October 31, 2020

Communications: Distress and safety communications at sea

General. Technology has changed the way we communicate at sea quite considerably. In grade 12 you will be introduced to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) but during grade 11 we will be discussing distress and safety communications outside of the new automated system. The old system relied […]
October 31, 2020

Distress frequencies and silence periods

Distress frequencies. For the purposes of safety and distress there are certain frequencies that have been specially reserved for their exclusive use internationally. They are the following: Medium frequency (MF) 518 kHz. Used by coast radio stations to transmit meteorological and navigation warnings and urgent information to ships using the […]
October 31, 2020

Distress messages (MAYDAY)

A distress call and message is sent when a vessel is in grave and imminent danger. They are only sent on the authority of the master or person responsible for the vessel. A distress call has priority over all other transmissions. All stations receiving a distress call and message must […]
October 31, 2020

Urgency message (PAN PAN)

An urgency message indicates that the station making it has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of the mobile unit or person. It is only sent on the authority of the master or person responsible for the ship. The urgency signal will have priority over all other […]