RYA SRC DSC Operations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which DSC call format is used to contact a specific vessel individually?
- Individual call (Correct answer)
- Group call
- All ships call
- Geographic area call
Correct answer: Individual call
An individual DSC call is directed to a specific vessel using that vessel's unique MMSI number.
Question 2: A DSC controller with a built-in GPS will automatically include what information in a distress alert?
- Position and UTC time (Correct answer)
- Vessel name and port of registry
- Engine type and vessel length
- Crew number and cargo type
Correct answer: Position and UTC time
When interfaced with GPS, a DSC controller automatically inserts the vessel's current position and the UTC time of that position into the distress alert.
Question 3: What action should a vessel take immediately upon receiving a DSC distress acknowledgement from a coast station?
- Switch to Channel 16 and make a voice distress call (Correct answer)
- Resend the DSC distress alert
- Switch to Channel 67 and await instructions
- Send a DSC urgency call
Correct answer: Switch to Channel 16 and make a voice distress call
On receiving acknowledgement from a coast station via DSC, the vessel in distress must switch to Channel 16 and transmit the voice MAYDAY call.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a DSC 'All Ships' distress relay call?
- To alert all vessels in range of a distress situation observed by the calling vessel (Correct answer)
- To test DSC equipment with all nearby vessels
- To broadcast routine navigational information to all ships
- To request a radio check from all ships in the area
Correct answer: To alert all vessels in range of a distress situation observed by the calling vessel
A DSC All Ships distress relay is used when a vessel witnesses another vessel in distress and relays the distress details to all ships in the area.
Question 5: In DSC, what does a 'Safety' category call typically convey?
- Navigational or meteorological warnings (Correct answer)
- A vessel requesting medical assistance
- A vessel reporting a collision
- A vessel requesting a working channel
Correct answer: Navigational or meteorological warnings
Safety category DSC calls are used to precede navigational or meteorological warnings and are the lowest priority of the three special categories.
Question 6: Which button on a DSC controller is used to send an immediate distress alert without navigating menus?
- The dedicated distress button, usually red and guarded (Correct answer)
- The call button after selecting distress from the menu
- The squelch button held for three seconds
- The channel 16 button pressed twice
Correct answer: The dedicated distress button, usually red and guarded
DSC controllers have a dedicated, guarded distress button (typically red) that sends an immediate distress alert when pressed and held for approximately five seconds.
Question 7: What information is NOT automatically transmitted in a basic DSC distress alert when GPS is NOT connected?
- Vessel position (Correct answer)
- MMSI number
- Nature of distress
- DSC distress category
Correct answer: Vessel position
Without a GPS interface, the vessel's position must be manually entered; the MMSI, nature of distress, and category are still included automatically or can be pre-set.
RYA SRC DSC Operations 4
Which DSC call format is used to contact a specific vessel individually?