OUPV Marine Radio Communications and VHF Operations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which VHF channel is designated as the international distress, safety, and calling channel?
- Channel 6
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
- Channel 72
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 is the internationally designated distress, safety, and calling channel that all vessels must continuously monitor while underway.
Question 2: What does DSC stand for in marine radio communications?
- Distress Signal Code
- Direct Ship Communication
- Digital Selective Calling (Correct answer)
- Digital Safety Channel
Correct answer: Digital Selective Calling
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) allows a vessel to send an automated distress alert containing GPS position data to the Coast Guard and nearby vessels.
Question 3: How many times is the word 'MAYDAY' spoken at the beginning of a radio distress call?
- Once
- Twice
- Three times (Correct answer)
- Five times
Correct answer: Three times
International convention requires 'MAYDAY' to be spoken three consecutive times to ensure the distress call is clearly recognized by all stations.
Question 4: What type of situation does a PAN-PAN radio call indicate?
- Immediate danger requiring rescue
- Safety warning about a navigational hazard
- Urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening (Correct answer)
- Man overboard emergency
Correct answer: Urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening
A PAN-PAN call signals an urgent situation requiring assistance that is serious but has not yet become an immediate threat to life or the vessel.
Question 5: After establishing contact on Channel 16, which channel should mariners use to speak with the U.S. Coast Guard for non-emergency assistance?
- Channel 9
- Channel 16
- Channel 22A (Correct answer)
- Channel 68
Correct answer: Channel 22A
Channel 22A is the primary U.S. Coast Guard working channel; vessels are directed there from Channel 16 for non-distress communications.
Question 6: A SECURITE (say-cure-e-TAY) radio call is used to broadcast:
- A vessel in distress
- An urgent medical emergency
- Important navigational and meteorological warnings (Correct answer)
- Routine vessel position reports
Correct answer: Important navigational and meteorological warnings
SECURITE is the safety signal used to broadcast important navigational hazards and meteorological warnings to all mariners in the area.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a vessel's MMSI number programmed into a DSC radio?
- To identify licensed VHF channels the vessel may use
- To register the vessel's operating frequencies with the FCC
- To uniquely identify the vessel when sending or receiving DSC calls (Correct answer)
- To access NOAA weather broadcasts automatically
Correct answer: To uniquely identify the vessel when sending or receiving DSC calls
The Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a unique 9-digit number that identifies a vessel's DSC-equipped radio, allowing targeted distress alerts linked to vessel registration data.
OUPV Marine Radio Communications and VHF Operations 1
Which VHF channel is designated as the international distress, safety, and calling channel?