STCW Communication Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'watchkeeping' on VHF Channel 16 require of a vessel underway?
- Transmitting a position report every 4 hours
- Continuously monitoring Channel 16 while at sea (Correct answer)
- Logging all traffic heard on Channel 16
- Switching to Channel 16 only during distress situations
Correct answer: Continuously monitoring Channel 16 while at sea
SOLAS requires vessels underway to maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16, the international distress and calling channel.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)?
- To alert the bridge crew of fire emergencies
- To transmit a covert security alert to authorities without alerting pirates or hijackers (Correct answer)
- To broadcast a distress signal on all GMDSS frequencies
- To activate the automatic identification system during threats
Correct answer: To transmit a covert security alert to authorities without alerting pirates or hijackers
SSAS sends a silent, covert alert to the ship's company security officer and flag state authorities without triggering any onboard alarm.
Question 3: In DSC (Digital Selective Calling), what category is used for transmitting a distress alert?
- Urgency
- Safety
- Distress (Correct answer)
- Routine
Correct answer: Distress
The Distress category in DSC is reserved exclusively for life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate assistance.
Question 4: What is a SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) designed to do?
- Transmit a voice distress message on VHF
- Respond to radar pulses from searching vessels or aircraft to show a position on their radar screen (Correct answer)
- Send a satellite distress alert via COSPAS-SARSAT
- Broadcast NAVTEX safety messages automatically
Correct answer: Respond to radar pulses from searching vessels or aircraft to show a position on their radar screen
A SART responds to 9 GHz X-band radar pulses by generating a series of blips on the rescuer's radar display, indicating the survivor's position.
Question 5: Which MF/HF frequency is designated as the international distress frequency for radiotelephony?
- 2182 kHz (Correct answer)
- 4125 kHz
- 8291 kHz
- 12290 kHz
Correct answer: 2182 kHz
2182 kHz is the international MF distress and calling frequency for radiotelephony, used for voice mayday calls.
Question 6: What information must be included in a DSC distress alert?
- Nature of distress, position, time, and MMSI (Correct answer)
- Vessel name, cargo manifest, and port of departure
- Captain's name, crew count, and next port of call
- Flag state, classification society, and IMO number
Correct answer: Nature of distress, position, time, and MMSI
A DSC distress alert must include the vessel's MMSI, nature of distress, position (latitude/longitude), and UTC time of the position.
Question 7: What is the primary advantage of Iridium satellite phones over INMARSAT for maritime communications?
- Lower cost per minute of usage
- Truly global coverage including polar regions (Correct answer)
- Higher data transmission speeds
- Compatibility with all GMDSS equipment
Correct answer: Truly global coverage including polar regions
Iridium's LEO satellite constellation provides complete global coverage including polar regions, unlike INMARSAT's geostationary satellites which have coverage gaps near the poles.
STCW Communication Systems 3
What does 'watchkeeping' on VHF Channel 16 require of a vessel underway?