Question 1

A vessel trades exclusively within VHF coverage of a coast radio station (typically up to ~20-30nm offshore). Which GMDSS Sea Area does this correspond to, and what is the primary required carriage?

Accepted Answer

Sea Area A1 — VHF DSC (Ch70) coverage; a VHF radio with DSC capability is the primary requirement Sea Area A1 is defined by VHF coast station DSC coverage (Channel 70) — typically the nearshore band closest to a coast radio station. A2 extends to MF DSC coverage, A3 to Inmarsat geostationary satellite coverage (most of the globe between the poles), and A4 covers the polar areas outside A1-A3, requiring HF radio since satellite coverage doesn't reliably reach there.

Question 2

You need to send a distress alert because the vessel is taking on water faster than the pumps can cope. Which message format and channel/priority is correct?

Accepted Answer

A "Mayday" distress call on Channel 16 / DSC distress alert, giving position, nature of distress and assistance required Grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance (e.g. uncontrolled flooding) requires a Mayday distress call / DSC distress alert — Pan-Pan is for urgency without immediate danger to life, and Securité is for navigational safety information.

Question 3

True or False: An EPIRB should be registered with the relevant national authority, and the registration details kept up to date so that a false alarm can be quickly resolved or a real activation correctly attributed.

Accepted Answer

True True. EPIRB registration links the unique beacon ID to vessel and contact details, allowing SAR authorities to quickly verify activations (genuine or false) and contact the vessel/owner — unregistered or out-of-date beacons slow down the SAR response and waste resources.