Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

CIRM in Roma, Italy). When the Medical Centre answers, you can

pass your request for Medical Advice - recording the connection and

advice in your radio log (or appending the advice to the log if copied

onto a separate sheet).

If you had used code 38 'Medical Assistance' - that call would

have been directed to the MRCC - who would arrange transport/

evacuation.

When requesting Medical Advice by direct voice contact, or by message -

using radio or satellite communications -you need to provide the doctor/

medical centre with relevant information, as listed in Appendix VI.

Example - Using Inmarsat-C to send an 'Urgency' message

to a MRCC - requesting 'Medical Assistance' in the form of a

'medical evacuation' for a badly injured patient.

• Enter new address in your address book, using:
  Addressee/Name: Med Assistance


• Address type: Special Access Code


• Number 38

Then:

• Type-up and save your Pan Pan message.


• Enter 'Transmit' or 'Send' mode on the screen.


• Select 'Med Assistance - 39' address.


• Select the most appropriate LES for your position


• Follow instructions on-screen to 'Send' your message.

Author's explanation:

Selecting code 38 (for Medical Assistance) will cause the LES to forward your

message direct to the MRCC. If you had selected code 32 (Medical Advice), the

LES would have forwarded your message direct to the doctor/hospital -or to the

CIRM in Roma, Italy.

If your vessel is fitted with Inmarsat-C and it is possible that you

might have to use it to gain Medical Advice, Medical Assistance or

Maritime Assistance, you should programme your Address Book with

'Special Access Code' addresses 32, 38 and 39 prior to sailing - e.g:

120 THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE