MCA CoC Marine Communications & GMDSS 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does GMDSS stand for?
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (Correct answer)
- General Maritime Defence and Safety System
- Global Marine Detection and Signal System
- General Maritime Distress and Signal System
Correct answer: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GMDSS stands for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, the internationally mandated framework for maritime emergency and safety communications.
Question 2: Which VHF channel is exclusively designated for DSC distress alerting under GMDSS?
- Channel 70 (Correct answer)
- Channel 16
- Channel 67
- Channel 6
Correct answer: Channel 70
VHF Channel 70 is reserved exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress alerts; voice distress communications then take place on Channel 16.
Question 3: What frequency does the international NAVTEX service use to broadcast Maritime Safety Information?
- 518 kHz (Correct answer)
- 2182 kHz
- 156.8 MHz
- 406 MHz
Correct answer: 518 kHz
NAVTEX broadcasts Maritime Safety Information (MSI) on 518 kHz in the medium frequency band, automatically received by vessels equipped with a NAVTEX receiver.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of an EPIRB?
- To transmit a distress signal and vessel position to SAR authorities via satellite (Correct answer)
- To receive weather broadcasts from coastal radio stations
- To communicate with other vessels via VHF radio
- To track vessel movements for port state authorities
Correct answer: To transmit a distress signal and vessel position to SAR authorities via satellite
An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) transmits a distress signal to COSPAS-SARSAT satellites, alerting SAR authorities and providing the vessel's position.
Question 5: In which GMDSS sea areas is a satellite EPIRB mandatory for SOLAS vessels?
- A3 and A4 (Correct answer)
- A1 only
- A2 only
- A1 and A2
Correct answer: A3 and A4
GMDSS sea areas A3 and A4 lie beyond the coverage of MF and VHF coastal stations, so vessels trading there must carry a satellite EPIRB to ensure global distress alerting capability.
Question 6: What is a SART and on what frequency does it operate?
- A Search and Rescue Transponder responding to 9 GHz X-band radar pulses (Correct answer)
- A Satellite Alerting and Rescue Transmitter operating on 406 MHz
- A Ship's Automatic Radio Transmitter operating on VHF Channel 16
- A Safety and Rescue Transponder operating on 518 kHz
Correct answer: A Search and Rescue Transponder responding to 9 GHz X-band radar pulses
A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) responds to 9 GHz X-band radar transmissions from searching vessels or aircraft, displaying a distinctive line of blips on the radar screen.
Question 7: What MF frequency is internationally reserved for DSC distress alerting?
- 2187.5 kHz (Correct answer)
- 2182 kHz
- 2048 kHz
- 4125 kHz
Correct answer: 2187.5 kHz
2187.5 kHz is the internationally designated MF frequency for DSC distress alerts under GMDSS, while the legacy voice distress frequency 2182 kHz is used for subsequent distress traffic.
