Safety, Fire & Survival · GMDSS — DSC Distress Alert
When sending a DSC distress alert on VHF Channel 70, what should the operator do after transmitting if time and circumstances permit?
- AFollow up with a spoken MAYDAY call on VHF Channel 16 giving identity, position, and nature of distress✓ Correct
- BSwitch off the radio to save battery
- CWait silently and send nothing further
- DRepeat the DSC alert continuously every 10 seconds
Explanation
The DSC distress alert (Ch 70) is the digital attention-getter; the operator should then make the voice MAYDAY on the associated distress channel (VHF Ch 16) with the MMSI/identity, position, nature of distress, and assistance required, so rescuers get the full picture.
Authority: IMO GMDSS; SOLAS IV; ITU Radio Regulations
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