USCG Marine Communications and GMDSS 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency on VHF radio?
- Channel 6
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
- Channel 70
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency required to be monitored by all vessels at sea.
Question 2: What does GMDSS stand for?
- General Maritime Defense Safety System
- Global Marine Distress and Safety System
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (Correct answer)
- General Maritime Distress Safety Standards
Correct answer: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GMDSS stands for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, the international radio communications framework for maritime safety established under SOLAS.
Question 3: Which EPIRB type is float-free, automatically activated, and transmits on 406 MHz via satellite?
- Class A EPIRB
- Class B EPIRB
- Category I 406 MHz EPIRB (Correct answer)
- Category II 406 MHz EPIRB
Correct answer: Category I 406 MHz EPIRB
Category I 406 MHz EPIRBs are float-free, automatically activate when submerged, and use the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system to transmit distress signals.
Question 4: Which VHF channel is designated exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress alerts?
- Channel 6
- Channel 16
- Channel 22A
- Channel 70 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Channel 70
VHF Channel 70 is reserved exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and must not be used for voice communications.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a NAVTEX receiver aboard a vessel?
- Transmitting vessel position to the Coast Guard
- Receiving navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and urgent maritime safety information (Correct answer)
- Communicating with other vessels on VHF
- Automatically activating the vessel's EPIRB
Correct answer: Receiving navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and urgent maritime safety information
NAVTEX is an international automated direct-printing service that receives navigational warnings, meteorological forecasts, and urgent maritime safety information on MF frequencies.
Question 6: Which signal word indicates an urgency message in maritime radio communications?
- MAYDAY
- SECURITE
- PAN-PAN (Correct answer)
- STANDBY
Correct answer: PAN-PAN
PAN-PAN (spoken three times) is the urgency signal used when a vessel has a serious situation requiring assistance but is not in immediate life-threatening danger.
Question 7: How often must GMDSS operators test DSC equipment to ensure its readiness?
- Weekly
- Daily (Correct answer)
- Monthly
- Annually
Correct answer: Daily
GMDSS regulations require daily testing of DSC equipment to verify proper function and ensure the system is operational in an emergency.
USCG Marine Communications and GMDSS 1
What is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency on VHF radio?