Emergency Radio Procedures

Bilgediver

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6 Jun 2001
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The MCA are giving out an Emergeny Procedures form for us leisure folk to complete and then place in the vicinity of our DSC radios. IE we have to add the boat name call sign and MMSI number.

I have noticed that the instructions could cause confusion on those few vessels fitted with radios other than Simrad.

The instruction sheet tells you to press the distress button once and select the distress designation. Then to press the button again and hold for 5 seconds. (Simrad procedure)

Unfortunately Icom doesn t give this choice of designtion at this point with their 421 and some other radios. You have to go into the menu before doing any button pushing and select it .

With Icom radios and some others you just press the button for 5 seconds which will send an undesignated distress signal.

On Chaka I have blacked out the line on the MCA notice refering to the first push of 1 second to avoid confusing SWIMBO and others. Also blacked out the word "again" in the line below You may consider doing likewise if using this MCA notice

Dsc is a great tool in emergencies and I am surprised it doesn't get more attention in the Ouzo report.
 

MiskinDriver

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17 Jan 2007
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I don't agree. The MCA notice is for people to use when I've fallen overboard. Any confusion and it will be doubled by the lack of expertise of my crew. I have also modified the MCA notice to suit my radio - but then I don't even have a red button!
 
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