■ SART general description

      SART(Maker : JORTRON, Model : TRON SART)

• With a radar height of 20m and the Tron SART placed at 1m above sea level, the range will be up to 10 nautical miles
• The bateries of the Tron SART will last at least 96 hours in standby after activation and then minimum 8 hours of continuous operation
• Battery unit
  The battery unit consists of the complete lower half of the Tron SART and is to be repalced every 4 year. The marking on the battery unit show the expire date.
  A new battery comes complete with switch and indications and is easily replaced by opening the screw ring between the top and bottom of the SART. 

      

                                                                                                                             
         

■ SART(Search and Rescue Radar Transponder

A search and reascue radar transponder(SART) is a means within the GMDSS for locating vessels in distress or their survival craft. The SART operates in the 9GHz frequency band and generates a series of response signals on being interrogated by any ordinary 9 GHz X band shipborne radar or suitable airborne radar.

The SART should have sufficient battery capacity to operate in the stand-by condition for 96 hours
followed by a minimum 8 hours of transmission while being interrogated by a radar.

The IMO recommended performance standard for SART calls for a range of "up to at least 5 n miles", for a SART mounted 1m above sea level. This assumes a search radar complying with IMO requirements, with its antenna 15m above sea level. Tests have shown the importance of maintaining the SART antenna height of at least 1m above sea level.

A well mounted SART in moderate weather conditions is capable of giving a detection range of over 10 n miles to a large vessel radar.

Basic concept of the Search and Rescue Radar Transponder(SART)



■ Actions by the first RCC on receipt of distress alert

■ Operating guidance for masters of ships in distress or urgency situations

■ Operating guidance for masters of ships observing another vessel apparently in danger

■ Distress/Urgency/Safety code and signal

■ Safety -DSC communications on MF, HF and VHF

  ▶ Transmission of DSC Safety message

     

      Transmission of safety messages shall be carried out in two steps.

• announcement of the safety message
• transmission of the safety message

      The announcement is carried out by transmission of a DSC safety call on the DSC distress

      calling channel (4,6,8,12,16mHz on HF, 2187.5kHz on MF, Channel 70 on VHF)

      The safety message is transmitted on the distress and safety traffic channel in the same band
      in which the DSC call was sent, ie. 2182.0kHz on MF, Channel 16 on VHF

      The DSC safety call may be addressed to all ship(VHF only), ships in a specific geographical area
      (MF/HF only), or to a specific station.
      The frequency on which the safety message will be transmitted shall be included in the DSC urgency call

      The transmission of an urgency message is thus carried out as follows;

• tune the transmitter to the DSC distress calling channel(2187.5kHz on MF, Channel 70 on VHF)
• select the appropriate calling format on the DSC equipment(all ships(VHF only), geographic area(MF/HF only) or individual);
• transmit DSC safety call
• transmit the safety message as follows;

          - "SECURITE", repeated 3times

          - "ALL STATIONS" or called station, repeated 3times

          - "this is"

          - the 9-digit identity and the call sign or other identification of own ship

          - the text of the urgency message

 eg.:

          =PUSAN PORT AUTHORITY=  by VHF Channel 16 (In case Navigation warning)
            SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS
            THIS IS BUSAN PORT AUTHORITY, BUSAN PORT AUTHORITY, NAVIGATION WARNING,
            CHANGE TO CHANNEL 13(ONE THREE) AND STANBY.

          = PUSAN PORT AUTHORITY=  by VHF Channel 13
             ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, THIS IS BUSAN PORT AUTHORITY, BUSAN PORT
             AUTHORITY, NAVIGATION WARNING.
             LEFT SIDE OF ENTRANCE BUOY IS OBSTRUCTED BY A SUNKEN VESSEL. A RED BUOY IS
             FASTENED TO THE OBSTRUCTION. ALL SHIPS NAVIGATE WITH GREAT CARE.
             BUSAN PORT AUTHORITY. OUT 

■ Urgency -DSC communications on MF, HF and VHF

      ▶ Transmission of DSC Urgency Alert (Manoverboard/Medical and other urgent cases)

     

      Transmission of urgency messages shall be carried out in two steps.

• announcement of the urgency message
• transmission of the urgency message

      The announcement is carried out by transmission of a DSC urgency call on the DSC distress

      calling channel (4,6,8,12,16mHz on HF, 2187.5kHz on MF, Channel 70 on VHF)

      The urgency message is transmitted on the distress traffic channel(RTF 4,6,8,12,16mHz on HF

      2182.0kHz on MF, Channel 16 on VHF)

      The DSC urgency call may be addressed to all stations at VHF, or a geographic area at MF/HF,

      or to a specific station. The frequency on which the urgency message will be transmitted shall be 

      included in the DSC urgency call

      The transmission of an urgency message is thus carried out as follows;

• tune the transmitter to the DSC distress calling channel(on HF/MF/VHF according to the range from shore)
• select the appropriate calling format on the DSC equipment(all ships(VHF only), geographic area(MF/HF only) or individual);
• transmit DSC urgency alert(call)
• transmit the urgent message as follows;

          - "PAN PAN", repeated 3times

          - "ALL STATIONS" or called station, repeated 3times

          - "this is"

          - the 9-digit identity and the call sign or other identification of own ship

          - the text of the urgency message

 eg.:

         =OCEAN PIONEER=

          PANPAN, PANPAN, PANPAN, ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS

          KOREAN CARGO VESSEL OCEAN PIONEER OCEAN PIONEER OCEAN PIONEER

          COLLIDED WITH A FISHING BOAT AT 15MILES DUE NORTH OF SARANGDO LIGHTHOUSE AND

          BOAT SUNK BY COLLISION. WE RESCUED 10 SURVIVORS BUT 2 PERSONS ARE STILL MISSING. SEARCHING

          FOR THEM REQUIRE ASSISTANCE OVER

         = COASTGUARD=

         CARGO VESSEL OCEAN PIONEER, OCEAN PIONEER OCEAN PIONEER

         THIS IS BUSAN COASTGUARD BUSAN COASTGUARD RECEIVED PAN CALL.  A PATROL VESSEL WILL BE

         SENT SOON. PLEASE INFORM THE NAME, TONNAGE AND PORT OF REGISTRY OF SUNKEN BOAT

         =OCEAN PIONEER=

         ROGER, THE NAME IS NUMBER 8 KOBAL-HO. THIRTY NINE TONS AND PORT OF  REGISTRY IS BUSAN.

         OVER.              

 

        

         

                

■ Distress -DSC communications on MF, HF and VHF

A distress alert should be transmitted if, in the opinion of the Master, the ship or a person on it is in distress and requires immediate assistance.

1. Transmission of DSC Distress Alert

• DSC distress alert should be sent to coast stations - eg. in A3 areas on HF - and in A1 & A2 areas on VHF and MF to other ships in the vicinity.
• As a general rule the DSC distress channel in the 8 MHz maritime band(8414.5kHz) may in many cases be an appropriate first choice, in A3 areas
• After having transmitted the DSC distress  alert on appropriate DSC distress channels (HF, MF and/or VHF), prepare for the subsequent distress traffic by tuning the radiocommunication set(s) (HF, MF and/or VHF as appropriate) to the corresponding distress traffic channel(s)
• If acknowledgement have been received on the below mentioned channel or frequencie(s), commence the transmission of distress traffic on the associated Channel, RTF(Radio Telephone Frequency) or NBDP frequency.
• The distress traffic channel or frequencies are as below

   2.   Transmission of DSC Distress Traffic

• On receipt of a DSC distress acknowledgement the ship in distress should commence the distress traffic by above mentioned radiotelephony distress tarffic frequency or channel.(If  2nd communication mode is J3E.TEL/SSB)
• "MAYDAY", repeated 3times
• This is
• the 9 digit identity and call sign or other identification of the ship
• the ship's position in latitude and longitude
• the nature of distress and assistance required
• any other information which might facilitate the rescue
• eg;

          ■ Distress Call

             MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY,

             This is Ocean Pioneer, Ocean pioneer

         

          ■ Distress Message

             MAYDAY, OCEAN PIONEER 3FFS6, OCEAN PIONEER 3FFS6, FIRE BROKEN OUT IN

             ENGINE ROOM IN POSITION 34.25N 139.34E ON OUR WAY TO YOKOHAMA

             FROM SEATTLE MY ENGINES ARE STOPPED AND FIRE IS GAINING 22 CREW

             ONBOARD. REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.OVER          

              

■ Sending distress relay on behalf of a ship in distress

MF/HF Radio (Maker : FURUNO, Model : FS-1570, FS-2570, FS-5070)

You may send the distress relay to a coast station on behalf of a ship in distress. 

Click URL →  http://hmstc.or.kr/bbs/view.asp?num=13&bbs=1&page=1

and then Click the attached PDF file as below 

■ When a ship station may relay a distress alert

1. Distress alert or call not acknowledged by a coast station within 5 minutes.

• If there is no sign of an acknowledgement by a coast station within 5 minutes, and no distress communications are heard between a coast sttaion and the vessel in distress, then the receiving station must relay the distress alert ashore by any means available, but to coast station only.

2. Ship in distress is unable to send a distress alert

• When the station in distress is not itself in a position to transmit a distress alert or message, and
• When the Master or other person responsible for the station not in distress considers that further help is necessary.

 

■ Distress Communications

After any GMDSS equipment has been installed, It is important that operating instructions should be as clear as precise as possible in order that they are easy to understand.

Radio equipment used for transmitting distress alerts should be so designed that it should not be possible to transmit a distress alert unless the distress button is deliberately depressed. It is strongly recommended that personnel have full knowledge of the GMDSS and the consequences of transmitting a false alert.

To reduce the chance of false alerts, routine testing of GMDSS equipment should only be undertaken under the direct supervision of the person responsible for communications.

To take maximum advantage of GMDSS, Master should ensure that all crew members who may be required to send a distress alert are instructed and knowledgeable in the operation of all relevant radio equipment on the vessel.Such instruction should also be given, periodically, onboard the vessel to all relevant crew members by the person responsible for communications.

■ GMDSS operating guidance for master(distress ship)

These procedures are intended for guidance only and may be amended to suit the specific equipment available. The diagram should be continuously updated in line with the latest GMDSS recommendations.

Particular attention should be given to Note 3 in the above example. Distress relays and acknowledgements have the same priority as the original alert and must only be sent on the Master's authority'

Ship must not send DSC relays for DSC alerts received on MF and HF.

Relays of HF alerts by DSC must be initiated manually, and must be sent only to coast stations, after a minimum delay of 5 minutes.

■ Procedures for canceling false distress alerts

Procedures for canceling false distress alerts.

If a distress alert is inadvertently transmitted, the following steps shall be taken to cancel the distress alert.

1.VHF(Very High Frequency) 
1) If a false distress alert detected during transmission

2) Reset the equipment immediately
3) Set to Channel 16; and

4) Make broadcast to "All stations” eg;
    "All stations All stations All stations
    This is NAME, CALLSIGN, MMSI NUMBER, POSITION,
    Cancel my Distress alert of  DATE, TIME, UTC"
    =Master +
5) And then, Fax or email above contents to the nearest RCC and confirm by telephone call
    whether it is cancel or not.
    (You can see all contact information of RCCs', If you use the Admiralty List of Radio Signal Vol.V)
        

2. MF(Medium Frequency)
1) If a false distress alert detected during transmission

2) Reset the equipment immediately
3) Tune for radiotelephony transmission on 2182 kHz; and
4) Make broadcast to "All stations” eg; (Same as above 1-(4))

5) And then, Fax or email above contents to the nearest RCC and confirm by telephone call
    whether it is cancel or not. (refer to the Admiralty List of Radio Signal Vol.V)

3 HF(High Frequency)
1) If a false distress alert detected during transmission

2) Reset the equipment immediately
3) Tune for radiotelephony on the distress and safety frequency in each band in which a false distress alert
    was transmitted; and (4, 6, 8, 12, and 16MHz)
4) Make broadcast to "All stations” eg; (Same as above 1-(4))
5) And then, Fax or email above contents to the nearest RCC and confirm by telephone call

    whether it is cancel or not. (refer to the Admiralty List of Radio Signal Vol.V)

4. INMARSAT ship earth station. Immediately notify the nearest appropriate rescue coordination center
   that the alert is cancelled by sending a distress priority message by way of the same land earth station
   through which the false distress alert was sent. Provide ship name, call sign or registration number, and 
   INMARSAT identity with the cancelled alert message.

5. EPIRB If for any reason, an EPIRB is activated inadvertently, immediately contact the nearest 
   appropriate Rescue Coordination Center by telephone and cancel the distress alert.
   and then, Fax or email "Ship's Name, Callsign, MMSI Number, Position, Cancel my Distress alert of
   Date, Time, UTC, Master+ " to the nearest RCC.  

■ Action for ships receiving distress alert on HF band



■ Action for ship receiving distress alert on VHF/MF band

 

■ MF/HF Radio - SSB Radiotelephone

MF/HF Radio (Model : FURUNO FS-1570, FS-2570, FS-5070)

You can show the SSB communication in the RT(Radiotelephone) mode.
Press the RT/CH key to show the RT screen

To see how to operate, click below URL

Click →  http://hmstc.or.kr/bbs/view.asp?num=12&bbs=1&page=1

and then, Click th attached file as below

■ Distress Alert Message Procedure

For FURUNO MF/HF Radio (Model : FS-1570, FS-2579, FS-5070)

Below is the procedure for transmitting a distress alert via radiotelephone.
Transmit the distress alert when a life-endangering situation occurs on your vessel.

1. Open the DISTRESS button cover and press the DISTRESS button more than four seconds to show the following display, then release the DISTRESS button.        

    2.   After the distress message has been transmitted, the following displays appear in order

         
         
    3.  The audio alarm sounds ; press the CANCEL key to silence the alarm
   
    Say MAYDAY three times
    Say "This is . . ." name of your vessel and your message sign three times
    Give nature of distress and assistance needed
    Give discription of your vessel(type, number of persons onboard, etc.)and any other
    information which may aid in rescue

    Note: If the distress message is not acknowledged by coast station, it will be transmitted
              again after 3 min 30 seconds to 4 min 30 seconds.

 

■ GMDSS Sea Area

GMDSS defines four sea areas based upon the location and capability of onshore-based communication facilities. The definition of the Sea Areas for GMDSS is outlined below.

Sea Area 1

The radiotelephone coverage of VHF coast stations in which continuous alerting by Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is available.

Sea Area 2

The radiotelephone coverage of MF coast stations in which continuous alerting by Digital Selective Calling is available.

Sea Area 3  (All HMM & HMS fleet)

The coverage of Inmarsat geostationary satellites.

Sea Area 4

Area outside A1, A2 and A3, mostly sea area around polar regions.

■ Sending Distress Alert

GMDSS ships carry a DSC terminal with which to transmit the distress alert in the event of a life_endangering situation. A coast station recieves the distress alert and sends the distress alert acknowledge call to the ship in distress as above



■ Distress operation overview

The frequencies used for distress, urgency, and safety purposes using DSC are as follows

2187.5kHz, 4207.5kHz, 6312.0kHz, 8414.5kHz, 12577.0kHz, 16804.5kHz & VHF CH.70(156.525MhZ)

• The frequency 156.525mHz may also be uesd for DSC purposes other than distress, urgency and safety

Distress operation overview

1. Press the DISRESS button
2. Wait for the distress alert acknowledgement
3. Communicate with the coast station

■ DSC individual call (For communication with coast station)

For telephone communication with Seoul Radio Station by 8210kHz/8725.0kHz,

• Ship needs to choose or enter appropriate DSC band(International basis 1st DSC frequency between ship to coast station) ▼
• 4208.0kHz/4219.5kHz, 6312.5kHz/6331kHz, 8415.0kHz/8436.5kHz, 12577.5/12657.0kHz,16805.0/16903.0kHz 
• Choose Telephone(or J3E TEL) as 2nd communication type
• and then enter the working  frequency(TX/RX frequency  - 8210kHz/8725.0kHz) or ITU channel number(803).
• Press the CALL button to send the individual call
• After the call is sent, the equipment waits for acknowledgement of the call 
• If able acknowledge call received, The working frequency is automatically set
• Then You may start Voice communication with Seoul Radio by radiotelephone

The frequencies assignable on an international basis to ship and coast stations for DSC, for purposes other than distress, urgency, and safety, are as follows

• 4208.0kHz/4219.5kHz, 6312.5kHz/6331kHz, 8415.0kHz/8436.5kHz, 12577.5/12657.0kHz,16805.0/16903.0kHz 

■ DSC individual call using MF/HF

The individual call is for calling a specific station. After sending an individual an individual call, called ACK RQ transmission, wait to receive the acknowledge back(ACK BQ) signal from the receiving station. 

1. From ship to coast station(for DSC test)

          
2. Sending an individual "TEST MESSAGE" call / (In FURUNO-FS1570/2570/5070 case)

• Press DSC key
• Rotate the ENTER knob to choose TEST MESSAGE and the push the ENTER knob
• Push the ENTER knob to open the STATION ID entry window
• Enter Station ID where to send the test message and then push the ENTER knob
• Push the ENTER knob to open the DSC FREQ menu.
• Rotate the ENTER knob to choose appropriate DSC frequency and the push the ENTER knob
• Press the CALL key to send the message  

■ MMSI

MMSI Numbers

Each ship has its own unique 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity(MMSI) which is included automatically in each call

• Included in MMSI number are the Maritime Identification Digits(MID) which identify the country licencing /controlling the station. Three types of MMSI numbers are in common use to identify individual ship's group of ships and coast stations.

Examples, using the MID 440(Korea 440/441), are

•  Ship station : 440001000 ( 3 trailing zeros)
•  Group of ships : 044001143 ( 1 leading zero)
•  Coast station : 004401004 (Busan Coast Guard) / (2 leading zero)

■ DSC Distress operations

Distrss operation overview

GMDSS ships carry a DSC terminal with which to transmit the distress alert in the event of a life-endangering situation. A coast station receives the distress alert and sends the distress alert acknowledge call to the ship in distress. Then, voice or telex(NBDP) communication between the ship in distress and coast station (RCC : Rescue Coordination Center) begins.

Sending distressa alert using VHF, MF, HF according to the distance from shore.

1. Press VHF, MF or HF distress button by distance
2. Wait for the distress alert acknowledgement
3. Communication(Distress call and message) with the coast station by voice or telex communication

   

o. When ship is in distress(about 20~50 n miles from shore)

• After check ship's position, date and time, nature of distress(If need be)
• Press VHF distress button using CH.70
• If ship receives the distress alert acknowledgement from coast station
• Send distress call (MAYDAY) and message on Ch 16 

o. When ship is in distress(about 50~150n  miles from shore)

• After check ship's position, date and time, nature of distress
• Press MF distress button 
• If ship receives the distress alert acknowledgement from coast station
• Send distress call (MAYDAY) and message on 2182.0 kHz 

o. When ship is in distress(in the range of 76ºN ~ 76ºS)    

• After check ship's position, date and time, nature of distress
• Press HF distress button 
• If ship receives the distress alert acknowledgement from coast station
• Send distress call (MAYDAY) and message on the associated RTF(4/6/8/12/16mHz)
• RTF(Distress radio telephone frequency) 

o. When ship listing heavily or If HF transmission is impossible in the range of  76ºN ~ 76ºS

• Press Inmarsat-C distress button 
• Transmit distress message to the nearest RCC, NCS or coast station(within 200NM)
        

    

■ GMDSS Video

This GMDSS video is provided by INMARSAT

■ Typical GMDSS installation for ships in International voyage (Area A3)

When AC power source is occurred, DC power source(Radio battery) supplying to VHF(DSC),

MF/HF(DSC), INMARSAT-C  and GPS automatically.

■ DSC (Digital Selective Calling)

The DSC system is optimised for use in emergency and allows for the name of the vessel in distress,
the nature of distress and the last recorded position to be displayed or printed out on receipt of a distress alert.
DSC receivers sound an alarm whenever a distress call is received, Distress priority ship-to-shore DSC calls
receive priority handling by coast stations and are routed to the nearest Rescue Coordination Center(RCC)

DSC is an acronym meaning Digital Selective Calling. It is a digital distress and general calling system in the VHF channel, MF and HF bands, the Channel and frequencies are CH.70, 2187.5, 4207., 6312.0, 8414.5, 12577.0 and 16804.5khz

The DSC station sends and receives DSC general and distress calls via the radiotelephone.

■ RMS (JRC - Remote Maintenance System)

http://www.jrc.co.jp/eng/product/marine/rms/index.html   ← Click

Advantages of JRC's Remote Maintenance System
（Click "RMS" Icon on the JRC website）

■ Watchkeeping

Ships, while at sea, shall maintain a continuous watch appropriate to the sea area in which the ship is sailing using;
1) VHF DSC CH 70
2) MF DSC distress and safety frequency 2,187.5 Khz
3) DSC distress and safety frequency 8,414.5Khz and at least one other HF DSC frequency appropriate to local time
and ship’s position relative to the nearest DSC coast station
4) VHF CH 16
5) GMDSS ships, where practical, should maintain a watch on VHF Ch13 for communication related to
the safety of navigation
* A continuous watch for broadcasts of maritime safety information shall also be kept, for the area in which the ship
is sailing, by;
1) NAVTEX (518Khz)
2) Inmarsat-C or EGC safetyNET receiver
3) HF Telex

When AC power source is occurred, DC power source(Radio battery) supplying to VHF(DSC), MF/HF(DSC), INMARSAT-C  and GPS automatically.
.

■ GMDSS Inplementation

-1988.11.9 : GMDSS requirements for radiocommunication are contained in the new Chapter Ⅳ of  SOLAS
-1992.2.1-1999.2.1  : Transition period( from the old to the new system)
-1993.8.1   : General requirement for the carriage of NAVTEX & EPIRB
-1999..2.1  : Ship operating under the GMDSS had to comply with the 1988 amendments to Chapter Ⅳ of SOLAS.
Up to 1 February 1999, both system required watchkeeping on 2182Khz and VHF Ch.16
-2005.2.1 : In respect of VHF Channel 16, an aural watch has to be maintained , as a mandatory requirement,
until 1 February 2005.

■ GMDSS

The new system is called the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System(GMDSS).
This system was adopted by the IMO in 1988 and replaces the 500khz Morse code system. The GMDSS provides
a reliable ship-to-shore communication path in addition to ship-to-ship alerting communications. The new system
automated and uses ship-to-shore alerting by means of terrestial radio and satellite radio paths for alerting and
subsequent communications. The GMDSS applies to all cargo ships of 300 gross tons and above, and to all
passenger ships, regardless of size, on internatinal voyages.

■ Basic concept of GMDSS

Prior to the introduction of the GMDSS, maritime distress and safety communication relied primarily on the
capability of a ship in distress to alert another ship for assistance. The GMDSS emphasises authorities ashore
as well as shipping in the vicinity in order to achieve a rapid coordinated response to distress situations.
The shore-based rescue authorities now have the primarily role of coordinating assistance and rescue operation
following a distress alert. In the past, assistance was possible only if ships capable of receiving the distress call
were within radio range. The danger was that calls for assistance would go unheard in remote areas
In the GMDSS, the initial acknowledgement of a distress alert should be by the shore- based authorities.
Subsequent actions and communications should be controlled by the assigned Rescue Coordination Center(RCC).
In normal circumstances it should not be necessary for a ship to relay a distress alert. In order to avoid confusion
and delay, ships must monitor the RCC to be certain that the original alert was not received before initiating
a distress relay.
Particular care is needed when a distress call is received on HF at a considerable distance from the incident to
avoid making unnecessary or confusing transmissions in response.
The method of distress alerting can depend on the sea area in which the ship the ship is sailing and on the
equipment carried.

■ MSI

MSI(Maritime Safety Information)  includes navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts, and other urgent or safety-related messages of importance to all vessels at sea and may also include update for electronic charts. Broadcast are NAVTEX for local MSI, and by Inmarsat-c(EGC) or HF telex(NBDP) for long-range MSI