OUPV Marine Radio Communications and VHF Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many times should the hailed vessel's name be stated when calling another vessel on VHF radio?
- Once
- Twice
- Three times (Correct answer)
- Five times
Correct answer: Three times
Proper radio procedure requires stating the hailed vessel's name three times to ensure the call is received and correctly identified by the intended party.
Question 2: What is the maximum transmitting power of a handheld portable VHF marine radio?
- 1 watt
- 5 watts (Correct answer)
- 10 watts
- 25 watts
Correct answer: 5 watts
Handheld VHF radios are limited to 5 watts of transmitting power, while fixed-mount radios may transmit at up to 25 watts.
Question 3: When must a commercial passenger vessel maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 16?
- Only during reduced visibility
- Only at night when underway
- Continuously while underway (Correct answer)
- Only when operating in coastal waters
Correct answer: Continuously while underway
All commercial vessels are required by regulation to maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 whenever the vessel is underway.
Question 4: When a DSC radio is interfaced with a GPS, what information is automatically included in a distress alert?
- Vessel name and home port
- Vessel's MMSI number and current position coordinates (Correct answer)
- Type of distress and number of persons aboard
- Captain's name and OUPV license number
Correct answer: Vessel's MMSI number and current position coordinates
GPS integration allows a DSC distress alert to automatically transmit the vessel's MMSI and real-time GPS position to rescue authorities without manual entry.
Question 5: What does the word 'OVER' mean when used in a radio transmission?
- The communication is ended
- My transmission is complete and I await your reply (Correct answer)
- I have received and understood your message
- I am standing by on this channel
Correct answer: My transmission is complete and I await your reply
'Over' signals that your transmission is complete and you are inviting the other party to respond.
Question 6: An FCC Ship Station License is required for a U.S.-flagged vessel when:
- Operating on freshwater lakes or rivers
- Operating only within U.S. harbors and marinas
- Traveling to international waters or a foreign port of call (Correct answer)
- Carrying more than six passengers for hire
Correct answer: Traveling to international waters or a foreign port of call
A Ship Station License is not required for domestic U.S. voyages, but becomes mandatory for U.S. vessels traveling internationally or calling at foreign ports.
Question 7: When 'radio silence' is imposed on VHF Channel 16, it means:
- All stations must turn their radios off
- Only Coast Guard stations may transmit
- All traffic except distress communications must immediately cease (Correct answer)
- The channel is temporarily under maintenance
Correct answer: All traffic except distress communications must immediately cease
Radio silence requires all non-distress traffic on Channel 16 to stop immediately so that ongoing distress communications are not interfered with.
OUPV Marine Radio Communications and VHF Operations 2
How many times should the hailed vessel's name be stated when calling another vessel on VHF radio?