RYA SRC DSC Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When sending a DSC distress alert, which channel is used for the subsequent voice distress call?
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 6
- Channel 70
- Channel 67
Correct answer: Channel 16
After a DSC distress alert is sent on Channel 70, the voice distress call and communications are conducted on Channel 16.
Question 2: What does the term 'MMSI' stand for in DSC operations?
- Maritime Mobile Service Identity (Correct answer)
- Marine Mobile Signal Identification
- Maritime Management Station Index
- Marine Mayday Signal Indicator
Correct answer: Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MMSI stands for Maritime Mobile Service Identity, a unique nine-digit number assigned to a vessel's radio equipment for DSC identification.
Question 3: A DSC urgency call uses which category?
- Urgency (Correct answer)
- Distress
- Safety
- Routine
Correct answer: Urgency
An urgency call is preceded by the PAN PAN signal and uses the Urgency category in DSC, which is one level below Distress.
Question 4: How many digits make up a vessel's MMSI number?
- 9 (Correct answer)
- 7
- 6
- 12
Correct answer: 9
An MMSI number consists of exactly nine digits and uniquely identifies a ship station or group of ship stations.
Question 5: Which nature of distress code would you select on DSC if your vessel is sinking?
- Flooding (Correct answer)
- Collision
- Fire/explosion
- Undesignated
Correct answer: Flooding
Flooding is the correct DSC nature of distress code to select when a vessel is sinking or taking on water.
Question 6: After sending a DSC distress alert, you should listen on Channel 16 and wait how long before sending a further alert if no acknowledgement is received?
- 3.5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 1 minute
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 3.5 minutes
If no DSC acknowledgement is received, the alert can be repeated after approximately 3.5 minutes while continuing to listen on Channel 16.
Question 7: When a DSC distress relay call is sent by a vessel on behalf of another vessel in distress, what must be included?
- The MMSI of the vessel in distress (Correct answer)
- Your own MMSI only
- The Coast Guard's MMSI
- No MMSI is required
Correct answer: The MMSI of the vessel in distress
A DSC distress relay must include the MMSI of the vessel that is in distress, along with the distress details received.
RYA SRC DSC Operations 3
When sending a DSC distress alert, which channel is used for the subsequent voice distress call?