ST.

THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

Checkpoint

Activity 5 – Multiple Choice –

Directions: Blacken the letter of the correct answer.

Directions: Blacken the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the exact date the GMDSS system came into force?
A) 1 Jan. 1999 B) 1 Feb. 1999 C) 1 Aug. 1999 D) 1 Dec. 1999

2. What is the disadvantage of the SOLAS regulations over the GMDSS System?
A) It doesn‘t require a radio equipment C) It requires a few Officer personnel
B) It doesn‘t require a radio license D) It requires qualified radio personnel

3. Which shipping tonnage is mandatory to all ships to comply with the GMDSS system?
A) 300 GRT and over `C) 1,000DWT or less
B) 300 DWT and over D) 1,000GRT &more

4. What sea area is within the coverage of a continuous watch on MF distress alerting?
A) Sea Area A1 B) Sea Area A2 C) Sea Area A3 D) Sea Area A4

5. Which system is now part of the search and rescue in the GMDSS system?
A) Atlantic Aerial Search and Rescue
B) Cosmo Aeronautical Search and Rescue
C) Int‘l Aeronautics Maritime Search and Rescue
D) Int‘l Aeronautical Search and Rescue

6. Which of the following is a shipmaster responsibility and obligation to vessels or aircraft in

distress?
A) To acknowledge a distress signal
B) To give protective clothing
C) To help locate man overboard
D) To render assistance to vessels in distress

7 Which frequency range covers continuous watch DSC distress alerting in sea area A2 ?
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

A) MF/HF DSC B) UHF DSC C) VHF DSC D) VLF DSC

8. What Sea Area is within the coverage of the INMARSAT geo-stationary satellite?
A) Sea Area A1 B) Sea Area A2 C) Sea Area A3 D) Sea Area A4
9. What is the primary means of Distress Alerting?
A) DSC B) EPIRB C) GMDSS Radio D) SART

10. What are the contents of the red container dropped from a SAR aircraft?
A) Blankets/clothing B) Food and Water C) Medical supplies D) Miscellaneous

11. What does the RR in the acronym SRR stands for In the IAMSAR system?
A) Relay Response C) Rescue Region
B) Relay Rescue D) Rescue Response

12. What publication of the IAMSAR is the action by ships upon reception of HF DSC alert?
A) Volume I B) Volume II C) Volume III D) Volume IV

13 What method of helicopter lift wherein the person merely climbs in, remain seated and
holds on?
A) Rescue basket B) Rescue net C) Rescue seat D) Rescue sling

14. What are the contents of the yellow container dropped from a SAR aircraft?
A) Blankets/clothing B) Food and Water C) Medical supplies D) Miscellaneous

15. What is the significance of the hand signal wherein the arms repeatedly crossed above the
head?
A) Helicopter may approach C) Operations finished
B) Helicopter may land D) Operations starts

16. What letter should be painted on deck of large vessels in an aiming circle for landing or
pick up?
A) Yellow ―A‖ B) Yellow ―H‖ C) White ―A‖ D) White ―X‖

17) What method of helicopter lift most widely used and is suited for picking up uninjured
persons?
A) Rescue basket B) Rescue net C) Rescue seat D) Rescue sling

18. What radio frequency band/channel is used to monitor the arrival of the rescue helicopter?
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

A) MF Channel 16 C) VHF Channel 16

B) MF/HF Channel 70 D) VHF Channel 70

19. Which appropriate day shapes must be displayed while vessel is engaged in helicopter
operations?
A) Black Ball-Diamond-Ball C) Two Black Balls B) Black Diamond-Ball
D) Two Back Diamonds
20. It is the exact dated the IMO Resolution A.814 was adopted?
A) 23 Nov. 1995 B) 25 Nov. 1995 C) 23 Dec. 1995 D) 1 Feb. 1999

Checkpoint

Activity 6 – Essay
1. In your own understanding, explain the Basic Concept of the GMDSS. (50 words or more)
(5 points each)

The Basic concept of the Gmdss is that search and rescue authorities ashore as well as
shipping in the immediate vicinity of the ship, or persons in distress will be rapidly alerted to a
distress incident so they can assist in a coordinated research and rescue operation with the
minimum delay. The system also provides for urgency and safety communications and the
promulgation of maritime safety information (navigational and meteorological warnings and
forecasts and other urgent safety information). In other words, every ship is able, irrespective
of the area in which it operates, to perform those communication functions, which are
essential for the safety of the ship itself and of other ships operating in the same area. 

2. Explain the importance of Radio Communications in Search and Rescue.

(Broadcast, ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, ship-to-aircraft etc... (50 words or more) (5 points each)

Marine communication between ships or with the shore was carried with the help of on board
systems through shore stations and even satellites. While ship-to-ship communication was
brought about by VHF radio, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) came up with digitally remote
control commands to transmit or receive distress alert, urgent or safety calls, or routine
priority messages. DSC controllers can now be integrated with the VHF radio as per 
SOLAS (Safety Of Life at Sea) convention.
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

Satellite services, as opposed to terrestrial communication systems, need the help of geo-
stationary satellites for transmitting and receiving signals, where the range of shore stations
cannot reach. These marine communication services are provided by INMARSAT
(a commercial company) and COSPAS – SARSAT (a multi-national government funded
agency).

While INMARSAT gives the scope of two way communications, the Corpas Sarsat has a
system that is limited to reception of signals from emergency position and places with no
facilities of two way marine communications, indicating radio beacons (EPIRB).

All oceans are covered by HF marine communication services for which the IMO requires

to have two coast stations per ocean region. Today almost all ships are fitted with satellite
terminal for Ship Security Alerts System (SSAS) and for long range identification and tracking
as per SOLAS requirements.

On distress, Search and Rescue operations from Maritime Rescue Co-ordination centers
are carried out among other methods, with the help of most of these marine navigation
tools. Naturally, the sea has become a lot safer with these gadgets and other important
navigation tools recommended by the IMO and as enshrined in GMDSS.

3. Explain the importance of avoidance and cancellation of false distress alerts and its
implication if you are unable to cancel such distress. (50 words or more) (10 points each)

False distress alerts are becoming a major obstacle to the efficient operation of search
and rescue (SAR) services, RECALLING that the GMDSS was developed on, the basis
of resolution 6 of the International Conference on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979,
and that according to that resolution the GMDSS should provide, among other things, the
essential radio elements of the international SAR plan,NOTING that the excessive
amount of false distress alerts imposes a considerable and unnecessary burden on
Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCCs), may have adverse effects on seafarers’
confidence in the GMDSS, and could also have a potentially serious impact on real
distress situations and on safety of life at sea, BEING AWARE that, if a substantive
reduction in the number of false distress alerts now occurring is not achieved in the
near future, the quality and efficiency of SAR organisations may be jeopardised,
CONSIDERING that an urgent dissemination of some of the problems which have
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

become evident to providers of rescue services would help to educate people and
organisations involved and eventually contribute to a reduction in the number of false
distress alerts, CONSIDERING ALSO that Administrations, manufacturers, educators,
users, providers of communications and rescue services, and all others concerned need
guidance on ways and means of reducing false distress alerts,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime Safety Committee
at its sixtyfifth session, (1) ADOPTS the Guidelines for Avoiding False Distress Alert
out in the annex to the present resolution; (2) URGES Governments to bring these
Guidelines to the attention of all concerned.
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

Checkpoint

Activity 7 – Multiple Choice - Directions: Blacken the letter of the correct answer.
Multiple Choice: Directions: Shade the Letter of the correct answer.
1. Which of the following equipment is the primary means of distress alerting?
A) DSC B) EPIRB C) INMARSAT D) SART

2. Which of the following nautical publications Ship reporting system is not detailed?
A) ALRS Volume 2 B) ALRS Volume 5 C) ALRS Volume 6 D)IAMSAR Vol. III

3. Which one of the following radio equipment a Ship reporting message can be
prepared and sent?
A) EPIRB B) GPS C) INMARSAT-C D) INMARSAT-E

4. Which phonetics should vague words be spelt out to avoid confusion?

A) ASL B) ILO C) IPA D) PPA

5. Which IMO Resolution pertains to Guidelines on False distresses in the GMDSS

System?
A) Resolution A.814 C) Resolution A.815
B) Resolution B.814 D) Resolution A.816

6. Which of the following is in the provision of IMO Resolution A.814?

A) EPIRB B) False Distress C) SART D) Portable VHF

7. What is the exact frequency of VHF Channel 16?

A) 156.800 KHz B) 156.8 MHz C) 158.600 KHz D) 158.6 MHz

8. What is the distress frequency in MF W/T in the Old System?

A) 500 KHz B) 500 MHz C) 156.800 KHz D) 2182 KHz

9. Ship reporting system in the IAMSAR Convention is voluntary or

_______________?
A)Complimentary B) Exemplary C) Mandatory D) Recommendatory
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

10. Which publication can you find the message form in Ship Reporting?
A) ALRS Volume 2 B) ALRS Volume 3 C) IAMSAR Vol. I D) IAMSAR Vol. III

11. What is the exact frequency of VHF Channel 70?

A) 156.525 KHz B) 156.525 MHz C) 158.600 KHz D) 156.800 MHz

12. Which voice broadcast is used to warn possible interference of a Distress in

Progress?
A) MAYDAY SILENCE C) SEELOUNCE SHIPS
B) SEELOUNCE MAYDAY D) SILENCE SHIPS

13. Which of the following causes is a source of false distress onboard ships?
A)Engine failure B) Expired battery C) Human error D) Ship‘s Gyro

14. Which of the following radio communications equipment can generate a false
distress?
A)Echo sounder B) EPIRB C) Gyro compass D) SART

15. Which of the ff GMDSS sub-system should be informed when cancelling false
distress?
A)LUT B) MCC C) MRCCre D) SAR units

16. Which of the following frequency range is suitable for communication up to 150
n.miles?
A) Medium Freq. B) Ultra High Freq. C) Very High Freq. D) Very Low Freq.

17. What does ―DR‖ stands for in the format of AMVER ship reporting system?
A)Deviation Report B) Deviation Route C) Direct Report D) Direct Route

18. What is the effective communication distance of the VHF Radio telephone
transmission?
A) up to 30 n.miles C) up to 100 n.miles
B) up to 75 n.miles D) up to 200 n.miles
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

19. What radio frequency band/channel is constantly used in the conduct of Search
and Rescye?
A) MF Channel 16 C) VHF Channel 16
B) MF/HF Frequency D) VHF Channel 70

20. Which of the ff is a shipmaster responsibility and obligation to vessels or aircraft in

distress?
A) To acknowledge a distress signal
B) To give protective clothing
C) C) To help locate man overboard
D) To render assistance to vessels in distress
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

Checkpoint

Activity 8 – Multiple Choice - Directions: Blacken the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which is the main purpose of IMO.SMCP in the SOLAS or SAR Convention?
A) Diminish misunderstanding C) Minimize idioms B)
Elaborate communication D) Sophisticate commands

2. Which is one of the objectives of the IMO.SMCP?

A) Continue speaking English C) Sustain language barrier
B) Overcome language barrier D) Use multi-lingual

3. Which phonetics should vague words be spelt out to avoid confusion?

A) ASL B) ILO C) IPA D) PPA

4. Which of the following radio equipment cannot be used in preparation and sending
Ship reporting?
A) EPIRB B) INMARSAT-C C) Radio telex D) VHF Transceiver

5. What two-digit code in the INMARSAT-C is used for ship reporting to the AMVER
System?
A) 32+ B) 39+ C) 41+ D) 43+
6. Which of the following publications is consulted to avoid confusion in radio
communications?
A) IMO Admiralty B) IMO IAMSAR C) IMO MERSAR D) IMO SMCP

7. Which language is the official language claimed internationally for maritime

communications relevant to safety of life at sea?
A) American B) British C) English D) Spanish

8. What is the Distress signal as a message indicator in radio telephony?

A) MAY DAY B) PAN PAN C) SECURITE D) S O S

9. What is the Urgency signal as a message indicator in radio telephony?

A) MAY DAY B) PAN PAN C) SECURITE D) S O S
 ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM

10. Which of the following service is used for Ship Reporting on VHF Radiotelephony?
A) UKCG B) USCG C) VTRM D) VTS

11. Which communication station can RADIO MEDICAL ADVICE be routed to?
A) CES B) MCC C) MRCC D) NCS

12. Who will pay the account on services pertaining to RADIO MEDICAL ADVICE ?
A) Charterer‘s Acct B) Free of Charge C) Owner‘s Acct D) Crew Acct

13. Which IMO publication can you find the designed Navigational Vocabulary and
Phrases?
A) IMO Admiralty B) IMO IAMSAR C) IMO MERSAR D) IMO SMCP

14. Where is the main headquarters of the RADIO MEDICAL ADVICE located?
A) London B) New York C) Paris D) Rome

15. The carriage of the IMO SMCP is not mandatory as per to relevant Conventions.
A) False B) Maybe C) Perhaps D) True

16. Which is spoken over the Radio as an invitation to transmit?

A) Answer B) Come in C) Over D) Read me

17. What is the IPA Pronunciation of the letter ―O‖?

A) OS car B) OSS cah C) oss CAH D) OSS

18. What is the IPA Pronunciation of the letter ―P‖? car
A) Pa Pa B) Pa PAH C) Pah PAH D) PAH
19. What is the IPA Pronunciation of the letter ―M‖? pah
A) ma ma B) Ma MAH C) Mikee D)
20. What is the IPA Pronunciation of the letter ―V‖? MIKE
A) Vic TAH B) VIK tah C) Vik TAH D) VIK
tor
ST. THERESE-MTC COLLEGES
ILOILO, PHILIPPINES

MARCOM
MARINE COMMUNICATION

STEPHEN T. TO-ONG
BSMT 3-5

MIDTERM