Other phrases in Conducting exchanges

Corrections and Repetitions

Corrections and Repetitions during Transmission

When an error has been made in transmission, the word CORRECTION should be spoken, the last correct word or phrase repeated and the correct version transmitted.

Examples:

Repetitions after Completion

Transmissions or items of transmissions should not be repeated unless requested by the receiving operator.

Repetitions should be requested if reception is doubtful.

If the receiving operator desires a repetition of a message, the words SAY AGAIN should be transmitted. If repetition of only a portion of a message is required, the receiving operator should use the following appropriate phraseology:

SAY AGAIN ALL BEFORE... (first word satisfactorily received),

SAY AGAIN ALL BETWEEN... (last word correctly received prior to the missing segment) and... (first word correctly received after the missing segment).

SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER... (last word satisfactorily received).

Examples:

Request for repetition of specific items of a message should be made by speaking the words SAY AGAIN followed by the identification of the message desired.

Examples:

SAY AGAIN OFFICE OF ORIGIN

SAY AGAIN POSITION

SAY AGAIN TIME

Control of Communications

As a general rule, except in cases of priority communications, the control of radiocommunications between a coast station and a ship station lies with the coast station (CS = Controlling Station).

In communications between coast stations and ship stations, the ship station shall comply with instructions given by the coast station in all matters relating to the order and time of transmission, to the choice of frequency and to the duration and suspension of work.

In communications between ship stations, normally the station called is the controlling station. If the station is in agreement with the calling station, it shall transmit an indication from that moment onwards that it will listen on the working frequency or channel announced by the calling station.

However, if the station called is not in agreement with the calling station on the working frequency or channel to be used, it shall transmit an indication of the working frequency or channel to be used.

Note: In cases of distress or urgency communications, the control of the communications lies with the station initiating the priority call.

Unsuccessful Call

When a station called does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling station shall cease and not renew the call until after an interval of three minutes. Before renewing the call, the calling station shall attempt to ascertain that the station being called is not in communication with another station.

Examples:

Ship calling a coast station

(the coast station has control of radiocommunications)

Coast station replying to a ship

(the coast station has control of radiocommunications)

One ship to another ship

(the ship being called has the control of radiocommunications)

The called ship replies

(the ship being called has the control of radiocommunications)

Signal Checks

It is sometimes necessary to verify that your transmitter and receiver are

operational. This can be done by:

1. establishing contact with another ship or a coast station on Channel 16, and changing to a working channel,

2. establishing contact on the working channel and conducting your tests (the actual wording of the test is given in the example below), not exceeding ten seconds for signal checks,

3. using the readability scale listed below when giving the report, remembering that a readability of 3 to 5 indicates to the receiving station that it is being copied/received/heard 100 percent.

Readability Scale

1 = Bad (unreadable)

2 = Poor (readable now and then)

3 = Fair (readable with great difficulty)

4 = Good (readable with minor difficulty)

5 = Excellent (perfectly readable)

Examples:

Call

Reply

or

2.5 Other examples of VHF exchanges:

2.5.1 Call by vessel (Calling Station)

I.b Reply by coast station (Responding Station)

2.5.2 The message – Calling Station

II.b The message – Responding (coast) station

2. 6 BROADCASTS*** ( under construction )

For further information and more examples consult:

- Peter Kluijven: https://home.planet.nl/~kluijven/

- SMCP Training Module, SMCP Language Training, Marine Technology Based Training, MarineSoft, Rostock, Germany, www.marinesoft.de

- Weeks. F., Glover, A., Johnson, E., Strevens, P. (1988 ) SEASPEAK, Training Manual. Essential English for Maritime Use. Pergamon Press, Oxford

- Pritchard, B. (2000) MARITIME ENGLISH, Del Bianco Editore, Udine

- Kluijven, P. (2003) IMLP

- STANDARD MARINE COMMUNICATION PHRASES, 2001, IMO, London