USCG Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What VHF channel is designated as the primary maritime distress and calling channel?
- Channel 22A
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 6
- Channel 13
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international maritime distress, safety, and calling channel monitored by all vessels and the Coast Guard at all times.
Question 2: What does the distress signal MAYDAY mean?
- The vessel requires medical assistance
- The vessel is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance (Correct answer)
- The vessel has a non-urgent safety concern
- The vessel is requesting a tow
Correct answer: The vessel is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance
MAYDAY is the internationally recognized voice distress signal indicating that a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
Question 3: What is the purpose of an EPIRB?
- To communicate with nearby vessels
- To transmit a distress signal and vessel position to satellites for SAR coordination (Correct answer)
- To control the vessel's navigation lights
- To broadcast weather forecasts
Correct answer: To transmit a distress signal and vessel position to satellites for SAR coordination
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) activates in an emergency, transmitting a distress signal on 406 MHz to COSPAS-SARSAT satellites that relay location data to rescue coordination centers.
Question 4: Under U.S. law, what obligation does a vessel master have upon receiving a distress signal?
- Relay the signal and continue on course
- Proceed to render assistance if it can be done without serious danger to the vessel (Correct answer)
- Report only to the Coast Guard
- Assess the situation for 30 minutes before acting
Correct answer: Proceed to render assistance if it can be done without serious danger to the vessel
Under 46 U.S.C. § 2304, every vessel master must render assistance to any person in danger at sea as long as doing so does not place the rescuing vessel in serious danger.
Question 5: What does the acronym SAR stand for in maritime operations?
- Safe Anchorage Report
- Search and Rescue (Correct answer)
- Safety Awareness Review
- Secure All Rigging
Correct answer: Search and Rescue
SAR stands for Search and Rescue — the coordinated maritime operation to locate and assist persons in distress at sea.
Question 6: What is the meaning of the PAN-PAN urgency signal?
- The vessel is sinking
- A very urgent message concerning the safety of a vessel, aircraft, or person (Correct answer)
- The vessel has a routine safety message
- The vessel requires a harbor pilot
Correct answer: A very urgent message concerning the safety of a vessel, aircraft, or person
PAN-PAN is the international urgency signal indicating a very urgent message concerning the safety of a vessel or person, less immediate than MAYDAY but requiring prompt attention.
USCG Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations 1
What VHF channel is designated as the primary maritime distress and calling channel?