SCOP Module 2

1. SCOP Module 2 Lesson 002.05 Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radios

2. In this lesson we will be looking at… • Digital Selective Calling (DSC) • Classes of DSC radios • DSC functions • DSC procedures • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) • Other GMDSS equipment

3. DSC Radio • DSC radios are the primarycomponent of GMDSS used by recreational boaters. Range Limitation • VHF-DSC radios function in a line-of-sight manner and do NOT use satellite technology other than for position if interfaced with a GPS unit.

4. DSC Radio • Large non-pleasure craft are required to be fitted with GMDSS equipment including DSC radio equipment if: • over 300 tons, or • carrying 12 or more passengers on international voyages.

5. DSC Radio • Also required to carry VHF-DSC equipment are smaller non-pleasure craft of closed construction and: • more than 8 metres in length, • carry more than 6 passengers, or • towing vessels.

6. DSC Radio Standards • To encourage recreational boaters to carry VHF-DSC radios, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a less stringent VHF-DSC technical standard (SC-101) that has been built into a more affordable radio for recreational use. • Note: SC-101 radios are NOT approved for use on compulsory fitted vessels.

7. Channel 70 use • Channel 70 is designated exclusively for DSC digital use, and is monitored automatically by VHF-DSC radios. • This channel must notbe used for voice communication.

8. Classes of DSC Radios • In order to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) MDSS carriage requirements for different vessels, a number of DSC radio standards or “classes” were defined. • Carriage requirements are determined according to the type of vessel, and the area of operations.

9. Class A Class A This class fulfils all IMO GMDSS requirements for MF/HM radios on compulsory fitted vessels over 300 Gross Registered tons.

10. Class B and Class C Class B This class fulfils the minimum IMO GMDSS requirements for MF and VHF radios on non-pleasure craft not required to carry Class A equipment. Class C This class has been withdrawn and is not approved for use.

11. Class D Class D This fulfils the minimum requirements for VHF-DSC radios on non-pleasure craft not required to carry Class A or Class B equipment. It should be noted that not all Class D radios meet IMH GMDSS compulsory carriage requirements.

12. SC-101 SC-101 Standard The U.S. specification standard for VHF-DSC radios that fulfils minimum DSC requirements for voluntary equipped pleasure craft only.

13. What is different from a regular VHF Radio DSC radios are readily identifiable by the distinctive dedicated RED button marked “Distress” with a protective cover to prevent accidental activation.

14. DSC functions All DSC radios will automatically send a Distress alert and message at the press of a special designated button to coast stations and other DSC equipped vessels in the immediate area.

15. DSC functions Position Information • To enhance safety, interfacing with a GPS or Loran is recommended to aid in providing your position • If interface is not possible, the operator will be required to input a position manually at intervals of not less than every 4 hours.

16. Distress Alert • An audible “alert” signal is provided to the operator of a DSC radio to indicate an incoming message. • Ship stations should not acknowledge a DSC Distress alert via DSC unless requested to do so by a coast station or RCC. *Doing so would terminate transmission of the DSC distress message by the vessel in distress*

17. Watchkeeping A DSC radio will automatically, silently and continuously maintain a listening watch on the appropriate DSC Channel, VHF Channel 70.

18. DSC Radios are used for more than Distress calls “All Ships”, Urgency and Safety alerts may be received and sent to or from coast stations and all DSC equipped vessels in the immediate area. The actual Urgency and Safety messages are carried out as in the past by normal voice communication on the channels indicated in the DSC Alert.

19. Routine Calling • In addition to the automatic distress-alerting feature of the VHF-DSC radios, an initial contact with another vessel (a “routine call”) is made digitally on Channel 70 similar to a pager • The call is made using that vessels MMSI number with instructions to change to another channel for further voice communications.

20. Quick Review DSC Radios enable vessels to: • rapidly transmit a Distress alert, and message; • digitally alert other vessels that an Urgent or Safety message is about to be sent; • receive Distress, Urgency and Safety alerts; and • establish routine contact with other vessels and coast stations directly without having to use voice calling/distress channels.

21. DSC Optimization To take full or optimal advantage of the DSC functions it is important that the radio be: • programmed with the MMSI number, either by a dealer or operator; and • connected to a GPS or Loran. Read the owners manual to be familiar with all features on the radio.

22. Distress Procedure • In a distress situation, time permitting, if the radio is not connected to a navigational device, the boat operator must manually input the vessels position (Latitude and Longitude) and the time • Select type of distress from the menu if provided, lift the red cover and depress the DISTRESS button for 5 seconds.

23. Distress Procedure Boaters who hear the distress message should attempt to contact the vessel in distress using channel 16, relay distress message if necessary, and make sure the shore station is aware of the distress.

24. Urgency Procedure Urgency signal indicates that a station has an urgent message to transmit concerning: • the safety of a ship, • aircraft or other vehicle, or • safety of a person. Acknowledgement is expected to be made by a coast station. Boater should attempt contact with the vessel in distress on Channel 16.

25. Urgency Signal To transmit a DSC Urgency signal • select the “All Ships” function; • specify working channel as 16 unless message is lengthy, then specify working channel (eg Channel 6); • transmit urgency alert (will be transmitted on channel 70);

26. Urgency Signal • After a brief wait to allow other vessels to change to channel 16, broadcast your urgency message using standard VHF procedures preceded by; and “ PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN” • Cancel urgency call when urgency is concluded.

27. Safety Procedure Safety signal indicates that a station has an important message to transmit concerning an important navigational air or a meteorological warning.

28. Safety Signal To transmit a DSC Safety signal: • select the “All Ships” function; • specify working channel as something other than channel 16 such as a Channel 6; and • transmit safety alert (will be transmitted on channel 70).

29. Safety Signal The safety alert will be transmitted on Channel 70. After a brief wait to allow the other vessels to change to specified channel, broadcast your safety message using standard VHF procedures, preceded by the prefix: “SÉCURITÉ, SÉCURITÉ, SÉCURITÉ”

30. Routine Call Procedure Routine individual calls to other DSC equipped vessels or coast stations are very straightforward, like making a phone call. Many DSC radios allow you to store numbers called on a routine basis in the memory directory.

31. Routine Call Procedure To make a routine call: • select channel on which voice communications are to be carried out; • select appropriate MMSI number; and • transmit message digitally on Channel 70.

32. Routine Call Procedure • The other vessel will receive an audible alert (usually different than a distress alert). • The callers MMSI and proposed channel on which voice communication is desired will be displayed. • When acknowledged the radio will automatically change to the voice channel preselected for communication.

33. EPIRBs Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are a very useful piece of GMDSS equipment for recreational boaters when operating some distance from shore.

34. EPIRBs • Are buoyant beacons that operate on the international distress frequency 406 MHz. • When activated automatically transmit a distress message digitally to orbiting COSPAS-SARSAT satellites and NOAA geostationary satellite system.

35. Category 1 EPIRB • May be activated manually or automatically. • Automatic activation is triggered after the EPIRB is released from a specially designed bracket. • A hydrostatic release will release the EPIRB at a water depth of 1-3 metres, where it will float to the surface and begin transmitting. • Must be mounted externally on vessel to readily float free from a sinking vessel.

36. Category 2 EPIRB • Requires manual activation and does not automatically float free. • Should be mounted in a location readily accessible in an emergency situation.

37. Locating an EPIRB Most EPIRBs have a strobe light that assists rescue vessels in locating the EPIRB and indicates visually that the EPIRB is transmitting.

38. EPIRB’s Accuracy Position accuracy is usually within 5 km unless EPIRB has a built in GPS, in which case it can be within a few metres. Testing Both Category 1 and 2 EPIRBs have built in test functions. See manufacture instructions for testing.

39. Registration of EPIRB EPIRBs must be registered in a database maintained by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat. • Canada – Tel. 1-800-727-9414 • USA – Tel. 1-888-212-7283 or Sarsat Beacon Registry, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Suitland, MD

40. EPIRB Number EPIRBs have an identification number that is used for registration. Authorities are also advised when the ownership of the EPIRB changes.

41. COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite System

42. COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system • Is an international system consisting of two orbiting satellite systems designed to detect EPIRB 406 MHz distress signals. • Established jointly by Russia, France, Canada and the U.S.A. for the purpose of monitoring for distress signals from EPIRBs.

43. COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite System • COSPAS satellites orbit at 1000 kilometres and are controlled by Russia. • SARSAT satellites orbit at 850 kilometres and are controlled by U.S.A. • At any time a minimum of 4 satellites are operational. • Orbit time is 100 minutes (approx.).

44. Response Time • The time for a response may be as little as 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours, depending on EPIRB / satellite relative positions. • Coverage of COSPAS-SARSAT system is worldwide.

45. Doppler Shift Principle • COSPAS- SARSAT system determines the position of the EPIRB using the Doppler Shift principle. • Doppler shift is a measure of the change in relative motion between the satellite and the EPIRB, thereby determining the position of the EPIRB.

46. Doppler Shift Principle

47. Other GMDSS Equipment MF DSC radios • Required for DSC Operations at distances beyond Sea Area A1 but within Sea Area A2. Boaters considering voyages beyond VHF coverage should consider installation of an MF DSC radio. • Digital calling using an MF designated frequency is 2187.5 kHz. • Voice calling frequency for MF radios is 2187.5 kHz.

48. Other GMDSS Equipment Portable VHF radios • Non pleasure craft are required by regulation to carry one or more portable VHF radios, primarily for emergency use on lifeboats. • Also useful on pleasure craft as a backup to the fixed VHF radio as it is portable and not dependent on the vessels batteries or antenna installation.

49. Other GMDSS Equipment NAVTEX Receivers Another mandatory equipment item on many non-pleasure draft, the NAVTEX receiver is part of the Worldwide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) intended to provide maritime safety information to vessels at sea.

50. Other GMDSS Equipment NAVTEX Receivers Data is provided for transmission by: • Hydrographic offices, • Meteorological offices, • Rescue Coordination Centres, and • International Ice Patrol.