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WPC GMDSS ROC (India) practice questions

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Question 1GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Under the GMDSS, which sea area is defined as the area within radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available?

  1. Sea area A4
  2. Sea area A3
  3. Sea area A1 Correct answer.
  4. Sea area A2

Explanation

Sea area A1 is defined by the availability of continuous DSC alerting on VHF, which is normally taken as about 20 to 30 nautical miles from a coast station. The other sea areas are defined by MF and HF coverage or by the absence of all such coverage.

Question 2GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

A vessel is certified for Sea area A2 only. Which radiocommunication capability must it carry in addition to VHF DSC equipment?

  1. An HF DSC watch receiver covering all distress bands
  2. An Inmarsat-C terminal for two-way distress communications
  3. MF equipment for DSC alerting and radiotelephony on distress frequencies Correct answer.
  4. A 406 MHz EPIRB with built-in satellite two-way capability

Explanation

Sea area A2 is defined by continuous MF DSC coverage, so the ship must be able to alert and communicate on the MF distress and safety frequencies. VHF alone satisfies only A1, while satellite equipment is the basis of A3.

Question 3GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which statement correctly describes the boundary of Sea area A3?

  1. It lies within Inmarsat geostationary satellite coverage, excluding A1 and A2 Correct answer.
  2. It begins where MF coverage ends and ends at the HF limit
  3. It covers all waters north of 70 degrees latitude
  4. It extends to 100 nautical miles from the nearest coast station

Explanation

A3 is the area within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite, excluding areas already classed as A1 or A2. It is a satellite-based definition rather than a fixed distance from the coast.

Question 4GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

In which sea area is a ship required to have HF radiocommunication capability for distress alerting and communications?

  1. Sea area A3
  2. Sea area A4 Correct answer.
  3. Sea area A2
  4. Sea area A1

Explanation

Sea area A4 lies outside VHF, MF and Inmarsat coverage, so long-range HF equipment provides the only GMDSS alerting and communications capability. Ships operating there must carry HF DSC and radiotelephony.

Question 5GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which equipment is mandatory for every GMDSS ship, regardless of the sea area for which it is certified?

  1. A VHF DSC radio installation Correct answer.
  2. A NAVTEX receiver for all areas
  3. An Inmarsat ship earth station
  4. An MF/HF DSC installation

Explanation

A VHF DSC installation is the baseline requirement for all GMDSS ships because A1 coverage is the minimum starting point of the system. Higher sea areas add MF, HF or satellite equipment on top of this baseline.

Question 6GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

A ship certified for A1, A2 and A3 carries no HF radio equipment. Which additional item is needed to provide the second means of distress alerting required by the GMDSS?

  1. A portable VHF transceiver in the liferaft
  2. An additional NAVTEX receiver
  3. A 406 MHz float-free EPIRB Correct answer.
  4. A second VHF DSC controller on the bridge

Explanation

The GMDSS requires at least two separate means of distress alerting, and a satellite EPIRB provides the independent second means for a ship without HF. A single VHF DSC set does not satisfy the redundancy requirement.

Question 7GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

What is the primary purpose of the NAVTEX system within the GMDSS?

  1. To provide two-way satellite voice communications
  2. To broadcast maritime safety information to ships within coastal coverage Correct answer.
  3. To track vessel positions for search and rescue
  4. To relay distress alerts from ships to rescue coordination centres

Explanation

NAVTEX is a narrow-band direct-printing service that broadcasts maritime safety information such as navigational warnings and weather forecasts. It is a receive-only service for ships and does not handle distress traffic.

Question 8GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which service is used to broadcast maritime safety information to ships operating in Sea area A4?

  1. VHF DSC on channel 70
  2. SafetyNET through Inmarsat
  3. HF narrow-band direct printing on the appropriate bands Correct answer.
  4. NAVTEX on 518 kHz

Explanation

In polar waters outside Inmarsat and NAVTEX coverage, maritime safety information is received through the HF narrow-band direct-printing service. SafetyNET depends on Inmarsat, which is not available in A4.

Question 9GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which frequency band does the NAVTEX international service normally use?

  1. 490 kHz
  2. 518 kHz Correct answer.
  3. 8 414.5 kHz
  4. 2 182 kHz

Explanation

The international NAVTEX service transmits in English on 518 kHz. The 490 kHz channel is used for national-language broadcasts, while the other frequencies serve distress and DSC purposes.

Question 10GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which frequency is designated for GMDSS distress, urgency and safety radiotelephony in the VHF band?

  1. Channel 13
  2. Channel 16 Correct answer.
  3. Channel 6
  4. Channel 70

Explanation

VHF channel 16 is the international distress, urgency and safety radiotelephony frequency. Channel 70 is reserved for DSC and must not be used for voice.

Question 11GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Why is VHF channel 70 reserved exclusively for DSC in the GMDSS?

  1. Voice transmissions on it would interfere with DSC alerting Correct answer.
  2. It is the only channel with sufficient bandwidth for voice
  3. It is allocated to port operations in most countries
  4. It is used for public correspondence with coast stations

Explanation

Channel 70 carries the digital selective calling signals that provide VHF distress alerting and routine calling, so voice traffic there would interfere with the reliable reception of DSC messages. All voice communications must therefore use other channels such as channel 16.

Question 12GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which frequency pair provides MF distress, urgency and safety radiotelephony and DSC in the GMDSS?

  1. 2 182 kHz for DSC and 2 187.5 kHz for voice
  2. 4 125 kHz for voice and 4 207.5 kHz for DSC
  3. 2 182 kHz for voice and 2 187.5 kHz for DSC Correct answer.
  4. 1 566.5 kHz for voice and 1 605 kHz for DSC

Explanation

The MF distress and safety radiotelephony frequency is 2 182 kHz, and the corresponding MF DSC frequency is 2 187.5 kHz. These two frequencies underpin Sea area A2 alerting.

Question 13GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

A ship is fitted with an Inmarsat-C terminal and a 406 MHz EPIRB but has no MF or HF radio. Which sea areas can it be certified for?

  1. A1 only
  2. A1, A2 and A3 Correct answer.
  3. A1, A2, A3 and A4
  4. A1 and A2

Explanation

Inmarsat-C supplies the satellite alerting needed for A3, and VHF equipment covers A1, but the absence of MF equipment excludes A2. A4 requires HF capability, which this ship does not have.

Question 14GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

What does the term 'continuous watch' mean in the context of GMDSS carriage requirements?

  1. Automatic reception of distress alerts without operator intervention Correct answer.
  2. A listening watch maintained by a radio operator on every watch
  3. Monitoring of distress frequencies only during daylight hours
  4. Monitoring of distress frequencies only while the ship is at sea

Explanation

GMDSS equipment such as DSC and NAVTEX provides continuous automatic watch, which removes the need for a dedicated radio officer listening by ear. The watch must be maintained automatically at all times unless it causes interference.

Question 15GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which document must be carried on board to show that the ship's radio installation complies with the GMDSS carriage requirements?

  1. A Document of Compliance for the ISM Code
  2. A Load Line Certificate
  3. A Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate Correct answer.
  4. An International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate

Explanation

The Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate, or its equivalent for passenger ships, certifies that the radio installation meets the applicable GMDSS requirements. It is issued after survey of the radio equipment and its power supplies.

Question 16GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which source must be capable of supplying the GMDSS radio installation in an emergency?

  1. The ship's main switchboard only
  2. A portable generator kept in the radio room
  3. The shore power connection while in port
  4. An emergency source of electrical energy, such as a battery or emergency generator Correct answer.

Explanation

GMDSS equipment must be powered from both the main and an emergency source of electrical energy so that communications survive a failure of the main supply. The emergency source is typically a dedicated battery or the emergency generator.

Question 17GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which of the following best explains why the GMDSS introduced a shore-based rescue coordination structure?

  1. To replace satellite systems with coast radio stations
  2. To transfer all communications from ships to aircraft
  3. To allow ships to stop carrying any radio equipment
  4. To ensure distress alerts are received and acted upon by shore authorities even when no ship is nearby Correct answer.

Explanation

The GMDSS is built around shore-based coordination, so that an alert is routed to a rescue coordination centre that can act even if no other vessel is within range. This is a fundamental change from ship-to-ship alerting.

Question 18GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which equipment provides the automatic identification and ranging function used in GMDSS search and rescue coordination?

  1. AIS Correct answer.
  2. NAVTEX
  3. DSC
  4. EPIRB

Explanation

The Automatic Identification System broadcasts vessel identity, position and course, enabling shore stations and rescue units to identify and track vessels during a search and rescue operation. The other systems serve alerting or information broadcast rather than identification and ranging.

Question 19GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

An A1-only vessel intends to sail beyond VHF coverage into waters covered only by an Inmarsat satellite. Which equipment must be added to remain compliant?

  1. An Inmarsat ship earth station Correct answer.
  2. An additional NAVTEX receiver
  3. A second 406 MHz EPIRB
  4. An MF/HF DSC installation

Explanation

Operating in A3 requires satellite communications capability, so an Inmarsat terminal is needed to meet the alerting and communications requirements. MF/HF equipment is not required for A3 if satellite capability is provided.

Question 20GMDSS system architecture, sea areas and carriage requirements

Which statement accurately describes the coverage of the Inmarsat system used for GMDSS?

  1. It covers only coastal waters within 50 nautical miles
  2. It covers only the northern hemisphere
  3. It covers all latitudes including the polar regions
  4. It covers approximately the area between 70 degrees north and 70 degrees south Correct answer.

Explanation

Inmarsat geostationary satellites provide coverage roughly between 70 degrees north and 70 degrees south, which defines the practical extent of Sea area A3. Polar regions beyond this limit fall into A4 and require HF.

Question 21Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

On a GMDSS-equipped vessel, which priority of communication takes absolute precedence over all other transmissions?

  1. Distress traffic Correct answer.
  2. Routine traffic
  3. Safety traffic
  4. Urgency traffic

Explanation

Distress traffic has absolute priority over all other communications because it concerns a grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. Urgency and safety traffic rank below distress, and routine traffic yields to all three.

Question 22Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which signal indicates that a station is transmitting an urgency message?

  1. SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE
  2. PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN Correct answer.
  3. CQ CQ CQ
  4. MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

Explanation

Urgency messages are preceded by the signal PAN PAN, repeated three times, and announce a very urgent message concerning the safety of a vessel or person. MAYDAY is reserved for distress and SECURITE for safety.

Question 23Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Which signal must precede the distress call on VHF?

  1. MAYDAY Correct answer.
  2. SECURITE
  3. PAN PAN
  4. MAYDAY RELAY

Explanation

The distress call is preceded by MAYDAY repeated three times when a vessel faces grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance. MAYDAY RELAY is used by a station other than the one in distress to relay the message.

Question 24Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

What is the correct order of elements in a distress call sent on VHF Channel 16?

  1. SECURITE, this is, vessel name, nature of the warning
  2. MAYDAY, this is, vessel name and call sign repeated three times, MAYDAY and name once Correct answer.
  3. MAYDAY, vessel name, position, nature of distress, assistance required
  4. MAYDAY RELAY, vessel name, position, number of persons on board

Explanation

The distress call consists of MAYDAY three times, 'this is', the vessel's name and call sign three times, then MAYDAY and the name once. Position, nature of distress and assistance required belong to the distress message that follows, not the call.

Question 25Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which item must be included in the distress message to help rescuers assess the situation?

  1. The vessel's cargo manifest number
  2. The name of the ship's owner
  3. The vessel's next port of call
  4. The nature of the distress and the type of assistance required Correct answer.

Explanation

The distress message should state the nature of the distress and the kind of assistance required so that rescue coordination can be planned. Position, identity, persons on board and other details are also included as appropriate.

Question 26Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

You hear a distress alert from another vessel but your own vessel is not in a position to assist. What is the correct action?

  1. Retransmit your own routine traffic as normal
  2. Wait for at least one hour before taking any action
  3. Acknowledge the alert and offer to relay it to a coast station Correct answer.
  4. Remain silent and switch off the radio to avoid interference

Explanation

A station that hears a distress alert but cannot itself assist should still acknowledge or ensure the alert is relayed to a coast station or rescue coordination centre. Silence would delay rescue, and routine traffic must be suspended.

Question 27Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which frequency is designated for distress, urgency and safety radiotelephony on VHF?

  1. Channel 16 Correct answer.
  2. Channel 13
  3. Channel 70
  4. Channel 06

Explanation

VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety frequency. Channel 70 is reserved for DSC alerts and must not be used for voice.

Question 28Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

What does the signal SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE announce?

  1. An urgency message about a sick crew member
  2. A distress alert requiring immediate assistance
  3. A general call to all ships in the area
  4. A safety message such as a navigational or meteorological warning Correct answer.

Explanation

SECURITE, repeated three times, introduces a safety message concerning navigation or meteorological warnings. It has lower priority than distress and urgency but higher than routine traffic.

Question 29Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A crew member has fallen overboard and the vessel needs immediate medical advice but is not in grave and imminent danger. Which signal should be used?

  1. MAYDAY RELAY
  2. MAYDAY
  3. SECURITE
  4. PAN PAN Correct answer.

Explanation

When a person is in urgent need of medical advice or assistance but there is no grave and imminent danger to the vessel, urgency traffic preceded by PAN PAN is appropriate. MAYDAY is reserved for grave and imminent danger.

Question 30Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

When transmitting a MAYDAY distress message, which detail helps rescue services decide how to evacuate the vessel?

  1. The name of the charterer
  2. The date of the last survey
  3. The vessel's flag state registration fee
  4. The number of persons on board Correct answer.

Explanation

The number of persons on board directly informs rescue coordination about the scale of evacuation and resources needed. It is a standard element of the distress message.

Question 31Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

On receiving a distress alert, which action takes precedence for a vessel able to assist?

  1. Proceeding towards the distress position and maintaining radio watch Correct answer.
  2. Logging the alert and waiting for a coast station instruction
  3. Broadcasting a general warning to other ships before acknowledging
  4. Continuing scheduled routine traffic until the watch changes

Explanation

A vessel in a position to assist should proceed towards the distress position while maintaining a continuous radio watch and acknowledging the alert. Rescue coordination will then direct further action.

Question 32Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which of the following correctly describes 'distress traffic'?

  1. All messages concerning the immediate assistance required by a vessel in grave and imminent danger Correct answer.
  2. Messages about routine port arrivals and departures
  3. Messages exchanged between ships about commercial matters
  4. Messages concerning meteorological forecasts only

Explanation

Distress traffic comprises all messages relating to the immediate assistance required by a vessel or person in grave and imminent danger. It has absolute priority and all other traffic must cease.

Question 33Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A coast station is controlling a distress incident. What does the term 'distress traffic' control mean for other stations?

  1. They may use the distress frequency for testing
  2. They must impose silence and avoid interfering with the distress working frequency Correct answer.
  3. They should change to a private channel and continue normal calls
  4. They may transmit routine traffic if it is brief

Explanation

Once distress traffic is being controlled, all stations must impose silence on the working frequency and refrain from transmitting unless they are directly involved or asked to assist. This protects the integrity of the rescue communications.

Question 34Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which phrase is used to impose radio silence during a distress incident?

  1. SILENCE FINI
  2. PRUDONCE
  3. SEELONCE MAYDAY Correct answer.
  4. MAYDAY FINI

Explanation

SEELONCE MAYDAY is used by the station controlling distress traffic to impose silence on all stations. SEELONCE FEENEE or SILENCE FINI indicates that silence is lifted.

Question 35Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

What does the signal SEELONCE FEENEE indicate?

  1. The distress traffic has ended and normal working may resume Correct answer.
  2. An urgency message is about to be transmitted
  3. A safety warning is being broadcast
  4. A distress alert has been received

Explanation

SEELONCE FEENEE (or SILENCE FINI) indicates that distress traffic has ended and normal working may resume. It is transmitted by the station that controlled the distress traffic.

Question 36Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel in distress wishes to indicate that it is transmitting a distress alert by DSC on VHF. Which channel is used?

  1. Channel 12
  2. Channel 70 Correct answer.
  3. Channel 09
  4. Channel 16

Explanation

VHF Channel 70 is dedicated to DSC distress and safety alerts, including distress alerts, urgency and safety calls. Voice communication after the DSC alert normally takes place on Channel 16.

Question 37Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

You observe a distress alert on your DSC controller from a vessel whose identity you do not recognise and no further information follows. What is the appropriate first action?

  1. Acknowledge it by DSC and attempt to establish contact, or relay it if you cannot assist Correct answer.
  2. Ignore it because no voice message followed
  3. Switch to a routine working channel and continue normal operations
  4. Broadcast a MAYDAY RELAY immediately without further checks

Explanation

An unrecognised distress alert should be treated seriously; the receiving station should acknowledge by DSC or attempt voice contact, and relay the alert if it cannot assist. Ignoring it could delay rescue of a genuine casualty.

Question 38Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which of the following is the correct content of a MAYDAY RELAY transmission?

  1. The words MAYDAY RELAY repeated three times, followed by the relaying station's identity and the distress details Correct answer.
  2. The words PAN PAN repeated three times
  3. The words SECURITE followed by a weather warning
  4. Only the words MAYDAY repeated three times

Explanation

A MAYDAY RELAY begins with MAYDAY RELAY repeated three times, then identifies the relaying station and passes on the distress details as received. It is used when a station other than the vessel in distress relays the message.

Question 39Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

In GMDSS priority terms, how does a safety communication compare with an urgency communication?

  1. Safety has higher priority than urgency
  2. Safety and urgency have equal priority
  3. Safety has lower priority than urgency but higher than routine Correct answer.
  4. Safety has the same priority as distress

Explanation

The GMDSS priority order is distress, urgency, safety, then routine. Safety messages such as navigational warnings therefore rank below urgency but above routine traffic.

Question 40Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

What is the purpose of the 'PRUDONCE' signal in radiotelephony distress working?

  1. To indicate that distress traffic has ended
  2. To identify the station controlling the distress
  3. To request all stations to reduce transmission and use low power Correct answer.
  4. To announce a safety warning

Explanation

PRUDONCE (or PRUDENCE) is used to request stations to reduce transmission and use low power so that distress working is not interfered with. It is a lesser restriction than imposing full silence.

Question 41Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel detects a distress alert on 406 MHz EPIRB. Which statement best describes how this alert reaches rescue authorities?

  1. It is transmitted only to the nearest coast radio station by voice
  2. It is received directly by all ships within VHF range
  3. It is decoded only by the vessel's own DSC controller
  4. It is relayed via satellite to a rescue coordination centre Correct answer.

Explanation

A 406 MHz EPIRB alert is detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system and passed to a rescue coordination centre, which can then alert nearby vessels. It does not rely on line-of-sight VHF reception by other ships.

Question 42Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which statement about transmitting on VHF Channel 16 is correct?

  1. It may be used only for DSC alerts
  2. It should be used only for distress, urgency and safety, and for establishing initial contact before moving to a working channel Correct answer.
  3. It may be used for routine calls of unlimited length
  4. It is reserved exclusively for weather broadcasts

Explanation

Channel 16 is the distress, urgency and safety frequency and is also used for initial calling. Once contact is established, stations should move to a working channel to keep Channel 16 clear.

Question 43Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

During a distress incident, a station that is not involved in the rescue hears routine traffic on the distress working channel. What should it do?

  1. Remain silent and, if necessary, inform the controlling station of the interference Correct answer.
  2. Change channel and continue its own routine traffic
  3. Join the conversation to obtain information
  4. Transmit a MAYDAY RELAY

Explanation

Stations not involved must maintain silence on the distress working frequency and should notify the controlling station of any interference so it can be stopped. They must not join the conversation or add to the congestion.

Question 44Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which of the following correctly describes an urgency communication?

  1. A communication concerning routine navigational information
  2. A communication concerning commercial arrangements between ships
  3. A communication concerning grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance
  4. A communication concerning the safety of a vessel or person that is very urgent but not a distress Correct answer.

Explanation

An urgency communication concerns the safety of a vessel or person and is very urgent, but does not involve grave and imminent danger. It is preceded by PAN PAN and ranks below distress but above safety.

Question 45Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

What is the final action after a distress incident has been resolved and the controlling station has transmitted SEELONCE FEENEE?

  1. Stations must retransmit the original distress alert
  2. Stations must switch off their radios for one hour
  3. Stations may resume normal working and acknowledge the end of distress traffic Correct answer.
  4. All stations must continue to maintain silence indefinitely

Explanation

When SEELONCE FEENEE (or SILENCE FINI) is transmitted, the distress traffic has ended and stations may resume normal working. The controlling station may also pass any final instructions before releasing the frequency.

Question 46Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

Which frequency band and calling frequency pair is designated for radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety traffic on MF in the GMDSS?

  1. 8414.5 kHz for distress and calling, with 8291 kHz reserved for public correspondence
  2. 2182 kHz for distress and calling, with 2174.5 kHz used for narrow-band direct-printing distress traffic Correct answer.
  3. 4125 kHz for distress and calling, with 2182 kHz used only for routine ship-to-ship traffic
  4. 2182 kHz for distress and calling, with 2174.5 kHz used for radiotelephony on-scene working

Explanation

In the GMDSS the MF radiotelephony distress and calling frequency is 2182 kHz, while 2174.5 kHz is the MF frequency used for NBDP distress and safety traffic. Voice on-scene working between units coordinating a rescue normally moves to 2174.5 kHz only for NBDP, so the voice working channel is not 2174.5 kHz.

Question 47Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel sights a red hand flare fired from a small craft at night but hears no radio traffic. Under the GMDSS, what does this sighting require the observing vessel to do?

  1. Log the sighting in the radio diary and continue the passage because no DSC alert was received
  2. Wait for a MAYDAY on VHF Channel 16 before taking any action, since flares may be used in exercises
  3. Treat it as a distress signal and attempt to establish contact and inform the relevant authority without delay Correct answer.
  4. Broadcast a PAN PAN on VHF Channel 16 to warn other shipping of a practice firing area

Explanation

A red hand flare is a recognised distress signal under the COLREGs and the Radio Regulations, so a sighting must be treated as evidence of distress even without a radio alert. The observing station should try to establish communication with the craft and report the sighting to the appropriate coast station or rescue coordination centre.

Question 48Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel is in grave and imminent danger and transmits a MAYDAY on VHF. A coast station then assumes control of the incident. What does this control require of other stations that are not directly assisting?

  1. They must retransmit the MAYDAY RELAY on the working frequency at regular intervals
  2. They must switch off all radio equipment until the incident is closed
  3. They must cease transmitting on the working frequency and keep watch until the controlling station releases them Correct answer.
  4. They must continue their own routine calls on the working frequency but keep them brief

Explanation

Once a station assumes control of distress traffic, other stations must refrain from transmitting on the frequency used for the incident and maintain a listening watch. They remain silent until the controlling station signals that normal working may resume, usually with SEELONCE FEENEE.

Question 49Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel needs to send an urgency message about a crew member with a serious but not immediately life-threatening injury, and there is no immediate danger to the ship. Which priority and call should be used?

  1. MAYDAY, because any medical problem is treated as a distress situation
  2. No special signal, because medical matters are handled only by public correspondence
  3. SECURITE, because the message concerns the safety of navigation
  4. PAN PAN, sent on the distress and calling frequency, then working frequency for the message Correct answer.

Explanation

An urgency communication concerns the safety of a person or vessel but does not involve grave and imminent danger, so it is preceded by the signal PAN PAN. It is transmitted on the distress and calling frequency, after which the working frequency is used to pass the message.

Question 50Distress, urgency and safety communications (procedures and priorities)

A vessel in distress has been assisted and the controlling station transmits SEELONCE FEENEE. What does this signal authorise other stations to do?

  1. Resume normal working, subject to the continued restrictions announced for the incident Correct answer.
  2. Continue radio silence until the vessel in distress itself transmits an all-clear
  3. Change to the NBDP distress frequency to confirm the rescue is complete
  4. Immediately resume all transmissions including those on the distress working frequency

Explanation

SEELONCE FEENEE is the radiotelephony signal announcing that distress traffic has ended and normal working may resume. Any restrictions announced by the controlling station, such as a silent period for a medical evacuation, remain in force until they are lifted.