1. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Set 2 of 9 Sets
DISTRESS MESSAGES
GMDSS is applicable to all vessel
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300 GRT and above
All passenger ships engaged on international voyages
Main system consists of the following COSPAS SARSAT- used by EPIRB
 Inmarsat • Distress messages on L band
• Safety net services
• High sea weather
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DSC• HF, MF, VHF- distress messages
Navtex• International automated service
• Navigational warnings
• Search and rescue information
Sea areas of GMDSS
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A1- within radiotelephone coverage of one VHF station having DSC available
A2- excluding A1, within radiotelephone coverage of one MF station having DSC available
A3- excluding sea area 1 and 2 within coverage of inmarsat geostationary satellites
A4 excluding sea area A1, 2, 3
EPIRB
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121.5 Mhz- used by civil aviation as a homing in device
243.0 Mhz- Military
460.0 Mhz- COSPAS SARSAT
1.6 Ghz- L band EPIRB
Sequence of events when starting EPIRBSATELLETE – LAND USER TERMINAL – MARINE CONTROL CENTRE – RADIO CONTROL
CENTER – SAR
SART (9 Ghz)
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12 blips on the radar screen- 3cm band radar
Must be mounted at least one meter above sea level
Do not use radar reflector in conjunction with SART
SART detection• Five to seven miles by ship
• 50 miles by aircraft
Three categories of distress alerts
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Ship to ship- for sea areas 1 and 2, sending an alert on Ch 70 or 2187.5 Mhz
Ship to shore- for sea area 3 and 4, sending and alert on HF DSC or via satellite
Shore to ship• All ships
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2. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
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Set 2 of 9 Sets
Group of ships
A specific ship
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3. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Set 2 of 9 Sets
DISTRESS MESSAGES
Procedure for sending distress message1) Send distress alert on DSC distress
frequency
2) Tune into associated voice distress
frequency
Procedure for acknowledging distress
alertTune into associated distress voice frequency
Some points to remember In the distress alert received the
information contained is the vessels
MMSI number and position
 Ship to ship acknowledgment is done by
voice on associated distress frequency
 After acknowledgement of a distress call
send the following information• Vessels name
• Position
• Speed and ETA
Message by voice
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
This is Name of the vessel x 3
Mayday
This is name of the vessel
Position of vessel
Nature of distress
Kind of assistance required
Any other information that may facilitate
rescue
OVER
Message by voice
Mayday
MMSI, MMSI, MMSI, This is Name of the
vessel x 3
Received Mayday
If voice contact is established then
Mayday
Name of vessel in distress x 3
This is
Name of own vessel x 3
Received Mayday
Procedure for sending a distress relay
1) Send relay alert on DSC distress
frequency
2) Tune transmitter to associated voice
channel
Message by voice
Mayday Relay x 3
This is
Name of own vessel x 3
Mayday
Name / ID / call sign of vessel in distress
Position
Nature of distress
Type of assistance required
Other information
OVER
Acknowledging by DSC Make every effort to establish voice contact, DSC acknowledgement is only made by coast station
 If using DSC equipment acknowledge then this will stop “automatic repetition of DSC alert” and may cause
interference with CRS response. If your vessel acknowledges by DSC equipment then you are
accepting responsibility to alert shore based rescue authorities
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4. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Set 2 of 9 Sets
Action in the case of a distress
Distress alert received on Ch 70 (A1)
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Distress alert received on 2187.5 khz (A2)
Tune into Ch 16
Allow a short while for CRS to reply
Acknowledge by voice on Ch 16
If no response and no CRS ack. then
relay alert ashore
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Tune into 2182 Khz
Allow a short while for CRS to reply
Acknowledge by voice on 2182 Khz
If no response and no CRS ack. then
relay alert ashore
Distress alert received on 2187.5 khz (A3)
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Set watch on 2128 Khz
Acknowledge immediately
If no voice contact then relay alert ashore
If alert repeats, acknowledge by DSC
Distress alert received on HF DSC
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Set watch on associated voice frequency
Wait for 3 minutes for CRS ack.
Do not acknowledge
If no response relay alert shore
This is primarily a ship to shore alert
READ TRANSMISSION OF FALSE ALERTS FROM COLLEGE NOTES
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5. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Set 2 of 9 Sets
SEARCH AND RECUE
Masters statutory obligation to rescue persons in distress (SOLAS Reg V 33.1)

Requires the Master of a vessel which is at sea, which is in a position to assist when on
receiving a distress signal from any source• Proceed with all available speed to their assistance
• Informing craft in distress or relay distress ashore if no response
• Relevant entries to be made in the OLB and the GMDSS radio log book, entry in the
OLB should be signed by a witness
Does not apply• To the master of a ship which is not at sea
• To a vessel not in reasonable proximity of vessel in distress
• Does not impose a duty to assist aircrafts in distress
• To maritime property in danger of being lost, such obligation if attempted shall be
considered to save property in a commercial venture and not a statutory obligation
IAMSAR- International Aeronautical Maritime Search and Rescue
Action on receiving a distress
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Acknowledge message
Relay message
Fix position of both vessels
Proceed with maximum speed
Give ETA to CRS and MRCC
Inform the vessel in distress of ETA
Action on seeing red parachute flares
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Check own vessels position, estimate position of flares
Reconfirm with the look out
Reconfirm with other vessels in the vicinity, and their positions and bearings from the
distress flare sighted, plot the same on the chart and approximation of position may be
ascertained
Inform CRS
Double look outs
Switch on X band radar, ensure both radars manned
Put helmsman on the wheel and alter course accordingly
Records to be made• Time of alteration
• Make a note of the alteration in the log book
Prepare the search pattern
Chief Officer
 Preparations of rescue boat ready for launching
 Crew with lifejackets donned
 Sufficient medical supplies in the life boat
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6. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
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Set 2 of 9 Sets
Line throwing apparatus, buoyant life lines, lifebuoys
Preparations of provision crane and basket
Gangway
Scrambling nets
Guest warp rope
Medical officer Hospital ready for receiving survivors
 Medicals and blankets
 Clothing and food
In the event of a person fallen overboard, prepare and send distress messages
Duties of on SMC (search and rescue mission coordinator)
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Decides the search pattern
Designates the on scene commander
Duties of the OSC (On scene commander)
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Receives the search pattern from the OSC and may make necessary modifications to it
Incharge of communication and movement of assisting vessels
Makes periodic SITREPS to the SMC
Communication between OSC and SMCDuring the search Identification of the craft in distress
 Nature and location of distress
 All actions being taken
When search is unsuccessful Areas searched
 Time for search
 Factors affecting search
When the casualty is rescued Number of casualties
 Name, designation
 Any seriously injured
All UK vessels are required to carry a Search and Rescue Cooperation Plan (MSN 1761)
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7. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Set 2 of 9 Sets
HELICOPTER OPERATIONS (MSN 1737)
Information- ICS Guide to Helicopter / Ship Operations
Preparations for air chopper operations
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Display ball diamond balls (RAM)
Indication for relative wind- pennant or wind sock
Take into consideration the vessels course, speed, wind, sea and weather conditions
Deck party shall consist of• An officer incharge with communication
• Minimum number of persons
• Fire fighting party standby
Clear instructions to be given to the deck party well before hand, noise of the rotor blades
will obstruct communication
Loose objects secured and stowed, deck area to be well cleaned and free of any dust
material that to be taken up with the rotor blades
Aerials in the vicinity of operations are to be lowered and secured
Deck party well donned with PPE standby, hook handler has been clearly designated
wearing rubber gloves
Access to and from operating area to be clearly understood by all involved in the operation
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IG from tanks have been released half hour prior arrival of chopper
No cargo leaks on decks
All cargo tank lids and openings have been secured
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Rescue boats ready for immediate launching
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Deck well illuminated
All loose objects to be stowed
Helicopter kit• Large axe
• Crowbars
• Wire cutter
• Red emergency signal torch
• Marshalling batons
• First aid equipment
Preparation of fire fighting equipment shall include• 2 DCP extinguishers (45Kg)
• 1 CO2 extinguisher (18Kg)
• Foam applicator unit
• Two charged hoses with dual purpose nozzles
Communication (Ch 16)
Determine if landing or winching operation
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8. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
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Set 2 of 9 Sets
Discuss most appropriate heading and speed
Confirm with the helicopter when landing area is clear and ready, necessary arrangements
have been made
Use of IG release
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Possibility of P/V valves leaking or even lifting due to excessive pressure
Possibility of tank domes leaking
These leaks will cause vapors to disperse due the wind and helicopter down draft
Hi Line Technique
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Hook is attached by means of a weighted line to a weak link
Take in the slack when only instructed by the winch-man, the line is not to be attached to
the vessel
Slack should be carefully coiled when taking in the weighted line
The hook is not to be touched until the anti-static line touches the deck
Secure the patient to the hook and when ready to heave indicate to the winch man, release
him slowly as he is taken onto the chopper
Types of operating areas
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Landing area
Winching area
Relative wind direction with regards to landing areasWind below 25ko
o
 Area aft- 45 stbd bow to 45 port bow
o
 Area fwd- 45 stbd bow to astern
Wind above 25k Area aft- ahead to port beam
o
 Area fwd- stbd beam to 45 stbd qtr.
Relative wind with regards to winching areaso
 Area aft- 30 on port bow
o
 Area midship- 30 on port bow or on beam
o
 Fwd- 30 on stbd qtr
DimensionsD must be greater than the length of the helicopter and the rotor blades turning
Zones
Aiming circle
Clear zone
Maneuvering zone
Zones
Clear zone
1.5 D
Dimensions
At least 10 meters
D
1.3D
Dimensions
At least 5 meters
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Obstruction (ht.)
Not more than 0.1 meters
Not more than 0.25 meters
Not more than 1.25 meters
Obstruction (ht.)
No obstruction
Not more than 3 meters

9. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Maneuvering zone
Markings
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Set 2 of 9 Sets
2D
Yellow lines with white markings
Dimensions of H- 3.6 X 1.8M
Thickness of circles- 0.2M
Maneuvering zone should be of a broken line
Touch down zone- dark grey or dark green
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Not more than 6 meters

10. Notes prepared by Rahul Gupta (Tyne Dock- Class 1 Sets)
Maneuvering zone
Markings
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Set 2 of 9 Sets
2D
Yellow lines with white markings
Dimensions of H- 3.6 X 1.8M
Thickness of circles- 0.2M
Maneuvering zone should be of a broken line
Touch down zone- dark grey or dark green
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Not more than 6 meters