RYA SRC Distress and Urgency Calls 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a DSC controller, which button or control initiates an emergency distress alert without any pre-programming?
- The dedicated distress button, held for 5 seconds (Correct answer)
- The call button on Ch 16
- The squelch control
- The dual watch button
Correct answer: The dedicated distress button, held for 5 seconds
All DSC controllers have a protected distress button (usually red) that when held for approximately 5 seconds sends an immediate distress alert.
Question 2: If time permits before sending a DSC distress alert, what additional information should ideally be programmed into the alert?
- Nature of distress and position (Correct answer)
- Vessel's port of registry
- Name of the vessel owner
- Number of crew onboard
Correct answer: Nature of distress and position
When time allows, inputting the nature of distress and the vessel's position makes the DSC alert far more useful to rescue services.
Question 3: What does a DSC distress acknowledgement from a coast station tell the vessel in distress?
- The coast station has received the alert and rescue coordination is underway (Correct answer)
- Another vessel is proceeding to assist
- The vessel should switch to a working channel
- The distress alert was not received and should be repeated
Correct answer: The coast station has received the alert and rescue coordination is underway
A DSC distress acknowledgement from a coast station confirms receipt and indicates that search and rescue coordination has been initiated.
Question 4: In the MAYDAY message, what does the word 'OVER' at the end signify?
- You are inviting a reply (Correct answer)
- The message is complete and no reply is expected
- You are handing control to the coastguard
- The position report follows
Correct answer: You are inviting a reply
'OVER' at the end of a radio transmission means you have finished speaking and you expect a reply.
Question 5: What is the minimum information that MUST be included in every MAYDAY message?
- Vessel name, position, nature of distress, and assistance required (Correct answer)
- Vessel name, MMSI, speed, and heading
- Call sign, crew number, and nearest port
- Position, colour of hull, and vessel type
Correct answer: Vessel name, position, nature of distress, and assistance required
Every MAYDAY must include the vessel's name/identification, its position, the nature of distress, and what help is needed.
Question 6: If a vessel receives a MAYDAY and is able to render assistance, what should it do first?
- Acknowledge the MAYDAY on Ch 16 and inform the coastguard (Correct answer)
- Proceed immediately at full speed without transmitting
- Send a PAN PAN to all stations about the distress
- Switch to Ch 70 and wait for DSC instructions
Correct answer: Acknowledge the MAYDAY on Ch 16 and inform the coastguard
The correct first action is to acknowledge the MAYDAY on Ch 16 so the vessel in distress knows help is coming, and to notify the coastguard.
Question 7: What signal is transmitted to indicate a distress call has been received and that a vessel is complying with radio silence?
- SEELONCE DISTRESS spoken once on Ch 16
- SEELONCE MAYDAY spoken once on Ch 16 (Correct answer)
- ALL STATIONS SILENCE on Ch 16
- PAN PAN ALL STATIONS on Ch 16
Correct answer: SEELONCE MAYDAY spoken once on Ch 16
Any station that receives a MAYDAY can impose silence on other stations by transmitting 'SEELONCE MAYDAY' on Ch 16.
RYA SRC Distress and Urgency Calls 4
On a DSC controller, which button or control initiates an emergency distress alert without any pre-programming?