Module 2
GMDSS – OPERATIOANL USE OF VHF DSC SYSTEM
Training materials.
VHF DSC SIMULATOR
The VHF is a very important safety element in our boats. Through the VHF we can
listen to weather information, or request data from coastal stations for any need.
VHF emissions are established only in line-of-sight signals, that is, any obstacle
such as mountains or land masses make connection impossible. If several ships
broadcast simultaneously on the same frequency, we will only hear the one that
reaches us with the most
power. For a good
reception we must pay
attention to the installation
of the antenna. The
antenna cable is important
since with a poor-quality
cable we will have signal
losses between the
antenna and the VHF
equipment.
They are distinguished by having two types of fixed VHF, those called with DSC
and without DSC, depending on the area in which the vessel is dispatched and the
existing regulations.
Various channels have been preset in VHF equipment, each of which corresponds
to a different frequency. In this case, the VHF equipment is around 150 MHz All
radios must have a button to go immediately to channel 16 which is the
international emergency channel. The radio search engines allow listening to the
communications that may occur on various channels by listening to them in rapid
succession. In almost all radios there is a button called ' Squelch' that allows to
eliminate the noise of the reception when nobody is transmitting. In this way we will
not hear the annoying noise when the channel is empty, and we will only listen to
the conversations. But the Squelch level must be adjusted correctly so as not to
cover a possible emission that is very weak. Regarding the loudspeaker, it is
sometimes advisable and convenient to connect an auxiliary loudspeaker in the
cockpit so as not to have to pay attention to the radio inside the boat.
Many fixed VHFs allow the emission power level to be adjusted and not only for
consumption reasons. If we emit too much power to another ship that is nearby, in
addition to being unnecessary, it is possible that we cover the possibility of
communication of other distant ships without any benefit for our communication.
VHF OPERATION WITH DSC
Known by its English acronym as DSC (Digital Selective Calling), it is a distress
call system that can be used to call ships and coastal stations using VHF (or also
SSB radio). These radios have our ship's identification number known as MMSI
recorded in memory and also incorporate a directory of numbers as we do with our
mobile phones. They are also connected by NMEA to the ship's GPS so that the
radio knows at all times the latest coordinates by which we are sailing.
By lifting the red button cap and pressing the DSC button, we send a string of
digital data with the identification of the ship, the UTC time, type of distress (if it is
distress), position of the ship and channel or frequency for the traffic to carry out.
All this data reaches the receiving ship or coast station on a screen. The call can
be made to a specific coast station, to a specific ship or a group of ships, or
generally to the whole world. If it is a distress call and there is not enough time, all
you have to do is press the DISTRESS and CALL keys and a call is automatically
launched to «all stations» that is repeated every 3.5 minutes until the system
receives the "acknowledgment of receipt", also known as ACK.
Navigational Simulator
In the world of maritime navigation, in the handling of ships, pilots and navigators
are constantly faced with situations that can change from a routine to a catastrophe
in a very short period of time, and the consequences of errors of judgment and
failures in anticipating situations are often too many to contemplate.
Therefore, training with this simulator provides the opportunity to really practice the
skills to operate with high levels of efficiency and safety at all times.
We have the Navegation Simulator NTPRO 5000, the most modern of the entire
region, which meets the specifications and requirements required by the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Guard for
Seafarers, STCW 78/95 of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In
addition, IEC standards (International Electrotechnical Commission) and Class A,
(B, C) NAV' requirements according to the classification of the Det Norske Veritas,
world leader in certification services.
The International Maritime University of Panama has a complete communications
simulator that complies with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS).
The GMDSS simulator (SMSSM Transas-5000) includes the communications
equipment and safety and distress alarms that can normally be found on the bridge
of a merchant ship, and simulates in a realistic way the different types of maritime
communication on board: ship - ship, ship- land and vice versa. This simulator
improves the skills of the participants through the various procedures for
communications, which have been designed to increase safety, facilitate navigation
and prompt rescue in emergency situations. It is ideal for training seafarers on
different system components such as: NAVTEX, HF, MF, Inmarsat, EPIRB and
RADAR Transponder.
Characteristics:
• They accurately mimic real ship-to-ship communications and ship-to-ground
stations using highly realistic simulated ground and satellite communication
systems.
• It is possible to use various types of GMDSS radio equipment.
• Ability to train at least five (5) people and up to twelve (12) people.
• It is a simulator that allows seafarers.
Chart 153 Marseille Approach to Marseille
Guide Information Marseille
The Harbour Office is located for the East basins on the 5th and 6th floors of the
building From Saint-Cassien, access by gate 2C and for the West basins in the
watchtower located Port-de-Bouc. An antenna is located on the third floor of the
Terminal Tertiary Centre Graveleau, for the treatment of hazardous materials.
Grand Port Maritime de Marseille 23 place de la Joliette CS 81965
13226 Marseille Cedex 02 Harbour office East of the Great Maritime Port of
Marseille
12 rue Saint-Cassien, CS 81965, 13226 Marseille Cedex 02
Harbour office West of the Great Maritime Port of Marseille, Quai de la Lèque,
13110 Port de Bouc
Marseille Port Control (VHF) Channel 12
Fos Port Control - Port-de-Bouc – VHF = Ch 12
Guido to Port Entry
South Fairway
Movements in the South entrance of the Eastern harbours are controlled by signals
(see Inter Prefectural Order of the 16th of January 2012).
Eastern Harbours Bridges
In the Eastern harbours, after having requested entry from Marseille Port Control,
ships must wait for the green light before proceeding. Signals show the various
positions of the bridges. Opening of the drawbridge allowing entry into the dry-dock
is done on request, following contact by VHF.
The most important factor is the rapidity speed of the alarm!
If you or a crew member discover a fire outbreak, on board or on land, or any other
incident, the alarm must immediately be given by calling one of the following
numbers:
« Fos Port Control » VHF : 12 or +33 (0)4 42 40 60 60
Fire brigade : +33 (0)4 42 40 61 05
« Marseille Port Control » VHF : 12 or +33 (0)4 91 39 41 41 / +33 (0)4 91 39 41 42
Fire brigade : 18 or 112 b mobile phone
Information to provide :
the location of the incident and/or name of the ship.
the nature of the incident.
If an incident occurs on board a ship, the captain shall take all initial emergency
measures to control it. He shall immediately alert the port VTS, which will pass on
the alarm.
If the ship is located in the maritime part of the MRRZ, the ship’s captain shall also
alert the corresponding CROSS directly.
Trainee Action
Use of VHF DSC
Specifically, the VHF radio equipment is the best way to communicate with nearby
vessels, between the ship's dependencies, the port, regatta organization, Maritime
Rescue, coastal stations, Civil Guard Maritime Service, tugboats and as many
entities or people as possible. are within the VHF coverage radius (up to 30 or 40
miles depending on the height of the antenna). All communications made by VHF
are free and must be made in accordance with the provisions of the SMSSM.
The mobile phone is not part of the safety equipment on board and is not a
substitute for the VHF. Communications are an essential part of safety at sea. The
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) developed the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS or GMDSS) a few decades
ago.
This system establishes the communications equipment that pleasure boats and
merchant ships must carry, the navigation zones in accordance with the range of
the different signals emitted (long wave, medium wave and short wave) and the
communications protocols of the various messages that can be transmitted at sea:
general call, distress, urgency and safety.
Operational use of VHF DSC
The provision of radiocommunication equipment on pleasure boats is defined in the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). In attention to the
navigation area (distance from the coast) a series of requirements are established.
The maritime zones are A1 (up to 30 miles; VHF range), A2 (100 miles; MF), A3
(seas and oceans between parallels 70º N and 70º S, excluding zones A1 and A2;
satellite coverage) and A4 (the rest of the navigation areas not included in the
previous ones).
The GMDSS is mandatory for certain types of ships, being mandatory in Spain for
pleasure boats. Spanish legislation equates navigation areas to national
regulations. Zone A1 comprises navigation zones 2 to 7. And zone A2 corresponds
to Spanish zone 1.
VHF radiotelephony equipment is mandatory in all open water navigations
(navigation zones 1 to 5). This equipment must be fixed, except in zone 5 (up to 5
miles from the coast), which can be replaced by a portable VHF. Additionally, the
teams of vessels authorized to navigate in zones 3, 2 and 1 (more than 12 miles
from the coast) must have digital selective calling.
Maintenance of VHF DSC
You don't need to wait until you unsubscribe your equipment to decide to review
them. If you make good use of them and review them periodically, you can prevent
damage and have excellent communication for longer. An adequate and timely
review of the communications equipment will help you detect failures beyond the
obvious, such as inconsistencies in internal parts, parts sulphated by excessive
exposure to moisture or abrasive substances, damage to the card, circuits or track,
internal shorts, and a long etcetera that must be diagnosed by a specialist
technician.
What kind of revision can you do to your radiotelephones?
There are two types of technical reviews for your radios; preventive maintenance,
which deals with the careful external and internal cleaning of the equipment,
removing dust and superficial dirt that could alter the parts and contacts that
compose it. It also includes the replacement of parts with wear due to continuous
use and basic function tests. It is recommended to carry out this review every 6
months, even if the equipment does not present any fault; Doing so will ensure
proper operation of the radio and extend its useful life.
On the other hand, there is the corrective maintenance that is performed when the
equipment fails or is out of service for a long time. This procedure includes external
and internal cleaning, replacement of parts, performance tests such as audio voice
quality, effectiveness of contacts and internal circuits, operability, programming
verification, correction and repair of faults, among others.
Benefits of a timely review
Preventive and corrective maintenance must take into account both the hardware
and the software of the equipment, as well as the corresponding frequency
programming. The recommended review period will be between six months to a
year depending on the time of use, physical and environmental characteristics of
the workplace and proper use of the equipment.
Detecting faults in time will help you reduce more complex repair costs in the
future, minimize the probability of unforeseen damage, increase the useful life of
your equipment and therefore take care of your investment for longer,
guaranteeing the connectivity of workers and productivity of the plant. business. At
Doble Vía Comunicaciones we carry out the two types of maintenance mentioned
above with qualified personnel and a laboratory in our facilities equipped with the
necessary equipment to offer an optimal technical service.
