**RECREATIONAL BOATING COMMUNICATIONS**

## Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a feature of some VHF radios that
provides, upon activation, a digital distress signal. During a distress
alert DSC provides identification, nature of distress, and an exact
position when connected to a GPS. It also provides an excellent means of
making a routine individual call to another DSC equipped boater using
their 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). A valid MMSI can
be obtained from the Federal Communications Commission, BoatUS, and
SeaTow. The Coast Guard shore network also maintains a voice guard on
channel 16 VHF and 2182 kHz.

TESTING YOUR VHF DSC [RADIO]{.underline}

Exchange **routine** calls on CH70 with another suitably equipped
vessel. It is illegal to send a false distress to test your radio.

> [RESPONDING TO A DISTRESS ALERT]{.underline}
>
> If you receive a DSC distress alert, do not answer immediately. Allow
> a USCG station to contact the distress vessel. If no contact is heard,
> call the distress vessel on VHF CH16. Once you have made contact, call
> the USCG on VHF CH16 or by any available means and tell them you are
> relaying a distress. Give them the vessel's position, identification,
> nature of distress, and vessel description.

MARITIME SAFETY [INFORMATION (MSI) \_]{.underline}

NAVTEX is an international automated medium frequency (518 kHz)
direct-printing service for delivery of navigational and meteorological
warnings and forecasts, as well as urgent marine safety information to
ships. It was developed to provide a low-cost, simple, and automated
means of receiving this information within approximately 200 nautical
miles of shore. The U.S. Coast Guard operates NAVTEX stations in the
U.S. There are no user fees associated with receiving NAVTEX broadcasts.
A NAVTEX receiver provides important information and is a useful radio
to have on your boat.

NOAA weather radio network provides voice broadcasts of local and
coastal marine forecasts on a continuous cycle.

[SATELLITE EPIRB'S]{.underline}

The most useful system for automated distress alerts is the 406 MHz
Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). It provides rapid
alerting, identification (if properly registered), and accurate location
to search and rescue authorities. The EPIRB has a built in homing beacon
on 121.5 MHz. USCG aircraft have the ability to home on this signal.
This is an important safety device and can be purchased or rented.

CELLULAR PHONES ARE NOT [RECOMMENDED]{.underline}

Cellular phones generally cannot provide ship-to-ship safety
communications or communications with rescue vessels. If you make a
distress call on a cellular phone only the one party you call will be
able to hear you and none of the boats in your immediate vicinity will
know you are in trouble. Locating a cellular caller is hard to do. If
you don\'t know precisely where you are, the Coast Guard will have
difficulty finding your location on the water. Use your DSC VHF radio.

EMERGENCY DSC DISTRESS PROCEDURES

Always follow your radio manufacturer's recommendations

HAVE ALL PERSONS PUT ON LIFE JACKETS

IF YOU HAVE AN EPIRB TURN IT ON

1.  **MAKE SURE RADIO IS ON**

2.  **LIFT PLASTIC COVER AND PRESS DISTRESS BUTTON FOR 5 SECONDS AND
    RELEASE**

3.  **ONCE CALL IS ANSWERED, VERIFY RADIO IS SET ON CHANNEL 16**

4.  **IF CALL IS NOT ANSWERED, CHANGE TO CHANNEL 16**

5.  **PRESS MICROPHONE TRANSMIT BUTTON AND CLEARLY SAY:** ***MAYDAY,
    MAYDAY, MAYDAY***

> **GIVE YOUR:**

-   **VESSEL NAME AND DESCRIPTION**

-   **POSITION AND/OR LOCATION**

-   **NATURE OF EMERGENCY**

-   **NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON BOARD**

6.  **RELEASE TRANMSIT BUTTON**

7.  **WAIT FOR 10 SECONDS -- IF NO RESPONSE**

> **REPEAT "*MAYDAY"* CALL**

8.  **ONCE CALL IS ANSWERED DO NOT CHANGE FROM CHANNEL 16 UNLESS
    INSTRUCTED TO DO SO. IF CONTACT IS LOST, CALL AGAIN ON CHANNEL 16**

[\*Intentional hoax calls are an offense subject to
prosecution]{.underline}

-   **Make certain your DSC radio is connected to your GPS to
    automatically give your position**

-   **Use only an MMSI obtained from an officially authorized source**

-   **Learn how to use your VHF DSC radio. Your USCG Auxiliary can show
    you how. <http://www.cgaux.org/>**

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.452777777777778in"
height="1.7395833333333333in"}

For more information, please contact:

Commandant (CG-622)

United States Coast Guard

2100 Second Street S.W.

Washington, DC 20593

\(202\) 267-2860 / Fax: (202) 267-4106

E-mail: <cgcomms@comdt.uscg.mil>

Web site:

<http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/>