Boat U.S. - May 2008 - (Page 21) Receives Raves the most valuable feature of Rescue 21 is its ability to receive a distress call with GPS coordinates automatically transmitted, but only if the boater is using a newer radio that contains the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature. A DSC radio has an SOS button that will transmit automatically on Channel 70 (the VHF channel reserved for digital calls only) and also send the vessel’s identification and GPS location — if the radio owner has interfaced the radio with his GPS or Loran receiver. An informal poll by BoatU.S. found that an alarming number of DSC radio owners had not yet connected their radio to a GPS; this would prevent them from getting fast help in a mayday situation. As the Coast Guard points out, you also don’t have to be boating in a Rescue 21 sector to benefit from using a DSC radio. Large commercial ships are required to monitor Channel 70 and BoatU.S. is also equipping all of its TowBoatU.S. operators with DSC radios to enhance their own capabilities and services to boaters. The other critical element to using DSC is getting a radio identification number and programming it into the radio. That’s the only way the mayday function will work properly and the only way anyone picking up your call will be able to identify your vessel as well as send a digital hail specifically to you. Similar to a cell phone number, the MMSI (Mobile Maritime Safety Identification) is a unique nine-digit number that contains valuable information needed in a distress situation. Under an international mayday system, the numbers follow a sequence so boaters simply cannot “make one up.” Once a boater registers for an MMSI number, their key information is kept in the Coast Guard’s national search and rescue database. In the event of an emergency, Rescue 21 watchstanders can access the database, using the MMSI that is transmitted with the call, not only to identify the vessel in distress, but also to eliminate false alerts as well as hoax distress calls. It’s essentially a “caller ID” for the seas. For boaters who remain solely in U.S. waters, BoatU.S. provides free MMSI numbers under an agreement with the Coast Guard and Federal Communications Commission. For operators who travel abroad, their radios are still required to be licensed with the FCC and the FCC-issued ship station license can come with an MMSI ties in to the Coast Guard’s recently unveiled automatic testing protocol so that boaters can see if their DSC radios are working without issuing a false mayday or tying up the Coast New Radios, New Guard on Channel 16. (Radio check calls to Testing Feature the Coast Guard on Channel 16 are prohibSince DSC radios have been around for ited.) most of this decade, they are readily availThe newest model marine VHF radios able from all major VHF radio manufacturers may have the testing function. It’s not a butand prices have dropped steadily. Back in the ton but a selection from the various functions 1990s, the FCC required manufacturers com- contained in the radio’s screen. Once issued, ing out with a revised model radio to include the caller will receive back an automated DSC as a feature; however handhelds were reply from the nearest Coast Guard station exempted. to let them know their transmission was Nevertheless, one DSC handheld came received. out which has been since discontinued Boaters may also call another DSC radio from the FCC, if one is requested when applying for a license. Photos courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard A watchstander at the St. Petersburg, FL, Coast Guard station with the Rescue 21 console reviews transmissions. (Uniden Mystic), but Standard Horizon has a new waterproof handheld model, the HX 850, that includes a built-in GPS, for $250. The preferable DSC models are Class D radios. They allow for watchstanding on two channels — one that continually monitors digital Ch. 70 and the other channel available for voice use. Class D DSC radios also contain a number of other useful features such as enough memory to store other vessels’ MMSI numbers. There are Class D fixed-mount DSC radios for well under $200. The lesser model is referred to as SC-101. It was an early standard to allow inexpensive DSC radios to reach the market but they limit watchstanding on only one channel at a time. Conceivably, a skipper could miss a DSC distress call if the radio is tuned to another channel, and not Ch. 70. The SC-101 radio sells for as little as $99. An important new DSC radio feature for a test or their local TowBoatU.S. or Vessel Assist captain. The Coast Guard has also offered to put together a list of the MMSIs for all of their stations. When received, BoatU.S. will post it at BoatUS.com. — By Elaine Dickinson Get set Now Resources: DSC Radio Tutorial: Can You Hear Me? Visit BoatUS.com/foundation/dsc/player.html to watch the 35 minute presentation. CDs of the tutorial also available in limited quantities for BoatU.S. Cooperating groups and nonprofit organizations that teach boating courses. Free DSC Radio Registration Numbers Register to get an MMSI online or via fax at BoatUS.com/mmsi or call 800-563-1536. See What’s New at the official Coast Guard site: www.uscg.mil/rescue21/ BoatU.S. Magazine May 2008 21 http://www.BoatUS.com http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/dsc/player.html http://www.BoatUS.com/mmsi http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/
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