GMDSS OPERATING GUIDANCE FOR

MASTERS OF SHIPS IN DISTRESS SITUATIONS

I s vessel
sinking or to be Yes
abandoned ?

Transmit, if time allows,

distress call by
HF/MFNHF DSC or
~
IN

Switch on EPIRB
and SART immediately,
and leave on

01111 survival 111 C craft

VHF SART
and f No"
with

EPIRB

+ No
Communicate on
HF/MFNHF or
INMARSAT to RCC

Transmit distress call

by HF/MFNHF DSC
or INMARSAT

A potential
problem exists?

2.
3

and ships

Communicate on
HF/MFNHF or
I N MARSAT to RCC
and ships

Notify RCC by
HF/MF/VHF DSC
or INMARSAT

EPIRB should float free and activate

automatically H it cannot be taken into
survival craft
Where necessary, ships should use any
appropriate means to alert other ships
Nothing above is intended to preclude the
use of any and all available means of
distress alerting

International Maritime Organization

Switch on EPIRB
and SART manually
on board

RADIO DISTRESS COMMUNICATIONS

Digital selective
(DSC) caling

VHF
MF
HF4
HF6
HF8
HF12
HF18
Printed

ad

Channel
2187.5
4207 .5
6312
8414 .5
12577
16804.5

70
kHz
kHz
kHz
kHz
kHz
kHz

published in the UK by IMO Copyright

Radiotelephone

Channel 18
2182 kHz
4125 kHz
8215 kHz
12290 kHz
18420 kHz
' VV? IMO Sales number

Radiotelx

kHz

8291

IMO 969E

2174.5 kHz
4177 .5 kHz
62 kHz
8376.5 kHz
12520
kHz
18806
kHz