Procedures for DSC Distress Communications on VHF/MF A1, A2

Areas.

- Ship in distress: Sends DSC distress alert (Ch. 70 on VHF/2187, 5 kHz on MF).

- Assistant vessel: Records DSC distress alert. Prepares for receiving the distress communication in the same band in which DSC distress alert was received (Ch.16 on VHF/ 2182 kHz on MF) or 2174, 5 kHz TLX.

- CRS: Sends DSC distress acknowledgement to the vessel in distress (Ch.70on VHF/2187, 5 kHz on MF). Sends information as soon as possible to an RCC.

- Ship in distress: Records DSC distress acknowledgement. Then distress traffic is carried out by radiotelephony (Ch. 16on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) or 2174, 5 kHz TLX, distress information " MAY DAY".

- CRS: Distress traffic by radiotelephony (Ch.l6 on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) or 2174, 5 kHz TLX with the vessel in distress. And sends DSC distress relay call (Ch.70 on VHF/2187, 5 kHz on MF) if necessary.

- Assistant vessel: Records DSC distress relay call and acknowledge the DSC distress relay call to the CRS by radiotelephony (Ch. 16 on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) " Received MAYDAY RELAY".

If CRS doesn't send distress acknowledgement by DSC within 5 min.

- Ship in distress: Sends auto repeat of DSC distress alert (Ch.70 on VHF/2187, 5 kHz on MF).

- Assistant vessel: Only after receiving repeat of DSC distress alert, should acknowledge the DSC alert by radiotelephony (Ch. 16 on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) and after that informs CRS or RCC via appropriate radio communications means. Distress traffic with the vessel in distress. DSC Distress Relay Alert.

A ship knowing that another ship is in distress shall transmit a DSC distress relay alert IF:

the ship in distress not itself able to transmit the distress alert;

the master of the ship considers that further help is necessary.

Procedures for DSC Distress Communications on VHF/MF A3, A4

Areas.

- Ship in distress: Sends DSC distress alert (Ch. 70 on VHF/2187, 5 kHz on MF).

- Assistant vessel: Records DSC distress alert. Prepares for receiving distress communication same band in which DSC distress alert was received (Ch. 16 on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) or 2174, 5 kHz TLX.

- Ship in distress: Sends auto repeat of DSC distress alert (Ch.70 on VHF/2187, 5 kHz on MF).

- Assistant vessel: Should acknowledge the DSC alert by use of DSC to terminate the call and after that inform CRS or RCC by any practicable means. Sends acknowledgement by radiotelephony or TLX " Received MAYDAY"

- Ship in distress: Records DSC distress acknowledgement. Then distress traffic is carried out by radiotelephony (Ch.l6 on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) or 2174, 5 kHz TLX, distress information " MAY DAY".

- Assistant vessel: Distress traffic by radiotelephony (Ch.l6 on VHF/2182 kHz on MF) or 2174, 5 kHz TLX with the vessel in distress.