Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Communications 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What VHF-FM channel is designated as the primary distress, safety, and calling channel?
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
- Channel 9
- Channel 12
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 is internationally designated as the distress, safety, and calling channel; all vessels with VHF radios must monitor it while underway.
Question 2: What does 'MAYDAY' mean and when should it be used?
- It signals a life-threatening distress situation requiring immediate assistance (Correct answer)
- It signals an urgent situation that may become dangerous
- It signals a safety message about navigation hazards
- It signals a routine radio check
Correct answer: It signals a life-threatening distress situation requiring immediate assistance
MAYDAY is an internationally recognized distress signal meaning grave and imminent danger to a vessel or person requiring immediate assistance.
Question 3: What is the difference between a MAYDAY and a PAN-PAN call?
- MAYDAY is for grave imminent danger; PAN-PAN is for urgent situations that are serious but not immediately life-threatening (Correct answer)
- MAYDAY is for vessel emergencies only; PAN-PAN is for medical emergencies
- MAYDAY is used offshore; PAN-PAN is used inshore
- There is no practical difference — both require immediate rescue
Correct answer: MAYDAY is for grave imminent danger; PAN-PAN is for urgent situations that are serious but not immediately life-threatening
MAYDAY signals grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance, while PAN-PAN signals an urgent situation that is serious but not yet life-threatening.
Question 4: What is SECURITE and when is it used?
- A safety call used to broadcast navigational hazards or important weather warnings (Correct answer)
- A distress call for vessel sinkings
- An urgency call for medical emergencies
- A routine check-in call for all vessels
Correct answer: A safety call used to broadcast navigational hazards or important weather warnings
SECURITE (pronounced 'say-coo-ree-tay') is a safety call broadcast on Channel 16 before switching to a working channel to announce navigational hazards or weather warnings.
Question 5: What VHF channel is used for communications between vessels and Coast Guard Sectors in the US?
- Channel 22A (Correct answer)
- Channel 16
- Channel 9
- Channel 6
Correct answer: Channel 22A
Channel 22A is the primary channel for communications between mariners and the US Coast Guard after initial contact is established on Channel 16.
Question 6: What is a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) controller used for?
- To send automated distress signals with vessel identity and GPS position at the push of a button (Correct answer)
- To monitor weather broadcasts automatically
- To control vessel navigation lights remotely
- To automatically identify other vessels on radar
Correct answer: To send automated distress signals with vessel identity and GPS position at the push of a button
A DSC controller sends an automated digital distress alert containing the vessel's MMSI number, GPS position, and distress nature, greatly speeding up rescue response.
Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Communications 1
What VHF-FM channel is designated as the primary distress, safety, and calling channel?