . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

2.5 VHF priority distress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282.5.1 VHF DSC distress alert on ch70 . . . . . . . 282.5.2 VHF RT distress call and message on ch16 . 292.5.3 VHF DSC distress cancellation on ch70 . . . 302.5.4 VHF RT distress cancellation on ch16 . . . . 30

2.6 VHF priority distress relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312.6.1 VHF DSC distress relay alert on ch70 . . . . 322.6.2 VHF RT distress relay call and message on ch16 322.6.3 VHF RT distress relay acknowledge on ch16 . 332.6.4 Radio silence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352.6.5 Normal working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

2.7 VHF priority urgency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362.7.1 VHF DSC urgency alert on ch70 . . . . . . . 362.7.2 VHF RT urgency call and message on ch16 . 36

2.8 VHF priority safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372.8.1 VHF DSC safety alert on ch70 . . . . . . . . 372.8.2 VHF RT urgency call and message on ch16 . 37

2.9 VHF priority routine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382.9.1 VHF DSC routine call on ch70 . . . . . . . . 382.9.2 VHF RT routine call on ch16 . . . . . . . . . 382.9.3 VHF RT routine call on working channel . . . 382.9.4 VHF RT routine message on working channel 39

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3 Emergency Position IndicatingRadio Beacon EPIRB 403.1 Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov

Search And Rescue SatelliteCOSPAS/SARSAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

3.2 EPIRB priority distress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413.2.1 VHF DSC EPIRB distress alert on ch70 . . . 413.2.2 COSPAS/SARSAT EPIRB distress alert on 406MHz 413.2.3 COSPAS/SARSAT EPIRB distress cancellation 413.2.4 EPIRB distress homing signal on 121.5MHz . 41

4 Search And Rescue Transponder SART 424.1 Radio Aided Detecting And Ranging RADAR SART . 424.2 Automatic Identification System AIS SART . . . . . 42

5 Naval Text NAVTEX 435.1 Navigation Area NAVAREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435.2 Maritime Safety Information MSI . . . . . . . . . . . 445.3 NAVTEX MSI service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

5.3.1 NAVTEX coast stations . . . . . . . . . . . . 455.3.2 NAVTEX message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

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II Restricted Operator CertificateROC 47

6 GMDSS 486.1 Shipborne system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

6.1.1 Radio equipment for SOLAS vessels . . . . . 486.1.2 Radio equipment tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496.1.3 Radio watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496.1.4 Radio log book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506.1.5 Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506.1.6 Radio Operator Certificate . . . . . . . . . . 516.1.7 Standards for Training, Certification

and Watchkeeping of Seafarers STCW . . . . 52

7 Power supply 537.1 Direct Current 12VDC/24VDC . . . . . . . . . . . . 537.2 European Alternating Current 230VAC . . . . . . . . 53

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III Long Range CertificateLRC 54


8.1.1 Radio operator certificate . . . . . . . . . . . 55

9 MF/HF Maritime Mobile Radio 569.1 MF/HF Radio Telephone RT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

9.1.1 Receiver RX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569.1.2 Transmitter TX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

9.2 Medium Frequency MF / High Frequency HF . . . . 579.2.1 Radio bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579.2.2 MF/HF Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579.2.3 MF/HF Tuner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579.2.4 MF/HF classes of emission . . . . . . . . . . 589.2.5 MF/HF propagation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

9.3 MF/HF Digital Selective Calling DSC . . . . . . . . 609.3.1 Type of calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609.3.2 MF/HF DSC controller . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

9.4 MF/HF priority distress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619.4.1 MF/HF DSC distress alert . . . . . . . . . . 619.4.2 MF/HF RT distress call and message . . . . 619.4.3 MF/HF DSC distress cancellation . . . . . . 629.4.4 MF/HF RT distress cancellation . . . . . . . 62

9.5 MF/HF priority distress relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639.5.1 MF/HF DSC distress relay alert . . . . . . . 639.5.2 MF/HF RT distress relay call and message . . 63

9.6 MF priority urgency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649.6.1 MF DSC urgency alert on 2187.5kHz . . . . . 649.6.2 MF RT urgency call and message on 2182kHz 64

9.7 MF priority safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 659.7.1 MF DSC safety alert on 2187.5kHz . . . . . . 659.7.2 MF RT safety call and message on 2182kHz . 65

9.8 MF/HF priority routine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

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9.8.1 MF/HF DSC routine calling . . . . . . . . . 66

10 SAT-C Mobile Earth Station MES 6710.1 International Maritime Satellite INMARSAT . . . . . 67

10.1.1 INMARSAT system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6710.1.2 INMARSAT Land Earth Station LES . . . . . 6810.1.3 INMARSAT Mobile Earth Station MES . . . 69

10.2 SAT-C Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7010.3 SAT-C priority distress P3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

10.3.1 SAT-C telex distress alert . . . . . . . . . . . 7110.3.2 SAT-C telex distress message . . . . . . . . . 7110.3.3 SAT-C telex distress cancellation message . . 7210.3.4 SAT-C telex distress relay message to RCC . 72

10.4 SAT-C priority routine P0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7310.4.1 SAT-C telex urgency message . . . . . . . . . 7310.4.2 SAT-C telex safety message . . . . . . . . . . 7310.4.3 SAT-C telex routine message . . . . . . . . . 74

10.5 SAT-C shore-to-ship routine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7510.6 SAT-C shore-to-ship Enhanced Group Call EGC . . . 76

10.6.1 SafetyNET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7610.6.2 FleetNET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7610.6.3 EGC receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

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IV General Operator CertificateGOC 78


11.1.1 Radio Operator Certificate . . . . . . . . . . 79

12 MF/HF Maritime Mobile Radio 8012.1 MF/HF telex Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

12.1.1 telex identification selcal . . . . . . . . . . . 8012.1.2 telex abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

12.2 MF/HF telex communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8112.2.1 MF/HF DSC alert / call . . . . . . . . . . . 8112.2.2 MF/HF telex message . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

13 SAT-B/M Mobile Earth Station MES 8213.1 SAT-B/M priority distress P3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

13.1.1 SAT-B telex distress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8213.1.2 SAT-B/M phone distress . . . . . . . . . . . 82

13.2 SAT-B/M priority routine P0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8313.2.1 SAT-B/M urgency message . . . . . . . . . . 8313.2.2 SAT-B/M safety message . . . . . . . . . . . 8313.2.3 SAT-B/M routine message . . . . . . . . . . 84

13.3 SAT-B/M shore-to-ship routine . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

14 Fleet 77/55/33 Mobile Earth Station 8514.1 Fleet 77/55/33 Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8514.2 Fleet 77/55/33 priority distress P3 . . . . . . . . . . 8514.3 Fleet 77 priority urgency P2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8614.4 Fleet 77 priority safety P1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8614.5 Fleet 77/55/33 priority routine P0 . . . . . . . . . . 8714.6 Fleet 77/55/33 shore-to-ship routine . . . . . . . . . 87

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V Appendix 88

15 Operation Performance Test OPT 8915.1 VHF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

15.1.1 VHF RT ICOM M503 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9015.1.2 VHF DSC ICOM DS100 class D . . . . . . . 9115.1.3 VHF RT ICOM M505 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9215.1.4 VHF DSC ICOM M505 class D . . . . . . . . 9315.1.5 VHF RT Simrad RD68 . . . . . . . . . . . . 9415.1.6 VHF DSC Simrad RD68 class D . . . . . . . 9515.1.7 VHF RT Midland Neptune . . . . . . . . . . 9615.1.8 VHF DSC Midland Neptune class D . . . . . 9715.1.9 VHF RT STN ATLAS DEBEG 6348 . . . . . 9815.1.10 VHF DSC STN ATLAS DEBEG 3817 class A 99

15.2 MF/HF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10015.2.1 MF/HF RT ICOM M710 GMDSS . . . . . . 10115.2.2 MF/HF DSC ICOM GM110 class A . . . . . 10215.2.3 MF/HF RT ICOM M801E . . . . . . . . . . 10315.2.4 MF/HF DSC ICOM M801E class E . . . . . 104

15.3 INMARSAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10515.3.1 SAT-C Trimble TNL7002 Nebula Terminal Soft-

ware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10615.4 Navtex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

15.4.1 NAVTEX RX NASA Clipper . . . . . . . . . 10715.4.2 NAXTEX RX WIB2D . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

15.5 SART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10815.5.1 SART JOTRON Tron 9GHz . . . . . . . . . 108

15.6 EPIRB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10815.6.1 EPIRB JOTRON Tron 40S . . . . . . . . . . 108

16 Mock questions 10916.1 Safety Of Life At Sea SOLAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10916.2 Radio Regulations RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

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17 Translations 11317.1 RT messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

17.1.1 Ships distress message . . . . . . . . . . . . 11317.1.2 Passing a distress message . . . . . . . . . . 11517.1.3 Distress relay message from coast station . . 11617.1.4 Ships urgent message . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11817.1.5 Urgent message from coast station . . . . . . 12017.1.6 Ships safety message . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12117.1.7 Safety message from coast station . . . . . . 121

17.2 Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12717.3 Vessel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12817.4 Vocabulary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

18 Identifications 13218.1 MID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13218.2 Callsign series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

19 Maritime Radio Equipment 14119.1 Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

19.1.1 EPIRB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14119.1.2 MES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14119.1.3 NAVTEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14119.1.4 RT DSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14219.1.5 SART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

19.2 Simulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

20 Abbreviations 144

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Part I

Short Range CertificateSRC

European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administra-tions CEPT examination syllabus for maritime radio operators in seaarea A1 (VHF) for using GMDSS voluntary. www.cept.dk

www.ero.dk

1. Maritime Mobile VHF Radio Telephone RT communications

(a) General principles and basic features

2. Detailed working knowledge of radio equipment

(a) VHF radio installation

(b) Purpose and use of Digital Selective Calling DSC

3. Operational procedures of the GMDSS

(a) Search and Rescue SAR procedures

(b) Distress, urgency and safety communication

(c) Protection of distress frequencies

(d) Maritime Safety Information MSI

(e) Alerting and Locating Signals

4. Operational procedures and regulations

(a) Ability to exchange communications relevant to SOLAS

(b) Regulations, obligatory procedures and practices

(c) Practical and theoretical knowledge of RT procedures

(d) English language written and spoken

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1 Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGMDSS

1.1 Regulations and Rules

GMDSS is a combination of regulations and rules for shipping andradio communication.

1.1.1 Safety Of Life At Sea SOLAS

The SOLAS convention is concerning the safety of merchant ships.It was adopted in 1920, in response to the Titanic disaster 1914. In1988 Chapter IV radio communication of the Safety Of Life At SeaSOLAS convention incorporates GMDSS. SOLAS was adopted 1960by the International Maritime Organisation IMO. www.imo.org

The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations UN and basedin London. www.un.org

1.1.2 Radio Regulations RR

The Radio Regulations RR mainly setting out frequency bands andtechnical parameters. Radio Regulations incorporating decisions ofthe World Radio communication Conferences WRC by the Interna-tional Telecommunication Organisation ITU. www.itu.int

ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations UN and based inGeneva. www.un.org

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1.2 Shorebased system

1.2.1 Sea areas A1-A4

fig. 2: UK GMDSS sea areas

A1 Very High Frequency VHFAn area within radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coaststation in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may by de-fined by a contracting government. 30nm from coast

A2 Medium Frequency MFAn area within radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast sta-tion in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may by definedby a contracting government.(excluding A1) 150nm from coast

A3 International Maritime Satellite INMARSATAn area within the coverage of all INMARSAT geostationary satel-lites, in which continuous distress alerting is available.(excluding A1 and A2) 70S-70N

A4 polar regionsThe remaining sea area.(outside A1, A2 and A3)

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1.2.2 Master Plan

The Master Plan contains status of shore-based facilities for theGMDSS.

Rescue Co-ordination Centres RCCCoast Stations CSSatellite services

GMDSS Master Plan www.imo.orgALRS Volume 5 GMDSS www.ukho.gov.uk

1.2.3 Search And Rescue SAR

The Search And Rescue convention SAR from IMO aimed an inter-national SAR plan, so that, no matter where an accident occurs, therescue of persons in distress at sea will be co-ordinated by a SARorganization. www.imo.org

Examples of national SAR organisations:

Germany:Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbruchiger DGzRS

www.dgzrs.de

Bremen Rescue www.mrcc-bremen.de

Switzerland:Swiss Maritime Navigation Office, RCC ZurichSwiss Air Rescue www.rega.ch

United Kingdom:Her Majesty Coastguard HMCG www.mcga.gov.uk

Every SAR organisation is responsible for a defined Search and RescueRegion SRR.

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1.3 Shipborne system

1.3.1 Radio equipment for small crafts

Ships not sailing under provisions of SOLAS are voluntary GMDSSfitted and called non-SOLAS vessels. GMDSS equipment may rec-ommended by national organisation or required by national law.

Austria: by law (JachtZulVO) www.ris.bka.gv.at

all areas radio receiverinshore >3nm VHF RTocean >200nm EPIRB

Germany: recommended (Sicherheitsrichtlinien) www.dsv.de

all areas radio or NAVTEX receiverinshore VHF RTocean EPIRB

Switzerland: recommended www.eda.admin.ch

all areas SSB radio receiverocean EPIRB

United Kingdom: recommended www.mcga.gov.uk

all areas VHF handheldinshore >3nm VHF RT DSCoffshore >20nm NAVTEX receiveroffshore >60nm EPIRBoffshore >60nm SARToffshore >60nm MF RT DSC LRC requiredocean >150nm INMARSAT LRC required

All equipment must comply with regulations of the European UnionEU and carry a Conform European CE Symbol. eur-lex.europa.eu

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1.3.2 Ship radio licence

Ship radio stations have to be licenced and are costumable.Licence is issued by authority of state and must be carried on board.

It is containing ships and owner identification, list of radio equipmentand if required the following identifications:

identification necessarycallsign Radio Telephone RTMMSI Digital Selective Calling DSCINM Mobile Earth Station MES LRC, GOCselcal telex GOCAAIC public correspondence

National ships radio licencing administrations:

Austria: www.ris.bka.gv.atLicencing fee 49,05 EUR, using fee 10,90 EUR/monthvalidation: 10 yearsFernmeldebehorde FMB www.bmvit.gv.at

Germany:Licencing fee 130,- EUR, using fee 21,10 EUR/yearvalidation: life of vesselBundesnetzagentur BNetzA www.bundesnetzagentur.de

Switzerland:Licencing fee 50,- SFR, using fee 10,- SFR/monthvalidation: 1 yearBundesamt fur Kommunikation BAKOM www.bakom.ch

United Kingdom:Licencing fee 20,- GBP, using fee 20,- GBP/yearvalidation: life of vesselOffice for Communication OFCOM www.ofcom.org.uk

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1.3.3 Radio operator certificate

Every ship radio station must be controlled by an operator holding acertificate issued or recognised by the government to which the sta-tion is subject.

On small crafts used for pleasure or fishing normally the minimumrequirement would be a Short Range Certificate SRC.

fig. 3: SRC

This certificate authorises the holder to use a RadioTelephone RT on the Very High Frequency VHF chan-nels of the Maritime Mobile Band including Digital Se-lective Calling DSC on board voluntary GMDSS fittednon-SOLAS vessels.

At least one holder of a certificate of competence for maritime radiostations is required, normally by the shipmaster himself and occasion-ally his mate.

The operator must hold an authority to operate by the shipmaster.

National radio operator certificate licencing administrations:

Austrian SRC = UKW Betriebszeugnis II UBZ IIFernmeldebehorde FMB www.bmvit.gv.at

German SRC = Beschrankt gultiges FunkbetriebszeugnisDeutscher Segler-Verband DSV www.dsv.orgDeutscher Motoryachtverband DMYV www.dmyv.de

Swiss SRC= Beschrankt gultiges Betriebszeugnis fur die SportschiffahrtSchweizer Bundesamt fur Kommunikation www.bakom.ch

United Kingdom SRC = Short Range CertificateRoyal Yachting Association RYA www.rya.co.uk

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1.3.4 Radio secrecy

No person shall divulge or publish the contents of any messages trans-mitted or received by such station, or to another station employed toforward such message to its destination, unless legally required so todo by the court of competent jurisdiction or other competent author-ity. Radio operators have to declare this.

1.3.5 Accounting Authority

Accounting authorities are used to facilitate the effective collectionand distribution of radio communication charges between ship andcoast stations and the Public Switched Telephone Network PSTNand Packet Switched Data Network PSDN.

Ship stations need a contract with AAIC for public correspondences,i.e. telephone call to subscriber ashore.

AAIC: 2 letters (country) + 2 numbers (company):

Examples:AU01 Telekom Austria AG www.telekom.atDP07 Seefunk www.dp07.deGB11 NSSL Limited www.satcom-solutions.com

Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval System MARS www.itu.int

1.3.6 Documents

The following documents must be carried on board of non-SOLASvessels:

Ships radio licenceRadio operator certificates

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2 VHF Maritime Mobile Radio

2.1 VHF Radio Telephone RT

fig. 4: Simrad RD68

For calling each station needs a name, nor-mally it would be the ships name. As theships name is not unique a radio callsignis allocated with ship radio licence.

Transceiver is a combination of transmitter and receiver.

2.1.1 Receiver RX

Power ON/OFF: (may in combination with volume control) Volume control VOL: set volume of loudspeaker Squelch SQL: set receive signal limiter (noise limiter) Dimmer: set display brightness Channel: select working channel (paired TX/RX frequencies)

Distress channel 16: select distress channel (and 25W TX)

Working channel: 01-28, 60-88, (may national channels)

Dual Watch DW: alternating with ch16 (may no TX)

2.1.2 Transmitter TX

Transmission range in line of sight, depending on antenna height Low power 1W: range about 4nm

High power 25W: range up to 100nm

Push To Talk PTT: activate transmitter

2.1.3 VHF handheld device

Used on board, tender, survival craft, towing, mooring, ...

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2.2 VHF Digital Selective Calling DSC

2.2.1 Maritime Mobile Service Identification MMSI

For selective calling each station needs a unique 9-digit MMSI,including the 3-digit country code MID.

ship station MMSI = MIDxxxxxxgroup of stations MMSI = 0MIDxxxxxcoast station MMSI = 00MIDxxxx

2.2.2 Type of calls

Primary type of calls to one, some or all stations in radio range:

distress alert (acknowledge) all stations

relay all (acknowledge) all stations

relay individual (acknowledge) coast MMSI

urgency & safety all ships all stations

individual (acknowledge) ship or coast MMSI

routine group group MMSI


2.2.3 VHF DSC controller

class A all facilities for compulsory fitted SOLAS vesselsclass B full requirements for compulsory fitted SOLAS vesselsclass D minimum facilities for voluntary fitted non-SOLAS vesselsWatch receiver continuous digital watch on VHF DSC ch70

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2.3 Very High Frequency VHF

2.3.1 VHF wave propagation

Electromagnetic waves in the maritime VHF Band 156-174MHz arepropagating in the line of sight. These are called space waves. Dueto the earths curvature the range will depend on the height of thetransmitting an receiving antenna. d[nm] 2(h1[m] +h2[m])

radio contact antenna height approximateh1/h2 distance

2 handheld 1m/1m 4nm2 motor yachts 4m/4m 8nm2 sailing yachts 16m/16m 16nmmotor yacht - coast station 4m/100m 24nmsailing yacht - coast station 16m/100m 28nm

2.3.2 VHF antenna

Vessels are using VHF omni-directional rod antennas.Frequency band (150MHz) is selected by antenna length (1m).

2.3.3 Simplex ship to ship and ship to shore

A single frequency is used for TX and RX. While pushing the transmitbutton PTT the radio changes from receive RX to transmit TX.

2.3.4 Duplex ship to shore

Two separate frequencies for TX and RX are used for simultane-ously receiving and transmission. Transceivers for yachts using sim-plex mode on a duplex channel, called semiduplex.

2.3.5 VHF Modulation

Modulation is superimposing low Audio Frequency AF (voice) ontoa High Frequency HF carrier. Phase Modulation PM is used in VHFmaritime radio (G3E used for RT and G2B for DSC).

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2.3.6 VHF international channels 01-28

ch Ship TX Ship RX Sim usage[MHz] [MHz] Dup primary secondary

01 156,050 160,650 D02 156,100 160,700 D03 156,150 160,750 D04 156,200 160,800 D05 156,250 160,850 D06 156,300 156,300 S intership SAR07 156,350 160,950 D08 156,400 156,400 S intership09 156,450 156,450 S intership10 156,500 156,500 S intership11 156,550 156,550 S12 156,600 156,600 S13 156,650 156,650 S intership for safety of navigation14 156,700 156,700 S15 156,750 156,750 S on board intership16 156,800 156,800 S distress, urgency, safety, calling17 156,850 156,850 S on board intership18 156,900 161,500 D19 156,950 161,550 D20 157,000 161,600 D21 157,050 161,650 D22 157,100 161,700 D23 157,150 161,750 D24 157,200 161,800 D25 157,250 161,850 D26 157,300 161,900 D27 157,350 161,950 D28 157,400 162,000 D

22


2.3.7 VHF international channels 60-88

ch Ship TX Ship RX Sim usage[MHz] [MHz] Dup primary secondary

60 156,025 160,625 D61 156,075 160,675 D62 156,125 160,725 D63 156,175 160,775 D64 156,225 160,825 D65 156,275 160,875 D66 156,325 160,925 D67 156,375 156,375 S intership68 156,425 156,425 S69 156,475 156,475 S intership

70 156,525 156,525 S DSC71 156,575 156,575 S72 156,625 156,625 S intership73 156,675 156,675 S intership74 156,725 156,725 S75 156,775 156,775 S safety of navigation, 1W76 156,825 156,825 S safety of navigation, 1W77 156,875 156,875 S intership78 156,925 161,525 D79 156,975 161,575 D80 157,025 161,625 D81 157,075 161,675 D82 157,125 161,725 D83 157,175 161,775 D84 157,225 161,825 D85 157,275 161,875 D86 157,325 161,925 D87 157,375 157,375 S88 157,425 157,425 S

23


2.3.8 VHF international channel usage

DSC alerting / calling (distress, urgency, safety and routine) ch 70

RT distress, urgency, safety, calling ch 16RT Search And Rescue ch 06RT on board (bridge to handheld, tender, tow, ...) ch 15, 17RT primary intership working ch 06, 08, 72, 77RT secondary intership working ch 09, 10, 15, 17, 67, 69, 73

RT intership for safety of navigation ch 13

Communications between ships whose purpose contributesto the safe of movement of ships. Bridge-to-bridge com-munication on ch13 is used without preceding a DSC call.

AIS Automatic Identification System ch AIS1, AIS2

Ships information as position, course, speed, MMSI, ...is transmitted periodically for safety of navigation. AISsignals are visible on AIS screens, Electronic Chart DisplayInformation Systems ECDIS (SOLAS vessels) or Elec-tronic Charting Systems ECS (i.e. chart plotter) in range.

2.3.9 VHF national private channel usage

nation ch usage

Belgium 96 MarinaCroatia 17 MarinaGermany 69, 72 pleasure craftsNetherlands 31 MarinaScandinavia F1, F2, F3 fishing vessels

L1, L2, L3 pleasure craftsUnited Kingdom M, M2 club safety, race control

67 Her Majesty Coast Guardfor small craft safety

80 Marina

24


2.4 RT communication

2.4.1 Phonetic Alphabet

A Alpha AL FAH

B Bravo BRAH VOH

C Charlie CHAR LEE

D Delta DELL TAH

E Echo ECK OH

F Foxtrot FOKS TROT

G Golf GOLF

H Hotel HOH TELL

I India IN DEE AH

J Juliett JEW LEE ETT

K Kilo KEY LOH

L Lima LEE MAH

M Mike MIKE

N November NO VEM BER

O Oscar OSS CAH

P Papa PAH PAH

Q Quebec KEH BECK

R Romeo ROW ME OH

S Sierra SEE AIR RAH

T Tango TANG GO

U Uniform YOU NEE FORM

V Victor VIK TAH

W Whiskey WISS KEY

X X-ray ECKS RAY

Y Yankee YANG KEY

Z Zulu ZOO LOO

Decimal point Decimal DAY-SEE-MAL

Full stop Stop STOP

25


2.4.2 Standard Marine Communication Phrases SMCP

CORRECT an error has been madeIN FIGURES numbers are written in figuresIN LETTERS numbers are written in lettersMAYDAY RT distress signal (French: maidez)OUT termination of working, no reply expectedOVER expect replyRADIO CHECK request strength an clarity of transmissionREAD BACK receiving station read back informationRECEIVED acknowledge receipt of transmissionPAN PAN RT urgency signal (French: panne)SAY AGAIN repeat part or all of message

ALL AFTER, ALL BEFOREWORD AFTER, WORD BEFORE

SECURITE RT safety signal (French: securite)SILENCE MAYDAY French: silence maidezSILENCE FINI French: silence finiSPELL spelling the next word phoneticallySTATION CALLING unsure of the identity of calling stationTHIS IS identification of station calling followsTRAFFIC radio traffic

IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases www.imo.orgBSH IMO-Standard Marine Communication Phrases www.bsh.deCaptain Gunter Schmidt www.maricom.de

2.4.3 Maritime radio stations

ALRS Volume 1 Coast Stations www.ukho.gov.ukALRS Volume 6 Pilot, Vessel Traffic Service, Port Operations

ITU List of Coast Stations www.itu.intITU List of Ship StationsITU List of Call Signs and Numerical IdentitiesITU Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval System MARS

26


Coast Station CS example

Name: place of station + RADIO SPLIT RADIOCall Sign: 3 characters 9ASMMSI: 00 + MID + 4 digits 002380100

Pilot Services, Vessel Traffic Services VTS and Port Operations

place + functionPort PULA PORTBridge MALI LOSINJ BRIDGEPilot KOPER PILOTMarina OBAN MARINARadar MILFORD RADARLock KILRUSH LOCKTraffic control TARIFA TRAFFIC / CONTROL / VTS

Ship Station SS

Type of vessel S/Y Sailing YachtName of vessel MOUSECall Sign: 4 or more characters OEDFMMSI: MID + 6 digits 203984534

Survival Craft

Name of parent vessel + 2 digits (20-99) MOUSE 20Call Sign of parent vessel + 2 digits (20-99) OEDF 20

On board

Master (fixed): + CONTROL MOUSE CONTROLSub (handheld): + 1 character MOUSE A

27


2.5 VHF priority distress

Grave and imminent danger to ship or crew, immediate assistancerequired. Only be sent by authority of shipmaster or person in charge.

2.5.1 VHF DSC distress alert on ch70

undesignated DSC distress alert push DISTRESS button >5s

designated DSC distress alert

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC distress menub) enter position or filled in by interconnected GPSc) select nature of distress from list

undefined, undesignatedfire, explosionfloodingcollisiongroundinglisting, danger of capsizingsinkingdisabled, adriftabandoning vesselpiracy, armed robberyMOB - man / person over board

d) push appropriate button to transmit

VHF DSC distress alert with MMSI, position, nature, working ch16received by VHF DSC ship or coast stations in radio range 30nm

Await VHF DSC distress acknowledge from CS or RCC


2.5.2 VHF RT distress call and message on ch16

VHF RT distress call:

3x distress signal MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAYthis is this is3x name sailing yacht BELLA BELLA BELLAcallsign callsign OEX6437MMSI MMSI 203783420

VHF RT distress message:

distress signal MAYDAYname sailing yacht BELLAcallsign callsign OEX6437MMSI MMSI 203783420position position 4359.2N 01328.9Wnature of distress abandon ship to liferaftkind of assistance immediate assistance requiredadditional information 4 adults with life jacketsexpect reply OVER

Await RT distress acknowledge from CS or RCC:

distress signal MAYDAY3x station called BELLA BELLA BELLA OEX6437 203783420this is this is3x station calling 3x RIJEKA RADIOacknowledge RECEIVED MAYDAY

If not acknowledged, repeat RT distress call and message. >5min

29


2.5.3 VHF DSC distress cancellation on ch70

Distress has to be dully canceledafter transmission of a false DSC distress alert.

a) push appropriate cancel button to stop transmissionb) select distress cancellation call

new DSC sets onlyc) push appropriate button to transmit

new DSC sets only

On reception of a DSC distress cancellation call old DSC sets display-ing DSC distress acknowledge by station in distress itself.

Follow up with VHF RT distress cancellation call and message.

2.5.4 VHF RT distress cancellation on ch16

If distress situation is no longer valid.

3x station called 3x ALL STATIONSthis is this is3x station calling BELLA BELLA BELLA OEX6437 203783420position position 4359.2N 01328.9Wcancellation please cancel my distress alertdate and time of 0837 UTC todayexpect reply OVER

Await RT distress cancellation acknowledge from CS or RCC.

30


2.6 VHF priority distress relay

There is a distress situation if you

observeorange smoke, red parachute flares, raising an lowering arms,flying a ball over/under square shape, SOS by any means, ...

receiveDSC distress alert, acknowledge or relay,RT distress call, message, acknowledge or relayNAVTEX distress relay messagesignals of a SART on chart plotter or radarsignals of an EPIRB, ...

Take the following actions:

1. Set continuous watch on VHF ch16 >5 minuntil normal working can be resumed.

2. Transmit RT distress acknowledge if applicable:Give time to acknowledge by CS or RCC >5 min

distress signal MAYDAY3x station called BELLA BELLA BELLA OEX6437 203783420this is this is3x station calling FOXI FOXI FOXI DG4568 211746382acknowledge RECEIVED MAYDAY

3. If no CS/RCC involved relay ashore by any means >5 min

Sea area A1 (CS or RCC in range)VHF DSC individual distress relay alert followed up byVHF RT distress relay call and message to CS or RCC.

Sea area A2, A3, A4 (CS or RCC not in range)VHF DSC all ships distress relay alert followed up byVHF RT distress relay call and message to ALL STATIONS.

31


2.6.1 VHF DSC distress relay alert on ch70

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) either select individual call, priority distress relay

enter MMSI of CS/RCC or select from directory / memorysome DSC class D priority routine only

or select all ships call, priority distress relaysome DSC class D priority urgency only

c) select working ch16some DSC class D no matter to change

d) enter distressed MMSI, POS, nature if appreciablesome DSC class D no matter to enter

e) push appropriate button to transmit

On individual call await DSC acknowledge from CS or RCC.If not acknowledged repeat after 5min, at least after another 15min.

2.6.2 VHF RT distress relay call and message on ch16

VHF RT distress relay call:

3x distress signal 3x MAYDAY RELAY3x station called 3x RIJEKA RADIO (or 3x ALL STATIONS)this is this is3x station calling FOXI FOXI FOXI DG4568 211746382

VHF RT distress relay message:

message received following distress message on VHF ch16MAYDAY S/Y BELLA OEX6437 203783420position 4359.2N 01328.9Wabandon ship to liferaft,immediate assistance required4 adults with life jacketsend of message

expect reply OVER

Await RT distress relay acknowledge from SS, CS or RCC

32


2.6.3 VHF RT distress relay acknowledge on ch16

If you receive DSC/RT distress relay from CS/RCC:

3x distress signal 3x MAYDAY RELAY3x station called 3x ALL STATIONSthis is this is3x station calling 3x RIJEKA RADIO

received following distress messageon VHF ch16MAYDAY S/Y BELLA OEX6437 203783420position 4359.2N 01328.9Wabandon ship to liferaft,immediate assistance required4 adults with life jacketsplease report to RIJEKA RADIO

expect reply OVER

and/or you receive NAVTEX distress relay from CS/RCC:

ZCZCQD00 141235 UTC AUG SPLIT RADIO / 9ASMAYDAY RELAYRECEIVED FOLLOWING DISTRESS MESSAGEON VHF CH16MAYDAY S/Y BELLA OEX6437 203783420POSITION 43-59.2N 013-28.9WABANDON SHIP TO LIFERAFTIMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED4 ADULTS WITH LIFE JACKETSPLEASE REPORT TO RIJEKA RADIORT ON VHF CH16 OR MF 2182kHzNNNN

33


Take the following actions, if you are able to assist:

1. Set continuous watch on VHF ch16 >5minuntil normal working can be resumed.

2. Transmit RT distress acknowledge to CS or RCC if appreciate

distress signal MAYDAY3x station called 3x RIJEKA RADIOthis is this is3x station calling LEO LEO LEO DG4568 211746382acknowledge RECEIVED MAYDAY RELAYposition position 4349.9N 01327.1Wdistance to incident 15nm from incidentmaximum speed speed 10knETA, ETD or ETE ETE 1.5hexpect reply OVER

34


2.6.4 Radio silence

Whilst a distress situation is in force,radio silence is required on distress channel used.No radio traffic allowed, except distress.

Controlling stations may impose silenceon stations which interfere with distress or SAR traffic.

to all:

station called ALL STATIONSimpose silence SILENCE MAYDAY

to one:

station called MOUSEimpose silence SILENCE MAYDAY

2.6.5 Normal working

When distress traffic has ceased,the control station indicates that normal working can be resumed.

distress signal MAYDAY3x station called 3x ALL STATIONSthis is this is3x station calling 3x RIJEKA RADIOtime of handling in 1541 UTCname callsign MMSI BELLA OEX6437 203783420normal working SILENCE FINI

35


2.7 VHF priority urgency

A very urgent message concerning the safety of a ship or a person.Only be sent by authority of shipmaster or person in charge.

medical assistance, advice www.medico-cuxhaven.deRadio Medical Advice RMA, Tele Medical Advice System TMAS

maritime assistance (tug, towing, ...) Search And Rescue SAR information other urgent related information (i.e. hurricane warning, ..)

2.7.1 VHF DSC urgency alert on ch70

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select all ships or individual call, priority urgency

enter MMSI of CS/RCC on individual callsome DSC class D all ships call only

c) select working ch16some DSC class D no matter to change

d) push appropriate button to transmit

On individual call await DSC acknowledge from CS or RCC.If not, repeat after 5min, third transmission after another 15min.

2.7.2 VHF RT urgency call and message on ch16

3x urgency signal PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN3x station called 3x RIJEKA RADIO (or 3x ALL STATIONS)this is this is3x station calling BELLA BELLA BELLA OEX6437 203783420position position 4359.2N 01328.9W

grounded in heavy swell.require urgent tug assistance.

expect reply OVER

Cancel message if urgency situation is no longer required.

36


2.8 VHF priority safety

A very important information to shipping.Only be sent by authority of shipmaster or person in charge.

navigational warning NX (light unlit, firing exercises, ..) meteorological warning WX (gale warning, heavy swell, ...)

2.8.1 VHF DSC safety alert on ch70

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select all ships, group or individual call, priority safety

enter MMSI of CS/RCC on individual or group callsome DSC class D all ships call only

c) select appropriate working channel or ch16d) push appropriate button to transmit


2.8.2 VHF RT urgency call and message on ch16

3x safety signal 3x SECURITE3x station called 3x ALL STATIONS (or 3x station called)this is this is3x station calling 3x RIJEKA RADIOposition position 4359.2N 01328.9W

nearly submerged container observed.danger to navigation.

termination OUT

Cancel message if safety situation is no longer required.

37


2.9 VHF priority routine

Calling another station on VHF by DSC routine call, RT routine callon ch16 or RT routine call on appropriate working channel.

2.9.1 VHF DSC routine call on ch70

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select group or individual call, priority routine

enter MMSIc) select appropriate working channeld) push appropriate button to transmit

On individual call await DSC acknowledge.If not, repeat after 5min, third transmission after another 15min.

2.9.2 VHF RT routine call on ch16

3x station called SEAGULL SEAGULL SEAGULLthis is this is3x station calling SILVI SILVI SILVIexpect reply OVER

Maximum length allowed 1min, in total 3 calls within 3min delay.RT reply on VHF ch16:

station called SILVIthis is this iscalling station SEAGULLworking channel switch to ch72

2.9.3 VHF RT routine call on working channel

station called SEAGULLthis is this iscalling station SILVIexpect reply OVER

38


2.9.4 VHF RT routine message on working channel

station called SEAGULLthis is this iscalling station SILVImessage sailing to Pula Marina

ETA 1730 LTexpect reply OVER

Routine traffic between ship stations and ship stations or coast sta-tions containing nautical information is free of charge.

Routine traffic between ship station and coast station containing pri-vate information i.e. telephone call is charged by accounting authority.

Traffic is controlled by coast station or station called.

39


3 Emergency Position IndicatingRadio Beacon EPIRB

3.1 Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich SudovSearch And Rescue SatelliteCOSPAS/SARSAT

COSPAS/SARSAT was founded in 1979 by Russia, USA, Canada andFrance. It is used for worldwide locating persons or mobile units indistress in GMDSS since 1988. www.cospas-sarsat.org

fig. 5: satellites

3 geostationary satellites GEOSAR in 36000km height.4 polar orbiting satellites LEOSAR in 850km height.

Name of alerting transmitter depending on usage:

Maritime Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon EPIRBAeronautical Emergency Locater Transmitter ELTPersonal Personal Locater Beacon PLB

40


3.2 EPIRB priority distress

Grave and imminent danger to ship or crew, immediate assistance re-quired. Only activated by authority of shipmaster or person in charge.

3.2.1 VHF DSC EPIRB distress alert on ch70

EPIRB provided for seas area A1 transmitting VHF DSC distress alerton ch70 including MMSI, position and nature of distress EPIRB.

3.2.2 COSPAS/SARSAT EPIRB distress alert on 406MHz

fig. 6:EPIRB

EPIRB provided for all sea areas A1-A4.

EPIRB distress alert includesships MMSI and position from integrated GPS.

EPIRB can be activated manually or by hydrostatic re-lease. Once activated it transmits a periodic distress alertfor more then 48h.

Routing of EPIRB distress alert:COSPAS/SARSAT satellites in viewLocal User Terminal LUT on landco-ordinating Mission Control Centre MCC www.cnes.frresponsible Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre MRCC

3.2.3 COSPAS/SARSAT EPIRB distress cancellation

Do not switch off after a false alert!Contact RCC by any means and switch off by instruction.

3.2.4 EPIRB distress homing signal on 121.5MHz

Additional homing transmitter on 121.5MHz for Radio Direction Find-ing RDF by SAR forces.

41


4 Search And Rescue Transponder SART

Grave and imminent danger to ship or crew, immediate assistance re-quired. Only activated by authority of shipmaster or person in charge.

A SART is used to indicate a distress situation and locate distressposition by SAR forces.

They are manually activated. The range is about 10nm.Devices should be deployed at a minimum of 1m above sea.

Transponder is the short form of transmit and respond.

4.1 Radio Aided Detecting And Ranging RADAR SART

fig. 7:RADARSART

On reception of a 9GHz radar pulse a RADAR SART transmits12 radar pulses. That means a distress signal on the radarscreen.

4.2 Automatic Identification System AIS SART

Once activated it transmits periodic distress alert on VHF channelsAIS1 and AIS2. Alert includes MMSI and position (integrated GPS).

AIS SART signals are visible on AIS screens, Electronic Chart DisplayInformation Systems ECDIS (SOLAS vessels) or Electronic ChartingSystems ECS (i.e. chart plotter) in range. www.marinetraffic.com

42


5 Naval Text NAVTEX

5.1 Navigation Area NAVAREA

NAVAREAs are geographical sea areas established for co-ordinatingthe broadcast of MSI www.imo.org

fig. 8: NAVAREAs

Sub-Area means a sub-division of a NAVAREA in which a number ofcountries have established a coordinated MSI system.

fig. 9: Sub-NAVAREAs in Mediterranean Sea

43


5.2 Maritime Safety Information MSI

Important information concerning the safety of persons or vessels.

navigational warning NX meteorological information WX Search And Rescue information SAR other urgent or safety related information

GMDSS Master Plan www.imo.orgALRS Volume 3 MSI ServicesALRS Volume 5 GMDSS www.ukho.gov.ukBSH Handbuch Nautischer FunkdienstBSH Yachtfunkdienst MittelmeerBSH Yachtfunkdienst Nord- und Ostsee www.bsh.de

DX Information Centre www.dxinfocentre.comFrisnit www.frisnit.comOceanography & Marine Meteorology weather.gmdss.org

5.3 NAVTEX MSI service

Transmission time every 4 hours for


5.3.1 NAVTEX coast stations

Each coast station is assigned a transmitter identification letter.

Examples:

NAVAREA I 518kHz NAVTEX coast stations for British Isles:

country place range letter

England Niton 270M EEngland Cullercoats 270M GScotland Portpatrick 270M ONorthern Ireland Malin Head 400M QIreland Valencia 400M W

NAVAREA I 490kHz NAVTEX coast stations for British Isles:


England Niton 270M TEngland Cullercoats 270M UScotland Portpatrick 270M C

NAVAREA III 518kHz NAVTEX coast stations for Adriatic Sea:


Greece Curfu KCroatia Split QItaly Rome RItaly Trieste U

NAVAREA III 490kHz NAVTEX coast stations for Black Sea:


Romania Constanta L

45


5.3.2 NAVTEX message

Each message is assigned a category letter:

A navigational warningB meteorological warningC ice reportD SAR Information, pirate attack warningE meteorological forecastF pilot serviceG Automatic Identification System AISH LORAN messageJ GPS messageK other electronic navaid messageL navigational warning in addition to AZ no message on hand

Letter A, B and D cannot be rejected by SOLAS related receivers.

Each message is allocated a serial number between 01 and 99.Very urgent messages assigned with 00 cause an receiver alert.

Example:ZCZC start of messageQE55 55th weather report from Split Radio (NAVAREA III)051840 UTC JAN DTG - January 05th at 1840 UTCSPLIT RADIO / 9AS coast station Split Radio, callsign 9ASWEATHER REPORT FOR ADRIATIC AT 1800 UTC.WARNING: ISOLATED GUSTS OF NE, S-ADRIATIC, 30/40 KTS.STATE OF SEA, OFFSHORE SOUTHERN ADRIATIC, ROUGH.SYNOPSIS: RIDGE OF HIGH APPROACHING TO ADRIATIC.OUTLOOK 24HRS: NE 10/20, S-ADRIATIC, NW 15/25 KTS.SEA SMOOTH/SLIGHT, OFFSHORE SLIGHT/MOD.VISIBILITY GOOD/EXCELLENT, MOSTLY FINE, TEMPS FALLING.NNNN end of message

46


Part II

Restricted Operator CertificateROC

CEPT examination syllabus for maritime radio operators in sea areaA1 for using GMDSS mandatory on board SOLAS vessels.

www.cept.dk

www.ero.dk

1. Maritime Mobile VHF Radio Telephone RT communications



(a) VHF radio installation



(a) Search and Rescue SAR procedures





(f) Communication with non-SOLAS vessels


(a) Ability to exchange communications relevant to SOLAS

(b) Regulations, obligatory procedures and practices

(c) Practical and theoretical knowledge of RT procedures

(d) English language written and spoken

47


6 GMDSS


6.1.1 Radio equipment for SOLAS vessels

SOLAS vessels on international voyages are compulsory fitted.

area mandatory equipment certificate

A1 VHF RT, DSC, DSC watch receiver ROCVHF handheld deviceNAVTEX receiverEPIRB float freeSART

A2 MF RT DSC, DSC watch receiver GOC

A3 either INMARSAT MES + EGC receiver GOCor MF/HF RT DSC telex, DSC scan watch receiver GOC

A4 MF/HF RT DSC telex, DSC scan watch receiver GOC

On compulsory fitted vessels the availability of equipment must beguarantied. This can be done by 3 different methods listed. Shipssailing in Sea Area A1 or A2 can choose one of these 3 methods,while sailing in A3 or A4 they have to choose 2 of these 3 methods.

Duplication Of Equipment DOEA1 and A2: VHF RT DSCA3 and A4: MF/HF RT DSC or INMARSAT MES

Shore Based Maintenance SBM (contract, arrangement)At Sea Maintenance ASM (qualified personal)

fig. 10:weehlmark

All equipment must be approved by IMO and carry awheelmark symbol.

It must also comply with regulations of the EuropeanUnion EU and carry a Conform European CE Symbol.

eur-lex.europa.eu

48


6.1.2 Radio equipment tests

Equipment tests are required while at sea.

Daily

DSC internal (self test)batteries (damage, voltage test, load test, charge)printer (function, paper)

Weekly

MF/HF DSC test call (to coast station) GOCgenerator (function)

Monthly

VHF handheld (batteries, damages, RX, TX)EPIRB internal (batteries, damages, selftest)SART (batteries, damages, selftest)antenna (damages, cleaning, insulators) GOC

Yearly

EPIRB transmission test (company ashore)

6.1.3 Radio watch

Continuous digital radio watchkeeping is required while at sea.

MF NAVTEX receiver 518kHzVHF DSC watch receiver ch70MF DSC watch receiver 2182kHz GOCHF DSC watch receiver 8414.5kHz + one other GOCINMARSAT C SafetyNET EGC receiver GOC

Every ship, while at sea, shall continue to maintain, when practicable,continuous watch.

VHF RT listening on ch16VHF RT listening on ch13

49


6.1.4 Radio log book

For SOLAS vessels a GMDSS radio log book with the following min-imum entries is required:

Summary of distress, urgency and safety trafficImportant incidents connected to the radio serviceEquipment testsAppropriate ships position every dayMaster must sign every day

National radio log book forms:

Austria: Seeschifffahrtsverordnung www.ris.bka.gv.at United Kingdom: Maritime Safety Agency www.mcga.gov.uk

date/time station station communications frequencyUTC to from summary, tests, remarks channel, satellite

6.1.5 Documents

The following documents must be carried on board of SOLAS vessels:

Ships radio licenceRadio operator certificatesRadio log book

ITU List of Coast Stations or ALRS Volume 1ITU List of Ship StationsITU List of Callsigns and Numerical IdentitiesITU Manual for use by Maritime Mobile Services

ALRS www.ukho.gov.ukITU www.itu.int

50


6.1.6 Radio Operator Certificate

On passenger ships (>12 passengers), cargo vessels (>300GRT) andsome vessels over 24m normally the minimum requirement in sea areaA1 would be a Restricted Operator Certificate ROC.

fig. 11:ROC

This certificate authorises the holder to use a RadioTelephone RT on the Very High Frequency VHF chan-nels of the Maritime Mobile Band including Digital Se-lective Calling DSC on board compulsory GMDSS fittedSOLAS vessels which sail in GMDSS sea area A1.

At least one holder of a certificate of competence for maritime radiostations is required, normally by the shipmaster himself and all marineofficers.

National radio operator licencing administrations:

Austrian ROC = UKW Betriebszeugnis I UBZ IFernmeldebehorde FMB www.bmvit.gv.at

German ROC =Beschrankt gultiges Betriebszeugnis fur Funker BBZBundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrografie www.bsh.de

United Kingdom ROC = Restricted Operator CertificateAssociation of Marine Electronics and Radio Colleges

www.amerc.ac.uk

51


6.1.7 Standards for Training, Certificationand Watchkeeping of Seafarers STCW

The STCW convention defines international basic requirements ontraining, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on commercialvessels. www.imo.org

1. Medical CertificateAustria: Seeschiffahrtsverordnung www.ris.bka.gv.atUnited Kingdom: MSN 1765 www.mcga.gov.uk

2. STCW 95 Basic Safety

(a) Elementary First Aid

(b) Personal Survival Techniques

(c) Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting

(d) Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities

ROC and GOC must be endorsed by the national maritime agency.

Austria:Oberste Schifffahrtsbehorde OSB www.bmvit.gv.at

Germany:Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrografie www.bsh.de

United Kingdom:Maritime and Coastguard Agency www.mcga.gov.uk

STCW revalidation is required every 5 years.

52


7 Power supply

Radio equipment needs electrical power. Normally this would be Di-rect Current DC with nominal supply voltage of 12VDC for smallpleasure crafts and 24VDC for other vessels.

7.1 Direct Current 12VDC/24VDC

Power sources:

1. Alternator on main engine

2. Battery charging unit

3. Batteries

Lead acid batteries:

charging 14.4/28.8VDC if higher explosive gas! acid density 1280kg/m3 charged

discharging 10.8/21.6VDC if lower damage caused! acid density 1180kg/m3 discharged

no load 12.2/24.4VDC (standby) load can cause decreasing to 11.0/22.0VDC

7.2 European Alternating Current 230VAC

Power sources:

1. Shorepower

2. Generator

3. Inverter

53


Part III

Long Range CertificateLRC

CEPT examination syllabus for maritime radio operators for usingGMDSS voluntary on board non-SOLAS vessels. www.cept.dk

www.ero.dk

1. Maritime Mobile Radio Telephone RT communications



(a) VHF, MF/HF radio installation



(a) Search and Rescue SAR Procedures






(a) English language written and spoken

(b) Ability to exchange communications relevant to SOLAS

(c) Regulations, obligatory procedures and practices

(d) Practical and theoretical knowledge of RT procedures

5. Maritime Mobile Satellite Service LRC satellite module

(a) INMARSAT System

(b) INMARSAT C operation, Enhanced Group Call EGC

54


8 GMDSS


8.1.1 Radio operator certificate

On small crafts used for pleasure or fishing normally offshore require-ment would be a Long Range Certificate LRC.

fig. 12: LRC

This certificate authorises the holder to use a RadioTelephone RT on all maritime mobile bands includ-ing Digital Selective Calling DSC and maritime mobilesatellite communications on board voluntary GMDSSfitted non-SOLAS vessels.

At least one holder of a certificate of competence for maritime radiostations is required, normally by the shipmaster himself and occasion-ally his mate.

National radio operator certificate licencing administrations:

Austrian LRC = Allgemeines Betriebszeugnis II ABZ IIFernmeldebehorde FMB www.bmvit.gv.at

German LRC = Allgemein gultiges FunkbetriebszeugnisDeutscher Segler-Verband DSV www.dsv.orgDeutscher Motoryachtverband DMYV www.dmyv.de

Swiss LRC =Allgemein gultiges Betriebszeugnis fur die SportschiffahrtSchweizer Bundesamt fur Kommunikation www.bakom.ch

United Kingdom LRC = Long Range CertificateAssociation of Marine Electronics and Radio Colleges

www.amerc.ac.uk

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9 MF/HF Maritime Mobile Radio

9.1 MF/HF Radio Telephone RT

fig. 13: ICOM M710 GMDSS

Based on the same technologya single MF/HF radio device isused for MF and HF communi-cation.

9.1.1 Receiver RX

RX/TX paired frequencies Select ITU channel: associated RX/TX frequency table

Input RX and TX carrier frequency

2182 direct tune to MF 2182kHz (J3E, high power)

Class of emission mode; J3E, H3E, A3E, ... Radio Frequency RF gain signal sensitivity Automatic Gain Control AGC reduce fading Audio Frequency AF gain volume of loudspeaker Fine tune / clarify shift RX carrier frequency 150Hz

9.1.2 Transmitter TX

Tune matches the length of the antenna Power MF 60-400W, HF 60-1500W

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9.2 Medium Frequency MF / High Frequency HF

9.2.1 Radio bands

band definition wave maritime usage

MF 300-3000kHz 1000-100m NAVTEX 490kHz, 518kHzMF RT+DSC 1605-3800kHz

HF 3-30MHz 100-10m HF RT+DSC 3.8-26MHzVHF 30-300MHz 10-1m VHF RT+DSC 156-162MHzUHF 300-3000MHz 10-1dm COSPAS/SARSAT 406MHz

INMARSAT 1.5/1.6GHzGPS 1.5GHz

SHF 3-30GHz 10-1cm RADAR 3GHz, 9GHzSART 9GHz

9.2.2 MF/HF Antenna

Wire: more then 7m, insulated from superstructure.Yachts are using the aft stay,lager vessels a wire between two masts bow and stern.

Whip: more then 4mYachts are using pushpit or flybridge mounting,larger vessels the top of bridge tower.

9.2.3 MF/HF Tuner

fig. 14: tuner

The MF/HF carrier frequency changes from min-imum MF 1.6MHz to maximum HF 26MHz andtherefore the wave length from 188m to 10m. Butthe antenna has a fixed length.

Automatic antenna tuner matches the real length tothe ideal length using coils and capacitors.

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9.2.4 MF/HF classes of emission

modulation signal information

A AM 1 digital B teleprinting

H SSB carrier 2 digital subcarrier C telefax

J SSB no carrier 3 analog D telecommand

F FM E telephony

G PM

A3E Double Side Band DSB MF/HF broadcast

The Radio Frequency RF carrier and 3kHz bandwidth ofthe Audio Frequency AF are fed into the amplitude mod-ulator AM. On the output is a Double Side Band DSB sig-nal with 6kHz bandwidth, named A3E. Those two bandscall Lower Side Band LSB and Upper Side Band USB.

H3E Single Side Band SSB with carrier former MF RT 2182kHz

An LSB filter makes the Upper Side Band USB, a SingleSide Band SSB with carrier H3E, from Double Side BandA3E. You spare 25% of power.

J3E Single Side Band SSB no carrier MF/HF RT

A carrier filter produces the SSB without carrier J3E. Youspare another 50% of power. On receiving J3E signalsyou must reinsert a carrier to demodulate information.TX and RX frequency are not really the same, so youneed to adjust RX frequency with fine tune or clarifier.

F1B Frequency Shift Keying FSK MF/HF DSC & telex

FSK means the transmission of two different frequenciesfor two states of binary digits 0 and 1.

J2B Single Side Band SSB with subcarrier MF/HF DSC & telex

Bit 0/1 are converted into two different audio tone signalsand sent in J3E

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9.2.5 MF/HF propagation

Ground wave

This type of waves travels along the surface of the ground.Propagation is influenced by the frequency and the con-ductivity of the earth. At MF the ground wave has arange of 150-250nm during daylight. At HF the absorp-tion of the ground increases and the range can be lessthan 5 miles.

Sky wave

The sky wave has the ability to bend or reflect in the up-per atmosphere (labeled F1 and F2) so that it returns tothe earth. With more than one skips you can reach sta-tions around the world. Skip distance increases with thefrequency. Lower bands 2/4/8MHz have to be sent in themorning and at night. So MF sky wave can reach morethan 400nm during night. During sunlight at mid after-noon use higher bands 16/22MHz. And in the evening8/12MHz.

Dead zone

No signals are heard between the end of the ground waveand the skip of the sky wave and so it is called the deadzone.

Fading

If more then one reflection is received the receiver willcombine the signals. Combining these two signals meansthe strength of the signal can vary greatly. Variationsfrom zero to maximum are possible, called fading.

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9.3 MF/HF Digital Selective Calling DSC

9.3.1 Type of calls

Primary type of calls to one, some or all stations in radio range:

distress alert (acknowledge) all stations

relay all (acknowledge) all stations

relay individual (acknowledge) coast MMSI

urgency & safety group group MMSI

geographical area coordinates


routine group group MMSI


test (acknowledge) coast MMSI

9.3.2 MF/HF DSC controller

class A full requirements for compulsory fitted SOLAS vesselsclass E minimum facilities for voluntary fitted non-SOLAS vessels

Scan watch receiver continuous digital watchscanning all 6 MF/HF DSC frequencies:MF 2187.5kHzHF 4207.5, 6312.0, 8414.5, 12577.0, 16804.5kHz

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9.4 MF/HF priority distress


9.4.1 MF/HF DSC distress alert

undesignated DSC distress alert push DISTRESS button >5s

designated DSC distress alert

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC distress menub) enter position or filled in by interconnected GPSc) select nature of distress from listd) select DSC calling frequency (position an propagation)

single: 5 consecutive calls on 1 frequency 35smulti: 6 consecutive calls on 6 frequencies 42sMF 2187.5kHzHF 4207.5, 6312.0, 8414.5, 12577.0, 16804.5kHz

e) select mode RT J3E simplex class A DSC sets onlyf) select associated RT working frequency:

MF 2182kHzHF 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290, 16420kHz

g) push appropriate button to transmit

MF DSC received by ship & coast stations in radio range 150nmHF DSC received by ship & coast stations in propagation range

Await DSC distress acknowledge from CS/RCC


9.4.3 MF/HF DSC distress cancellation

Distress has to be dully canceledafter transmission of a false distress alert.

a) push appropriate cancel button to stop transmissionb) select distress cancellation call

new DSC sets onlyc) push appropriate button to transmit

new DSC sets only

On reception of a DSC distress cancellation call old DSC sets display-ing DSC distress acknowledge by station in distress itself.

Follow up with MF/HF RT distress cancellation call and message.

9.4.4 MF/HF RT distress cancellation

If distress situation is no longer valid.

Single DSC call: on associated RT working frequencyMulti DSC call: on each of 6 associated RT working frequencies

3x station called 3x ALL STATIONSthis is this is3x station calling BELLA BELLA BELLA OEX6437 203783420position position 4359.2N 01328.9Wcancellation please cancel my distress alertdate and time of 0837 UTC todayOVER OVER

Await RT distress cancellation acknowledge from CS or RCC.

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9.5 MF/HF priority distress relay

If you receive distress signals on HF inform RCC if applicable.

If you receive distress signals on MF take the following actions:

1. Set continuous watch on VHF ch16 and MF 2182kHz >5 minuntil normal working can be resumed.

2. Transmit MF RT distress acknowledge if applicable:Give time to acknowledge by CS or RCC >5 min


A2 MF DSC individual distress relay alert followed by MF RTA3, A4 HF DSC individual distress relay alert followed by HF RT

9.5.1 MF/HF DSC distress relay alert

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select individual call, priority distress relay

enter MMSI of CS/RCC or select from directoryc) select DSC calling frequency (position an propagation)

MF 2187.5kHzHF 4207.5, 6312.0, 8414.5, 12577.0, 16804.5kHz

d) select mode RT J3E simplex class A DSC sets onlye) select associated RT working frequency:

MF 2182kHzHF 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290, 16420kHz

f) push appropriate button to transmit

Await DSC acknowledge from CS or RCC.If not acknowledged repeat after 5min, at least after another 15min.

9.5.2 MF/HF RT distress relay call and message

Transmit subsequent RT distress call and messageon associated RT working frequency.

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9.6 MF priority urgency


No urgency calls on HF.

9.6.1 MF DSC urgency alert on 2187.5kHz

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select area, group or individual call, priority urgency

enter reference point and distance on area callenter MMSI of CS/RCC on group and individual call

c) select DSC calling frequency MF 2187.5kHzd) select mode RT J3E simplex class A DSC sets onlye) select associated RT working frequency MF 2182kHz


9.6.2 MF RT urgency call and message on 2182kHz

Transmit subsequent RT urgency call and messageon associated RT working frequency.

Cancel message if urgent situation is no longer required.

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9.7 MF priority safety


No safety calls on HF.

9.7.1 MF DSC safety alert on 2187.5kHz

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select area, group or individual call, priority safety

enter reference point and distance on area callenter MMSI of CS/RCC on group and individual call

c) select DSC calling frequency MF 2187.5kHzd) select mode RT J3E simplex class A DSC sets onlye) select associated RT working frequency MF 2182kHz


9.7.2 MF RT safety call and message on 2182kHz

Transmit subsequent RT urgency call and messageon associated RT working frequency.

Cancel message if safety situation is no longer required.

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9.8 MF/HF priority routine

9.8.1 MF/HF DSC routine calling

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select area, group or individual call, priority safety

enter MMSIc) select DSC calling frequency (position and propagation)

MF ship-ship TX/RX 2177/2177kHzMF ship-shore TX/RX 2189.5/2177kHzHF 24 DSC frequencies within 8 bands: ship TX/RX [kHz]

4MHz: 4208.0/4219.5, 4208.5/4220.0, 4209.0/4220.5

6MHz: 6312.5/6331.0, 6313.0/6331.5, 6313.5/6332.0

8MHz: 8415.0/8436.5, 8415.5/8437.0, 8416.0/8437.5

12MHz: 12577.5/12657.0, 12578.0/12657.5, 12578.5/12658.0

16MHz: 16805.0/16903.0, 16805.5/16903.5, 16806.0/16904.0

18MHz: 18898.5/19703.5, 18899.0/19704.0, 18899.5/19704.5

22MHz: 22375.5/22444.0, 22376.0/22444.5, 22376.5/22445.0

25MHz: 25208.5/26121.0, 25209.0/26121.5, 25209.5/26122.0

d) select mode RT J3E simplex/duplex class A DSC sets onlye) select RT working frequency on same band as calling

MF ship-ship i.e. intership TX/RX 2048/2048kHzMF ship-shore 55 ITU channels: ship TX/RX [kHz]

2MHz: 241-267: 2060/1635, 2063/1638, ... 2138/1713

2MHz: 268-295: 2060/1716, 2063/1719, ... 2141/1797

HF 242 ITU channels within 8 bands: ship TX/RX [kHz]4MHz: 401-427: 4065/4357, 4068/4360, ..., 4143/4435

6MHz: 601-608: 6200/6501, 6203/6504, ..., 6221/6522

8MHz: 801-832: 8195/8719, 8198/8722, ..., 8288/8812

12MHz: 1201-1241: 12230/13077, 12233/13080, ..., 12350/13197

16MHz: 1601-1656: 16360/17242, 16363/17245, ..., 16525/17407

18MHz: 1801-1815: 18780/19755, 18783/19758, ..., 18822/19797

22MHz: 2201-2253: 22000/22696, 22003/22699, ..., 22156/22852

25MHz: 2501-2510: 25070/26145, 25073/26148, ..., 25097/26172

f) enter additional information if requiredg) push appropriate button to transmit

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10 SAT-C Mobile Earth Station MES

10.1 International Maritime Satellite INMARSAT

10.1.1 INMARSAT system

fig. 15: INMARSAT satellites

INMARSAT is a privatecompany and located inLondon with its Opera-tion Control Centre OCC.

4 satellites AOR-W,AOR-E, IOR, PORare geostationary locatedin 36.000km height abovethe equator.

At your known ships po-sition you can calculatethe azimuth and eleva-tion angle.

www.inmarsat.com

Marine communication standards:

standard phone telex data GMDSS IMN

B yes yes 64kBit/s yes 3MIDxxxxxC no yes 0.6kBit/s yes 4MIDxxxxxM yes no 2.4kBit/s no 6MIDxxxxxFleet 33 yes no 9.6kBit/s no 76xxxxxxxFleet 55 yes no 64kBit/s no 76xxxxxxxFleet 77 yes no 128kBit/s yes 76xxxxxxxFB 150 yes no 150kBit/s noFB 250 yes no 284kBit/s noFB 500 yes no 432kBit/s no

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10.1.2 INMARSAT Land Earth Station LES

There are about 20 Land Earth Stations around the world, formerlycalled Coast Earth Stations CES. Dishes (parabolic antenna) with adiameter of 20m are used for RX 3.6GHz and TX 6.4GHz.

LES are connected into the Public Switched Telephone Network PSTN,Packet Switched Data Network PSDN and to RCCs.

Not every LES provides all communication standards.

SAT-C LES list and Access Codes:

country operator AOR-W AOR-E POR IORChina Beijing 211 311Brazil Embratel 114France Vizada 021 121 221 321Greece OTE 120 305India VSNL 306Israel Bezeq 127 327Italia Telecom Italia 105 335Japan KDDI 003 103 203 303Netherlands Stratos (Burum) 012 112 212 312

Stratos (Burum 2) 002 102 302New Zealand Stratos (Auckland) 202Norway Vizada 004 104 204 304Poland Telekomunikacja 116 316Russia Morsviazsputnik 117 217 317Singapore Singapore Telecom 210 328Vietnam VISHIPEL 330USA Vizada 001 101 201 301

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10.1.3 INMARSAT Mobile Earth Station MES

fig. 16: INMARSAT MES

formerly calledShip Earth StationsSES

The communication frequencies RX 1.5GHz and TX 1.6GHz propa-gate with space wave. The satellite has to be in the line of sight.That is possible up to 70N/S.

The antenna (dish) is directional and must be pointed accurately atthe satellite. Normally it is automatically tracked by ships position(GPS) and heading (gyro) to satellite (azimuth and elevation).

fig. 17: INMARSAT NCS

4 Network Co-ordination Stations NCSare responsible for allocating ships TXcommunication channels and ships RXcalling.

Inmarsat Mobile Numbers IMN (4MIDxxxxx) are allocated by IN-MARSAT London.

Air time is charged by AAIC.

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10.2 SAT-C Terminal

Store-and-forward data messaging only (similar to SMS), no phone.

fig. 18: SAT-C Terminal

omnidirectional antenna

Transceiver

PC Terminal with user Software

Login is only possible if MES is in contract with INMARSAT.You get messages after login to NCS ocean region.

Logging out informs the NCS that your MES is no longer available forcommunication. The NCS in your ocean region updates its databasewith this information. The system knows not to accept any messagesintended for your MES and informs would-be callers that your MESis not available. Logging out inhibits loss of data.

class terminal

0 EGC receiver only1 SAT-C transceiver only2 EGC receiver when SAT-C transceiver is standby3 EGC receiver and SAT-C transceiver

Mini-C: small-scale, non GMDSSfor voluntary fitted vessels in Inmarsat spot beam areas only.

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10.3 SAT-C priority distress P3

If you select distress priority your message will be routed only to anRCC associated with the LES selected, regardless of the destination.

10.3.1 SAT-C telex distress alert


undesignated distress alert push DISTRESS button(s) >5s

designated distress alert enter menu

a) select distress alertb) enter position or filled in by interconnected GPSc) select nature of distress from list

unspecified, fire/explosion, flooding, collision,grounding, listing, sinking, disabled/adrift, abandon,further assistance, piracy/armed attack

d) login to nearest LES/CES depending on positione) push appropriate button to transmit

Received by Inmarsat satellite LES RCC 70S-70NAwait SAT-C distress acknowledge from RCC


10.3.3 SAT-C telex distress cancellation message

Distress has to be dully canceled after transmission of a false SAT-Cdistress alert. Notify appropriate RCC by sending a distress prioritymessage via the same LES through which the false alert was sent.

a) select distress priority P3b) prepare distress cancellation message or retrieve from memory

ships name / call sign / IMNpositioncancel my distress alertof date and time

c) select the same LES/CES through the alert was sentd) to transmit push appropriate button

10.3.4 SAT-C telex distress relay message to RCC

If you observe or receive distress signals take the following actions:

1. Set continuous watch on VHF ch16 and MF 2182kHz >5 minuntil normal working can be resumed.

2. Transmit VHF or MF RT distress acknowledge if applicable:Give time to acknowledge by CS or RCC >5 min


a) select distress priority P3b) prepare message or retrieve from memory

MAYDAY RELAYships name / call sign / IMNpositionobserved / received the following ...

c) select LES/CESd) to transmit push appropriate button

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10.4 SAT-C priority routine P0

Priority messages are selected by 2-digit short dialing codes.Special Access Code SAC. www.inmarsat.com

10.4.1 SAT-C telex urgency message


a) select routine priority P0b) select message type special accessc) enter 2-digit SAC

32 medical advice38 medical assistance39 maritime assistance

d) prepare message or retrieve from memoryPAN PANships name / call sign / IMN / position

e) select LES/CESf) to transmit push appropriate button

10.4.2 SAT-C telex safety message


a) select routine priority P0b) select message type special accessc) enter 2-digit SAC

42 navigational hazardsd) prepare message or retrieve from memory

SECURITEships name / call sign / IMN / position

e) select LES/CESf) to transmit push appropriate button

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10.4.3 SAT-C telex routine message

a) select routine priority P0b) select message type, country, destination, prefix, extension

type country destination prefix ext. preamble

shore telex country subscriber - - -

ship telex 581 AOR/E IMN - - -582 POR - - -583 IOR - - -583 AOR/W - - -

data PSDN DNIC - - -

fax PSTN country subscriber - T30 -

sms SAC - - 28 - TO+

email SAC - - 28 - TO+- - SUBJ+

c) prepare message or retrieve from memoryd) select LES/CESe) to transmit push appropriate button

Inmarsat air charges per 256Bit 0,30USD / 256BitITA-2, 5Bit, telex 50 character / 256BitASCII, 7Bit, text 36 character / 256BitBinary, 8Bit, data 32 character / 256Bit

Inmarsat sms/email Provider: contract requiredVizada (former Telenor, France Telecom) www.vizada.comStratos (former Xantic) www.stratosglobal.com

Inmarsat Mobile Number IMN:ITU List of callsigns and numerical identitiesMaritime Access and Retrieval System MARS www.itu.intInmarsat ships directory www.inmarsat.com

Data Network Identification Code DNIC: www.itu.int

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10.5 SAT-C shore-to-ship routine

fig. 19: INMARSAT shore-to-ship

Dialing a MES from ashore or another MES:

destination extension

telex 581 AOR/E IMN582 POR583 IOR584 AOR/W

data 1111 AOR/E DNIC1112 POR1113 IOR1114 AOR/W

fax not supported

sms Vizada: +49-1709127629 MES:Stratos; +47-95222333 i IMN

email Vizada: [email protected] subject: keywordStratos: [email protected] subject: al:telex

Contract with service provider for SMS and email required.

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10.6 SAT-C shore-to-ship Enhanced Group Call EGC

10.6.1 SafetyNET

SafetyNET provides Maritime Safety Information MSI broadcasts out-side NAVTEX coverage free of charge.

MSI can be addressed to all ships within

one, more or all 4 ocean region(s) one, more or all 16 NAVAREA(s) circle rectangle coastal area

Priority levels: distress, urgency, safety, routine

NAVAREA I, II, III: scheduled MSI broadcasts (UTC)

area ocean region NAV warning MET information

I AOR-E 0503, 1730 0930, 2130II AOR-E 1630 0900, 2100

AOR-W 0900, 2100III AOR-E 1200, 2400, on receipt 1000, 2200

ALRS Volume 5 GMDSS www.ukho.gov.ukGMDSS Master Plan www.imo.orgINMARSAT SafetyNet User Handbook www.inmarsat.com

10.6.2 FleetNET

FleetNET provides charged commercial broadcasts to a group of sta-tions selected by EGC Network Identification code ENID code.

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10.6.3 EGC receiver

Set up EGC receiver:

a) automatic update of ships position from GPSor manually input at least every 4 hours

b) designate current NAVAREA I-XVI based on ships positionc) designate INMARSAT ocean region based on NAVAREAd) login in to ocean region NCS of AOR-W, AOR-E, POR or IORe) enter NAVAREA I-XVIf) select NAVTEX codes and/or EGC services from listg) enter alternative NAVAREA

fig. 20: MSI SafetyNet

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Part IV

General Operator CertificateGOC

1. Maritime Mobile Radio Telephone RT communications



(a) VHF, MF/HF radio installation


(c) Narrow Band Direct Printing NBDP, telex


(a) Search and Rescue SAR Procedures


(c) Communication with non-SOLAS vessels

(d) Protection of distress frequencies

(e) Maritime Safety Information MSI

(f) Alerting and Locating Signals


(a) English language written and spoken

(b) Ability to exchange communications relevant to SOLAS

(c) Regulations, obligatory procedures and practices

(d) Practical and theoretical knowledge of RT procedures

5. Maritime Mobile Satellite Service

(a) INMARSAT System

(b) INMARSAT C operation, Enhanced Group Call EGC

(c) INMARSAT B/M, Fleet 77

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11 GMDSS


11.1.1 Radio Operator Certificate

On passenger ships (>12 passengers), cargo vessels (>300GRT) andsome vessels over 24m in sea areas A2-A4 a General Operator Cer-tificate GOC is required.

fig. 21: GOC

This certificate authorises the holder to use a RadioTelephone RT on all maritime mobile bands includingDigital Selective Calling DSC and maritime mobilesatellite communications on a compulsory GMDSSfitted SOLAS vessels.

At least one holder of a certificate of competence for maritime radiostations is required, normally by the shipmaster himself and all marineofficers.

National radio operator licencing administrations:

Austrian GOC = Allgemeines Betriebszeugnis I ABZ IFernmeldebehorde FMB www.bmvit.gv.at

German GOC =Allgemein gultiges Betriebszeugnis fur Funker ABZBundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrografie www.bsh.de

United Kingdom GOC = General Operator CertificateAssociation of Marine Electronics and Radio Colleges

www.amerc.ac.uk

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12 MF/HF Maritime Mobile Radio

12.1 MF/HF telex Terminal

A telex terminal consists of

Video Display Unit VDUKeyboardPrintertelex MODEM (modulator/demodulator)MF/HF Transceiver (F1B or J2B)MF/HF DSC class A

Operation modes for Narrow Band Direct Printing NBDP.

Automatic Reception Request ARC station to stationForward Error Correction FEC broadcastSelective FEC SELFEC station to station

12.1.1 telex identification selcal

Each station needs unique telex identification, the selcal:

coast station: 4 digitsship station: 5 digits

ITU List of callsigns and numerical identitiesMaritime Access and Retrieval System MARS www.itu.int

12.1.2 telex abbreviations

Examples for telex abbreviations:

GA+ go aheadMED+ medical assistance requiredOBS+ weather messagesOCC+ occupied (engaged)URG+ urgent assistant required

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12.2 MF/HF telex communication

12.2.1 MF/HF DSC alert / call

a) push appropriate button(s) to enter DSC menub) select station called (all ships, area, group, individual)c) select priority (distress, urgency, safety, routine)d) select mode telex/RTTY/NBDP, F1B/J2B, simplex/duplex

FEC for distress, urgency, safetyARQ, FEC, SELFEC for routine

e) select DSC calling frequency (position and propagation)distress, urgency, safety:

MF 2187.5kHzHF 4207.5, 6312.0, 8414.5, 12577.0, 16804.5kHz

routine:MF ship-ship TX/RX 2177/2177kHzMF ship-shore TX/RX 2189.5/2177kHzHF 24 DSC frequencies within 8 bands: ship TX/RX [kHz]

4MHz: 4208.0/4219.5, 4208.5/4220.0, 4209.0/4220.5

6MHz: 6312.5/6331.0, 6313.0/6331.5, 6313.5/6332.0

8MHz: 8415.0/8436.5, 8415.5/8437.0, 8416.0/8437.5

12MHz: 12577.5/12657.0, 12578.0/12657.5, 12578.5/12658.0

16MHz: 16805.0/16903.0, 16805.5/16903.5, 16806.0/16904.0

18MHz: 18898.5/19703.5, 18899.0/19704.0, 18899.5/19704.5

22MHz: 22375.5/22444.0, 22376.0/22444.5, 22376.5/22445.0

25MHz: 25208.5/26121.0, 25209.0/26121.5, 25209.5/26122.0

f) select associated telex working frequency in same banddistress, urgency, safety:

MF 2174.5kHzHF 4177.5, 6268.0, 8376.5, 12520.0, 16695.0kHz

routine: appropriate MF/HF frequencyg) push appropriate button to transmit

12.2.2 MF/HF telex message

Prepare and transmit with telex Terminal Software.

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13 SAT-B/M Mobile Earth Station MES

standard GMDSS IMN phone telex remark

SAT-B yes 3MIDxxxxx yes yesSAT-M no 6MIDxxxxx yes no small-scaleMini-M no 76xxxxxxx yes no portable

SAT-B/M will phase out 2014.

13.1 SAT-B/M priority distress P3

13.1.1 SAT-B telex distress


a) select telex mode (go online)b) select distress priority P3 by pushing DISTRESS button >6sc) await RCC answerback and GA+ (Go Ahead)d) type distress message or retrieve from DMG

MAYDAYships name / call sign / IMNposition, nature, assistance, additional information

Distress Message Generator DMG is a memory for pre-programmedtelex distress message. Ships identification and position is included.

13.1.2 SAT-B/M phone distress

a) select phone mode (lift headset)b) select distress priority P3 by pushing DISTRESS button >6sc) push # -key to start c

GMDSS Maritime Radio Operator

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