GMDSS GMDSS Emergency Procedures and Coordination 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order of priority for radio communications under GMDSS?
- Distress, Urgency, Safety, Routine (Correct answer)
- Safety, Urgency, Distress, Routine
- Routine, Safety, Urgency, Distress
- Urgency, Distress, Safety, Routine
Correct answer: Distress, Urgency, Safety, Routine
Under GMDSS regulations, radio communications are prioritized in the order: Distress, Urgency, Safety, then Routine.
Question 2: What spoken word announces an urgency message in GMDSS radiotelephony?
- MAYDAY
- SECURITE
- PAN PAN (Correct answer)
- SILENCE
Correct answer: PAN PAN
PAN PAN (spoken three times) is the urgency signal indicating a serious situation concerning the safety of a vessel or person, but not requiring immediate assistance.
Question 3: How many times is MAYDAY spoken at the beginning of a distress call?
- Once
- Twice
- Three times (Correct answer)
- Five times
Correct answer: Three times
MAYDAY is spoken three times at the start of a distress call to clearly identify the nature of the message and attract attention.
Question 4: What is the meaning of the signal SECURITE in GMDSS radio communications?
- Distress — immediate assistance required
- Urgency — safety of vessel or person threatened
- Safety — navigational or meteorological warning follows (Correct answer)
- Routine — normal ship-to-ship communication
Correct answer: Safety — navigational or meteorological warning follows
SECURITE is the safety signal preceding an important navigational or meteorological warning broadcast to mariners.
Question 5: Under GMDSS, who has authority to authorize transmission of a distress alert on behalf of a vessel in distress?
- Any crew member
- Only the chief radio operator
- The Master of the ship (Correct answer)
- The nearest coast radio station
Correct answer: The Master of the ship
The Master of the ship has ultimate authority and responsibility to authorize transmission of a distress alert under GMDSS regulations.
Question 6: What action must a vessel take after receiving a MAYDAY relay from another vessel?
- Immediately transmit its own MAYDAY on behalf of the vessel in distress
- Acknowledge receipt and proceed to the distress area if able (Correct answer)
- Ignore it unless the coast guard orders assistance
- Only respond if within 10 nautical miles
Correct answer: Acknowledge receipt and proceed to the distress area if able
Upon receiving a MAYDAY relay, a vessel must acknowledge receipt and proceed to render assistance if possible, unless released by the RCC or Master of the distressed vessel.
GMDSS GMDSS Emergency Procedures and Coordination 1
What is the correct order of priority for radio communications under GMDSS?