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

communicate with anyone, the RCC would be able to coordinate

the subsequent Search and Rescue (SAR) operation.

Exchange 'Search and Rescue Coordinating' communications with

RCCs and 'On-scene' communications between vessels in the area

of the SAR operation.

Send 'locating' signals when you are the one in distress, and receive

locating signals from others in distress.

Receive 'Maritime Safety Information' (MSI) including weather

and navigation warnings which, it is hoped, should help keep you

out of trouble.

Exchange 'bridge-to-bridge' communications between ships in

close proximity for the safety of navigation.

• Exchange 'general (routine day-to-day) radio communications' with
  port authorities and vessel traffic services; pilot stations; other
  vessels; and with the office/home of owners, operators, charter
  party, passengers and crew.

Radio & Satellite Communications Equipment (by GMDSS function)
All GMDSS vessels carry a range of equipment from the list below
(left-hand column), for the GMDSS tasks/functions shown (middle
column) -and may use alternative, non-GMDSS equipment (right-hand
column) for some routine tasks:

GMDSS Equipment

(approximate range)

VHF Marine Radio
with DSC
(Short range, up
to around 50 miles)

MF IHF SSB Radio

with DSC

(MF to 200 miles;

HF - worldwide)

NAVTEX

(average 300 miles)

GMDSS Task/Function

Distress, Urgency and Safety,

ship·shore/ shore·ship/ ship-ship;

(includes receiving Maritime

Safity Information (MSI))

Routine Intership communications

Ports, Pilots & Ship Movement!

Vessel Traffic Services;

Public correspondence

• Onboard communications
  Distress Urgency and Safety,
  ship-shorel shore-ship/ ship-ship;
  (includes receiving MSI)
  Routine Intership Communications
  Pilot Stations


• Public correspondence
  Receiving Maritime Safety
  Information {MSI}

4 THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE

Non-GMDSS

Alternative

{none}

{none}

{none}

Cellular Radio

UHF Radio

{none}

{none}

{none}

Mobile Satellite Services

{none}