GMDSS

Question 1

What is Navtex ?

Answer 1

primary equipment as part of GMDSS to receive maritimes Safety Information
- 518khz

Question 2

What frequency does NAVTEX operate on ?

Answer 2

518 KHZ - English
490 KHZ - regional language

Question 3

What are the 4 messages on navtext that CANNOT be deselected?

Answer 3

A - Navigational Warnings
B - Meteorological Warnings
D - Search and rescue information
L- Additional navigational warnings

Question 4

What are the three main search patterns?

Answer 4

For witnessed MOB:

Expanding Square search - good over a small search area
Sector Search -
How would you know / determine your search leg lengths?
What are you searching for? Person? Liferaft?
What are the weather conditions? Wave height, visibility?
Look at table inside IAMSAR - “uncorrected sweep widths for merchant vessels”

For unwitnessed MOB:

Creeping line search - in collaberation with yachts tenders? While waiting for SAR helicopter / professional help

Question 5

What are your actions in the event of a MOB?

Answer 5

Call the master
Engage Hand steering
Turn towards casualty
Mark the position (GPS MOB button on all equipment)
Release MOB buoy / lifering with smoke
Sound General Alarm / Sound OSCAR and Raise flag (3 long blasts)
Make decision regarding manoeuvre (Williamson, Anderson Sharnov)
Lookouts posted with binoculars + instructions to keep eyes on MOB
Rescue boat team to muster and brief
Send out distress message

Question 6

How long will your reserve power sources last?

Answer 6

Emergency generator 18 hours
Batteries only 6 hours
Both will power steering, bridge equipment, fire pump and bilge pumps etc

Question 7

What to do when receiving a distress message MF in mid Atlantic ?

Answer 7

Tune to 2182 listen for comms and immediately acknowledge, then establish voice communication

Question 8

You receive distress message in area A1 VHF what to do ?

Answer 8

listen to ch 16 for coms and defer for short time to let Coast station answer

Question 9

Monthly tests

Answer 9

• TEST EPIRB self test, batterie, exp date, condition
• TEST SART against radar, batterie check etc. make sure to inform the port or ships in area
• test survival craft handheld VHF’s, check battery is in good condition with seal unbroken
• Inspect battery system, boxes, framework, connections, SG
• on/off load test batterie
• Inspect antennas and isolators for damage

Question 10

Weekly Test

Answer 10

• Run emergency power supply if other than battery (generator)
• test of DSC equipment by test call to a CS (VHF/MF/HF)
• hand held survival radios check

Question 11

Daily tests

Answer 11

• Test DSC internally
• Check battery voltage (must be reading 27V)
• internal test of Sat C
• internal test NAVTEX
• Check printers have adequate supply of paper and ink
• radio log