The Maritime Communications System
The Public Network
Today, there are many modern means of communication: radio, telephone, cellular telephone, radiotelephone, etc. On a vessel, radios operate through a maritime radio station or VHF Marine.
Radio airwaves are governed by Industry Canada. All radio operators must obtain a license from this Department.
Radiotelephone operators must have a Restricted Operator's Certificate. To obtain such a certificate, candidates apply to Industry Canada to take the Restricted Operator's Certificate examination. To pass the examination, candidates must satisfy the examiner that they:
Private vessel operators have everything to gain by taking the radiotelephone training and obtaining their radiotelephone certificate.
Public Network Regulations
Use of a radiotelephone system is governed by a series of standards and simple instructions that radio operators must obey. The phonetic alphabet of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is used whenever letters or groups of letters are pronounced separately, or when communication is difficult.
| Letter | Word | Pronounced as |
|---|---|---|
| A | Alfa | AL FAH |
| B | Bravo | BRAH VOH |
| C | Charlie | CHAR LEE or SHAR LEE |
| D | Delta | DELL TAH |
| E | Echo | ECK OH |
| F | Foxtrot | FOKS TROT |
| G | Golf | GOLF |
| H | Hotel | HOH TELL |
| I | India | IN DEE AH |
| J | Juliet | JEW LEE ETT |
| K | Kilo | KEY LOH |
| L | Lima | LEE MAH |
| M | Mike | MIKE |
| N | November | NO VEM BER |
| O | Oscar | OSS CAH |
| P | Papa | PAH PAH |
| Q | Quebec | KEH BECK |
| R | Romeo | ROW ME OH |
| S | Sierra | SEE AIR RAH |
| T | Tango | TANG GO |
| U | Uniform | YOU NEE FORM or OO NEE FORM |
| V | Victor | VIK TAH |
| W | Whiskey | WISS KEY |
| X | X-ray | ECKS RAY |
| Y | Yankee | YANG KEY |
| Z | Zulu | ZOO LOO |
For example: If the vessel Seawolf VY1234 were asked to spell its name and call sign when communication is difficult, it would do so as follows: SIERRA, ECHO ALPHA, WHISKEY, OSCAR, LIMA, FOXTROT; VICTOR, YANKEE, one, two, three, four.
A series of procedural words and expressions must also be used in radiotelephone communications. The following are a few examples:
| Word or Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ACKNOWLEDGE | Let me know that you have received and understood this message |
| AFFIRMATIVE | Yes, or permission granted. |
| BREAK | To indicate the separation between portions of the messages. (To be used where there is no clear distinction between the text and other portions of the message). |
| CHANNEL | Change to channel...before proceeding. |
| CONFIRM | My version is ______. Is that correct? |
| CORRECTION | An error has been made in this transmission (message indicated). The correct version is ________. |
| GO AHEAD | Proceed with your message. |
| HOW DO YOU READ? | How well do you receive me? |
| I SAY AGAIN | Self-explanatory (use instead of “I repeat”). |
| MAYDAY | The spoken word for the distress signal. |
| MAYDAY RELAY | Is the spoken word for the distress relay signal. |
| NEGATIVE | No, or that is not correct, or I do not agree. |
| OVER | My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you. |
| OUT | Conversation is ended and no response is expected. |
| PAN PAN | The spoken word for the urgency signal. |
| PRUDONCE | During long distress situations, communications can resume on a restricted basis. Communication is to be restricted to ship’s business or messages of a higher priority. |
| READBACK | Repeat all of this message back to me exactly as received after I have given OVER. (Do not use the word “repeat”.) |
| ROGER | I have received all of your last transmission. |
| ROGER NUMBER | I have received your message number ... |
| STANDBY | I must pause for a few seconds or minutes, please wait. |
| SAY AGAIN | Self-explanatory. (Do not use the word “repeat”.) |
| SÉCURITÉ | Is the spoken word for the safety signal. |
| SEELONCE | Indicates that silence has been imposed on the frequency due to a distress situation. |
| SEELONCE DISTRESS | Is the international expression to advise that a distress situation is in progress. This command comes from a vessel or coast station other than the station in distress. |
| SEELONCE FEENEE | Is the international expression for a distress cancellation. |
| SEELONCE MAYDAY | Is the international expression to advise that a distress situation is in progress. The command comes from the ship in distress. |
| THAT IS CORRECT | Self-explanatory. |
| VERIFY | Check coding, check text with originator and send correct version. |
| WORDS TWICE |
|
Expressions such as “Breaker, breaker,” “OK,” “Repeat” should be avoided. The appendix contains more information on the security procedures for transmitting distress calls.
Available Services
Many services are available for boaters equipped with a radiotelephone system. Channel 16 (or 156,800 MHZ) is reserved for distress and safety calls; the Canadian Coast Guard operates a 24- hour service on this channel. Other channels are reserved for weather information and safety warnings. Moreover, prompt medical consultations are available free of charge through the Coast Guard. Within seconds, communication can be established with a doctor who can advise boaters on what first-aid action to take. Lastly, boaters can obtain information on maritime traffic in their region also by contacting the Canadian Coast Guard.
Private Network
Licenses are also issued to private networks operated by various organizations who require a communication system, including: police and fire departments, ambulance services, etc. These networks are regulated by the Department of Communications Canada. For more information on private and government communication networks, contact Industry Canada.
Positive Attitudes
In all communications, respect is an essential component of genuine dialogue. Using a radiotelephone system for boating purposes also demands courtesy and compliance with standards.
Other behaviour should also be used:
No comments:
Post a Comment