Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 38

FACULTY OF MARITIME STUDIES

Rijeka,

Croatia

Boris Pritchard

Maritime Communications

And

IMO SMCP 2001

(draft version)

RIJEKA, 2003

Contents

1. (Part 1) MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS – INTRODUCTION 3

Part 2) CONDUCT OF MARITIME RADIOTELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS 27

Part 3) DISTRESS, URGENCY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES 49

Part 4) SEARCH AND RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS 87

Part 5) ROUTINE VOICE COMMUNICATIONS 103

Supplements:

Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) Transponder 1

Digital Selective Calling 3

3. DSC Operational Procedures for Ships 6

4. Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) 18

5. IAMSAR Manual: Communications (extract) 20

6. COMSAR\CIRC\21 22

7. Ship Reporting Systems 24

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 38

9. V TMIS Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations 42

References 59

1. (Part 1) MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS – INTRODUCTION

Foreword

This draft manual is intended for nautical students at MET institutions of higher education (maritime academies, colleges, faculties, universities) and for the candidates preparing for STCW 1995 certification exams: Officer of the Watch (Deck) on ships of 500 GT or more, 1^st Mate Certificate, and Master’s Certificate on ships of 3000 GT and more.

The text predominantly deals with voice communications and is based on IMO Standard Marine Communications Phrases (SMCP 2001), Canadian Coast Guard Restricted/General Operator's Certificate, GMDSS course manuals, requirements of STCW 1995, SEASPEAK Training Manual, numerous websites, and author’s own corpus of voice (VHF) maritime communications recorded worldwide.

Any comment, suggestion or criticism will be most appreciated.

1. 1 General

All seafarers using VHF, MF or HF radiotelephones, must hold a valid Operator's Certificate. These certificates are issued after the candidate passes an appropriate government exam. In the Republic of Croatia these exams are held by Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communication, i.e. before authorized boars of examiners at the harbourmaster’s offices in major ports.

Introduction

The material in this publication covers the scope of the Restricted Operator's Certificate examination. This publication will also be required by candidates wishing to obtain the General Operator's Certificate.

Croatia is a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an organization established to regulate the spectrum, providing basic standards for communication procedures and practices, frequency allocation and radio regulations on a worldwide basis. The ITU sets the minimum standards that candidates should meet for obtaining the various classes of radio operator's certificates. Croatia is also a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is responsible for marine equipment and operations, especially concerning safety at sea.

The Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications administers telecommunications in Croatia, based on both national and international acts, regulations and conventions. Marine operations in the world are generally regulated by the Coast Guard. The role of Coast Guard in Croatia is assumed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs via harbourmaster's offices.

To bring the Croatian certificate in line with changes in the international requirements, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has established several marine certificates. These certificates are listed below:

1. Restricted Operator's Certificate (RoC)

2. General Operator's Certificate (GoC), and

3. Radiocommunications General Maritime Certificate.

4. GMDSS Certificates

4a. GMDSS 1^st Class

4b. GMDSS 2^nd Class

Under the Ship Manning Regulations the Ministry requires that ships are compulsorily fitted with radio equipment. They shall also carry persons who hold the appropriate certificate for the type of voyage and the equipment fitted.

Ships fitted with VHF radiotelephones must carry persons who hold a Restricted Operator's Certificate, and ships that are fitted with MF or MH/HF radiotelephones, or ship earth stations, must carry persons who hold either a General Operator's Certificate or a Radiocommunications General Maritime Certificate.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in force since February 1, 1999 has a worldwide coverage and considerably enhances the assistance that can be given to ships in distress and urgency situations.

For additional information on this system, also refer to the various publications under such headings as " Distress Communications", " Urgency Communications" and " Safety communications" in SMCP 2001 or at various sites on the internet. Current information on the progress and availability of this system is available in the latest editions of the Radio Aids to Marine Navigation and the annual edition of Notices to Mariners.

Knowledge required for the Examination (general provisions):

The candidates will be required to satisfy the Board of Examiners that they:

1. are capable of operating modern VHF radiotelephone equipment,

2. possess a general knowledge of the radiotelephone operating procedures, international regulations applicable to radiotelephone communications between stations, as well as those specific regulations relating to safety of life, and

3. possess practical knowledge of the operation of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System equipment for vessels engaged on voyages within the range of VHF coast stations.

4. possess a working knowledge of relevant parts of IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP 2001)

Radio Station Certificates / Licences

Unless exempted under Section 6 of the General Radio Regulations, Part II (GR2), all radio stations in Croatia must be licensed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications. The certificate or licence must be displayed in a conspicuous place near the radio equipment.

The radio station licence generally specifies the call sign assigned to the station, the frequencies to be used for transmitting, the type of radio equipment authorized, and any special conditions under which the station should be operated.

To be eligible for licensing in Croatia, radiotelephone equipment must be of the type approved or technically acceptable for licensing by the Ministry. Type approval number is a nine-digit number appearing on a label affixed to the radio and assures the purchaser or owner of the radio equipment that it meets Croatian and international technical standards.

1. 2 Technical Information

From: https://www.goals.com/ClassRm/SailSci/seacom.htm: Communication at Sea

Vessels on long voyages are often away from land for weeks or months at a time. Even on short voyages, a sailor on a boat is isolated from the land, and it is often difficult to know what is happening only a short distance away. Unless one is close enough to simply yell to people on shore or aboard other vessels, questions must often go unanswered until one returns home. It was natural, then, that early mariners would embrace technologies that allowed them to communicate across distances.