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ar 14.07.2015. prot. Nr. 3-1-1/2015/14

NOVIKONTAS MARITIME COLLEGE

Subject name: GMDSS course and communication equipment

Exercise number: 1.1 On board communication equipment

Teacher: Captain Dmitrii Sheliakov

Student: Ričards Ulme
Date: 09/04/2024

Ship Particulars. (If task require performing on board the ship)

1. List communication equipment used on board your ship.

On our ship, we utilize various GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System)
equipment to transmit and receive crucial information while at sea. Here's a breakdown of the
equipment we use.

Name Photo
VHF Radio 1 & VHF Radio 2

Portable VHF Radios

Inmarsat-C (1) & Inmarsat-C (2):

MF/HF Radios
 Satellite Communication and E-mail

Public Address (PA) System, -

only for onboard
communication
Ships internal system phones,
only for onboard
communication

2. Please, describe properties of communication equipment on board your ship.

Properties of communication equipment:
VHF Radio 1 & VHF Radio 2: These are our primary communication tools for short-range ship-
to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. Operating on very high frequencies, they provide
reliable communication within a limited range.
Portable VHF Radios: These handheld radios provide flexibility in communication within close
proximity. They're essential during emergencies when we need to communicate outside the
main communication areas of the ship.
Inmarsat-C (1) & Inmarsat-C (2): These satellite systems are crucial for sending and receiving
short messages, including distress alerts, to and from shore stations and other vessels.
MF/HF Radios: Our MF/HF radios are vital for long-range communication, especially when
beyond VHF range. Operating on medium and high frequencies, they enable us to communicate
over longer distances, ensuring connectivity even in remote areas. These radios are essential for
maritime distress calls and can provide reliable communication even in adverse weather
conditions.
Public Address (PA) System: The PA system on board our ship provide clear and efficient
broadcasting of announcements to the entire crew and passengers. It ensures that important
messages, including safety announcements and operational instructions are correclty
understood.
Ships Internal System Phones: Our internal communication system consists of a network of
phones located throughout the ship, providing communication between different areas and
departments.

3. Please describe what kinds of communication are on board your ship and what equipment is
used for it. E.g. reports to VTS, correspondence emergency communication, communication in
destress, make as much as possible wide answer.
Onboard communication on a ship contain a variety of methods and equipment to perform
communication in different scenarios and needs.
VHF Radio:
Is used for regular communication with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and pilots when they are
within range.
Used for ship-to-ship communication, including exchanging navigational information,
coordinating passing arrangements (even if it is not recommended by COLRE), and sending
safety-related messages.
Ship-shore communication with port authorities, harbor masters, and terminal operators for
requesting berthing instructions, reporting arrival/departure times, and communicating
operational requirements while in port.
Routine reports to VTS regarding vessel movements, position updates, and navigational
information.
Telephone Communication with Pilots:
In certain ports like Kotka, direct phone communication with pilots is employed to arrange their
boarding onto the vessel, typically done approximately 3 hours before arrival.
Correspondence and Emergency Communication:
MF/HF Radio: Is used for long-range communication, including emergency distress calls and
coordination with Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC).
Inmarsat/Satellite Communication: Provides global coverage for emergency communication and
operational coordination.
E-mail: Used for non-urgent correspondence, including sending reports to authorities and
exchanging information with relevant parties.
Distress Communication:
EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): Activated in distress situations to
broadcast the vessel's location for search and rescue purposes.
VHF and MF/HF Radio: Initial distress communication channels to establish contact with RCC
and nearby vessels for assistance.
On-Scene Communication: Once rescue operations commence, communication may continue
via VHF radio for coordination with rescue vessels and authorities.
Flags:
Employed for signaling and communication, particularly when entering harbors or navigating in
restricted waters.
Used to confirm some information to port control, such as the transportation of hazardous cargo
(e.g., raising the Bravo flag), even if it was confirmed by e-mail before.

Each method of communication serves a specific purpose, ensuring efficient and reliable
information exchange both for operational needs and emergency situations.

4. List methods in GMDSS of life raft, lifeboat or ship in distress position indicating and it’s
transmission by means of GMDSS.
1. EPIRB:
 EPIRBs are designed to automatically transmit distress signals via satellite to the
appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC).
 EPIRBs are either activated manually by crew members or automatically when
submerged in water.
2. SART (Search and Rescue Transponder):
  SARTs are radar transponders that are manually activated by crew members.
 When activated, they emit a series of pulses that are displayed on radar screens of
nearby vessels or aircraft, aiding in the location of the distress position.
3. AIS SART (Automatic Identification System Search and Rescue Transmitter):
 AIS SARTs are compact devices that transmit distress signals over the Automatic
Identification System (AIS) frequency.
 When activated, AIS SARTs transmit the vessel's distress message, along with its
GPS position, to nearby vessels equipped with AIS receivers and to shore-based
AIS stations.
4. VHF DSC (Very High Frequency Digital Selective Calling):
 VHF DSC radios are capable of transmitting distress alerts with the vessel's
position information, nature of distress and other relevant information.
 Distress alerts are transmitted digitally, allowing for rapid and accurate reception
by nearby vessels equipped with DSC capabilities.
5. MF/HF DSC (Medium Frequency/High Frequency Digital Selective Calling):
 Similar to VHF DSC, MF/HF DSC radios can transmit distress alerts with position
information over longer distances.
 Used for distress communication beyond the range of VHF radios.

5. Compare communication equipment on your ship, list which of them belongs to GMDSS and
which not.
Below is a table showing the communication equipment aboard our ship, categorized into two main groups:
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) equipment and non-GMDSS equipment.
Non-GMDSS Equipment
GMDSS Equipment
VHF Radio Mobile Phones

MF/HF Radio Satellite Phones

Intercom Systems
Inmarsat/Iridium
Satellite Communication Public Address (PA) System

NAVTEX Receiver
EPIRB

SART
6. In case of distress what you will use on ship which is equipped for area:
A1 – It’s about 20-30 nautical miles from the coast, which is under coverage of at least one
VHF coast radio station in which continuous DSC alerting is available. Equipment used: A VHF
radio and a DSC (Digital Selective Calling) system for distress alerting, ensuring immediate
communication with nearby coastal stations and vessels equipped with VHF radios.
Additionally, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) should be activated to
transmit distress signals to satellite systems for wider alerting and rescue coordination. In
addition, deploying a SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) can used to the vessel's visibility
on radar systems, aiding in rescue operations.
A2 Equipment used: MF/HF (Medium Frequency/High Frequency) radio for long-range
communication capabilities beyond the reach of VHF radios, along with the equipment required
for A1 areas.
A3 This area covers regions beyond A1 and A2, within 70 degrees north and 70 degrees south
latitude, and is within INMARSAT geostationary satellite range. Equipment used: A high-
frequency radio and/or INMARSAT satellite communication system and the remaining systems
for A1 and A2 areas.
A4 These are the areas outside sea areas A1, A2, and A3 - Polar Regions north and south of 70
degrees of latitude. Equipment used: Iridium satellite communication system, which provides
global coverage, along with MF/HF radio systems for long-range communication. Additionally,
ensuring the availability of SARTs and EPIRBs remains critical.
Source:
GMDSS course materials