Unit 6 distress procedures (Part 2)

Inmarsat distress procedure

The procedure will depend on the system used. INMARSAT-A or B or INMARSAT-C. Remember INNMARSAT A and B are realtime systems, you will be on-line talking direct to an RCC, INMARSAT-C is not realtime, you will send the alert to an RCC but you will not be on line with the RCC. The preferred method is to use INMARSAT-C.

Depending on the coast earth station (CES), distress calls are immediately connected to the nearest RCC. In some cases the CES operator will answer the initial call to verify the distress before connecting to the RCC. In other cases you may have to enter the telephone or telex number of the RCC (make it a practice to keep regional RCC numbers ready at the SES terminal). Connection to an RCC is normally accomplished in a matter of seconds. If language is not a problem, it is usually easier and faster to communicate direct with the RCC by telephone. If language is a problem, it may be more accurate the telex mode where accent and pronunciation is not a problem.

A distress alert sent via INMARSAT-C is a preprogrammed process using the automatic distress alert feature. Ship’s SES ID and position is immediately sent to the nearest RCC. Unless it is necessary to send additional distress information, keep the SATCOM terminal clear for incoming traffic from the RCC. The RCC will respond within a few minutes requesting additional information. This should be as complete as possible particularly if the emergency is such that you may not have time to send any further messages.

INMARSAT ALERTING

1.Use main SES terminal Prevents interruption

2.Update navigation input Usually automatic (GPS) input

3.Select phone or telex Not required if using SAT-C

4.Enter ocean region and CES If SAT-C, be logged-in to your ocean region

5.Select Distress (Priority 3) Follow distress menu

6.Wait for RCC to answer If SAT-C, RCC will request follow-up information

7.Give distress information MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, ship’s name, call letters, SES ID number, posit, time of posit, course, speed, nature of distress, persons onboard,

assistance required, any other useful info.

If using SAT-A, you will be connected direct to an RCC. If using SAT-C, use the automatic distress alert feature. Keep the terminal clear for a call back from the RCC. Expect a delay before the RCC calls back. If no call back or acknowledgement is received after 5 minutes, repeat the distress call.

NOTE:Even though a distress alert is sent direct to an RCC via INMARSAT, if immediate assistance is needed, it is advisable to also alert nearby ships via VHF and MF DSC.

CANCELING A INMARSAT DISTRESS ALERT

Notify the nearest RCC using Distress Priority (PRI 3).

Message should include:

1.Vessel’s name, call sign and INMARSAT ID number,

2.Position, date and time of the alert (UTC),

3.Cancel my distress alert.

EPIRB DISTRESS PROCEDURE

Satellite EPIRBs transmit ship-shore only. Other than INMARSAT-E, EPIRBs do not give nature of distress information or follow-up frequencies. You will not receive a distress acknowledgement and you will not know if your distress signal has been received until a rescue unit appears or radio contact is made. The COSPAS-SARSAT (406 EPIRB) receives and stores EPIRB messages until the satellite comes into view of a land control station where it can down-load the message. Depending on where you are along the orbit path and the next land control station, passing the message can take as much as 60 to 90 minutes. INMARSAT-E EPIRBs transmit information in a format similar to a DSC alert. The distress alert in this case is relayed immediately by INMARSAT to an RCC. All EPIRBs are required to be equipped with a strobe light and transmit a homing signal on 121.5 MHz (civil aviation frequency). Sending a distress by EPIRB simply requires turning the unit on. If the ship were to sink rapidly, EPIRBs are required to be mounted to float free and activate automatically. If possible and time permits, use your INMARSAT or radio first to establish direct communications with an RCC or coast station and give them as much information as possible. Use the EPIRB as a backup means for sending a distress alert or when actually abandoning ship.

NOTE:If equipped with more than one EPIRB, use one EPIRB at a time. Do not turn off the EPIRB as search aircraft will use the homing signal being transmitted on 121.5 MHz.

2. Make 15 special questions to the text

3. Translate the following words and word combinations from English into Russian

Two-way distress modes; alert and acknowledge procedures; voice distress procedures; distress relay; distress acknowledgement; rescue unit; coast station; to impose; to maintain silence; to interfere; to download, a backup means, to activate, to abandon the ship.

4. Translate the following sentences from Russian into English

   1. Связь с высшими приоритетами – бедствия, срочности, безопасности в ГМССБ осуществляется посредством спутниковых систем ИНМАРСАТ и КОСПАС-САРСАТ, а также с помощью традиционных средств радиосвязи в режимах ЦИВ, радиотелефонии и радио телекса.

   2. При выборе частоты бедствия ЦИВ в КВ диапазоне следует учитывать условия распространения радиоволн.

   3. Сигнал бедствия ЦИВ передается в виде последовательных вызовов, рассредоточенных по 5 различным частотам бедствия.

   4. Подача сигнала бедствия ЦИВ делается с указанием характера бедствия, координат, времени UTC, последующего вида связи.

   5. Обычно вызов бедствия с помощью ЦИВ подтверждается только береговой станцией.

   6. Вызов подтверждения передается на той же частоте и адресуется всем судам.

   7. Обычно вызов бедствия с помощью ЦИВ подтверждается только береговой станцией.

   8. Вызов подтверждения передается на той же частоте и адресуется всем судам.

   9. В общем случае ретрансляция тревожного сообщения о бедствии передается станцией, которая сама не терпит бедствие, для предупреждения спасательно-координационных центров через береговые или береговые земные станции о том, что судно терпит бедствие.

   10. Обмен в случае бедствия состоит из всех сообщений, относящихся к немедленной помощи, необходимой для подвижной станции, терпящей бедствие.

5. Read, translate and retell the following text