PCOC Communication Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'MAYDAY' indicate in marine radio communication?
- Life-threatening distress requiring immediate assistance (Correct answer)
- Safety hazard on the waterway
- Urgency message needing prompt attention
- Request for a radio check
Correct answer: Life-threatening distress requiring immediate assistance
MAYDAY is the international distress signal used when a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.
Question 2: After completing a working channel conversation, where should you return your radio?
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
- Channel 9
- Channel 6
Correct answer: Channel 16
Vessels must return to and monitor Channel 16 after finishing communications on a working channel.
Question 3: What does 'PAN-PAN' signify in maritime radio communication?
- Urgency signal for a situation needing prompt help but not immediate danger (Correct answer)
- International distress for life-threatening emergency
- Safety announcement for navigational hazards
- Routine radio check request
Correct answer: Urgency signal for a situation needing prompt help but not immediate danger
PAN-PAN (pronounced 'pahn-pahn') is an urgency signal used when a vessel has a serious situation that requires prompt assistance but is not immediately life-threatening.
Question 4: How many times do you repeat your vessel name when first calling another station?
- Three times (Correct answer)
- Once
- Twice
- Four times
Correct answer: Three times
Standard radio procedure requires you to state your vessel name three times when making initial contact to ensure it is heard clearly.
Question 5: What VHF channel should recreational boaters in the US use to contact the Coast Guard after an initial call on Channel 16?
- Channel 22A (Correct answer)
- Channel 9
- Channel 6
- Channel 68
Correct answer: Channel 22A
The US Coast Guard typically works on Channel 22A after initial contact is established on Channel 16.
Question 6: What does 'Roger' mean in radio communication?
- Message received and understood (Correct answer)
- I will comply with your instructions
- Transmission ended, no reply needed
- Please repeat your last message
Correct answer: Message received and understood
'Roger' confirms that the last transmission was received and understood, but does not imply compliance.
Question 7: Which signal tells vessels approaching from the opposite direction that a bend or obstruction lies ahead?
- One prolonged blast (Correct answer)
- Five short blasts
- Three short blasts
- Two prolonged blasts
Correct answer: One prolonged blast
One prolonged blast warns other vessels of your presence when approaching a bend, obstruction, or area of limited visibility.
PCOC Communication Procedures 3
What does the term 'MAYDAY' indicate in marine radio communication?