RYA SRC GMDSS — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'GMDSS' stand for?
- General Maritime Digital Safety System
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (Correct answer)
- Government Marine Distress Signal Service
- Global Marine DSC Safety Standard
Correct answer: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GMDSS stands for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. It is an internationally agreed set of safety procedures, equipment, and communication protocols to increase safety at sea.
Question 2: What is a 'Sea Area A1' in the GMDSS?
- Open ocean beyond 300 nautical miles
- An area within range of at least one VHF coast station with continuous DSC alerting coverage (Correct answer)
- A military restricted zone
- An area only accessible to commercial vessels
Correct answer: An area within range of at least one VHF coast station with continuous DSC alerting coverage
Sea Area A1 is defined as an area within range of at least one VHF coast station providing continuous DSC alerting coverage. In the UK, this covers most coastal waters out to approximately 30-40 nautical miles.
Question 3: Which GMDSS equipment is required for vessels operating in Sea Area A1?
- Only an EPIRB
- A VHF radio with DSC capability (Channel 70), plus a NAVTEX receiver and EPIRB or alternative alerting device (Correct answer)
- No specific equipment is required
- Only a satellite phone
Correct answer: A VHF radio with DSC capability (Channel 70), plus a NAVTEX receiver and EPIRB or alternative alerting device
Sea Area A1 requires at minimum: a VHF DSC radio with Channel 70 watch receiver, means of receiving Maritime Safety Information (NAVTEX or Inmarsat), and a means of locating (SART or AIS-SART).
Question 4: What is 'NAVTEX' and what does it provide?
- A type of radar
- A system for receiving navigational and meteorological warnings, forecasts, and urgent maritime safety information as text (Correct answer)
- A navigation computer
- A type of compass
Correct answer: A system for receiving navigational and meteorological warnings, forecasts, and urgent maritime safety information as text
NAVTEX is an automated system for receiving Maritime Safety Information (MSI) including navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and search and rescue information, printed as text on a dedicated receiver.
Question 5: What is a SART and when would it be activated?
- A type of compass
- A Search and Rescue Transponder that produces a distinctive signal on radar screens to help rescue services locate survivors (Correct answer)
- A satellite telephone
- A type of fire extinguisher
Correct answer: A Search and Rescue Transponder that produces a distinctive signal on radar screens to help rescue services locate survivors
A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is a radar transponder activated in a distress situation. When interrogated by a rescue vessel's radar, it produces a distinctive pattern of dots on the radar screen leading to the SART's position.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the GMDSS?
- To regulate fishing quotas
- To automate distress alerting and communication, ensuring rapid detection and coordination of search and rescue (Correct answer)
- To track vessel cargo
- To manage port traffic
Correct answer: To automate distress alerting and communication, ensuring rapid detection and coordination of search and rescue
GMDSS was designed to automate the distress alerting process, ensure that shore authorities and nearby vessels are alerted quickly, and facilitate coordinated search and rescue operations worldwide.
RYA SRC GMDSS
What does 'GMDSS' stand for?