GMDSS OPERATING GUIDANCE FOR
MASTER OF SHIPS IN DISTRESS SITUATION
Is vessel
sinking or to be
abandoned?
Yes
Embark in
survival craft
with VHF , SART
and if possible EPIRB
Transmit, if time allows
distress call by
HF/MF/VHF DSC or
INMARSAT
Swith on EPIRB
and SART immediately
and leave on
No
Is
immediate
help needed?
A potential
problem exists?
Transmit distress call
by HF/MF/VHF DSC
or INMARSAT
Yes
Yes
Response
received?
Notify RCC by
HF/MF/VHF DSC
or INMARSAT
1. EPIRB should float free and activate
automatically if it cannot be taken into
survival craft.
2. Where necessary, ships should use any
appropriate means to alert other ships.
3. nothing above is intended to preclude the
use of any and all available means of
distress alerting.
Response
received?
Yes
Yes
Communication on
HF/MF/VHF
or INMARSAT to RCC
and ships.
Switch on EPIRB
and SART manually
on board
Communication on
HF/MF/VHF
or INMARSAT to RCC
and ships.
RADIO DISTRESS COMMUNICATIONS
VHF
MF
HF4
HF6
HF8
HF12
HF16
Digital selective
Calling (DSC)
Radiotelephone
Radiotelex
Channel 70
2187.5 kHz
4207.5 kHz
6312
kHz
8414.5 kHz
12577 kHz
16804.5 kHz
Channel 16
2182 kHz
4125 kHz
6215 kHz
8291 kHz
12290 kHz
16420 kHz
2174.5 kHz
4177.5 kHz
6268 kHz
8376.5 kHz
12520 kHz
16695 kHz