TMT 1243 Maritime Communications

Maritime Mobile Service

Authority of the Master

The service of a ship station is placed under the supreme authority of the master or of the person responsible for the ship or other vessel carrying the station. The person holding this authority shall require that each operator comply with ITU-Radio Regulations and that the ship station for which the operator is responsible is used, at all times, in accordance with these Regulations. The master or the person responsible, as well as all persons who may have knowledge of the text or even of the existence of a radio telegram, or of any information whatever obtained by means of the radio communication service, are placed under the obligation of observing and ensuring the secrecy of correspondence.
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Operators Certificates
The service of every ship radiotelephone station, ship earth station and ship station using the frequencies and techniques for GMDSS, shall be controlled by an operator holding a certificate issued or recognized by the government to which the station is subject. Provided the station is so controlled, other persons besides the holder of the certificate may use the equipment. In the service of radiotelephone stations operating solely on frequencies above 30 MHz, each government shall decide for itself whether a certificate is necessary and, if so, shall define the conditions for obtaining it. This shall not, however, apply to any ship station working on frequencies assigned for international use.
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Operators Certificates
In the maritime mobile service the certificates issued shall bear:

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the name of the holder; the date of birth of the holder; the photograph of the holder; the holder's signature; the title of the certificate; the date of issue; the period of validity; authenticated by the issuing administration.
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Categories of Certificates
There are four categories of certificates, shown in descending order of requirements, for personnel of ship stations and ship earth stations as prescribed GMDSS (SOLAS Convention) certificates. An operator meeting the requirements of a certificate automatically meets all of the requirements of lower order certificates:

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First-class radio electronic certificate. Second-class radio electronic certificate. General operators certificate. Restricted operators certificate.
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First-class Radio Electronic Certificate

Knowledge of the principle of electricity, electronic and theory of radio. Theoretical knowledge of GMDSS equipment with particular reference to maintaining equipment in service. Practical knowledge of the operation and knowledge of the preventive maintenance of GMDSS equipment.

Practical knowledge necessary for the location and repair of faults in GMDSS equipment which may occur during a voyage.
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First-class Radio Electronic Certificate

Detailed practical knowledge of the operation of all the GMDSS sub-systems and equipment. Ability to send and to receive correctly by radiotelephone and direct-printing telegraphy. Detailed knowledge of the regulations applying to radio communications. Sufficient knowledge of one of the working languages of the Union.
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Second-class Radio Electronic Certificate

Knowledge of the principle of electricity, electronic and theory of radio. General knowledge of GMDSS equipment with particular reference to maintaining equipment in service. Practical knowledge of the operation and knowledge of the preventive maintenance of GMDSS equipment.

Practical knowledge necessary for effecting repairs in the case of faults in the equipment.

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Second-class Radio Electronic Certificate

Detailed practical knowledge of the operation of all the GMDSS sub-systems and equipment. Ability to send and to receive correctly by radiotelephone and direct-printing telegraphy. Detailed knowledge of the regulations applying to radio communications.

Sufficient knowledge of one of the working languages of the Union.

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General Operators Certificate

Detailed practical knowledge of the operation of all the GMDSS sub-systems and equipment. Ability to send and to receive correctly by radiotelephone and direct-printing telegraphy. Detailed knowledge of the regulations applying to radio communications.

Sufficient knowledge of one of the working languages of the Union.

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Restricted Operators Certificate

Practical knowledge of the operation of all the GMDSS subsystems and equipment within the range of VHF coast station. Ability to send and to receive correctly by radiotelephone. Knowledge of the regulations applying to radio communications.

An elementary knowledge of one of the working languages of the Union.

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Working Hours Of Stations

Every station of the maritime mobile service shall have an accurate clock correctly regulated to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC shall be used for all entries in the radio communication service log and in all similar documents of ships. The services of coast stations and coast earth stations are, as far as possible, continuous (day and night). Coast stations with a limited service hours shall be notified to the Radiocommunication Bureau, who shall publish them in the List of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations. Coast stations whose service is not continuous shall not close before finishing all operations resulting from a distress call or from an urgency or safety signal.

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Conditions To Be Observed
The energy radiated by receiving apparatus shall be reduced to the lowest practical value. Operation of any electrical or electronic apparatus installed in ship stations does not cause harmful interference to the essential radio services. Changes of frequency in the sending and receiving apparatus of any ship station shall be capable of being made as rapidly as possible. Installations of any ship station shall be capable of changing from transmission to reception and vice versa in as short a time as possible. The operation of a broadcasting service by a ship station at sea is prohibited.
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Documents Required On Board Ships Stations

Ship stations for which a GMDSS installation is required by international agreement:
radio station licence issued in an appropriate form; certificates of the operator or operators; a log in which the following are recorded as they occur;
a summary of communications relating to distress, urgency and safety traffic; a reference to important service incidents.

the List of Ship Stations and Maritime Mobile Service Identity Assignments; the List of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations; the Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services.
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Frequency Allocation
Medium Frequency:
Bands between 415 kHz and 535 kHz (DSC, NBDP, Radiotelegraph) Bands between 1 606.5 kHz and 4 000 kHz (DSC, NBDP, Radiotelegraph, Radiotelephony)

High Frequency:
Bands between 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz (DSC, NBDP, Radiotelegraph, Radiotelephony)

Very High Frequency:

Bands between 156 MHz and 174 MHz (DSC, Radiotelegraph, Radiotelephony)

Ultra High Frequency:

L-Band between 1525 MHz and 1660.5 MHz (INMARSAT)
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Class of Emissions
Medium Frequency:
DSC - F1B, J2B NBDP - F1B, J2B Radiotelegraph - A1A, J2A Radiotelephony - J3E

Very High Frequency:

DSC - G2B Radiotelegraph - F1B, F2B, F2C, F3C, F1D, F2D Radiotelephony - G3D, G3E

High Frequency:
DSC - F1B, J2B NBDP - F1B, J2B Radiotelegraph - A1A, J2A Radiotelephony - H3E, J3E, R3E

Ultra High Frequency:

INMARSAT - H3E, J2D, J3E, R3E

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Speech Procedure
Keep the rate of speech constant. Not too fast nor too slow.

Preserve the rhythm of ordinary conversation.

Separate words so that they are not run together. Avoid unnecessary sounds such as 'er' and 'um' between words.
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Phonetic Alphabet
When it is necessary to spell out call signs, service abbreviations and words, the following letter spelling A - Alfa table shall J - Juliett be used: S - Sierra
B - Bravo C - Charlie D - Delta E - Echo F - Foxtrot G - Golf H - Hotel K - Kilo L - Lima M - Mike N - November O - Oscar P - Papa Q - Quebec T - Tango U - Uniform V - Victor W - Whiskey X - X-ray Y - Yankee Z - Zulu

I - India
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R - Romeo
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Transmission of Numbers
All numbers except whole thousands should be transmitted by pronouncing each digit separately.
Example: 100 becomes 15,800 becomes one zero zero one five eight zero zero

Whole thousands should be transmitted by pronouncing each digit in the number of thousands followed by the word 'thousand'.
Example: 11,000 680,000
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becomes becomes

one one thousand six eight zero thousand

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Transmission of Numbers
Numbers containing a decimal point shall be transmitted with the decimal point indicated by the word 'decimal'.
Example: 121.5 becomes one two one decimal five

Monetary denominations, when transmitted with groups of digits, should be transmitted in the sequence in which they are written.
Example: $17.25 becomes .75 becomes
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dollars one seven decimal two five decimal seven five

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Transmission of Numbers
Time should be expressed using the twentyfour hour clock system and should be transmitted by pronouncing each digit.
Example: 0920H becomes zero nine two zero hotel 09 becomes nine minutes past the hour

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Procedural Words and Phrases

ACKNOWLEDGE
Let me know that you have received and understood this message.

AFFIRMATIVE
Yes or permission granted.

BREAK
Indicates the separation between portions of the message.

CHANNEL
Change to channel .... before proceeding.

CLEARED
Authorized to proceed under the conditions specified.

CONFIRM
Have I received the following ... or Did you receive the message?

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Procedural Words and Phrases

CORRECTION
An error has been made in this transmission (message indicated).The correct version is....

DISREGARD
Consider this transmission as not sent.

GO AHEAD
Proceed with your message.

HOW DO YOU READ?

What is the readability of my transmission?

I SAY AGAIN
Self-explanatory (use instead of "I REPEAT").

MAYDAY
The spoken word for distress communications.

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Procedural Words and Phrases

MAYDAY RELAY
The spoken word for the distress relay signal.

MONITOR
Listen on (frequency).

NEGATIVE
No or that is not correct or I do not agree.

OUT
Conversation is ended and no response is expected.

OVER
My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you.

PAN PAN
The spoken word for urgency communications.
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Procedural Words and Phrases

READ BACK
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__.

SAY AGAIN
Self-explanatory. (Do not use the word "REPEAT")

STAND BY
I must pause for a few seconds or minutes, please wait and I will call you.
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Procedural Words and Phrases

SEELONCE
International expression to indicate that silence has been imposed on the frequency due to a distress situation. The aeronautical phrase is STOP TRANSMITTING.

SEELONCE FEENEE
Is the international expression for a distress cancellation. The aeronautical phrase is DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED.

SEELONCE MAYDAY
Is the international expression to inform that a distress situation is in progress. The command comes from the station in control of the distress traffic. The aeronautical phrase is STOP TRANSMlTTlNG - MAYDAY.

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Procedural Words and Phrases

THAT IS CORRECT
Self-explanatory.

VERIFY
Check coding, check text with originator and send correct version.

WlLCO
Your instructions received, understood and will be complied with.

WORDS TWICE
As a request: Communication is difficult, please send each word twice. As information: Since communication is difficult, I will send each word twice.
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Q Codes
Q codes and abbreviations are very useful when communicating under difficult conditions, when there is adjacent interference or with someone who is not fluent in English. Q codes also save time.
Example: QRZ? QRZ? QRM PSE QSY UP 5K Who is calling me? Who is calling me? There is interference on this frequency. Please change frequency and go up by 5 KHz.

The QOA to QQZ series are reserved for the maritime mobile service

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Typical Q Codes
Abbreviation QRA QRD Question What is the name of your vessel? Where are you bound for and where are you from? Answer or Advice The name of my vessel is I am bound for from

QTH
QRK QRO QRP

What is your position in latitude and longitude?

What is the intelligibility of my signals? Shall I increase transmitter power? Shall I decrease transmitter power?

My position is latitude, longitude

The intelligibility of your signals is (bad, poor, fair, good, excellent) Increase transmitter power. Decrease transmitter power.

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Typical Q Codes
Abbreviation QRM Question Is my transmission being interfered with? What working frequency will you use? Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? Can you communicate by radiotelephony (channel 16)? Are you busy? Answer or Advice Your transmission is being interfered with (nil, slightly, moderately, severely, extremely) I will use the working frequency kHz (or MHz) Change to transmission on another frequency I can communicate by radiotelephony (channel 16) I am busy. Please do not interfere.

QSS QSY QOC QRL

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Typical Q Codes
Abbreviation QRV QRZ Question Are you ready? Who is calling me? Answer or Advice I am ready You are being called by (on kHz (or MHz))

QRU
QSL QRE QTN QUX

Have you anything for me?

Can you acknowledge receipt? What is your estimated time of arrival at ?

I have nothing for you

I am acknowledging receipt My estimated time of arrival at is hours

At what time did you depart from I departed from at hours ? Do you have any navigational warnings or gale warnings in force? I have the following navigational warning(s) or gale warning(s) in force:

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Typical Q Codes
Abbreviation QRT QOE Question Shall I stop sending? Have you received the safety signal sent by ? Answer or Advice Stop sending I have received the safety signal sent by

QUD
QUF QUM QUZ

Have you received the urgency signal sent by ?

Have you received the distress signal sent by ? May I resume normal working?

I have received the urgency signal sent by at hours.

I have received the distress signal sent by at hours Normal working may be resumed

May I resume restricted working? Distress phase still in force; restricted working may be resumed

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Abbreviations
In addition to the Q codes, maritime mobile service also use a wide range of abbreviations, both for Morse and RTTY communications. The most commonly used are shown in the table follows.

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Abbreviations
Signal AR AS Meaning End of transmission Waiting period Signal NBDP NIL Meaning Narrow-band direct-printing I have nothing to send to you

C
CFM CQ DE DF ETA

Yes or affirmative
Confirm (or I confirm) General call to all stations From or This is Your bearing at hours was degrees Estimated time of arrival.

OK
PSE RPT SAR SVC SIG

We agree (or It is correct)

Please Repeat (or I repeat) Search and Rescue Prefix indicating a service telegram Signature

INTERCO MSG
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International Code of Signals Navigation message

Maritime safety information

TU TXT
WX

Thank you Text

Weather report
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MSI

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International Code of Signals

INTERCO is an international system of signals and codes for use by vessels to communicate important messages regarding safety of navigation and related matters. The purpose of the INTERCO is to provide ways and means of communication in situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons, especially when language difficulties arise. Signals can be sent by flaghoist, flashing, flag semaphore, radiotelegraphy, and radiotelephony. The signals used consist of:
Single-letter signals for very urgent, or of very common use; Two-letter signals for General Signal Code; Three-letter signals beginning with M for Medical Signal Code.
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International Code of Signals

A - I have a diver down VE - I am fumigating my vessel

B - Carrying dangerous goods

H - Pilot on board O - Man overboard AC - I am abandoning my vessel IT - I am on fire MVC - Put patient to bed lying NC - I am in distress
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MAA - I request urgent medical advice

MPL - Symptoms have cleared

Identification of Stations
All transmissions shall be capable of being identified either by identification signals or by other means. All transmissions in the following services should, except survival craft and EPIRB, carry identification signals:
amateur service broadcasting service fixed service in the bands below 28000 kHz mobile service standard frequency and time signal service radiobeacons and other radionavigation satellite EPIRB (406-406.1 MHz, 1645.5-1646.5 MHz or DSC)

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Identification of Stations
A station shall be identified by a call sign, by a maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) or by other recognized means of identification which may be one or more of the following:
name of station, location of station, operating agency, official registration mark, flight identification number, selective call number or signal, selective call identification number or signal, characteristic signal, characteristic of emission or other clearly distinguishing features readily recognized internationally.

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Identification of Stations
For transmissions carrying identification signals, in order that stations may be readily identified, each station shall transmit its identification as frequently as practicable during the course of transmissions, including those made for tests, adjustments or experiments.

During such transmissions, however, identification signals shall be transmitted at least hourly, preferably within the period from five minutes before to five minutes after the hour (UTC) unless to do so would cause unreasonable interruption of traffic, in which case identification shall be given at the beginning and end of transmissions.

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Assignment of Call Signs

For the purpose of the supply of identification signals, a territory or geographical area shall be understood to mean the territory within the limits of which the station is located. For mobile stations, it shall be understood to mean the territory within the limits of which the responsible administration is located. All stations open to international public correspondence, all amateur stations, and other stations which are capable of causing harmful interference beyond the boundaries of its territory or geographical area in which they are located, shall have call signs from the international series allocated to its administration.
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Allocation of International Call Sign

Brunei
V8A - V8Z

Singapore
S6A - S6Z 9VA - 9VZ

Indonesia
JZA - JZZ PKA - POZ YBA - YHZ 7AA - 7IZ 8AA - 8IZ

Thailand
EZA - EZZ HAS - HSZ

United Nation
4UA - 4UZ

Malaysia
9MA - 9MZ 9WA - 9WZ
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International Civil Aviation Organization

4YA - 4YZ
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Formation of Call Signs

The first two characters shall be two letters or a letter followed by a digit or a digit followed by a letter. The first two characters or in certain cases the first character of a call sign constitute the nationality identification.

Avoid the digits 0 and 1 in cases where they immediately follow a letter.
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Formation of Call Signs

Land and fixed stations:
two characters and one letter, or two characters and one letter followed by not more than three digits.

Ship stations
two characters and two letters, or two characters, two letters and one digit, or two characters (provided that the second is a letter) followed by four digits, or two characters and one letter followed by four digits

Ships survival craft stations

the call sign of the parent ship followed by two digits

EPIRB stations
the Morse letter B and/or the call sign of the parent ship to which the radiobeacon belongs

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Formation of Call Signs

KD JEBAT - 9MOF KD MUTIARA - 9MMU MISC CHEMICAL TANKER BUNGA MELATI DUA 9MCH4 MISC LINER MV BUNGA MAS 10 - 9MCX2 MISC LNG SERI AYU - 9MFE7 MISC FSO CENDOR - 9MGO4 MISC FPS GUMUSUT KAKAP - 9MLX9 NAVASCO - 9M2192 TAMEX TIMBER VIKING 25 - 9M3012
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Maritime Mobile Service Identity

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a series of nine digits which are sent in digital form over a radio frequency channel in order to uniquely identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast stations, coast earth stations, and group calls. These identities are formed in such a way that the identity or part thereof can be used by telephone and telex subscribers connected to the general telecommunications network to call ships automatically. A unique nine digits ship station identity is in the format of M1I2D3X4X5X6X7X8X9 where in the first three digits represent the Maritime Identification Digits (MID) and X is any figure from 0 to 9.
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Maritime Mobile Service Identity

The MID denotes the administration having jurisdiction over the ship station so identified. Furthermore, as indicated in Recommendation ITU-R M.585, some maritime identification digits are reserved for maritime devices and do not correspond either to an administration or to a geographical area. The MMSI is meant to be an all-inclusive ship electronic identity, used in one form or another by every GMDSS or telecommunications instrument on board. It is programmed into the automatic radio communications system such as the DSC, SES and EPIRB.

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Assignment of MMSI to Ship Station

Communication Terrestrial / INMARSAT A Terrestrial / INMARSAT C Terrestrial Terrestrial / INMARSAT B, M Access Manual-Coast station (National) / Satellite Automatic-Coast station / Satellite Automatic-Coast station Automatic (Worldwide) Satellite Area of Operation Domestic waters / All areas Domestic waters / All areas Regional waters International Waters All areas MMSI Format Format 1 (533XXXXXX) Format 2 (533XXXXX0) Format 3 (533XXXX00) Format 4 (533XXX000)

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