RYA SRC GMDSS 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which GMDSS distress frequency must a compulsory watch be maintained on at all times?
- Channel 67
- Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) (Correct answer)
- Channel 70 (156.525 MHz)
- Channel 06
Correct answer: Channel 16 (156.8 MHz)
All vessels required to carry a radio must maintain a continuous watch on Channel 16, the international VHF distress, safety and calling channel.
Question 2: What is the correct Urgency signal prefix and what situation does it indicate?
- SECURITE — a navigational hazard warning for all ships in the area
- MAYDAY — immediate grave and imminent danger requiring assistance
- PAN PAN — a very urgent situation concerning the safety of a vessel or person (Correct answer)
- INTERCO — an inter-coast guard communication request
Correct answer: PAN PAN — a very urgent situation concerning the safety of a vessel or person
PAN PAN (spoken three times) is the Urgency signal, used when there is a very urgent situation concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, vehicle, or person but where immediate assistance is not required.
Question 3: The Safety signal SECURITE is typically used to broadcast what type of message?
- A distress alert requesting immediate rescue services
- An urgent medical advice request from a doctor ashore
- A navigational warning about hazards such as debris, vessels aground or severe weather (Correct answer)
- A request to relay a Mayday to a coast station
Correct answer: A navigational warning about hazards such as debris, vessels aground or severe weather
SECURITE (spoken three times) precedes safety messages about navigational or meteorological hazards, warning other mariners of dangers such as unlit vessels, floating debris, or gale warnings.
Question 4: Under what circumstances may a vessel transmit a Mayday Relay on behalf of another vessel?
- Only if the vessel in distress explicitly requests a relay
- When the vessel in distress is unable to communicate directly and the relaying station believes help is needed (Correct answer)
- Only when authorised in writing by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- Only a coast station may relay a Mayday — ship stations are prohibited
Correct answer: When the vessel in distress is unable to communicate directly and the relaying station believes help is needed
Any station may transmit a Mayday Relay if it believes a vessel is in distress and cannot communicate directly, ensuring the alert reaches the rescue services.
Question 5: What information must a valid Ship Radio Licence include?
- The vessel's port of registration and crew list
- The vessel's name, call sign, MMSI number and the frequencies/channels authorised for use (Correct answer)
- The radio operator's name, date of birth and SRC certificate number
- The manufacturer's name and serial number of every piece of radio equipment on board
Correct answer: The vessel's name, call sign, MMSI number and the frequencies/channels authorised for use
A Ship Radio Licence must detail the vessel's name, call sign, MMSI, and the radio frequencies and channels the vessel is authorised to use — it is issued to the vessel, not the operator.
Question 6: When making a routine radio check on Channel 16, what is the correct procedure?
- Call any vessel and ask them to confirm your signal strength at length
- Make a brief call using your vessel's name and call sign, request a radio check, and keep the transmission short (Correct answer)
- Transmit a long test count from one to ten to allow the receiving station to assess quality
- Switch to Channel 70 and send a DSC test call to a coast station
Correct answer: Make a brief call using your vessel's name and call sign, request a radio check, and keep the transmission short
Radio checks on Channel 16 must be brief — state your vessel name, call sign, and that you are conducting a radio check; prolonged test transmissions unnecessarily occupy the distress channel.
Question 7: What is the minimum age at which a person may hold an SRC (Short Range Certificate)?
- 14 years old
- 16 years old (Correct answer)
- 18 years old
- 21 years old
Correct answer: 16 years old
Candidates must be at least 16 years old to be awarded the Short Range Certificate (SRC) by an Ofcom-approved assessment authority such as the RYA.
RYA SRC GMDSS 5
Which GMDSS distress frequency must a compulsory watch be maintained on at all times?