Author's explanation:If the master decides that the vessel is in distress, but does not have time
immediately to type and send a Distress Message, a 'Distress Alert' can be sent
with minimum effort. That alerts the shore authorities (MRCC) to the problem- which you can elaborate on when more help is available on the bridge.
The 'Q,uick, Un designated Distress Alert' will send your Inmarsat-C ID
and your Position (may include Course & Speed Over Ground - COG/
SaG) -to a MRCC. With this type of alert, your Distress Alert will be
forwarded to either:
(i) the LES at the same location as the NCS, Jor the logged-in satellite; or
(ii) the LES you have previously set-up as 'default' in the software (i.e.,similar to Inmarsat-B) - if your equipment allows this option.
A 'Designated Distress Alert' will send your Inmarsat-C ID; Position(possibly including COG/saG); and your selected 'Nature of Distress , - to
the LES you have chosen specifically Jor this alert.
In addition to adding the 'nature' -you may be able to use this option to deliver
your alert to the MRCC that you have already identified in your voyage
communications plan as having responsibility for SAR operations - see Chapter 3)When a Distress Alert is received in a MRCC, one of the first
things they will do is send an acknowledgement message - asking for
additional information including details of persons on board. This
acknowledgement should be received within five minutes. You do
not have to await the acknowledgement before following-up your alert
with a 'Distress Priority Message' (selecting 'Distress' priority will
ensure that your message is delivered to the MRCC) - which is sent
using the following procedure:
Equipment Iype One (example)- Type-up message in the Editor screen
- 'Save' the message (optional)
- Select 'Transmit' or 'Send' (depending
on make of equipment fitted) - Select 'Distress' priority
- Select a Land Earth Station (LES)
- Read 'Confirm Send Distress Message Yes/No'
- Select 'Yes' and press enter/return key
88 THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE
Equipment IYpe Two (example)
Enter 'Distress' menu
Accept programmed LES, or
change LES if appropriate- Select 'Send Distress Message'
(which opens the editor screen) - Type message
Follow screen instructions to
put message in 'out box' - Read 'Do you really want to
send a Distress Message Yes/No' - Select 'Yes' (press return key)