Once your information is passed to the Coast Station/MRCC,
regardless of method used - you should then attempt to alert vessels in
the vicinity using DSC on 2187.5kHz (following-up with a voice Distress
Call & Message on 21H2kHz). The MRCC responsible for your particular
location will also try to alert vessels in the vicinity - using HF DSC andl
or Inmarsat Safety NET.
The (primary) G MDSS options for A3 ship-ta-shore Distress
communication are:
Inmarsat-A/lnmarsat-B Telephone Distress Call.
Inmarsat-AlInmarsat-B Telex Distress Message.
Inmarsat-C Distress Alerts (two methods) and Distress Priority
Messages.
HF DSC Distress Alert (marine SSB Radio) - followed by voice
Distress Call Message (or telex distress message if voice fails).
HF DSC with voice/telex using Marine SSB Radio is the only
option for A4 areas. Each of the above methods is described in the
following examples:
Ship-to-Shore Distress Telephone Call - Example - Inmarsat-
A and Inmarsat-B
Inmarsat-A (typical installation)- Lift the handset
- Select Distress Priority (priority 3)
- Select aLES
- Press '*' (to initiate the call)
Using Inmarsat-B (Nera Saturn Bm)
Lift the handset- Press Distress Button for at least 6 secs
Await dial tone
Press '' (to connect with default LES)
or select LES and press ''
Your selected/default LES will now connect you with a MRCC.
Author's explanation:
With most earlier Inmarsat-A installations, you have to key-in the priority (3), or
- on the handset. Some later models of Inmarsat-A terminal have a 'Distress
Button', which is used instead of keying '3'
All Inmarsat-B models have a 'Distress Button' (which should be protected
by a cover which you must lift in order to press and hold the button for 6 seconds).
The example above shows the procedure for typical equipments - check the
user manual supplied with your own Inmarsat terminal to be sure that you
understand the correct procedure, should you every require to use it. Note also that
some Inmarsat-A equipment expects you to key-in the 'LES ID' before the 'priority'
- again -be sure that you understand the correct order for your own Inmarsat
terminal.
MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 85