Which of the following steps should be taken, if possible, when the vessel must be abandoned because of a Distress situation?

(D). Secure the EPIRB to the survival craft and mount the SART in a position to maximize its elevation.

In the stressed panic situation, you don't want to forget to bring the EPIRB and SART radio. Higher mounting will enhance radio wave propagation scope.

When abandoning a vessel, you should:

• "Alert the U.S. Coast Guard by using the survival craft portable INMARSAT unit.

• Program the SART and EPIRB to transmit the vessel's location and situation.

• Place the SART and EPIRB in the "ON" position and secure them to the survival craft."

For detailed info, please see REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY STCW OFFICE Info for Seafarers

For graphic illustration, please see Surviving Disaster

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Which action is the most appropriate action for a GMDSS radio Operator to take in a Distress situation where immediate help is needed, but the vessel is not sinking nor needs to be abandoned?

(A). Transmit Distress calls by HF/MF/VHF DSC or Inmarsat.

Basically, on any frequency available to get help.

See US Coast Guard for DSC DISTRESS info on Sending of Distress Alerts

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DSC is used primarily to:

(B). Transmit and receive Distress, Urgency and Safety alerts and routine calls to and from other ships and coast radio stations.

DSC, Digital Selective Calling, is a part of the GMDSS system. It sends ship's distress messages, and informs coast stations. The DSC message may include Distress, Urgency, Safety, or other messages.

For more information, see RadioReference Wiki article on GMDSS

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GMDSS vessels equipped for Sea Areas A2, A3 or A4 must maintain a continuous DSC watch on 2187.5 kHz.

(C). At all times when underway.

US Coast Guard requires for Sea Areas A2, A3, and A4 to have least one MF coast station in which continuous DSC (2187.5 kHz) alerting and radiotelephony services.
See US Coast Guard article on GMDSS AREAS AND SEARCH AND RESCUE AREAS

The 2187.5kHz, or 2.1875 MHZ, is a MF, medium frequency, within the 300 KHz to 3 MHz range.

47 CFR 80.1089(a)...within sea area A2, must be provided with:
An MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:
(i) 2187.5 kHz using DSC; and
(2) A radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2187.5 kHz. Code of Federal Regulations § 80.1089 Ship radio equipment - Sea areas A1 and A2.

47 CFR 80.1091(a)(2) An MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies: (i) 2187.5 kHz using DSC; and (ii) 2182 kHz using radiotelephony; and

47 CFR 80.1091(a)(3) A radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2187.5 kHz which may be separate from or combined with that required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section...
Code of Federal Regulations § 80.1091 Ship radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2, and A3.

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Which statement is true regarding Distress communications under GMDSS?

(C). The Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) is responsible for controlling a search and rescue operation, will coordinate the Distress traffic relating to the incident and may appoint another station to manage the Distress traffic.

RCC is responsible for:

• enabling effective and efficient coordination of the search and rescue operations.
• selecting appropriate region organization for SAR, search and rescue activities
• handles management of efforts of selected entities and intra-unit communications.

See National Academies Sciences, Engineering, Medicine article on The Place and Role of the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Search and Rescue Operations

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When operating in coastal waters (sea area A1), a GMDSS-equipped vessel must:

(D). Maintain a continuous DSC watch on VHF channel 70.

Per US Coast Guard, for Sea Area A1

"An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast > station in which continuous digital selective calling (ch70) alerting and radiotelephony services are available, as defined by the International Maritime Organization."

..."is within coverage of Coast Guard very high frequency, or VHF Coast Stations that provide both a continuous watch for Digital Selective Calling, or DSC, distress alerts on Channel 70 and a capability to respond to distress alerts."

See US Coast Guard article on GMDSS AREAS AND SEARCH AND RESCUE AREAS

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