GMDSS GMDSS Emergency Procedures and Coordination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) responsible for in a GMDSS emergency?
- Selling distress equipment to vessels
- Coordinating search and rescue operations for maritime emergencies (Correct answer)
- Broadcasting weather forecasts only
- Maintaining EPIRB registrations
Correct answer: Coordinating search and rescue operations for maritime emergencies
An RCC is responsible for coordinating SAR operations, alerting SAR resources, and managing communications during a maritime emergency.
Question 2: What information must be included in a DSC distress alert?
- MMSI, nature of distress, position, time of position (Correct answer)
- Ship name, cargo manifest, port of departure
- Owner contact info, insurance details
- Crew count, passenger list, registry number
Correct answer: MMSI, nature of distress, position, time of position
A DSC distress alert must include the vessel's MMSI, nature of distress, last known position (lat/lon), and time of that position.
Question 3: How often should a vessel update its DSC controller with its current GPS position?
- Once per voyage
- Every 4 hours manually or automatically via GPS link (Correct answer)
- Only when in distress
- Every 24 hours at noon
Correct answer: Every 4 hours manually or automatically via GPS link
DSC controllers should be updated with current position every 4 hours, either manually or via automatic GPS interface, to ensure accurate distress alerts.
Question 4: What is an MMSI number and how many digits does it contain?
- Maritime Mobile Service Identity — 9 digits (Correct answer)
- Marine Management Safety Identifier — 7 digits
- Maritime Messaging System Interface — 12 digits
- Mobile Maritime Signal Index — 6 digits
Correct answer: Maritime Mobile Service Identity — 9 digits
An MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is a unique 9-digit number assigned to a vessel's radio equipment for DSC identification.
Question 5: When should a vessel broadcast a MAYDAY RELAY?
- When it wants to announce its departure from port
- When it receives a distress message but the distressed vessel needs help relaying to shore (Correct answer)
- During routine radio checks
- Only when ordered by the US Coast Guard
Correct answer: When it receives a distress message but the distressed vessel needs help relaying to shore
A MAYDAY RELAY is transmitted when a vessel receives a distress message but the distressed vessel cannot contact shore authorities directly.
Question 6: After a false GMDSS distress alert is transmitted, what must the vessel do?
- Ignore it and continue the voyage
- Immediately cancel the alert on DSC and contact the RCC on voice radio (Correct answer)
- Transmit a second DSC alert to confirm it was false
- File a written report within 30 days
Correct answer: Immediately cancel the alert on DSC and contact the RCC on voice radio
After a false distress alert, the operator must immediately cancel it on DSC and contact the RCC via voice radio on Ch 16 or 2182 kHz to confirm the alert was unintentional.
GMDSS GMDSS Emergency Procedures and Coordination 2
What is a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) responsible for in a GMDSS emergency?