Italy LRC Marine Radio study plan

Define the four GMDSS sea areas (A1–A4) and state, from memory, which radiocommunication functions must be available in each

Map each sea area to the minimum carriage fit (VHF DSC, MF/HF DSC, Inmarsat, NAVTEX, EPIRB, SART, two-way VHF) and write the resulting matrix on one page

Distinguish the functional requirements (alerting, SAR coordination, locating, MSI, general radiocommunication, bridge-to-bridge) and assign each to the equipment that satisfies it

Explain the difference between an Italian LRC (Limitatamente alle comunicazioni via radio) and the GOC/GMDSS operator certificates, listing what each authorizes

List the station documents and licence items a vessel must carry and identify which authority issues and renews them in Italy

Transmit the full DSC distress alert sequence aloud, naming every field (format, nature, position, time, subsequent communication) and the correct follow-up voice mayday on VHF channel 16

Sequence a distress relay and a distress acknowledgement correctly, stating who may acknowledge and when silence is imposed on the distress traffic

Convert a MAYDAY, PAN PAN and SECURITE call into complete spoken scripts including station identification, position, nature of distress and assistance required

Operate VHF channel 16 watchkeeping and explain the channel 70 restriction against voice transmission

Demonstrate on a simulator the cancellation of a false distress alert on VHF DSC and the corresponding voice broadcast

Assign the correct VHF channel to at least 15 scenarios (ship-to-ship, port operations, marina, public correspondence, inter-ship safety, AIS) without reference material

Explain dual watch and tri-watch behaviour and the conditions under which a dedicated channel 16 watch may be relaxed

Describe the correct response to a received DSC distress alert on VHF, including when to remain silent and when to acknowledge

Practise phonetic alphabet, figure spelling and standard position/time formats until call signs and positions are read back without error

Explain the procedure for testing a VHF DSC radio without triggering a false alert, including the use of the test call facility

Explain the MF/HF DSC distress alert structure and the role of the five distress frequencies in the alerting and follow-up process

Sequence an MF/HF distress alert, acknowledgement and subsequent radiotelephony traffic on the paired frequencies

Describe the purpose and basic operating principle of NBDP (telex-over-radio) and state where it fits in the GMDSS

Select the correct HF band for a given distance and time of day using propagation reasoning

Practise a distress and a routine MF/HF radiotelephony exchange on a simulator, including change of frequency

Distinguish the roles of NAVTEX, SafetyNET (Inmarsat EGC) and SafetyCAST and state which sea areas each service covers

Decode a sample NAVTEX message header, identifying station, message type and validity, and decide whether the message must be acted on

Explain the EPIRB registration, testing and deployment procedure, including the difference between a float-free activation and a manual activation

Interpret a SART display (number of dots, range, bearing) and describe the search pattern implications for a rescuer

Describe the correct actions after inadvertent EPIRB activation and the authorities to notify

State the radio licensing and station identification requirements for an Italian-flagged vessel, including call sign and MMSI structure

Explain the use of the MMSI groups (ship, group, coast station, SAR aircraft) and the correct MMSI to enter in a DSC distress alert

Identify prohibited transmissions and the penalties framework for misuse of distress frequencies

Explain the role of the ITU Radio Regulations and the IMO GMDSS framework without attributing official status to this study material

Practise correct station identification in routine, urgency and distress exchanges

Explain how frequency, time of day and antenna type affect HF propagation and choose an appropriate band for a described scenario

Describe the vessel power supply arrangements for GMDSS equipment, including battery backup and the requirement for emergency power

Perform a basic fault-finding sequence for a radio that will not transmit, distinguishing power, antenna and configuration causes

Identify common sources of electromagnetic interference on board and describe practical mitigation measures

State the safety precautions for working near antennas and transmitting equipment, including RF exposure and battery handling

Complete a full timed mock examination covering all nine domains and score the result by domain

Re-study the two weakest domains using targeted notes and re-test only those domains

Rehearse the three distress scenarios (VHF, MF/HF, satellite/EPIRB) end to end under time pressure

Recite the sea-area carriage matrix and the VHF channel table from memory as a final consolidation check