distress calls

Started by placebo, July 29, 2008, 20:47:37 CET

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placebo

i asked the maritime authority for what happens when we give a distress signal from our VHF radios

this is the answer which will be good for everyone to read and learn:

Dear Adrian,

Your email refers.

In order to correctly address your email I need to know exactly what type of VHF you have installed on board your vessel. Is your VHF transceiver fitted with a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) facility? If yes, to get a position, you can either connect it with a GPS or you can input your Distress coordinates when pressing the distinctive, dedicated button marked Distress. If fitted with DSC, in distress situation, a five-second push of one button sends a digital message on VHF channel 70. This call includes your vessel MMSI number and if the radio is connected to a global positioning system (GPS), the precise location of your vessel. Once initiated, your VHF -DSC radio will continue to automatically transmit the distress message unitil it is acknowledged by another station. Once the distress call is answered, the VHF DSC radio signals all stations to switch to channel 16, then switches itself to the same channel, which allows you to verbally communicate with the answering station.

For your information, the MCAST Maritime Institute (tel 21806467/8) offers a course that covers the minimum training recommended for operators on small craft fitted with VHF DSC equipment. This VHF Short Range Radio Operator's Course (SRC) has replaced the VHF operator's certificate, and I suggest that if you're interested to learn more about such important equipment you should consider applying for such course.

Should you wish to receive more information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Lawrence Sciberras
Flag and Port State Control Inspector
Merchant Shipping Directorate
Malta Maritime Authority
Maritime Trade Centre
Marsa MRS 1912
Malta.
Tel +356 22914368
Fax +356 21241460


the fishing gods might have something for me tomorrow I'll be fishing

fishfinder

interesting, will you go to this course?
Kaptan Leisure with Suzuki DF115 4 stroke

fishman

hi,
The course would be very useful for us. I am very intrested in going.
Fish or Work, but you can't Fish without Work.

skip

Me too guys so count me in as well, maybe we go together, though I would need the course to be in English!!

Just to let you know, yesterday tried to call Malta VTS on Ch.16 and their working Ch.69 and repeatedly received no answer! I wanted to confirm my radio was working well and was speaking with Jonathan who was several miles away from me and all was fine. I even moved out near the SPB fish farms so i had clear line of sight up to Madliena hill where they have a repeater station, so was disappointed they didn't bother to answer.

Could be a range issue, but to be honest I doubt it. Officially we're not supposed to call Valletta Port Control but Malta VTS now, as port control now only deal with port approaches.

bigboy

From when has this changed skip? as usually i do a radio check with valletta port control before going out for a long voyage.

skip

Notice to Mariners 35 of 2008 (attached)

Valletta VTS movement of vessels between ports and approaches to a port, whereas Malta VTS monitors shipping within territorial waters.

The weird thing is that Malta VTS' working channel is listed as 69 and 16, yet on Page 5 under International Marine VHF Channels point 1 says 'Unless otherwise instructed, vessels are to use Ch. 16 for initial calling!'

I tried that yesterday and nobody answered!!


bigboy

Always remeber skip we are living in small sunny malta hehe ;) Up to now i always do radio checks with Valletta port control unless instructed otherwise.

skip

Okay found this, Notice 47 of 2008, ammendment to Notice 35 that I just posted, working channels clarification:

Malta VTS Ch. 69!!


fishman

any way guys what about the course are we going as a team?
Fish or Work, but you can't Fish without Work.

skip

I would certainly be interested in going as a team if we can get enough ppl together. I'm thinking for most that the evenings are best as we all work during the day.

fishfinder

Skip,

if in the evening count me in.
Kaptan Leisure with Suzuki DF115 4 stroke

fishman

hi skip,

Even for me if it's in the evening count me in and even James will come.
Fish or Work, but you can't Fish without Work.