Conversational theme № 41

I. Read, translate and learn the text:

Maritime search and rescue

International Convention on maritime search and rescue was adopted in Hamburg in 1979.

Governments recognize that it is necessary to ensure adequa­te search and rescue services for persons in distress, at sea round their coasts. Participants of the conference who signed convention shall ensure that assistance be provided', to any person in distress at sea. They shall do so regardless of the nationality or status of such a person or the circumstances in which that person is found.

To meet the requirements of all nations it has been agreed to establish rescue co-ordination centre. Each rescue co-ordina­tion centre has adequate means for the receipt of distress commu­nication via a coast radio station or otherwise; and also has adequate means for communication with its rescue units and sub-centres in adjacent areas. Each designated rescue unit shall maintain a state of preparedness commensurate with its task.

There are three phases: uncertainty phase, alert phase and distress phase.

The search should only be terminated when there is no longer any reasonable hope of rescuing survivors. The ship importing system should provide up-to-date information on the movements of vessels in order, in the event of a distress incident:

1. to reduce the interval between the loss of contact with a vessel and initiation of search and rescue operations in cases where no distress signal has been received;

2. to permit rapid determination of vessels which may. be Called upon to provide assistance;

3. to permit delineation of a search area of limited size in case the position of a vessel in distress is unknown or uncertain;

4. to facilitate the provision of urgent medical assistance or advice to vessels not carrying a doctor.

A ship reporting system should incorporate the following reports: sailing plan-giving name, call sign or ship station identify, date and time of departure (in UTC), details of the vessel's point of departure, next port of call, intended route, speed and expected date and time of arrival; Position report and Final report.

II. NOTES:

recognize - признавать

adjacent areas - смежный, примыкающий район

preparedness - готовность

survivors -оставшиеся в живых

sailing plan - план рейса

position report - сообщение судна о своем месте

final report - заключительное сообщение

delineation -устанавливать меньшие размеры

uncertainty phase -стадия неопределенности

alert phase - стадия тревоги

distress phase - стадия бедствия

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What do the governments recognize?

2. For whom must assistance in distress be provided?

3. When should the search be terminated?

4. What has been agreed to meet requirements of all nations?

5. What should a ship repoting system incorporate?

Conversational theme № 42

I. Read, translate and learn the text:

Satcom promotes marine safety

IMO held an International Search and Rescue Conference in 1979 with the aim to transform the existing system of communications and improve safety of life at sea. Assembly Resolution called for the establishment of a new communication system, in which maritime satellites and microwave communications form an important element. Early In 1982 a new global system of satellites was established bу the International Maritime Satellite Organization INMARSAT). It gives ships direct access to world telecommunications networks for high quality telephone, telex and other services, and also provides improved servi­ces for distress, safety and urgency messages.

Satellites and their associated control systems provide the space segment necessary for efficiency and management of ships, maritime public correspondence service and radio determination (position- fix­ing) capabilities.

Satellites have several advantages over conventional communications First, they cover short, medium and long distances. Second, they can provide for automatic operation. Third, satellite systems are reli­able.

The US, Canada, France and Russia have developed a system which uses low polar - orbiting satellites to provide global coverage and which picks up signals from devices carried by aircrafts and ships. The system picks up a signal from a satellite, computers can tell rescue authorities from where the signal is originating. The whole procedure is automatic and takes only a few seconds.

Ship earth stations have a “distress button”, the pressing of which automatically sends a request message which indicates distress priority. Distress calls have priority over all other types of calls. Each coast earth station operating in INMARSAT system has arrange­ments with appropriate authority responsible for SAR operations.

Each distress call received at the coast station is routed to the SAR organization which assumes responsibility for all further actions.

2. NOTES:

access - доступ,подход, проход

network - сеть,радиотрансляционная сеть

efficiency - действенность

maritime public correspondence service -радиотелефонная СВЯЗЬ с судами

capabilities - потенциальные возможности

alert - сигнал тревоги

reliable - надежный

procedure - образ действия,технологический процесс

priority - приоритет, первостепенность

appropriate - подходящий, соответствующий

to assume - принимать на себя, допускать

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What does Satcom promote?

2. When was global system of satellites established?

3. What did satellite system give to mariners?

4. What countries have developed low polar – orbiting satellites?

5. What do ship earth stations have?