On September 28, 2022, the USCG Office of Investigations & Analysis (CG-INV) released Marine Safety Advisory 01-22 titled, “Maritime Distress Communication Devices,” which is available on their Safety Alert internet site. In it, they detail what devices the USCG is listening to in real time, and which they are not. This column is about that.
Maritime Distress Communication Devices – Marine Safety Advisory 01-22
Over the past decade, maritime distress communication devices have proliferated in the marketplace. Some devices transmit via satellite, while others transmit on terrestrial frequencies, and these devices use different technologies to relay the distress notice. Of note, not all devices notify the U. S. Coast Guard directly.
The following devices NOTIFY the U.S. Coast Guard:
• Digital Selective Calling (DSC) – DSC is an internationally recognized radio system protocol to facilitate establishing digital and voice communications between other maritime and terrestrial-based radio stations on the same network. A radio equipped with DSC can generate a distress alert with vessel ID and position data, and an alert is relayed by other DSC-capable radios. Typical Very High Frequency (VHF) radios come with a DSC “button” that, when linked to your GPS, transmit your location and your Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI# – a unique 9-digit number that is assigned to a DSC radio or an AIS unit) to the USCG and all DSC-equipped vessels in the area. In addition to the NAVCEN web link below, you can get one – at your favorite price (free!) – from BoatUS. www.boatus.com/MMSI/MMSI/ObtainMMSI#!
In all cases, the user must register* their Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) to link the radio to the vessel. Information to register MMSI can be found at navcen.uscg.gov/maritime-mobile-service-identity.
*Failure to do so may delay rescue.
• Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio – The VHF maritime radio operates in the maritime very high frequency band of 156 to 162 MHz (channel 01A to channel 88) and provides digital and voice communications within the radio line of sight range (approximately 5-20 miles depending on the antenna height above water). A radio equipped with DSC can use channel 70 (156.525 MHz) for reporting a distress or to contact other stations by entering their MMSI and then switching to a voice channel for further communications. The U.S. Coast Guard monitors channels 16 (voice) and 70 (DSC).
• Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) – The EPIRB is an emergency alerting device operating in the dedicated 406.0 – 406.1 MHz distress band monitored by the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme. It may be water-activated or manually activated, depending on the model. Orbiting satellites detect and relay the signals to ground operating stations, which can locate the source and relay the coordinates and associated registration information to the appropriate internationally recognized Rescue Coordination Center worldwide. Newer EPIRBs also include encoded Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position data and an Automatic Identification System Search and Rescue Transmitter (AISSART) locating signal. EPIRB distress alerts from U.S. coded beacons, as well as any EPIRB alert located in a U.S. SAR Region, are routed directly to a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center.
• Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – The PLB is a manually activated emergency alerting device operating in the dedicated 406.0 – 406.1 MHz distress band monitored by the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme. Orbiting satellites detect and relay the signals to ground operating stations, which can locate the source and relay the coordinates and associated registration information to the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center worldwide. Newer PLBs also provide an AIS-SART locating signal as well as GNSS position data. Similar to EPIRBs, PLB distress alerts are routed directly to a Rescue Coordination Center based on the beacon location.
• Maritime Survivor Locating Device (MSLD) – The MSLD, also called a Man Over-Board (MOB) device, is a personal device intended for use by persons at risk of falling into the water such as mariners and workers on marine installations or docks, or by divers returning to the surface out of sight of their dive boats. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that a MSLD transmit on at least one of the following frequencies:
• 121.5 MHz (aviation distress),
• 156.525 MHz (channel 70),
• 156.750 MHz (channel 15),
• 156.800 MHz (channel 16),
• 156.850 MHz (channel 17),
• 161.975 MHz (AIS1),
• 162.025 MHz (AIS2);
or include a function intended to send a distress message directly to the U.S. Coast Guard or any other search and rescue organization. MSLDs transmit on frequencies that are received on a device monitored by personnel at the MSLD-wearer’s vessel or facility. The devices typically provide only line of sight (5-15 miles) communications and the functionality varies by the device model and the operating frequencies used. Note: MSLDs may NOT notify a search and rescue authority, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, depending on the device capabilities and operating location.
The following devices DO NOT NOTIFY the U.S. Coast Guard:
• Satellite Emergency Notification Device (SEND) – A SEND is a portable emergency notification and locating device, which uses commercial satellite systems. The devices use an internal Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chip to gather location information. When the SEND is triggered, this information is sent via commercial satellite to a commercial monitoring agency whose role is to relay the information to an appropriate responding agency based on the device’s reported location. Examples of responding agencies could be local search and rescue authorities, local police, or voluntary search and rescue. At present, no SEND operators have established formal arrangements or procedures with the U.S. Coast Guard for receiving SEND reports. A subscription service is required for a SEND and the service area coverage depends on the satellite service provider and may not provide worldwide coverage. Examples of SENDs are the Garmin inReach and the Globalstar SPOT.
• Automatic Identification System Search and Rescue Transmitter (AIS-SART) – The AIS-SART is a SAR transmitter used for locating survival craft. It may be used in lieu of the radar SART. It transmits messages from the survival craft received and displayed on AIS installations (SOLAS-regulated ships are required to carry AIS installations). The position and time synchronization for the class A position report is derived from a built in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver (e.g., global positioning system (GPS)) and updated at a rate of once a minute.
• Radar Search and Rescue Transponder (Radar-SART) – The Radar-SART may be water activated or manually activated, depending on the model. Once activated, the Radar-SART listens for a 9 GHz X-Band radar signal and, when one is detected, transmits a response that is displayed by the triggering radar as a line of 12 dots equally spaced by about 0.64 nautical mile (1,185 km) from the center of the radar display. The detection range is limited to the radar line of sight, typically 12-15 miles. The Radar-SART is not designed as a distress-alerting device, but does assist the locating those in distress.
Lastly, the following recommendations are made to all owners and operators of recreational or commercial vessels:
• Life Jackets – Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while underway. People rarely have time to locate and don a life jacket during an actual emergency. Make sure your life jacket fits properly. People can slip out of ill-fitting life jackets when they hit the water, which immediately decreases their chances of survival.
• Communication Devices – Locator beacons can help us find you faster. Attaching a functional EPIRB to your vessel, or a PLB to your life jacket, and knowing how to use them can help rescuers locate you in an emergency.
Use a marine VHF radio. A cell phone may go out of range or run out of battery power when you need it the most. Make sure you familiarize yourself with how to use and properly maintain your radio.
Have more than one way to communicate. It is important to have more than one communication device on your vessel. We recommend having a properly working marine VHF radio, a well-charged cell phone in a waterproof case, and a properly registered EPIRB, PLB, or both.
So, there you have it! ■
If you are interested in being part of USCG Forces, email me at JoinUSCGAux@aol.com or go directly to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary “Flotilla Finder” at cgaux.org/units.php and we will help you “get in this thing…”
** Many sections are reprinted directly from the 01-22 Advisory, courtesy of the USCG
The Captain of the Port and Sector Commander for U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound is Captain Eva Van Camp Schang. CAPT Van Camp Schang is responsible for all active-duty, reservist and auxiliary Coast Guard personnel within the Sector. As a Commodore in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary First District, Southern Region, Vin Pica works closely with CAPT Van Camp Schang and her staff to promote boating safety in the waters between Connecticut, Long Island and 200 nautical miles offshore. Sector Long Island Sound Command Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 203-468-4401.
Editor’s note: Weekly updates for the waters from Eastport, ME to Shrewsbury, NJ including discrepancies in Aids to Navigation, chart corrections and waterway projects are listed in the USCG Local Notice to Mariners. Log onto navcen.uscg.gov, scroll to “Current Operational/Safety Information,” click on “Local Notice to Mariners” then “LNMs by CG District,” and click on “First District.”
