FOREwORd - Marine Radio Licencemarineradiolicence.com.au/MR/VHF Radio Handbook.pdf · AUSTRALIAN MARITME COLLEGE 1 FOREwORd This handbook is intended for the guidance of radio operators:

AUSTRALIANMARITMECOLLEGE 1

FOREwORdThishandbookisintendedfortheguidanceofradiooperators:

(a)On Australian vessels which are voluntarily fitted with marine VHF radiotelephony and marine VHFradiotelephonywithdigitalSelectiveCalling(dSC)capability.

(b)On Australian vessels which are compulsorily fitted with marine VHF radiotelephony and marine VHFradiotelephonywithdigitalSelectiveCalling(dSC)capability.

It is the recommended textbook for candidates undertaking theMarine Radio Operators VHF Certificate ofProficiency(MROVCP)examination.

Procedures and requirements outlined in the handbook are based on the International Radio Regulationsformulated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), on provisions governing the use of radiotransmittersinAustralialaiddownintheRadiocommunications Act 1992,andonradiocommunicationsstationlicenceconditionssetbytheAustralianCommunicationsandMediaAuthority(ACMA).

Careful observance of the procedures covered by this handbook is essential for the efficient exchange ofcommunications in the marine radiocommunications service, particularly when the safety of life at sea isconcerned.Specialattentionshouldbegiventothosesectionsdealingwithdistress,urgencyandsafety.

It should be noted that no provision of this handbook, the International Radio Regulations, or theRadiocommunications Act 1992, prevents the use by a vessel in distress of any means at its disposaltoattractattention,makeknownitspositionandobtainhelp.

Similarly,noprovisionofthishandbook,theInternationalRadioRegulations,ortheRadiocommunications Act 1992,preventstheusebyvesselsengagedinsearchandrescueoperationsofanymeansattheirdisposaltoassistavesselindistress.

This booklet is based on extracts from the Marine Radio Operators Handbook 2008 and reflects the newarrangementsformaritimecommunicationstationsfrom1July2002.Thesearrangementsincludesubstantialchangestothefrequenciesmonitoredbythesestationsfordistressandsafety,andchangedrequirementsforshipswishingtoparticipateintheAUSREPreportingsystem.

It also contains information about the Global Maritime distress and Safety System (GMdSS) marinecommunicationstechniqueswhichareavailableforusebysmallvesselsinAustralia.Thesystemusesadvancedtechnology andautomation to ensure that search and rescue authorities, aswell as ships in the vicinityofanemergency,arealertedreliablyandrapidly. Bothsatelliteandterrestrialcommunications formessentialcomponentsoftheGMdSS.

TheAustralianMaritimeCollege(AMC)acknowledgesthecontributionofACMA,theAustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority (AMSA),theBureauofMeteorology,Telstra,andtheGovernmentsoftheStatesandtheNorthernTerritoryinthepreparationofthisHandbook.

MARINEVHFRAdIOOPERATORSHANdBOOK2

page

IntroductIontoMarIneVHF

operatorrequirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

RadioLicenceInformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

OperatorQualifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

MarineVHF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FrequencyofMarineVHF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FrequencySpectrum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

RangeofVHF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

TypicalVHFRanges................................5

VHFMarineradioequipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

PrincipleofOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

theMajorPartsofradioequipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Transceivercontrols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

GeneralCareandMaintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

VHFMarinerepeaters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

PrincipleofOperations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

RepeaterChannels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

UseofVHFMarineRepeaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

StationsforMarinecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

LimitedCoastStations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

StationIdentification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

operatingProcedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

AuthorityoftheMaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

PriorityofCommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

ProtectionofChannels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

SecrecyofCommunications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

watchkeeping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

SilencePeriods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

UnnecessaryCommunications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

TestTransmissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Logkeeping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

PhoneticAlphabetandFigureCode . . . . . . . . . .10

ControlofCommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

revisionQuestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

callIngProcedureS

routinecallingProcedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

RoutineCalling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

ReplyingtoCalls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

RepeatingCalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

difficultiesinestablishingcontact. . . . . . . . . . . .13

distresscallingProcedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Responsibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

AuthoritytoTransmitadistressCall andMessage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Channelfordistress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

distressAlert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ThedistressSignal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ThedistressCall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ThedistressMessage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

distressPositioninformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

distressTraffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

AcceptanceofdistressCallsandMessages.15

AuthoritytoTransmitadistress Acknowledgement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

ObligationtoAcknowledgeReceiptofa distressMessage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

AcknowledgementofReceipt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

ControlofdistressTraffic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

ResumptionofRestrictedworking. . . . . . . . . . . .17

ResumptionofNormalworking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

TransmissionofdistressRelay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

TheUrgencySignal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

TheSafetySignal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

revisionQuestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

dIgItalSelectIVecallIng(dSc)

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

dSCCapableEquipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

StationIdentity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

TransmissionofadSCalert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

CONTENTS

AUSTRALIANMARITMECOLLEGE 3

InformationContainedinadSCAlert . . . . . . . 23

dSCAlertFormats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

distressAlertProcedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

distressPositionInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

dSCAlertInformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

TransmissionofadSCdistressAlert. . . . . . . . . 24

RepetitionofdistressAlerts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

AcknowledgementofaVHFdSC distressAlert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Cancellationofaninadvertent distressAlert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

revisionQuestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

SurVIValcraFteQuIPMent

emergencyPositionIndicating radioBeacons(ePIrBs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

LocalUserTerminals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

TypeofEPIRB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Identificationofa406MHzEPIRB. . . . . . . . . . . . 26

TheCOSPAS-SARSATInternationalSystem. 26

Methodsofdetectionandlocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

The406MHzEPIRB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

detectionbySatellite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

activationoFtHe406MHzePIrB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

AccidentalactivationofanEPIRB . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ServicingofEPIRBs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

StowageofEPIRBs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28


Searchandrescuetransponders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

PositioningoftheSART. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

SARTOperations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Locationdistances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

revisionQuestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

PowerSuPPlIeS

TheMarineBattery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

BatteryConstruction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

CellVoltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

CellCapacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

BatteryConnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

BatteryHazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

EssentialBatteryMaintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

BatteryCleanliness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

ElectrolyteLevel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

CorrectCharging.................................34

MeasuringtheSpecificGravity . . . . . . . . . . .34

MeasuringtheOn-LoadTerminalVoltage. . 35

LossofCapacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

MaintenanceFreeBatteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Connectionofbatteriesduring emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35


MIScellaneouS

Suggestedformatforaradio logbookPage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

tableoftransmittingFrequenciesinthe VHFMaritimeMobileBand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

MarineVHFchannelsforuseby ShipStations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Table1ProfessionalFishingVessel Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Table2CommercialVesselChannels. . . . . . . . . 41

Table3YachtsandPleasureCraft . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Table4PortOperations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Table5PublicCorrespondenceChannels . . . 42

Table6VHFMarineRepeaterChannels . . . . . 42

PhoneticalphabetandFigurecode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

StandardMarinecommunicationPhrases . . . . . .44

InternetwebsitesofMarineInterest. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

contactdetails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47


FreQuencySPectruMTheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU)hasallocatedvariousbandsoffrequenciesthroughoutthefrequencyspectrumformaritimeuse.Thefrequencyspectrumisdividedintoeightbands,ofwhichfrequenciesformaritimeVHFusefallbetween30to300megahertz(MHz).

TheVHFchannelplan,asdescribedintheInternationalRadioRegulations,showsatotalof59VHFchannelsareavailableformarineuse;(SeeTableofTransmittingFrequenciesintheVHFMaritimeMobileBand,)

OPERATORREQUIREMENTS

IntroductIontoMarIneVHF

MARINEVHF

FREQUENCYOFMARINEVHF

generalNational and International systems exist toprovide prompt and effective search andrescue assistance to ships in distress. Bycomplyingwiththefollowingprocedures,shipstationoperatorscanensurethatthesesystemscontinuetoworkeffectivelyforthebenefitofallmariners.

Thetransmissionoffalseordeceptivedistress,urgencyorsafetymessagesisstrictlyforbidden.Extremelyseverepenalties,includingimprisonmentexist,undertheRadiocommunications Act 1992,foranypersonfoundguiltyofmakingsuchatransmission.

All radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety calls and messages should be spoken slowly and clearly.Thephoneticalphabetandfigurecodeshouldbeusedifnecessary.Useofthestandardmarinevocabularyisrecommendedinthecaseoflanguagedifficulties.

Fig.1transceiver

radIolIcenceInForMatIonUndertheRadiocommunications Act 1992,theinstallationandoperationofmarineradioequipmentaboardanyAustralianvesselmustbeauthorisedbyalicence.InthecaseofmarineVHFequipmentonboardanAustralianvesselthisisauthorisedbyamaritimeshipstationclasslicence.AcopyofthisclasslicenceisavailablefromACMA.RadiocallsignsarenolongerissuedbyACMAformarineVHF.Howeverexistingradiocallsignsmaystillbeused.

The class licence does not authorize the operation of a ‘homebase’. Except in special cases,marine radioequipmentinprivateresidenceswillnotbeauthorisedbyACMA.

oPeratorSQualIFIcatIonSAsaminimum,under theabove licence conditions, all operatorsofmarineVHFequipment are required topossestheMarineRadioOperatorsVHFCertificateofProficiency(MROVCP)asissuedbytheOfficeofMaritimeCommunications(OMC),abranchoftheAMC,onbehalfofACMA.

5

INTROdUCTIONTOMARINEVHF

56(48duplexchannels,and8simplexchannels)forradiotelephone; 1 (Channel70)isfordigitalSelectiveCalling(dSC);and 2 (Channel87B,AIS1,and88B,AIS2)areexclusivelyforAutomaticIdentificationSystems(AIS).

rangeoFVHFduetothepropagationconditionsatVHFthatpartoftheradiowaveemittedfromthetransmitter(surfaceorgroundwave)onlyfollowsthecurvatureoftheearth’ssurfaceforalimiteddistance.RangeatVHFisthereforeconsideredas‘short’anddependentonthecombinedheightofthetransmittingandreceivingantennas.

Generally speaking range atVHF is slightly greater than the visual line of sight of the combined antennas,thehighertheantennathegreatertheranges.duringcertainatmosphericconditions,particularlyduringthesummermonths,the‘groundwave’,mayberefractedroundtheearth’ssurfaceforafargreaterrangethanwould normally be expected at VHF. This phenomenon is known as ‘ducting’ and should not be regardedasnormal.

tyPIcalVHFrangeS

1.

2.

3.

SmallcraftwithhandheldVHF


Approx.5nauticalmiles


Yachtwithmastaerial30ft(9m)abovesealevel


Yachtwithmastaerial30ft(9m)abovesealevel



CoastStation

Fig.2

4.

5.


LargeVessel CoastStation

CoastStation

Repeater



VHFMARINERAdIOEQUIPMENT

PrIncIPleoFoPeratIonVHFmarineequipmentoffersacommunicationsrangebetweenvesselsofupto20km(10.8nauticalmiles)andbetweenvesselandshoreof50km(27nauticalmiles),andpossiblysignificantlygreater;

>> asafetyserviceprovidedbylimitedcoaststationsoperatedbymarinerescueandotherorganisations;

>>theadvantagesofbeingrelativelyinexpensive,ofprovidingthehighestqualitysignal,ofsufferingleastfrominterferencecausedbyatmosphericorignitionsources,andofprovidingaccesstoaradiotelephoneservice(notavailableinAustralia);but

>>thedisadvantageofsufferingblindspotsbehindcliffs,sandhillsandheavyvegetation.

VHFmarineequipmentissuitableforsmallvesselsremainingrelativelyclosetothecoastandwithinrangeoflimitedcoaststationsoperatingonVHFchannels.

VHFmarineequipmentfittedwithdigitalSelectiveCallingfacilitiesmayofferasinglebuttondistressfacilityandautomaticwatchkeeping.

generalMarineradioequipmentoperatingintheVHFbandismadeupofthreemajorparts:

>>thepowersupply;

>>thetransceiver;and

>>theantennaoraerial.

Each part is dependent on the other. A fault in any one of the parts will not allow the equipment tofunctioncorrectly.

Thepower tooperate the radioequipmentmaybe suppliedby thevesselsengineor froman independentbattery.

Thetransmitterandreceiverarecombined intoasingleunitandcommonlyreferredtoasthe ‘Transceiver’.ThedigitalSelectiveCalling(dSC)unitmaybefurtherintegratedwiththetransceiver.

TheantennaforamarineVHFtransceivershouldbemountedashighaspossible,preferablyatthetopofamast, inordertogivegreaterrange,and isdescribedas ‘Ashortverticalwhiporrodantenna’. Ultra-violetradiationwillcausefibreglassedwhipantennastodeteriorateaftermanyyearsofservicetoapointwheremoisturecanpenetratethelayersofinsulation.Thiswillseriouslyaffectradiationefficiencyandreplacementorre-fibreglassingwillbenecessary.

tranSceIVercontrolSThis sectiondetails the functionsof importantoperator controlswhichmaybe foundonmarineVHF radioequipment.Notallwillbefoundoneachbrandofequipment.Transceivercontrolsmaybeidentifieddifferentlybyindividualmanufacturersbutwillhavethesamepurpose:

on/oFFandVoluMecontrol.Oftenthesefunctionsarecombinedintoasinglecontrol.Itisusedtoturntheequipmentonoroff,andtoadjustthelevelofsignalscomingfromtheloudspeaker.

THEMAJORPARTSOFRAdIOEQUIPMENT

7 INTROdUCTIONTOMARINEVHF

SQuelcHcontrol.Thiscontrolallowstheoperatortostoptheconstantandannoying,internallygenerated,backgroundroarfromthereceiverintheabsenceofanincomingsignal.OnVHFmarineequipment,itisusuallyanadjustablecontrol.

Thecorrectsettingissuchthattheroarjustcannotbeheard.Furtheroperationofthecontrolisundesirableasthiswillprogressivelydesensitisethereceiverandmaypreventreceptionofweaksignals.

cHannelSelector.Thiscontrolisusedtoselectthechannelonwhichtransmissionorreceptionisrequired.

dualwatcH(dw).ThiscontrolwillbefoundonthemajorityofVHFequipment. InoperationitwillpermittheoperatortokeepalisteningwatchonaworkingchannelandChannel16.ThisisNOTtobeconfusedwithscanningdesirableorselectedVHFchannels.

Scan.ThiscontrolmaybeavailableonsomebrandsofmarineVHFequipment.Nottobeconfusedwiththedualwatchcontrol.ThiscontrolmayoffertheoperatorthechoiceofscanningallthemarineVHFchannels,orselectedchannels.

PowerSelector.Thiscontrolvariesthepowerofthetransmittedsignal.InternationalregulationsrestricttheoutputpowerofMarineVHFto25wattmaximum.OnVHFmarineequipmentitmaybemarked‘25w/1w’(25wattsor1watt)or‘high/low’.TheuseofmorepowerthanisrequiredtocommunicatesatisfactorilyisabreachoftheInternationalRadioRegulations,maycauseunnecessaryinterference,anddrainsthebatterysupplyingtheequipmentatafasterrate.Correcttransmitpowersettingisgenerallyreferredtoas“Minimumpowertomaintainreliablecommunication”.

InternatIonal/uSacontrol.ThiscontrolmaybefoundonsomeVHFmarineequipment.ItisprovidedbythemanufacturertopermitcommunicationswithstationsintheUSAwhichdonotconformtotheInternationalVHFchannelplan.Itisimportantthatthiscontroliskeptinthe‘International’positionatalltimesunlessinthecoastalwatersoftheUSA.SomemanufacturersofmarineVHFsuppliedtoAustralianoperatorsmayhave‘International’substitutedby‘Aus’.

generalcareandMaIntenanceVessel owners should be aware that, on occasions, a power supply fuse will blow when the transceiver ismalfunctioningandfornoapparentreason.Itisrecommendedthatasupplyoffusesofthemanufacturer’srecommendedvaluebecarriedonboard. Forsafekeepingspare fusescouldbecontained inanoldplasticfilmcontainer.

PrIncIPleoFoPeratIonVHFcommunicationrangedependsmainlyontheheightof theantennasof thetransmittingandreceivingstations. ByusingVHFmarine repeater stations, the rangeof ship toship, ship toshoreandshore toshipcommunicationscanbesignificantlyincreased.

VHF marine repeaters are unmanned shore installations usually located at geographically high points.Theyaredesignedtotransmitandreceivesimultaneouslyandwillretransmitor ‘repeat’allsignalsreceived.Retransmittedsignalscanbereceivedbyanystationlisteningontherepeaterchannel.

Limited coast stations operated by marine rescue organisations routinely monitor VHF repeater channelsoperatingintheirarea.

NotallcoastalareasofAustraliaareservedbyVHFmarinerepeaters.

VHFMARINEREPEATERS


lIMItedcoaStStatIonSLimitedcoaststationsarestationsonlandestablishedforthepurposeofcommunicatingwithvesselsatsea.Thesestationsareprimarilyresponsibleforthesafetyofmovementandoperationofvesselswithintheirlocalarea.Thesestationsarenotlicensedtohandlepubliccorrespondence.

There are no fixed hours for the radio service provided by limited coast stations and many do not offera continuous service. Hours of service are determined by local requirements or, in some cases, by StateGovernmentlegislation.

Inthe interestofsafetyboatoperatorsshouldfamiliarizethemselveswithservicesavailabletotheirareaofoperations.Limitedcoaststationsgenerallyfallintothecategoryofmarinerescueunits,yachtclubsorfishingcooperatives.

StatIonIdentIFIcatIonTransmissionwithoutidentificationisforbidden.Alltransmissionsshouldbeidentifiedbythevessel’sname,anyotheridentity(ifavailable)orbyothermeans,suchastheMaritimeMobileServiceIdentity(MMSI)issuedtoavessel’sdigitalSelectiveCalling(dSC)unit.

VHFMarInerePeatercHannelSVHFmarinerepeatersoperateintheduPleXmodeonchannels21,22,80,81or82.

Fortheirownsafety,boatownersshouldensurethattheyarefamiliarwiththelocationandoperatingchanneloftheirlocalrepeater.

digital Selective Calling alerts using VHF must be confined to channel 70 and will not operate throughrepeaters.

uSeoFVHFMarInerePeaterSInmostcasesVHFmarinerepeatersareinstalledandmaintainedbymarinerescueorganisationsasaservicetomarinersandareavailableforusebyalllicensedVHFshipstations.However,inordertominimisecongestion,ifdirectshiptoshiporshiptoshorecommunicationsarepossibleonanon-repeaterchannel,thismustbeusedinpreference.

Repeater channels must not be used as ‘chatter channels’. Communications must be restricted to thoseconcerningthemovementsofvesselsandsafetyofvesselsandpersons.Todiscouragelengthyconversations,repeaterswillincorporateanautomatictimerestrictionofapproximatelythirtyseconds.

If not apparent by monitoring, a ship station can gain an indication of its ability to access a repeater bymomentarilydepressingthemicrophonebutton.Ifabrief(approximatelyonesecond)burstor‘tail’ofnoiseisheardfromtheloudspeakerwhenthebuttonisreleased,thenthevesselisactivatingtherepeater.Ifa‘tail’isnotheard,itisprobablethatthevesselisoutofrangeoftherepeater.

OperatorsusingVHFequipmentequippedwithan‘International’or‘Aus’channelswitchshouldnotethatitisessentialthattheswitchbeinthe‘International’or‘Aus’positiontoaccessrepeaters.

STATIONSFORMARINECOMMUNICATIONS

9 INTROdUCTIONTOMARINEVHF

OPERATINGPROCEdURESNationalandInternationalsystemsexisttoprovidepromptandeffectivesearchandrescueassistancetoshipsindistress.Bycomplyingwithproceduresinthischapter,shipstationoperatorscanensurethatthesesystemscontinuetoworkeffectivelyforthebenefitofallmariners.

All radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety calls and messages should be spoken slowly and clearly.Thephoneticalphabetandfigurecodeshouldbeusedifnecessary.Useofthestandardmarinevocabularyisrecommendedinthecaseoflanguagedifficulties.

autHorItyoFtHeMaSterA ship radio station and the service it provides are placed under the authority of the master, skipper,orthepersonresponsibleforthesafetyofthevessel.

PrIorItyoFcoMMunIcatIonSAllradiotelephonycommunicationshavebeenprioritisedasfollows:

>> dIStreSScallS,messagesandtrafficarebroadcasttoallstationsondistresschannels;

>> urgencycallS,messages and trafficmay be broadcast to all stations or transmitted to an individualstationonchannelsallocatedfordistresscommunicationsoronaworkingchannelifthemessageisofanurgentmedicalrequestorrepetitionofanoverduevesselreport.

>> SaFety callS andmessagesmay be broadcast to all stations or transmitted to an individual station.Thesafetymessagewillalwaysbetransmittedonaworkingchannel.Anacknowledgmentisnotexpectedforasafetybroadcast.

>> generalorroutInecommunicationswillalwaysbetransmittedtoan individualstationonaworkingchannel.

radIotelePHonycallIng&workIngcHannelSChannelsallocatedtoshipandlimitedcoaststationsarecategorisedaseithercallingorworkingchannels:

>> Callingchannelsareforestablishingtheinitialcontactwithotherstations;and

>> working channels are for the exchange of messages or conducting public correspondence byradiotelephone.

CommonChannel

ChannelsMHz

Communicationwith Purpose

Ch77 156.875 Shipstations Generalorroutinecommunications

Ch73 156.750 Limitedcoastandshipstations(Yacht&Pleasurecraft)

Callingandworking

Ch72 156.625 Limitedcoastandshipstations Callingandworking

Ch71 156.575 Limitedcoastandshipstations(ProfessionalFishingvessels)

Callingandworking

Ch70 156.525 Allstations dSCdistress,urgency,safetyandroutinealerting

Ch67 156.375 Allstations distress,urgencyandsafetycalling(supp.toCh16)

Ch16 156.800 Allstations InternationalRadiotelephonydistress,urgency,safetyandcallingchannel

Ch13 156.650 Shipstations IntershipMaritimeSafetyInformation.MaybeusedbyPortAuthoritiesforvesselharbourmovementscommunications.

Ch6 156.300 Shipandaircraft Co-ordinatedSearchandRescue(SAR).MaybeusedbyPortAuthoritiesfortugtoshipberthingcommunications


ProtectIonoFcHannelSItisimportantthatchannelsareusedonlyforthepurposeforwhichtheyhavebeenassigned,e.g.channelsauthorisedforcallingarenotusedasworkingchannels.Channelsauthorisedforcallingcoaststationsarenotusedforcallingshipstations.

SecrecyoFcoMMunIcatIonSArticle17oftheITURadioRegulationsprohibitstheunauthorisedinterceptionofRadioCommunicationsnotintendedforthegeneraluseofthepublic.

Secrecyofcommunicationsdoesnotapplytothebroadcastofdistress,urgencyorsafetytrafficaddressedtoallstations.

watcHkeePIngwhilstatseaitisarequirementforsmallcrafttomaintainalisteningwatchonChannel16.CommercialvesselsarecurrentlyrequiredtomaintainacontinuouslisteningwatchonChannel16.

SIlencePerIodSThe International regulations no longer require silence periods to be observed on the distress and callingfrequencies.SilencePeriodsforradiotelephonyarefromthehourandhalfhourforaperiodofthreeminutes.It is the practice in all Australian waters to observe silence periods on the radiotelephony distress VHFChannel16.

during communications difficulties the recommended time for the transmission of distress traffic is duringa silence period. Those vessels that come under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulationsmaintain acontinuouswatchonVHFdSCchannel70andalisteningwatchonchannel16.

unneceSSarycoMMunIcatIonSTransmissionshouldbeasbriefaspossible,nonessentialremarks,badlanguageandunnecessaryconversationsshouldbeavoided.ItisanoffenceundertheRadiocommunications Act 1992,touseatransmitterinamannerthatmaycauseareasonablepersontofeelthreatenedorharassed.

teSttranSMISSIonSTest transmissionsshouldbemadeonaworkingchannelandkept toaminimumoravoidedaltogetherondistress,urgency,orsafetychannels.If,aftertechnicalmaintenance,orpriortodepartingport,itisnecessarytotesttheradioequipment,approvalfromthenearestcoastorlimitedcoaststationmayberequired.

logkeePIngOperatorsshouldkeeparecordofalldistressalertsandmessagestransmittedorreceived.Particularsshouldincludethestationorstationswithwhichthemessageswereexchanged,thechannelsusedandthedateandtimesofthetransmissionandreception.withoutanofficiallogbookanexercisebookcouldbedrawnup.(seepage34).

PHonetIcalPHaBetandFIgurecodewhenexperiencingdifficultieswith the exchangeof radio communications, i.e. languagedifficulties, itmaybe necessary to exchange communications by the use of the Phonetic Alphabet, especially during distresscommunicationssituations.(seepage40).

controloFcoMMunIcatIonSduringroutinecommunicationsbetweenshiptoshoreandshiptoshipthestationbeingcalled‘controls’thecommunicationprocess.Inorderthatcommunicationsmaybeconductedefficiently,andwiththeminimumofdelay,instructionsissuedbycoastorlimitedcoaststationsshouldbeconductedwithoutdelay.

11

REVISIONQUESTIONS1] IsaRadioLicencerequiredfortheoperationof

MarineVHFtransmitters?

2] IsaRadioOperatorsCertificaterequiredfortheoperationofMarineVHF?

3] whatpartoftheVHFradiowaveisusedforcommunicationspurposes?

4] GenerallyspeakingwhatrangedoestheVHFhave?Short,mediumorlongrange?

5] GenerallyspeakingwhatdeterminestherangeofmarineVHF?

6] wherewouldyoumounttheVHFantenna?

7] whatisthepurposeofthe‘Squelch’control?

8] whatchannelsaremonitoredwiththe‘dualwatch’control’activated?

9] whatisthemaximumtransmitpowerallowedformarineVHF?

10] whatistheminimumpowerpermittedformarineVHFtransmissions?

11] whatmarineVHFchannelisdedicatedforVHFdSC?

12] whatmarineVHFchannelisreservedfortheexchangeofshiptoshipmarinesafetyinformation?

13] whatmarineVHFchannelmaybeusedforshiptoaircraftcoordinatingsearchandrescue?

14] whatmarineVHFchannelisreservedforshiptoshipgeneralcommunications?

15] whatistherequiredpowersettingshouldyourequireoperatingonVHFCh15or17?

16] whatisamarineVHFRelaystation?

17] whatisthepurposeofaLimitedCoastRadioStation?

18] whatservicesdoLimitedCoastRadioStationsprovide?

19] whatdoyouunderstandabout‘StationIdentification’duringtransmission?

20] Howareradiotransmissionsidentified?

21] whoseauthorityisthevessel’sradiostationplacedunder?

22] whatistheorderofpriorityofmarinecommunicationstraffic:

23] whatmarineVHFchannelisusedfordistresscallingandmessages

24] whatisthesupplementarychannelforchannel16?

25] whatistheSIMPLEXmodeoftransmission?

26] whenwouldthedUPLEXmodeoftransmissionbeused?

27] whatdoyouunderstandabout‘ConfidentialityorSecrecyoftransmission’?

28] whatisacallingchannel?

29] whatisaworkingchannel?

30] whattypeofchannelwouldaMaritimeSafetyInformationmessagebebroadcaston?

31] whatmarineVHFchannelshouldalisteningwatchbemaintainedonwhilstatsea?

32] whenaretheSilencePeriodsonmarineradiotelephonychannels?

33] whatinformationisrequiredtobeenteredintotheradiologbook?

34] whatisthecorrectphoneticspellingoftheword‘MAGNILOQUENT’?

35] Generallyspeakingwhattypeofstationcontrolsthecommunicationprocess?



aneXaMPleForaroutIneSHIPtoSHoreInItIalcalloncHannel16:

Stationcalled ………………CoastGuard

Thewords“thisis” THISIS

Thestationcalling(x2) CyclopseCyclopse503000100

OnCh16,Positionreport,suggestChannel73

OVER

aneXaMPleForaroutIneSHoretoSHIPrePly:Stationcalled Cyclopse503000100


Thestationcalling(x2) ………………..CoastGuard,…………………CoastGuard

RomeochangetoChannel73

OVER

rePlyIngtocallSTheLimitedcoaststationreplycouldbeabbreviatedinasimilarmannertothecall:

At this point both stations change to the suggested working VHF channel and the vessel initiates thecallagain.

Transmissionwithoutstationidentificationisforbidden.Oncecontacthasbeenestablishedstationidentificationmaybeshortenedtojustthestationname:

ROUTINECALLINGPROCEdURESroutInecallIngBeforetransmitting,theoperatorshouldlistenforaperiodlongenoughtobesatisfiedthatharmfulinterferencewillnotbecausedtocommunicationsalreadyinplace.

Marine VHF Channels established for calling purposes are not to be used for the exchange of routinemessages.

whenusingradiotelephonychannelsintheVHFmarinebandandcommunicationsaregoodtheinitialcallmaybesimplifiedasfollows:

>>Thenameand/orotheridentifyinginformationofthestationbeingcalledonceonly;

>>ThewordsTHISIS;

>>Thenameand/orotheridentifyinginformationofthestationcalling,spokentwice;

>>Thepurposeofthecall;

>>Thesuggestedworkingchannelfortheexchangeofmessages;followedby

>>ThewordOVER.(Theinvitationtoreply)

callIngProcedureS

13 CALLINGPROCEdURES

aneXaMPleForaroutIneSHIPtoSHoreInItIalcallontHeagreedworkIngcHannel:Stationcalled ………………CoastGuard


Thestationcalling(x2) CyclopseCyclopse503000100

OnCh73Howdoyoureadme?(whatismyreadability?)

OVER

aneXaMPleForaroutIneSHoretoSHIPrePly:Thewords“thisis” THISIS

Thestationcalling ………………..CoastGuard

Readabilityloudandclear(fivebyfive)goaheadwithyourpositionreport

OVER

Thelimitedcoaststationreceivesandacknowledgesthepositionreport:

tHelIMItedcoaStStatIonacknowledgeSreceIPtoFtHeMeSSage:Thewords“thisis” THISIS

Thestationcalling ……………..CoastGuard

Acknowledgement Romeo,yourpositionreportreceived,Notrafficforyourvessel, returningtoChannel16andstandingby,

………………….CoastGuard OUT(indicatingtheendofcommunicationsbetweenthetwostations)

tHeVeSSelcontInueS:Thewords“thisis” THISIS

Thestationcalling Cyclopse

SendingPosition PositionreportCyclopes503000100anchoredinposition

……………….etc.Nofurthertraffic

OVER

AtthispointbothstationsreturntomonitoringChannel16.

rePeatIngcallSIfnoimmediatereplyisreceivedtotheinitialcall,waittwominutesandrepeatthecall.Aftertwocallswaita furtherthreeminutesbeforecallingagain. Atthispoint itmaybenecessarytocallanotherstationortoconsiderwhethertherequiredstationisinrange.Restrictionswithregardtorepetitionofcallsdonotapplytodistressorurgencycalls.

dIFFIcultIeSIneStaBlISHIngcontactwItHotHerStatIonSwhenastationreceivesacallandisnotcertainforwhomthecallwasintended,itshouldnotreply,insteadwaitforarepetitionofthecall.whenastationreceivesacallwhichisintendedforit,butisuncertainofthecaller,thenthecalledstationmayreplyrequestingidentityofthecallingstation.


dISTRESSCALLINGPROCEdURESreSPonSIBIlItyState and Territory police forces, using the resources of recognized volunteermarine rescue organizations,aswellastheirownwaterPolice,co-ordinatemostinshoreboatingemergencies.

autHorItytotranSMItadIStreSScallandMeSSageAdistressprioritymessagemayonlybesentontheauthorityofthemaster,skipper,orthepersonresponsibleforthesafetyofthevessel.

cHannelFordIStreSSTheInternationalMarineVHFchannelfordistressradiotelephonycommunicationisChannel16.InAustralianwatersVHFChannel67isthesupplementarytoChannel16.

dIStreSSalertIftheequipmentisinstalledonboard,priorityshouldbegiventotransmittingadSCdistressAlertonVHFCh70followedbythedistresscallandmessageonVHFCh16.

tHedIStreSSSIgnalThe distress signal is the wordMAYdAY. The transmission of the distress signal indicates that the vessel,orpersonsonboardthatvessel,areinGRAVEANdIMMINENTdANGERandrequireimmediateassistance.

tHedIStreSScallThe distress call and message is broadcast to ALL STATIONS, in the SIMPLEX mode of transmission.Theradiotelephonydistresscallconsistsof:

>>thedistresssignalMAYdAY,spokenthreetimes;

>>thewordsTHISIS;

>>thenameandanyotheridentityofthevesselindistress,spokenthreetimes.

tHedIStreSSMeSSageTheradiotelephonydistressmessageconsistsof:

>>thedistresssignalMAYdAY;

>> thenameandanyotheridentityofthevesselindistress;

>>particularsofitsposition;

>>thenatureofthedistress,thekindofassistancedesired;

>> anyotherinformationwhichmayfacilitaterescue;followedby

>>thewordOVER,theinvitationtorespond.

Thedistresscallandmessagemayberepeatedasoftenasnecessary,especiallyduringsilenceperiods,untilananswerisreceived.

Ifnoanswerisreceivedondistresschannels,themessageshouldberepeatedonanyotheravailablechannelwhereattentionmightbeattracted.


eXaMPleoFacoMPletedIStreSScallandMeSSage:TheVHFdSCdistressAlert,iffacilityfitted,followedby:

distresscall

distresssignal(x3) Mayday,Mayday,Mayday

words“thisis” THISIS

Stationcalling(x3) SCAMPSCAMPSCAMP503000123 (ForvesselsequippedonlywithVHFashipstationlicenceisnotrequiredandthereforearadiocallsignwillnothavebeenallocated).

distressmessage

distresssignal Mayday

Name/MMSI SCAMP503000123

Position 50NAUTICALMILESdUEEASTFROMPOINTdANGER

Natureofdistress SINKINGAFTERSTRIKINGSUBMERGEdOBJECT.

Otherinformation ESTIMATEFURTHER15MINUTESAFLOAT.20METREMOTORCRUISERREdHULL(Iftimepermits) wHITESUPERSTRUCTURE4PERSONSONBOARdEPIRBACTIVATEd

oVer

dIStreSSPoSItIonInForMatIonPreference should be given to indicating the position by latitude and longitude (degrees andminutes anddecimalpointsofaminuteifnecessary,NorthorSouth,Eastorwest);ortruebearinganddistance(theunitofdistanceshouldalwaysbespecified,forexample,nauticalmilesorkilometres)fromaknowngeographicalpoint(forexample045degreestruefromPointdanger,24nauticalmiles);oraprecisegeographicallocation(forexample,inthecaseofavesselrunningaground).wherelatitudeandlongitudearenotused,caremustbetakentoensurethatthepositiongivencannotbeconfusedwithanyotherplaceorgeographicalpoint.

Ifafloatanddrifting,therateanddirectionofdriftcouldbestatedinthedistressmessage.

dIStreSStraFFIcAllcommunicationsrelatingtotheimmediateassistancerequiredbythevesselindistress,includingsearchandrescueandon-sceneshouldusethedistresssignalMaydaytoprecedeeachcallandmessage.

accePtanceoFdIStreSScallSandMeSSageSTheobligationtoacceptdistresscallsisabsoluteandmustbegivenpriorityoverallothercommunications.

autHorItytotranSMItadIStreSSacknowledgeMentAdistressacknowledgementmayonlybesentontheauthorityofthemaster,skipper,orthepersonresponsibleforthesafetyofthevessel.

oBlIgatIontoacknowledgereceIPtoFadIStreSSMeSSageShip stations that receive a distress message from another vessel which is, beyond any possible doubt,intheirvicinity,should immediatelyacknowledgereceipt.However, inareaswherereliablecommunicationswithalimitedcoaststationispracticable,shipstationsshoulddeferthisacknowledgmentforashortintervaltoallowthelimitedcoaststationtoacknowledgereceipt.

Shipstationswhichreceiveadistressmessagefromanothervesselwhich,beyondanypossibledoubt,isnotintheirvicinityshoulddefertheiracknowledgmenttoallowvesselsnearertothedistressedvesseltoacknowledgewithoutinterference.


eXaMPleoFanacknowledgMentorreceIPtoFadIStreSSMeSSageByaSHIPStatIondistresstraffic Mayday

distressvessel(x3) ............................................................................................


Stationcalling(x3)............................................................................................

theacknowledgement receIVedMayday

oVer

Assoonaspossibleafterthisacknowledgmentashipstationshouldtransmitthefollowinginformation:

>>itsposition;

>>thespeedatwhichitisproceeding;and

>>theapproximatetimeitwilltaketoreachthedistressscene.

controloFdIStreSStraFFIcThecontrolofdistresstrafficistheresponsibilityofthevesselindistress.However,thisstationmaydelegatethecontrolofdistresstraffictoanothervessel,orlimitedcoastradiostation.

The vessel in distress or the station in control of distress trafficmay impose silence on any or all stationsinterferingwithdistress trafficbysending the instructionSeelonceMayday. This instructionmustnotbeusedbyanystationotherthanthevesselindistress,orthestationcontrollingdistresstraffic.

eXaMPleoFaMeSSageBytHedIStreSSVeSSelortHecontrolStatIonIMPoSIngSIlence:distresstraffic: MaydayAddressedto:(x3) Allstations,allstations,allstationsThewords“thisis” THISISStationcalling(x3) (Nameofcallingstation)Thesignal: SeelonceMayday

Shipstationswhichreceiveadistressmessagefromanothervesselwhich,beyondanypossibledoubt,isalongdistanceaway,neednotacknowledgereceiptunlessthisdistressmessagehasnotbeenacknowledgedbyanyotherstation.

whenashipstationhearsadistressmessagewhichhasnotbeenacknowledgedbyotherstations,butisnotitself in a position toprovide assistance, it should acknowledge the call and then take steps to attract theattentionofalimitedcoastradiostationorvesselswhichmightbeabletoassist.

acknowledgMentoFreceIPtoFadIStreSSMeSSageAcknowledgmentofreceiptofadistressmessagebyavessel,limitedcoastradiostationshouldbemadeinthefollowingway:

>>ThedistresssignalMayday;

>>Thenameandanyotheridentityofthestationsendingthedistressmessage,spokenthreetimes

>>ThewordsTHISIS

>>Thenameandanyotheridentityofthestationacknowledgingreceipt,spokenthreetimes;

>>ThewordreceIVed;

>>ThedistresssignalMayday.

>>OVER


If another stationnear thedistressed vessel believes that silence is necessary it should use the instructionSeeloncedIStreSS.

eXaMPleoFaMeSSageByStatIonneartHedIStreSSVeSSelIMPoSIngSIlence:distresstraffic: Mayday

Addressedto:(x3) Allstations,allstations,allstations


Stationcalling(x3) (Nameofcallingstation)

Thesignal: SeeloncedIStreSS

eXaMPleoFtHedIStreSSVeSSelortHecontrolStatIonIMPoSIng‘reStrIctedworkIng‘ontHedIStreSScHannel:distresstraffic: Mayday



Thestationcalling(x3)(Nameofcallingstation)

Timeofthemessage …...gMt*

Theidentityofthe (Nameofdistressvessel)distressvessel:

Thesignal: Pru-donce

*greenwichMeantime(gMt)maybeinlocaltime.

Anystationwhichhasknowledgeofdistresstrafficandcannotprovideassistanceshouldcontinuetomonitorthetrafficuntilsuchtimethatitisobviousassistanceisbeingprovided.

Anystationwhichisawareofdistresstraffic,andisnottakingpartinit,isforbiddentotransmitonanychannelwhichisbeingusedforthattraffic.

Shipstationsnotinvolvedintheexchangeofdistresstrafficmay,whilecontinuingtomonitorthesituation,resumenormalradioservicewhendistresstrafficiswellestablishedandontheconditionsthatdistresstrafficchannelsarenotusedandnointerferenceiscausedtodistresstraffic.

reSuMPtIonoFreStrIctedworkIngShould the station controlling distress traffic consider that complete silence is no longer required on thedistresschannel, thestationshouldtransmitonthatchannelamessageaddressedtoallstations indicatingthatrestrictedworkingmayberesumed.Shipstationsmaythenresumeuseofthedistresschannelfornormalpurposes,butinacautiousmannerandbeingawarethatthechannelmaystillberequiredfordistresstraffic.

Themessagetoannounceresumptionofrestrictedworkingshouldtakethefollowingform:


>> thecallALLSTATIONS,spokenthreetimes;

>>thewordsTHISIS;

>> thenameandanyotheridentityofthestationsendingthemessage;

>> thetimethemessageoriginated;

>> thenameandanyotheridentityofthevesselindistress

>> thewordPru-donce.


reSuMPtIonoFnorMalworkIngwhendistresstraffichasceasedonachannelthathasbeenusedfordistresstraffic,thestationthathasbeencontrollingthattrafficshouldtransmitamessageaddressedtoallstationsindicatingthatnormalworkingmayberesumed.Themessageannouncingresumptionofnormalworkingshouldtakethefollowingform:


>>thecallALLSTATIONS,spokenthreetimes;

>>thewordsTHISIS;

>>thenameandanyotheridentityofthestationsendingthemessage;

>>thetimethemessageoriginated;

>>thenameandanyotheridentityofthevesselwhichwasindistress;

>>thewordsSeelonceFeenee.

eXaMPleoFtHedIStreSSVeSSelortHecontrolStatIonadVISIngreSuMPtIonoF‘norMalworkIng‘ontHedIStreSScHannel:distresstraffic: Mayday



Thestationcalling(x3) (Nameofcallingstation)

Timeofthemessage …...gMt*

Theidentityofthe (Nameofdistressvessel)distressvessel:

Thesignal: SeelonceFeenee

*greenwichMeantime(gMt)maybeinlocaltime.

tranSMISSIonoFadIStreSSMeSSageByaStatIonnotItSelFIndIStreSSAshiporlimitedcoaststationwhichlearnsofavesselindistressmaytransmitadistressmessageonbehalfofthatvesselwhen:

>> Thedistressvesselcannottransmitadistressmessage;or

>> Althoughnotinapositiontoassist,avesselinthevicinityhasnotheardanacknowledgement;or

>> TheMaster, Skipper, or theperson responsible for distress communications, amaritime communicationstationoralimitedcoaststationconsidersthatfurtherassistanceisnecessary.

eXaMPleoFadIStreSSMeSSagereceIVedandtHenrelayedByanotHerStatIonVHFdScdIStreSSrelayalertfollowedbyspokenmessage.

Maydayrelaycall(x3) Maydayrelay,Maydayrelay,Maydayrelay


Stationcalling(x3) (Nameofrelaystation)……………..........................………………

theMaydaymessage (RepeatoforiginalMaydaymessage)………………………………..

oVer


eXaMPleoFadIStreSSMeSSagecreatedandBroadcaStByaStatIononBeHalFoFaSHIPStatIonVHFdScdIStreSSrelayalertfollowedbyspokenmessage.

Maydayrelaysignal(x3) Maydayrelay,Maydayrelay,Maydayrelay


CallingStation(x3) (NameofCoastStation)………………….....................……………

theMaydayrelaymessage Maydayrelay,nameofvesselindistress,position,natureofdistressandanyotherinformation(personsonboard)

oVer

tHeurgencySIgnalTheurgency signal consists of thewordsPANPAN, and indicates that the caller has anurgentmessage totransmitconcerningthesafetyofthevessel,aircraftorperson.Ithaspriorityoverallothercommunicationsexceptdistress.

Theurgencysignalmaybeusedtoprecedeamessageconcerninga‘manoverboard’whereurgentassistanceisrequiredtolocatethatperson.

TheurgencymessagemayonlybesentontheauthorityoftheMaster,Skipperorpersonresponsibleforthesafetyofthevessel.Theurgencymessagemaybebroadcasttoallstationsonthedistress,urgencyorsafetychannel(Ch16)ortoanindividualstationonaworkingchannelaftertheannouncementonCh16.

Alengthyurgencymessagerequestingmedicaladviceorassistance,orrepetitionofamessagerelatingtoavesseloverduewouldalsobetransmittedonaworkingchannel.Thecallermayrequestanacknowledgementforthereceptionofsuchamessage.

eXaMPleoFtHeBroadcaStoFanurgencycall:Urgencysignal(x3) PanPan,PanPan,PanPan

Addressedto:(x3) ………………CoastGuard



Urgencymessage Requesturgentmedicalassistance,crewmembersustaineda brokenleg,suggestchangetochannel67

oVer

eXaMPleoFtHeBroadcaStoFanurgencycall:Urgencysignal(x3) PanPan,PanPan,PanPan




Urgencymessage Inposition…………………..brokenrudder,nosteeragerequesttowtoshore

oVer

Theurgencysituationshouldbecancelledbythestationoforiginoncetheurgencysituationisfinalised.


tHeSaFetySIgnalThesafetysignalconsistofthewordSECURITE(pronouncedSAY-CURE-E-TAY),andindicatesthatthecallerisabouttobroadcastamessageconcerninganimportantnavigationalorweatherwarning.Ithaspriorityoverallothermessagesexceptdistressorurgencymessages.

Thesafetywarningisannouncedonthedistress,urgencyorsafetychannel(Ch16)withthesafetymessagebeingbroadcastonaworkingchannel.Anacknowledgementisnotrequired.

eXaMPleFortHeBroadcaStoFSaFetycallFroMaVeSSel:Safetysignal(x3) SecurIte,SecurIte,SecurIte




Safetyalert NavigationwarninglistenonChannel13

eXaMPleFortHeBroadcaStoFSaFetycallFroMacoaStStatIon:Safetysignal(x3) SecurIte,SecurIte,SecurIte




Safetyalert NavigationwarninglistenonChannel67


36] whatmarineVHFchannelmaybeusedforroutineorgeneralcommunications?

37] whatshouldthecallerdopriortotransmission?

38] whatshouldyoudonextifyouareunsureoftheidentityofthecallingstation?

39] whatshouldyoudonextifyouareunsureoftheidentityofthestationbeingcalled?

40] whatdoestheword‘ROMEO’indicateduringradiotelephonycommunications?

41] whatdoestheword‘OVER’indicateduringradiotelephonycommunications?

42] whatdoestheword‘OUT’indicateduringradiotelephonycommunications?

43] whatshouldyoudonextifyourroutinecallhasnotbeenrepliedto?

44]whatshouldyoudonextifyourdistresscallandmessagehavenotbeenacknowledged?

45] Towhomisaroutineorgeneralmessageaddressed?

46] whattypeofchannelshouldbeusedfortheexchangeofroutineorgeneralmessages?

47] whatmarineVHFchannelisusedforradiotelephonydistresscommunications?

48] whatistheradiotelephonydistresssignal?

49] whatisthedefinitionofthedistresssignal?

50] whoseauthorityisrequiredbeforeusingthedistresssignal?

51] Towhomisthedistressbroadcastaddressed?

52] whattransmissionmodeisusedforadistressbroadcast?

53] whatisthesequenceforadistresscall?

54] whatisthefirstwordofadistressmessage?

55] whatisthecorrectsequenceforadistressmessage?

56] whatisyourobligationwithrespecttoacceptingdistresstraffic?

57] whatshouldyoudonextonhearing,orreceiving,adistressalert?

58] whoseauthorityisrequiredbeforeacknowledgingadistressalert?

59] whatistheexpressionusedtoacknowledgeadistresscallandmessagebyradiotelephone?

60] whatwordisusedtoprecedeallradiotelephonydistresstraffic?

61] whatstationcontrolsradiotelephonydistresstraffic?

62] whatexpressionshouldbeused,bythestationincontrolofdistresstraffic,toimposesilenceonthedistresschannel?

63] whatexpressionshouldbeused,byastationnotincontrolofthedistresssituation,toimposesilenceonotherstationsoperatingduringdistresscommunications?

64] whatexpressionshouldbeusedby,thestationincontrolofdistresstraffic,toadviseallstationsthatrestrictedcommunicationsmaytakeplaceonthedistresschannel?

65] whatexpressionisused,bythestationincontrolofdistresstraffic,toadvisethatnormaltrafficmaynowcontinueonthedistresschannel?

66] whatistheradiotelephonyurgencyprioritysignal?

67] whatisthedefinitionoftheurgencyprioritysignal?

68] whattypeofmessageisprecededbytheurgencysignal?

69] whatchannelisusedforthetransmissionofanurgencymessage?

70] Towhomistheurgencymessageaddressed?

71] whatistheradiotelephonysafetysignal?

72] whatisthedefinitionofthesafetyprioritysignal?

73] whattypeofmessageisprecededbythesafetysignal?

74] whatchannelisusedforthetransmissionofasafetymessage?

75] Isanacknowledgementexpectedforasafetybroadcast?

REVISIONQUESTIONS


generaldigital Selective Calling (dSC) was first introduced to mariners with the commencement of the GlobalMaritimedistressandSafetySystem(GMdSS),primarilyforvesselscompulsorilyequippedwithmarineradiocommunicationsequipment.

MarineVHFdSCoperatesonChannel70.ThedSCalertistransmittedviatheVHFunitonChannel70,andiscomparabletoatelephonepagingsystem.ThedSCisdesigned,inmanyways,toreplicatewhatanoperatormaysaywhenoperating radiotelephonyequipment. dSC isalsodesigned to take theplaceofanoperatorcontinuouslymonitoringtheInternationaldistresschannel16.However,regulatoryauthoritieshavedecidedthatoperatorsofmarineVHFshould,whenatsea,continuetomonitorChannel16indefinitely.

gPS dSc VHF

PowerSupply

dSc-caPaBleeQuIPMentVHFtransceiverswithdSCfacilitiesareavailableforsmallvessels.ManymarineVHFunitshavethedSCfacilityinbuiltwiththeabilitytointerfaceaGlobalPositionSystem(GPS)receiver,tothedSC,inordertoensureaccurateanduptodatepositioninformationthatwillbeautomaticallyincludedinadistressalert.dSCequipmentmayalsooffertheoperatorthefacilitytomanuallyupdatevesselpositioninformation.

StatIonIdentItyInordertousedSCtechniquestheVHFdSCcontrollermustbepermanentlyprogrammedwithauniqueninedigitidentificationnumberknownasaMaritimeMobileServiceIdentity(MMSI).TheMMSIisissuedbyAMSAuponrequest.See www.amsa.gov.au/AUSSAR/AMSA89.pdf

Thefirstthreedigits,knownastheMaritimeIdentitydigits(MId)oftheMMSIindicatethecountryofregistry.

TheMIdforAustralianvesselsis503followedbysixdigitsuniquelyidentifyingthevesselitself.

CoaststationsareidentifiedbythefirsttwodigitsoftheMMSIastwozerosi.e.00followedbytheMId,followedbyfourdigitsidentifyingthestationitself:00503xxxx

RecentlyanewseriesofMMSINo’shavebeen issuedto;SpecialistSearchandRescueAircraftcommencingwith111,followedbytheMIdandafurtherthreedigits.whilstAidstoNavigation,e.g.LightshipshaveanMMSIof99followedbytheMIdandafurtherfourdigits:

>>Vessel 503xxxxxx;

>>Group 0503xxxxx;

>>CoastStation 00503xxxx;

>>SARAircraft 111503xxx;and

>>AidstoNavigation 99503xxxx. (Lightshipsetc)

Fig.3dScBlockdiagram

dIgItalSelectIVecallIng(dSc)

23 dIGITALSELECTIVECALLING(dSC)

tranSMISSIonoFadScalertThe dSC transmission, on Channel 70, is a brief burst of digital data, typically 0.5 seconds in duration.Thischannelisprotectedandshouldnotbeusedforanyothertypeoftransmission.

dSCisasemi-automatedmethodofestablishingtheinitialcontactbetweenstations.OncetheinitialcontacthasbeenmadesubsequentradiotelephonecommunicationsshouldcontinueonanyoneofthemarineVHFchannels,dependingonthepriorityoftheservicerequired.

InForMatIoncontaInedInadScalertVHFmarineradioequipmentfittedwithdigitalSelectiveCallingmayofferasingle-buttondistressfacilityandautomatedwatchkeeping.ThedSCAlertcontainsthefollowinginformationasdigitiseddata:

>>Theidentityofthetransmittingstation(MMSI);

>>Thepriorityofthealert(distress,urgency,safetyorroutine);and

>>Stationsbeingcalled(allstationsoranindividualstation).

dScalertForMatSTheInternationaldSCsystemprovidesforthefollowingtypesofalerts:

>> distressalerts–implicitlyaddressedtoAllStations

>> distress alert acknowledgement–normally transmittedby coast stationsor limited coast stationsonly.Maybeusedbyshipstationsunderspecificcircumstances.

>> distressalertrelay–normallytransmittedbycoaststationsorlimitedcoaststationsonly.Maybeusedbyshipstationsunderspecificcircumstances.

>> Allstations–usedtoalertallstationsthatadistress,urgencyorsafetyalertisabouttofollow.

>> Selectiveorsinglestation–usedtoalertan individualstationthatanurgency,safetyorroutinealert istofollow.

dScdIStreSSalertProcedureSAswitharadiotelephonydistresscall,thedSCdistressalertmayonlybesentontheauthorityoftheMaster,Skipperorpersonresponsibleforthesafetyofthevessel.ThedSCdistressalertalsoindicatesthatthevesselorpersonsonboardthatvesselisingraveandimmanentdangerandrequestimmediateassistance.

AllstationsreceivingadSCdistressalertmustimmediatelyceasealltransmissioncapableofinterferingwithdistresscommunications.

dIStreSSPoSItIonInForMatIonwithGPS interfacing position informationwill automatically be inserted into the distress alert and give anindicationofwhenthatpositionwaslastupdated.

Following the International Telecommunications Union (Radio Regulations) ITU(RR): If the position is notupdated within 23.5 hours the section indicating Latitude will show five 9s and the section indicatingLongitude will show five 9s. The section indicating the time of the position will show four 8s. Somemanufacturers will insert a series of asterisks (*) to replace the digits of position and time informationif the position has not been updated. On vessels compulsorily fitted with dSC it may be necessary toupdate the position information no later than four hours, with a warning system to indicate that theposition requires updating. therefore the position and time at which it was last updated will alwaysbeindicated.

dScalertInForMatIonAdSCAlertmaycontainallorsomeofthefollowinginformationasdigitiseddata:

>> theidentityofthecallingstation(MMSI);


>> thestationbeingcalled(aspecificstationorallstations);

>> thepriorityofthealert-distress,urgency,safetyorroutine;and

>> thepositionofthecallingstationandanindicationofwhenthepositionwaslastupdated.

tranSMISSIonoFadScdIStreSSalertOperatorsofVHFdSCmayhavetheoptiontotransmitthedistressalertby:

>>AdedicateddistressAlertButton;

>>EditingofthedistressAlertmenu;or

>>Selectionofthedistresspriorityfromastandardmenu,ifprovided.

SomedSCsmayoffertheoperatortheoptionofselectingthedistresspriorityfromatransmissionmenuwithafurtheroptionofeditingthedistressalertbyselectingandtransmittingthenatureofthedistresssituatione.g.‘onfire’,’collision’or‘abandoningship’.

However,theprimaryfunctionofadistressalertistoadviseAllStationsofthedistresssituationandthelocationofthedistressvessel.

rePetItIonoFdIStreSSalertSThe acknowledgement of a VHF distress alert should be anticipated from a coast or limited coast station.However,ifanacknowledgementisnotreceivedforthedSCdistressalertthenitwillautomaticallyberepeatedatapproximatelyfourminuteintervalsforfivetransmissions.

acknowledgeMentoFaVHFdScdIStreSSalertShipstationsreceivingadistressalertfromanothervesselshouldtakenoteofthecontentsandimmediatelylistenonChannel16foranyradiotelephonyMAYdAYtrafficthatshouldfollow.

If aMAYdAY is received on VHF Channel 16 it should be acknowledged using the standard radiotelephonyprocedure.OncethedSCdistressacknowledgementisreceivedtherepeatdSCdistressalertiscancelled.

Anacknowledgementisnotrequiredifthereceivingvesselisunabletoassist.ShipstationsreceivingadSCdistressalertfromanothervesselmayacknowledgebydSCif:

>> MaydaytraffichasnotbeenheardonChannel16within5minutes

>> Nootherstationshavebeenheardcommunicatingwiththevesselindistress;and

>> ThedSCdistressalertisrepeated.

cancellatIonoFanInadVertentdScdIStreSSalertIntheeventofanaccidentaltransmissionofadSCdistressalertthetransmittingstationshouldimmediately:

>> SwitchofftheVHFtransceiver(thiswillblockanytransmissionrepeatsofthedSCalertwhichwouldcontinueuntilanacknowledgementisreceived);

>> SwitchontheVHFtransceiverandselectChannel16;andthen

>> Broadcast an ‘All stations’ call, indicating the vessel’s name,MMSI, time of the accidental alert and anexpressionofcancellationofthedistressalert.

25

REVISIONQUESTIONS

dIGITALSELECTIVECALLING(dSC)

76] whatinformationisincludedinallVHFdSCalerts?

77] HowisaVHFdSCreceivercontrolleridentified?

78] whatAustralianorganisationissuesVHFdSCidentitynumbers?

79] whatdothefirstthreedigitsofavessel’sMMSIindicate?

80] whattypeofstationwillbeissuedwithanMMSIcommencingwith0?

81] whattypeofstationwillbeissuedwithanMMSIcommencingwith00?

82] whatothernavigationalequipmentishighlyrecommendedtobeinterfacedwiththedSCunit?

83] whatmarineVHFchannelisusedfordSCdistressalerting?

84] whatshouldyoudonextafterreceivingaVHFdSCdistressalert?

85] HowwouldyouacknowledgeaVHFdSCdistressalert?

86] whatinformationisincludedinallVHFdSCdistressalerts?

87] OnreceivingaVHFdSCdistressalert,shouldyouacknowledgebydSC?

88] whathappensifadSCdistressalertisnotacknowledgedimmediately?

89] Towhomisaroutinepriorityalertaddressed?

90] whatinformationisrequiredinordertotransmitaroutinepriorityalerttoanothervessel?

91] whatshouldtheoperatordonextifadSCdistressalerthasbeenaccidentallytransmitted?


generalEPIRBsareauthorizedundera class licenceandas suchdonot requirean individual radiocommunicationslicence. An EPIRB is described as a small, self-contained, battery-operated radio transmitterwhich is bothwatertightandbuoyant.

TheessentialpurposeofanEPIRB is toassist indetermining thepositionof survivors in searchand rescueoperations.TheEPIRBshouldnotbeconsideredasanalternativetoanapprovedmarineradiotransceiver.

OperationoftheEPIRBshouldbeasimpletwostepaction,andonceswitchedonoractivated,shouldnotbeswitchedoffuntil rescuehasbeencompleted. InternationalRadioRegulationsstate that theEPIRBbatteryshouldbecapableofsupplyingpowertotheePIrBforaminimumof48hours.

localuSerterMInalSStationsestablishedonlandforthepurposeofreceivingsignalsfromtheCospas-SarsatsatellitesareknownasknownasLocalUserTerminals(LUTs).

There are two LUTs in Australia, one located at Albany, in western Australia, and another at Bundaberg,Queensland,bothofwhicharelinkedtotheRescueCoordinationCentre(RCC)Canberra.AnotherLUTlocatedatwellington,NewZealand,isalsolinkedtoRCCCanberra.

tyPeoFePIrBThereiscurrentlyonlyonetypeofEPIRBavailableforallcraft:

>> TheEPIRBoperatingonUHFfrequenciesof406.025MHz,406.028MHzand406.037MHzhasrecentlybeenmadeavailable.Eachcommonlyreferredtoasthe406MHzEPIRB.

IdentIFIcatIonoFa406MHzePIrBPurchasers of a 406MHz EPIRB are required to complete a registration formwhich in turn is lodgedwiththeAustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthorityCanberra. The406MHzEPIRBhasauniqueidentitycodewhichistransmittedaspartofitsdigitisedsignalandindicatesitscountryofregistration.RCCsaroundtheworldcanthereforeidentifythevesseltowhichanactivatedEPIRBbelongs.

tHecoSPaS-SarSatInternatIonalSatellIteSySteMTheCOSPAS-SARSATsatellitesystemisanInternationalconsortiumofTheUnitedStatesofAmerica,Canada,FranceandRussiadesignedtolocateanactivatedEPIRBoperatingona406.MHzfrequency.Thesystemusesfourlowearthorbitingsatellites,LEOS,eachmakingacompletelowearthPolarorBIt,atbetween700and1000kmaltitude,inapproximately100minutes.Atleastoneoftheseorbitingsatellitesisin‘lineofsight’ofanypointontheearth’ssurfaceatamaximumintervalofnolongerthanthreehours.OrbitingsatellitesintheCOSPAS-SARSATsystemhaveaviewingrange,orfootprint,approximately2000kmeithersideofitstrackacrossthesurfaceoftheearth.

The system also uses five satellites that are geo StatIonary, in fixed positions, some 36,000 km abovetheequator.

EMERGENCYPOSITIONINdICATINGRAdIOBEACONS,EPIRBS

SurVIValcraFteQuIPMent

27 SURVIVALCRAFTEQUIPMENT

tHe406MHzePIrBThe 406 MHz EPIRB transmits a short burst of digital data on thefrequenciesof406.025MHz,406.028MHzand406.037MHz. Thisburstof data is typically a 5 watt signal of 0.5 of a second duration every50seconds.

The406MHzEPIRBmanufacturedtoAustralianspecificationsalsotransmitson 121.5 MHz for aircraft homing purposes. Transmission on 121.5 MHzsimultaneouslyradiatesacontinuousseriesofdistinctivedescendingtoneswhichcontainsnostationidentification.

The406MHzEPIRBisthereforecapableofbeingdetectedby:

>> AircraftwithinrangeANdmonitoringthecivilaviationfrequencyof121.5MHz;and

>> SatellitesoperatingintheCOSPAS-SARSATsystem.

detectIonBySatellIteSatellitesmonitoring406.025MHzcanreceivethedigitisedburstofdataandrelaythesignalbacktoearthinthe‘realtime’mode,aslongastheEPIRBandLUTareinthesatellitefootprintatthesametime.

Becausesignalsfroma406MHzEPIRBareinadigitisedform,theycanalsobestoredinthesatellite’smemory.Asthesatellite’spathbringsitintoviewofanLUT,information,includingtimeoffirstdetection,isretrievedfromthesatellite’smemoryandrelayeddowntotheLUT.Thisinformationisprocessedandpassedtoarescueco-ordinationcentre,providingbothanalertandaposition.Thisissaidtobeinthe‘global’mode.Positionaccuracyisbetterthan5km(2.7nauticalmiles).

EPIRBs operating on 406.028 and 406.037 MHz operate in a similar manner to the 406.025 MHz EPIRB.However,the406.028and406.037MHzEPIRBalsohaveaninbuiltGlobalPositionSystem(GPS)unitinstalled.Once activated the GPS unit can receive position information from GPS satellites and within 5 minutesinclude that information in theburst of data that is receivedby the LUTwhich is then relayed to theRCC.Positionaccuracyistowithin150metresoftheactivatedEPIRB.

Fig.4SatelliteFootprint

EPIRB LUT

METHOdSOFdETECTIONANdLOCATION


ACTIVATIONOFTHE406MHzEPIRBgeneralTwotypesof406MHzEPIRBsaremanufactured:

>>Thoserequiringmanualactivation,thecontrolsofwhichmaysimplybeonoroff;and

>>Thosethatcanbeactivatedmanuallyinadditiontothosecapableofbeingkeptinafloatfreebracketandreleasedautomaticallybywayofahydrostaticreleasesystem.Thearmingofthistypemayalsooffertheoperatorthechoiceof‘off’,‘on’,‘auto’anda‘testing’facility.

accIdentalactIVatIonoFanePIrBTheRCCshouldimmediatelybeadvisedbytelephone,1800641792(24hourservice)orifatsea,viaacoastradiostation,alimitedcoaststationoranothervesseliftheownersofanEPIRBdiscoverthatithasaccidentallybeenactivated.TherearenopenaltiesforadvisingofaccidentalactivationofanEPIRB.

SerVIcIngoFePIrBSAnEPIRBmustnotbetestedexceptstrictlyinaccordancewithmanufacturer’sinstructions.OwnersofEPIRBsshould refer to the relevant regulation concerning performance verification tests and the owner’s manualconcerningservicingandrecommendedbatteryreplacementdates.Hydrostaticreleasemechanismsshouldbeinspectedandservicedatregularintervals.

StowageoFePIrBSEPIRBsshouldbestowedinasafeeasilyaccessibleposition,orinasecure‘floatfree’bracket.

29

REVISIONQUESTIONS

SURVIVALCRAFTEQUIPMENT

92] whatisthegeneraldescriptionofanEPIRB?

93] whatisthepurposeofanEPIRB?

94] IsanEPIRBacceptableasanalternativetoaradiotransceiver?

95] ForhowlongshouldtheEPIRBoperateonceswitchedon?

96] whenshouldtheEPIRBbeswitchedoff?

97] whatfrequenciesdoesthesmallinexpensiveEPIRBoperateon?

98] HowisthissmallEPIRBdetected?

99] withwhatorganisationshouldthepurchasersofa406MHztypeEPIRBregisterwith?

100] whatinformationisincludedinthe406MHzEPIRBtransmission?

101] whattypeofsignalistransmittedbythe406MHzEPIRB?

102] whattypeofsignalistransmittedontheaviationemergencyfrequencyof121.5MHz?

103] Howisthe406MHzEPIRBdetected?

104] whatmodedoesthe406MHzEPIRBoperate?

105] whatsatellitesystemcandetectorreceiveEPIRBsignals?

106] whattypeofsatellitesarestationaryovertheequator?

107] whattypeofsatellitesareinorbitaroundtheEarth’ssurface?

108] whattypeoforbitismaintainedbytheorbitingsatellites?

109] whatistheapproximatedurationoftheorbitingsatellites?

110] whattypeofstationreceivesEPIRBinformationfromthesatellitesystem?

111] wherearethelandstationslocatedinAustraliathatreceiveEPIRBinformationrelayedfromtheSatellitesystem?

112] whatarethelimitationsofa121.5MHzEPIRB?

113] whataretheadvantagesofthe406.025MHzEPIRB?

114] whataretheadvantagesofthe406.028MHzEPIRB?

115] HowshouldanEPIRBbetested?

116] whatmustyoudoifyouaccidentallyactivateanEPIRB?


Heading line

Vessel heading due North

Vessel alteredcourse towardsthe SART

24Milerange 24Milerange

Fig.6 Image on the radar once the vessel has altered course to head towards the SART position

SEARCHANdRESCUETRANSPONdERSgeneralASearchandRescueTransponder, or SART, is abattery-poweredportabledevice,whichmaybeusedbyasurvivalcrafttoindicateitspositiontosearchingaircraftandvessels.

TheSARToperates inthe9.3to9.5GHzbandandwillrespondonlytoradarequipmentoperatingonthosefrequencies (X Band, 3 Centimetre radar). The SART will not respond to 3 GHz (S band, 10 Centimetre)radar. TheSARTshouldoperateinthestandbymodeforaminimumof96hourswithafurthereighthoursoftransmission.

PoSItIonIngoFtHeSartUndernocircumstancesshouldtheSARTbeplacedinthewater. TheSARTshouldbemountedatleastonemetreabovethewaterline.wheninthesurvivalcraftsurvivorsshouldpositiontheSARTashighaspossiblewiththeaidofanoarorthelifeboatmast.SomemanufacturerswillsupplytheSARTwithashorttelescopictypemastofapproximatelyonemetreinlength.

SartoPeratIonOnce switchedon theSARTwill scan theXBandof radar frequencies. whena searching radar isdetectedthe SART will lock onto that particular radar frequency and commence to transmit on the entire X Band,thusenablingallvesselsinthevicinitytoreceiveanindicationoftheSARTtransmission.

Ondetectingsignalsfromdistantradarequipment,anactivatedSARTwillgenerateaseriesofresponsesignalsoftwelveblipswhichwillbedisplayedonthereceivingradarscreen,extendinginaline,approx5to8nauticalmiles in length,outwardfromtheSARTposition,alongits lineofbearing. Thisuniqueradarsignal iseasilyrecognisedandtherescuevesseloraircraftcanlocatethesurvivors.(SeeFig.5&6)

An interrogated SART will provide proof to survivors of operations by means of an audible and/or visibleflashinglight.

locatIondIStanceSA SART should respond to a ship’s radar with a scanner height of 15 metres at a distance of at least 5nauticalmiles.

OncelockedontoasearchingradartherewillbeaslightdelayinthechangeoverfromtheSART’sstandbyorreceivemodetotransmitmode.Thisslightdelaymaycauseasmallpositionerrorupto150metresontheradarscreenoftheblipassociatedwiththepositionoftheSART.SubsequentradarsweepswillconfirmtheactuallocationoftheSART.

Fig.5SART indication as seen on a marine radar on a bearing of 045°T. (Radar Display set to North Up)

31

REVISIONQUESTIONS

SURVIVALCRAFTEQUIPMENT

117] whatisthegeneraldescriptionofaSART?

118] whattypeofmarineradariscapableofdetectinganactivatedSART?

119] Once‘activated’forhowlongshouldtheSARTbecapableoftransmitting?

120] whenswitchedtothe‘Standby’mode,whatbandoffrequencieswilltheSARTscan?

121] whenswitchedontothe‘Standby’modeforhowlongshouldtheSARTbecapableofoperating?

122] HowshouldtheSARTbepositionedforsurvivaloperations?

123] whatistherecommendedheightforpositioningtheSART?

124] HowisaSARTtransmissionidentified?

125] HowmanymilesdoestheSARTsignalextendto?

126] HowwouldasurvivorbealertedtothefactthattheSARThasbeenactivated?


cellVoltageEachlead-acidcellhasanominalvoltageof2volts.Aphysicallylargercelldoesnotsupplyahighervoltage(Volts).Cellsinabatteryarecombinedtogiveatotalbatteryvoltage.i.e.threecellstoproducea6Voltbattery,orsixcellstoproducea12Voltbattery.Eachcellwillhaveafillercaptoenabletoppingupoftheelectrolytebydistilledordemineralisedwater.Threefillercapsindicatea6Voltbattery.

cellcaPacItyElectricalcurrentismeasuredinamperes(amps).Eachlead-acidbatteryhasthecapacitytosupplyanamountofcurrentoveraspecifictimeandisknownasitsAmpereHourCapacity(AHC).AlargecellhastheabilitytoprovideahigherAHCoverashortperiodoftimeoralowcurrentoveralongerperiodoftime.ManufacturerswillspecifytheAHCofanindividualbatterytype.

BatteryconnectIonBatteriescanbeconnectedtoeachother,inordertoprovideatotaloperatingvoltage.

SerIeSconnections,wherethenegativeterminalofonebatteryisconnectedtothepositiveterminalofanotherbattery.i.e.two6VoltbatteriesofequalAHCconnectedtogetherinordertoproducea12VoltoperatingvoltagewithanAHCofeachbattery.Parallelconnections,wherebyallthepositiveterminals,ofabankofbatteries,areconnectedtogether,andallthenegativeterminalsareconnectedtogether. InthefollowingFig.two6VoltbatterieswithequalAHCconnectedtogetherinparallelwillproduceatotalof6VoltwithanAHCofthesumoftheAHCofeachbattery,andthereforealongerperiodoverallforcurrenttoflow.

BatteryconStructIon(courtesyofBatteryCouncilInternational)Batteriesaremadeoffivebasiccomponents:

AresilientPlasticcontainer.

Positiveandnegativeinternalplatesmadeoflead.

Plateseparatorsmadeofporoussyntheticmaterial.

Electrolyte,adilutesolutionofsulfuricacidandwaterbetterknownasbatteryacid.

Leadterminals,theconnectionpointbetweenthebatteryandwhateveritpowers.

1

2

3

4

5

1

23

4

5

Fig.7Batteryconstruction

tHeMarIneBatteryMostmarinebatteriesusedonboatsareofthelead-acidvariety.Lead-acidcellsconsistofacombinationofleadandleadperoxideplates.Theseplatesarekeptinasolutionofsulphuricacidandwater(theelectrolyte)whichproducesapotentialdifferencebetweentheplates,andcurrentcanflowwhenaload,suchasamarineradioisconnected.duringthis‘discharge’cyclethesulphuricacidorthematerialintheplatesisusedup.Thepotentialdifferencenolongerexistsandcurrentcannolongerflow.Thisprocessisreversedbypassingacurrentthroughthecellintheoppositedirectionandthisisknownas‘charging’.

PowerSuPPlIeS

33

Fig.8Seriesconnection

Positive

negative

POwERSUPPLIES

BatteryHazardSTherearetwohazardsassociatedwithlead-acidbatteriesthatshipstationoperatorsshouldbeawareof:

>>theriskofexplosion;and

>>theriskofchemicalburns.

Asa resultof thechemicalprocessoccurringwithin thecellsofabatteryduringcharging,Hydrogengas isproduced.whenmixedwithair,thiscanformahighlyexplosivemixturewhichcanbeignitedbyanakedflame,alightedcigarette,oraspark.

Thesparkcausedbymakingorbreakinganelectricalconnectioninthevicinityofthechargingbatterymaybesufficienttoignitethehydrogen-airmixture.Batteriesshouldbelocatedasclosetotheradioequipmentaspossible,andplacedinawellventilatedcontainerorlocker.Ifusingmetaltools,toworkonbatteryconnections,extremecaremustbetakentoensurethatterminalsarenotshort-circuited.

TheelectrolyteinbatterycellsconsistsofamixtureofwaterandSulphuricacid.Itissufficientlyconcentrated,particularly after charging, to damage eyes, skin or clothes if spilt or splashed. Immediate and prolongedapplicationofrunningwaterisrecommendedtominimiseitseffect.

It is recommended thateyeprotection,gloves, etcbewornwhenaperson is carryingoutmaintenanceonbatteries.Batteriesshouldnotbetopped-upwhilstoncharge.

eSSentIalBatteryMaIntenanceThefunctioningofradioequipmentisdependentonpowersuppliedbythebattery.Ifitistoprovideadequateperformanceintheeventofanemergency,regularandcarefulmaintenanceisrequired.

Abattery’sservicelifealsodependsonthemannerinwhichitistreated.Toensurethebestperformancefromabatteryitisimportantthatabattery:

>> iskeptclean,dryandfreefromterminalcorrosion;

>>hastheelectrolytekeptatthecorrectlevel;and

>>iskeptcorrectlycharged.

BatterycleanlIneSSAbatterytopshouldbekeptclean.Adirtybatterytopmayholdspiltelectrolyteonitssurfacetherebyprovidingapathfortheelectricalcurrenttoleakaway.Itisimportanttokeeptheoutsidesurfacesofabatterydryandfreeofcontamination.

Corrosionformingonterminalclampsmayseriouslyaffect,orevenprevent,theabilityofthebatterytosupplycurrent. Corrosionwillbeevidentbytheformationofawhite-greenpowderbetweenthebatteryterminalsandtheterminalclamps.Inthissituation,theterminalclampshouldberemovedandbothitandtheterminalpostcleaned.

Fig.9Parallelconnection

Positive

negative


Tominimisethelikelihoodofcorrosion,terminalpostsandclampsshouldbelightlysmearedwithVaseline™orpetroleumjelly.

A battery which is near flat, defective or have corrosion of battery terminals may be able to providesufficient current to operate the receiver, but not the transmitter. Should the transmitter fail to operateand dial lights or channel display dim significantly when the button is operated, the battery shouldbesuspected.

electrolyteleVelThelevelofelectrolyteinsideabatteryisimportant.Asaresultofthechemicalactioninsideabattery,waterislost.Thisshouldbereplacedwithdistilledordemineralisedwater.

Seawatermustnotbeusedunderany circumstances. The levelof theelectrolyte shouldbemaintainedatapproximately10mmabovetheplatesunlessotherwisespecifiedbythemanufacturer.Iftheelectrolytelevelistoohigh,itmayoverflowduringchargingprovidinganunwanteddischargepath.Iftheelectrolyteistoolow,theplatesareexposedtotheairandpermanentdamageandlossofcapacitymayresult.

Itmaybenoticedthatabatterythatisnearingtheendofitsusefullifewillrequiremorefrequenttopping-up than has been previously necessary. Low-maintenance batteries will require infrequent topping-up.Maintenance-freebatteriesmayrequirenoneatall.

correctcHargIngToprovidethebestservice,abatterymustbecorrectlycharged. Bothoverchargingandunderchargingcanseriouslyaffectitsperformance.

Onsmallvesselstheusualmeansofchargingtheradiobatterywillbeanalternatororgeneratorattachedtothevessel’sengine.Anassociatedregulator,whichreducesthechargingcurrentasnecessary,shouldpreventovercharging.

Vessels that are used frequently (say, several times each week) should have no problem maintaining afully charged radio battery. However, on vessels that are used relatively infrequently (say, once every fewweeks), it is likely that during storage even a battery that starts as fully charged, will self-discharge andgoflat.

Forsafetyreasons,itisimportantthatasmallboatownerisabletodeterminethegeneralconditionofabatteryanditsabilitytosupplycurrentoveraperiodoftime(itscapacity).Anindicationofthelevelofchargeinabatterymaybeobtainedbyeither:

>>measuringthespecificgravityoftheelectrolyte;or

>>measuringtheon-loadterminalvoltage.

MeaSurIngtHeSPecIFIcgraVItyThe specific gravity, also called the relative density, of the electrolyte (the liquid inside the battery) variesproportionallywiththeamountofchargeinthebattery.Itishighestwhenthebatteryisfullychargedandlowestwhenthebatteryisfullydischargedorflat.Itfollowsthattheamountofchargeinabatterycanbedeterminedbymeasuringthespecificgravityoftheelectrolyte.Asimple,inexpensivedevicecalledahydrometerisusedtomeasurespecificgravity.

Ingeneral, for a fully chargedbattery the specificgravity shouldmeasure about 1.250. Half chargewill beindicatedbyareadingof1.200andfullydischargedby1.150. Allcells inabatteryshould indicateasimilarspecific gravity. A variation of more than about 0.025 will indicate a faulty cell and the battery shouldbereplaced.

Specificgravityreadingsshouldnotbetakenimmediatelyaftertopping-upacellastheaddedwaterwillfloattowards the topof the cell andgivea false reading. Charging for thirtyminutesormoreafter topping-upwillmix theelectrolyteandallowaccurate readings. Topup thebatterybefore chargingas thepouringof

35 POwERSUPPLIES

1.3

1.2

1.1

RECHARGE

FAIR

GOOD

RubberBulb

Hollowglassfloat

GlassBarrel

Scale

Electrolytebeingmeasured

weighttoholdfloaterect

Rubberhose

1.150

1.200

1.250

1.300

Fig.10Hydrometer

colddistilledwaterontohotacidinthebatterywillcausesplatter.Batterieswhichhavecellswherespecificgravity readings fail to rise,orrespondpoorly toadequatecharging, shouldbereplaced.

MeaSurIngtHeon-loadterMInalVoltageMeasurement of the terminal voltage whenabattery issupplyingcurrenttoa load,suchas a transmitting radio, will also providean indication of the amount of charge in abattery. Thismeasurement is known as theon-loadterminalvoltage.

For a 12-volt battery, the on-load terminalvoltage should not fall below approximately11.4 volts while transmitting. If thevoltage does fall significantly below thisfigure, the battery requires charging.Ifaftercharging,theon-loadterminalvoltagestill falls significantly below 11.4 volts, it isan indication of a faulty cell and the batteryshouldbereplaced.

Measurementof theoff-load (when thebattery is idle) terminalvoltageofabattery isapoor indicationofitscondition.

loSSoFcaPacItyAbatterywillsufferagraduallossofcapacityduringitslife.Thisisinevitableandthebatteryshouldbereplacedwhenthecapacitylossbecomessignificant.Manylead-acidbatterieshaveacommerciallifeofonlytwotothreeyears.However,theusefullifeofabatterycanbeconsiderablyshortenedby:

>> operatingabatteryinalowstateofchargeforlongperiods;

>> allowingabatterytostandinadischargedstateforlongperiods;

>> leavingachargedbatteryforlongperiodswithoutperiodiccharging;and

>> overcharging.

MaIntenanceFreeBatterIeSMaintenance free Lead – Acid or Gel type batteries are becoming increasinglymore popular and availabletomariners. Usersof these typesofbatteriesare recommendedto followthemanufacturer’sguidelines inascertainingtheconditionof thebattery regardingreplacement. Onvesselswhere it ismandatorytocarryan independent emergency means of electrical supply, for communications equipment, it may also be arequirementtoreplace‘maintenancefree’batteriesafterashortoperationalperiodof1year.

connectIonoFBatterIeSdurIngeMergencIeSForavesselwithmorethanasinglebankofbatteries it ishighlyrecommendedtoconnectthebatteries inparallelduringemergencysituations.Thebatteryon/offorinterchangeswitchwillindicateifthisispossible.


REVISIONQUESTIONS127] whatisthemostcommontypeofbattery

availableformarineuse?

128] whatisthenominalvoltagepercell,ofaLeadAcidbattery?

129] whatisabatteries’abilitytoproducecurrentknownas?

130] whatisthetotalvoltageoftwo6Voltbatteriesconnectedinseries?

131] whatisthetotalvoltageoftwo6Voltbatteriesconnectedinparallel?

132] whatisthetotalvoltageoftwo12Voltbatteriesconnectedinseries?

133] whatisthetotalvoltageoftwo12Voltbatteriesconnectedinparallel?

134]whatisthetotalAHCfortwobatteriesconnectedinseries?

135] whatisthetotalAHCfortwobatteriesconnectedinparallel?

136] whattypeofgasisproducedbyaleadacidbatteryduringthechargingprocess?

137]whatistheliquidinbatteryknownas?

138] whatistheliquid,inaleadacidbattery,amixtureof?

139] whattypeofacidiscontainedintheliquidofaleadacidbattery?

140]Atwhatlevelshouldtheliquidintheleadacidbatterybemaintained?

141] whatshouldtheelectrolytebetoppedupwith?

142] Howiscorrosiononaleadacidbatteryterminalminimised?

143] Howisthebasicmaintenanceofabatterymaintained?

144] whatisthebasicmethodofdeterminingtheoperatingconditionoftheleadacidbattery?

145] whatinstrumentisusedtodeterminetheconditionofaleadacidbattery?

146] whatisthespecificgravitypercell,ofawellmaintainedleadacid?

147]Howisitrecommendedtoconnecttwobanksofbatteriesintheeventofanemergency?

37 MISCELLANEOUS

SUGGESTEdFORMATFORARAdIOLOGBOOKPAGE

nameofVessel:anyotheridentity:

MMSI:

dateandTime Station/MMSIfrom Station/MMSIto detailsofCalls,Signals&distressworking Frequency/Channel

MIScellaneouS


TABLEOFTRANSMITTINGFREQUENCIESINTHEVHFMARITIMEMOBILEBANdExtracted from Appendix 18 (WRC 2000) to the ITU Radio Regulations

note:ThechannelsofthepresentAppendix,withtheexceptionofchannels06,13,15,16,17,70,75and76,mayalsobeusedforhigh-speeddataandfacsimiletransmissions,subjecttospecialarrangementbetweeninterestedandaffectedadministrations.

ThechannelsofthepresentAppendix,butpreferablychannel28andwiththeexceptionofchannels06,13,15,16,17,70,75and76,maybeusedfordirect-printingtelegraphyanddatatransmission,subjecttospecialarrangementbetweeninterestedandaffectedadministrations.

The frequencies in this tablemayalsobeused for radiocommunicationson inlandwaterways inaccordancewith theconditionsspecifiedinNo.5.226

channeldesignator notes*

transmittingfrequencies(MHz)

Inter-ship

Portoperationsandshipmovements Publiccorres-

pondenceShipstations coaststations Single

frequencytwo

frequency60 156.025 160.625 X X

01 156.050 160.650 X X61 m),o) 156.075 160.675 X X X

02 m),o) 156.100 160.700 X X X62 m),o) 156.125 160.725 X X X

03 m),o) 156.150 160.750 X X X63 m),o) 156.175 160.775 X X X

04 m),o) 156.200 160.800 X X X64 m),o) 156.225 160.825 X X X

05 m),o) 156.250 160.850 X X X65 m),o) 156.275 160.875 X X X

06 f) 156.300 X66 156.325 160.925 X X

07 156.350 160.950 X X67 h) 156.375 156.375 X X

08 156.400 X68 156.425 156.425 X

09 i) 156.450 156.450 X X69 156.475 156.475 X X

10 h) 156.500 156.500 X X70 j) 156.525 156.525 digitalselectivecallingfordistress,safetyandcalling

11 156.550 156.550 X71 156.575 156.575 X

12 156.600 156.600 X72 i) 156.625 X

13 k) 156.650 156.650 X X73 h),i) 156.675 156.675 X X

14 156.700 156.700 X74 156.725 156.725 X

15 g) 156.750 156.750 X X75 n) 156.775 X

16 156.800 156.800 dISTRESS,SAFETYANdCALLING76 n) 156.825 X

17 g) 156.850 156.850 X X77 156.875 X

18 m) 156.900 161.500 X X X

39 MISCELLANEOUS

channeldesignator notes*

transmittingfrequencies(MHz)

Inter-ship

Portoperationsandshipmovements Publiccorres-

pondenceShipstations coaststations Single

frequencytwo

frequency78 156.925 161.525 X X

19 156.950 161.550 X X79 156.975 161.575 X X

20 157.000 161.600 X X80 157.025 161.625 X X

21 157.050 161.650 X X81 157.075 161.675 X X

22 m) 157.100 161.700 X X X82 m),o) 157.125 161.725 X X X

23 m),o) 157.150 161.750 X X X83 m),o) 157.175 161.775 X X X

24 m),o) 157.200 161.800 X X X84 m),o) 157.225 161.825 X X X

25 m),o) 157.250 161.850 X X X85 m),o) 157.275 161.875 X X X

26 m),o) 157.300 161.900 X X X86 m),o) 157.325 161.925 X X X

27 157.350 161.950 X X87 157.375 X

28 157.400 162.000 X X88 h) 157.425 X

AIS1 l) 161.975 161.975AIS2 l) 162.025 162.025

taBlenoteS:

a)Administrationsmaydesignatefrequenciesintheintership,portoperationsandshipmovementservicesforusebylightaircraftandhelicopterstocommunicatewithshipsparticipatingcoaststationsinpredominantlymaritimesupportoperations.However,theuseofthechannelswhicharesharedwithpubliccorrespondenceshallbesubjecttoprioragreementinterestedandaffectedadministrations.

b)ThechannelsofthepresentAppendix,withtheexceptionofChannels06,13,15,16,17,70,75and76,mayalsobeusedforhigh-speeddatafacsimiletransmissions,subjecttospecialarrangementbetweeninterestedandaffectedadministrations.

c) ThechannelsofthepresentAppendix,butpreferablyChannel28andwiththeexceptionofChannels06,13,15,16,17,70,75and76,maybeusedfordirect-printingtelegraphyanddatatransmission,subjecttospecialarrangementbetweeninterestedandaffectedadministrations.

d)Thefrequenciesusedinthistablemayalsobeusedforradiocommunicationsoninlandwaterways.

e)Administrationshavinganurgentneedtoreducelocalcongestionmayapply12.5kHzChannelinterleavingonanon-interferencebasisto25kHzchannels,provided:

-RecommendationITU-RM.1084-2shallbetakenintoaccountwhenchangingto12.5kHzChannels;

- itshallnotaffectthe25kHzChannelsoftheAppendix4maritimemobiledistressandsafetyfrequencies,especially the Channels 06, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 70, nor the technical characteristics mentioned inRecommendationITU-RM.489-2forthosechannels;

- implementationof12.5kHzchannelinterleavingandconsequentialnationalrequirementsshallbesubjecttoprioragreementbetweentheimplementingadministrationsandadministrationswhoseshipstationsorservicesmaybeaffected.


f) Thefrequency156.300MHz(Channel06)mayalsobeusedforcommunicationbetweenshipstationsandaircraftstationsengagedinco-ordinatedsearchandrescueoperations.ShipstationsshallavoidharmfulinterferencetosuchcommunicationsonChannel06aswellastocommunicationsbetweenaircraftstations,ice-breakersandassistedshipsduringiceseasons.

g) Channels15and17mayalsobeusedforon-boardcommunicationsprovidedtheeffectiveradiatedpowerdoesnotexceed1w,andsubjecttothenationalregulationsoftheadministrationconcernedwhenthesechannelsareusedinitsterritorialwaters.

h) within theEuropeanMaritimeAreaand inCanada, these frequencies (Channels 10, 67, 73)mayalsobeused,ifsorequired,bytheindividualadministrationsconcerned,forcommunicationbetweenshipstations,aircraftstationsandparticipatinglandstationsengagedinco-ordinatedsearchandrescueandanti-pollutionoperationsinlocalareas.

i) Thepreferredfirst three frequencies for thepurpose indicated inNotea)are156.450MHz (channel09),156.625MHz(channel72)and156.675MHz(channel73).

j) Channel70istobeusedexclusivelyfordigitalSelectiveCallingfordistress,safetyandcalling.

k) Channel 13 is designated for use on a worldwide basis as a navigation safety communication channel,primarilyforintershipnavigationsafetycommunications.Itmayalsobeusedfortheshipmovementandportoperationsservicesubjecttothenationalregulationsoftheadministrationsconcerned.

l) TheseChannels(AIS1andAIS2)willbeusedforanautomaticshipidentificationandsurveillancesystemcapableofprovidingworldwideoperationonhighseas,unlessotherfrequenciesaredesignatedonaregionalbasisforthispurpose.

m)These Channels (18 and 82 to 86) may be operated as single frequency channels, subject to specialarrangementbetweeninterestedoraffectedadministrations.

n) Theuseofthesechannels(75and76)shouldberestrictedtonavigation-relatedcommunicationsonlyandallprecautionsshouldbetakentoavoidharmfulinterferencetochannel16,e.g.bylimitingtheoutputpowerto1worbymeansofgeographicalseparation.

o) TheseChannelsmaybeusedtoprovidebandsforinitialtestingandthepossiblefutureintroductionofnewtechnologies,subjecttospecialarrangementbetweeninterestedoraffectedadministrations.Stationsusingthesechannelsorbandsforthetestingandthepossiblefutureintroductionofnewtechnologiesshallnotcauseharmfulinterferenceto,andshallnotclaimprotectionfrom,otherstationsoperatinginaccordancewithITURadioRegulations/Volume1/ChapterS11–Frequencies/ArticleS5/Frequencyallocations.

41 MISCELLANEOUS

MARINEVHFCHANNELSFORUSEBYSHIPSTATIONS (EXTRACTFROMTHEMARINERAdIOOPERATORSHANdBOOK(OMC2006)

TABLE1.ProfessionalFishingVesselsFrequencies

CarrierFrequency(Tx/Rx)&ChannelNo. Communicatingwith Purpose

156.575MHz(Ch71) Limitedcoastandshipstations Callingandworking

156.625MHz(Ch72) ShipStations Callingandworking


TABLE2.CommercialVesselFrequencies





156.725MHz(Ch74) Limitedcoaststationsandshipstations Callingandworking

156.925/161.525MHz(Ch78) Limitedcoaststations Callingandworking

TABLE3.YachtsandPleasureVesselsFrequencies


156.625MHz(Ch72) Shipstations Callingandworking

156.675MHz(Ch73) Limitedcoastandshipstations Callingandworking



TABLE4.PortOperationsFrequencies




156.425MHz(Ch68) Limitedcoaststations Callingandworking










TABLE5.PublicCorrespondenceChannels

ShipstationsmayusethoseVHFfrequenciesdetailedbytheirproviderforpubliccorrespondence.

Subject to the International Radio Regulations, when operating outside Australian territorial waters, shipstationsmayuseanymaritimemobilefrequencyauthorisedbythoseregulations.detailsmaybefoundintheManualforUsebytheMaritimeMobileandMaritimeMobile-SatelliteService,publishedbytheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion.

TABLE6.VHFMarineRepeaterChannels


157.050/161.650MHz(Ch21) Limitedcoastandshipstationsviarepeaters

Vesselmovements,safetyofvesselsandpersons









43 MISCELLANEOUS

PHONETICALPHABETwhenspellingisnecessary,onlythefollowingspellingtableshouldbeused:

Lettertobetransmitted Codewordtobeused Spokenas*

A Alfa alFAHB Bravo BraHVoHC Charlie cHarLEEorSHARLEEd delta dellTAHE Echo eckOHF Foxtrot FokSTROTG Golf GOLFH Hotel HOHtellI India IndEEAHJ Juliet JewLEEETTK Kilo keyLOHL Lima leeMAHM Mike MIKEN November NOVeMBERO Oscar oSSCAHP Papa PaHPAHQ Quebec KEHBeckR Romeo rowMEOHS Sierra SEEaIrRAHT Tango tanGOU Uniform youneeFORMorooneeFORMV Victor VIkTAHw whiskey wISSKEYX X-ray eckSRAYY Yankee yangKEYZ Zulu zooLOO

MIScellaneouS

Lettertobetransmitted Codewordtobeused Spokenas**

R Yourmessageisreceivedandunderstood

ROMEO

Over Invitationtoreply OVEROut Thistransmissionisended OUTdecimalpoint decimal dAY-SEE-MALFullstop Stop STOPComma Comma COMMA/ ObliqueStroke oBlIQue

*Thesyllablestobeemphasisedareunderlined.**Eachsyllableshouldbeequallyemphasised.


FIgurecodeAfewdigitsandnumbershaveamodifiedpronunciationcomparedtogeneralEnglish:

Lettertobetransmitted Codewordtobeused Spokenas**

0 zero zeerOH

1 one wUN

2 two TOO

3 three tree

4 four FowER

5 five FIFe

6 six SEKS

7 seven SEVEN

8 eight AIT

9 nine nIner

10 Onezero wUNZEEROH

1000 thousand touSANd

deFInItIon

SIMPLEX Transmissionandreceptiontakingplaceonasinglefrequency

dUPLEX Simultaneoustransmissionandreceptiontakingplaceonseparatebutpairedfrequencies

STANdARdMARINECOMMUNICATIONPHRASESEnglishisthelanguagemostwidelyusedatsea.Tofacilitateradiotelephonycommunications,theInternationalMaritimeOrganisationhascompiledavocabularyoffrequentlyusedwordsandphrasesinabookentitledIMOStandardMarineCommunicationPhrases(SMCP)2002.ThecompleteSMCPisalsoavailableattheIMOwebsiteat:http://www.imo.org.

Intheinterestsofaccuracy,brevityandclarityitissoundpracticeforoperatorstousethestandardvocabularywhenpossible.

Aselectionofthestandardvocabularyiscontainedinthefollowingparagraphs.

MeSSageMarkerSIfnecessary,messagespassedbyradiotelephonymaybeprecededbythefollowingmessagemarkers:

“Instruction” Indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to influence therecipient(s)byaregulation.

“Advice” Indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to influence therecipient(s)byarecommendation.

“warning” Indicatesthatthefollowingmessageinformsothertrafficparticipantsaboutdangers.

“Information” Indicatesthatthefollowingmessageisrestrictedtoobservedfacts.

45 MISCELLANEOUS

“Question” Indicatesthefollowingmessageisofinterrogativecharacter.

“Answer” Indicatesthefollowingmessageisofinterrogativecharacter.

“Request” Indicates that the content of the following message is asking for action with respect totheship.

“Intention” Indicates that the following message informs others about immediate navigational actionsintendedtobetaken.

responses where the answer to a question is in the affirmative, say: “Yes” followedby the appropriatephraseinfull.

wheretheanswertoaquestionisinthenegative,say:“No”followedbytheappropriatephraseinfull.

wheretheinformationisnotimmediatelyavailable,butsoonwillbe,say:“Standby”.

wheretheinformationcannotbeobtained,say:“Noinformation”.

whereamessageisnotproperlyheard,say:“Sayagain”.

whereamessageisnotunderstood,say:“Messagenotunderstood”.

MiscellaneousPhrases

whatisyourname(andanyotheridentity)?

Howdoyoureadme?

Ireadyou...

Bad/one withsignalstrengthone(i.ebarelyperceptible)

Poor/two withsignalstrengthtwo(i.e.weak)

Fair/three withsignalstrengththree(i.e.fairlygood)

Good/four withsignalstrengthfour(i.e.good)

Excellent/five withsignalstrengthfive(i.e.verygood)

StandbyonVHFchannel....

Changetochannel....

Icannotreadyou(passyourmessagethrough..../Advisetrychannel....)

I cannot understand you. Please use the StandardMarine Vocabulary/International Code ofSignals.

Corrections whenamistakeismadeinamessage,say:

“Mistake….”followedbytheword:

“Correction…”plusthecorrectedpartofthemessage.

Example:“Mypresentspeedis14knots–mistake.

Correction,mypresentspeedis12knots,one-twoknots”

Readiness Goahead,Iamready/notreadytoreceiveyourmessage

Idonothavechannel....Pleaseusechannel....

Repetition Ifanypartsofthemessageareconsideredsufficientlyimportanttoneedparticularemphasis,usetheword“repeat”,e.g.“donotrepeatdonotovertake”.


INTERNETwEBSITESOFMARINEINTERESTwww.acma.gov.au AustralianCommunications&MediaAuthority

www.amsa.gov.au AustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority

www.anta.gov.au AustralianNationalTrainingAuthority

www.bom.gov.au BureauofMeteorology

www.cospas-sarsat.com CospasSarsatSystem

www.gmdss.com.au GlobalMaritimedistressandSafetySystem

www.imo.org InternationalMaritimeOrganisation

www.inmarsat.com InternationalMaritimeSatelliteService

www.itu.int InternationalTelecommunicationsUnion

www.ntis.gov.au NationalTrainingInformationService

www.admiraltyleisure.co.uk BritishAdmiralty/Products/Publications/MaritimeCommunications

Acknowledgement Romeo

Position when latitude and longitude are used, these should be expressed in degrees and minutes(and decimals of aminute, if necessary), north or south of the Equator and east orwest ofGreenwich.

when the position is related to a mark, the mark shall be a well-defined charted object.Thebearingshallbeinthe360-degreenotationfromtruenorthandshallbethatofthepositionfromthemark.

Courses Coursesshouldalwaysbeexpressedinthe360-degreenotationfromtruenorth(unlessotherwisestated).whetherthisisto,orfrom,amarkcanbestated.

Bearings Thebearingofthemarkorvesselconcernedisthebearinginthe360-degreenotationfromtruenorth(unlessotherwisestated),exceptinthecaseofrelativebearings.Bearingsmaybeeitherfromthemarkorfromthevessel.

distances distancesshouldbeexpressedinnauticalmilesorcables(tenthsofanauticalmile),otherwiseinkilometresormetres.Theunitshouldalwaysbestated.

Speed Speed should be expressed in knots (without further notation meaning speed through thewater).“Groundspeed”meaningspeedovertheground.

Numbers Numbers shouldbe transmittedby speakingeachdigit separately, forexampleonefive zerofor150

GeographicalPlacenamesusedshouldbethoseonthechartorSailingdirectionsinuse.ShouldthesenotbeNames understood,latitudeandlongitudeshouldbeused.

Time Timeshouldbeexpressedinthe24-hournotationindicatingwhetherUTC,zone-timeorlocalshoretimeisbeingused.

47 MISCELLANEOUS

CONTACTdETAILS

OfficeofMaritimeCommunicationsAustralianMaritimeCollege(AMC)Internetwww.amcom.amc.edu.au

CentralOfficeNewnhamwayNewnham7250orLocked Bag 1394 Launceston Tasmania 7250 Freecall1300365262Telephone(03)63249869Facsimile(03)63249885Email:[email protected]

AustralianSearchandRescue(adivisionoftheAustralianMaritimeSafetyAuthority)GPO Box 2181 Canberra ACT 2601 Email:[email protected]

EmergencyPhoneNumbers:18006417921800622153

AustralianCommunications&MediaAuthority(ACMA)Internetwww.acma.gov.au

CentralOffice-CanberraPurpleBuilding,BenjaminOfficesBelconnenACT2617PO Box 78 Belconnen ACT 2616 Telephone(02)62195555Facsimile(02)62195353

OutsideSydney,Brisbane,Melbourne,PerthandCairnsareas(Acalltothisnumbercanbemadefromoutsidethelistedareasandwillbechargedatthelocalrate,exceptformobilephones,whicharetimed.)Telephone1300850115

BureauofMeteorologyInternetwww.bom.gov.au

HeadOffice-Melbourne150LonsdaleSt.MelbourneVicPO Box 1289K Melbourne Vic 3001 Telephone(03)96694000Facsimile(03)96694699

NationalCommunicationsManagerTelephone(03)96694224

NationalMarineweatherServicesManagerTelephone(03)96694510


Documents

FOREwORd - Marine Radio Licencemarineradiolicence.com.au/MR/VHF Radio Handbook.pdf · AUSTRALIAN MARITME COLLEGE 1 FOREwORd This handbook is intended for the guidance of radio operators: