Survival craft portable VHF radiotelephone equipment and two-way on-scene communications
This domain tests the portable two-way VHF radiotelephone carried for survival craft and the on-scene communication it supports. The exam distinguishes it from the ship's fixed VHF/DSC installation and expects realistic use: distress calling, working a scene, and conserving battery.
Equipment and channels
The survival-craft portable VHF is a waterproof, battery-powered transceiver. It provides channel 16 for distress and calling and at least one working channel, commonly channel 06, for on-scene communication. It does not have DSC and does not transmit on channel 70. It is stowed so it can be carried into the liferaft or survival craft, and its battery is normally a primary type with a marked expiry date.
Use in a survival craft
Make the initial MAYDAY on channel 16 with vessel name, position, number of persons and nature of distress, then keep the radio off between calls to save battery. Once a rescue unit or nearby vessel answers, move to the agreed on-scene channel, often channel 06, and pass concise information: number of survivors, injuries, sea state, craft colour and any lights. Keep the antenna clear of the body and use short transmissions.
Worked example
Crew abandon ship into a liferaft with a portable VHF. The operator switches on, selects channel 16, and transmits MAYDAY with the vessel name, position, 12 persons and the fact that the vessel has sunk. A nearby coaster replies. The operator switches to channel 06, gives the liferaft description and drift, and then turns the radio off except for scheduled calls. When a rescue helicopter arrives, the operator uses brief transmissions on the agreed channel to guide it.
Traps that cost marks
Do not expect the survival-craft radio to send a DSC alert; it has no channel 70 capability. Do not use it for routine ship business or leave it on continuously, draining the battery. Do not replace a marked primary battery with an ordinary cell. Do not give long descriptions; on-scene traffic should be short and factual.