Communications

1. Communications Ordinary Requirement 10

2. Ordinary Requirement 10 • Name the three principal methods of visual signaling and explain the advantages and limitations of each method. • Name the three principal types of radiotelephone equipment in marine use and demonstrate your knowledge of correct radiotelephone procedures. • Reference: See “Communications Signaling” p. 222 and “Radiotelephone Procedures” on p. 200 Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

3. Communications Signaling • Signaling is carried out in several ways at sea. • Some devices used are: • International Code Flags • Signal Flags (semaphore) • Blinker lights (Morse code) Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

4. International Code Flags • International code flags are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. • Also called signaling flags, they are a set of flags of different colors, shapes and markings which used singly or in combination have different meanings. • A set of flags consists of 26 flags for the letters of the alphabet, ten number pennants, three substitute pennants, and the answering pennant. • (The U.S. Navy uses a fourth substitute and calls them all "repeaters.") • The substitutes are necessary because a set contains only one flag for each letter and some flag hoists require repetitions of one or more letters. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

5. International Code Flags • Five standard colors are used — red, white, blue, yellow, and black. • Only a few colors can be readily distinguished at sea. • Most of the flags are of two colors, selected and arranged for maximum contrast. • Two flags are of a single color only, three use three colors, and one uses four colors. • For clarity, the flags are either red and white, yellow and blue, blue and white, or black and white; or plain red, white, and blue. • Flag hoists are read from the top flag or pennant downward; • if there is more than one hoist from a single spreader or yardarm, each hoist is read in turn from outermost inward. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

6. International Code Flags Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

7. International Code Flags • One-flag signals are urgent or very common signals. • Two-flag signals are mostly distress and maneuvering signals. • Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation, also general code and decode signals. • Four-flags are used for geographical signals, names of ships, bearings, etc. • Five-flag signals are those relating to time and position. • Six-flag signals are used when necessary to indicate north or south or east or west in latitude and longitude signals. • Seven-flag signals are for longitude signals containing more than one hundred degrees. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

8. Flag Hoists • A hoist consists of one or more groups displayed from a single halyard. • A hoist or signal is said to be at the dip when it is hoisted about half of the full extent of the halyards. • A hoist or signal is said to be close up or two-blocked when it is hoisted to the full extent of the halyards. • A tackline is a length of halyard about 2 m (6 ft.) long, used to separate each group of flags. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

9. Flag Hoists • Only one hoist should be shown at a time. • When more groups than one are shown on the same halyard they must be separated by a tackline. • Each hoist or group of hoists should be kept flying until it has been answered by the receiving station. • The transmitting station should always hoist the signal where it can be most easily seen by the receiving station. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

10. How to Signal • How to call • The identity signal of the station addressed is to be hoisted with the signal. • If no identity signal is hoisted it will be understood that the signal is addressed to all stations within visual signaling distance. • How to answer signals • All stations to which signals are addressed hoist the answering pennant at the dip as soon as they see each hoist and close up when they understand it; • The answering pennant is to be lowered to the dip as soon as the hoist is hauled down at the transmitting station, being hoisted close up again as soon as the next hoist is understood. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

11. How to Signal • How to complete a signal • The transmitting station is to hoist the answering pennant singly after the last hoist of the signal to indicate that the signal is completed. • The receiving station is to answer this in a similar manner to all other hoists. • How to act when signals are not understood • If the receiving station cannot clearly distinguish the signal made to it, it is to keep the answering pennant at the dip. • If it can distinguish the signal but cannot understand the meaning of it, it can hoist the following signals: • “ZQ” = “Your signal appears incorrectly coded. You should check and repeat the whole”, • “ZL” = “Your signal has been received but not understood”. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

12. Substitutes • Substitutes enable the same signal flag to be repeated one or more times in the same group,. • The first substitute always repeats the uppermost signal flag of that class of flags which immediately precedes the substitute. • The second substitute always repeats the second and the third substitute repeats the third signal flag, counting from the top of that class of flags which immediately precedes them. • No substitute can ever be used more than once in the same group. • The answering pennant when used as a decimal point is to be disregarded in determining which substitute to use. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

13. Substitutes • For example, the signal “V V” would be made as follows: V first substitute • The number “1100” would be made by numeral pennants as follows: 1 first substitute 0 third substitute • The signal “L 2330” would be made as follows: L 2 3 second substitute 0 • In this case, the second substitute follows a numeral pennant and therefore it can only repeat the second numeral in the group. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

14. Semaphore • One of the most commonly used methods of visual communications is semaphore.  • Widely used, especially in the navy, before radio and telegraph systems were invented. • Semaphore uses the position of the arms to code letters and numbers. • The signalman sends messages letter by letter by holding the two flags in various positions similar to the hands of a clock. • Sometimes a wooden board was used with "arms" in the correct position. • Note that it is the position that matters - it is irrelevant which arm is used, although for some letters it is much easier to use the right arm and so the left is seldom used, but would be equally correct if you wished to use it. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

15. Semaphore Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

16. Hold each flag so that the staff is a continuation of your forearm and keep your arms stiff. Whenever you cross a flag in front of you to make a letter, twist your body slightly in the same direction. Get the receiver's attention with the Attention signal, made by waving both flags repeatedly overhead in a scissor-like motion. When the receiver sends the letter K, you can go ahead. Send the letters of each word by going directly from the position of one letter, without stopping, into the position of the next, pausing in each. If you have to think of the next letter, hold the letter you are making until the next one comes to mind. Indicate the end of a word with the front signal by bringing the flags down in front of you, with the staffs crossing. Whenever double letters appear in a word, use the front signal to separate them. Make the first letter, then front, and immediately, without pause, bring the flags again in position of the letter. The receiver acknowledges each word by sending C. If he or she suddenly sends I-M-I, it means that he or she did not catch your last word. Repeat it and continue from there. If you have made an error yourself, send eight Es and start again from the beginning of that word. Finish the message with A-R and wait for the receiver to make the letter R. This means the receiver has your message. Sending Semaphore Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

17. The International Morse Code • Morse code was the standard signaling means • Naval Deck officers were trained until the 1980s • Can send by different methods • Blinking light, flashlight, covered lantern, porthole, ship’s light • Electric buzzer, ship’s whistle, siren or fog horn • Signal flag (when held for a long interval for dashes and short interval for dots) Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

18. Morse Code Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

19. Signaling Advantages • Semaphore signals can be sent and received much more quickly than flag hoists or even flashing light using Morse code.  • But can be used only in the daytime and at short distances. • A semaphore flag used singly can also be used for "wig-wag" signaling of Morse Code by waving the flag to the right or left • invented by the U.S. Army Signal Corps' Albert J. Myer in the mid-19th century. • Flag hoist signals have the advantage: • of being visible at a greater distance, • of allowing several messages to be conveyed at once on multiple halyards, • of allowing you to keep them flying for extended periods, • of providing a means of synchronization of action based on when they are hoisted, kept at the dip, closed full up (two-blocked), or hauled down.  Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

20. Radiocommunication Devices • A VHF marine radio is the single most important radio system you should have.  • It is probably also the most inexpensive. • If you plan to travel more than a few miles offshore, plan to purchase • an MF/HF radiotelephone or mobile satellite telephone, • an emergency position indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, • a second VHF radio or cellular telephone as well. • Mobile satellite telephones are becoming more common and more inexpensive. • The mobile satellite will provide easier and clearer communications than the MF/HF radiotelephone • but the HF radiotelephone will receive high seas marine weather warnings. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

21. VHF Radio • There are 104 VHF channels designated for marine service. • Of this number, 54 are designated exclusively for use in the waters of the United States. • Brevity is important • If your conversation on Channel 16 is longer than 30 seconds the Coast Guard will break in to tell you to switch to another channel. • Not to be used for gossip and idle conversation. • Anything said over the radio will be heard by hundreds of other people. • Only a limited number of channels so conversation should be kept to passing only required information. • Conversation is not permitted to extend past three minutes.  • The use of profanity and obscene language is illegal. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

22. Radio Regulations • Most recreational vessels under 65.6ft/20m in length do not have to carry a marine radio. • Vessels which voluntarily carry a radio, must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) or alternatively maintain a watch on VHF channel 9 (156.450 MHz) • Any vessel that carries a marine radio must follow the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

23. Radio Licenses • The FCC does not require operators of recreational vessels to carry a radio or to have an individual license to operate VHF marine radios (with or without digital selective calling capability), EPlRB, or any type of radar. • Operators must however follow the procedures and courtesies that are required of licensed operators specified in FCC Rules. • You may use the name or registration number of your vessel to identify your ship station. • Users of VHF marine radio equipped with digital selective calling will need to obtain a maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number from the FCC. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

24. Vessels Required To Be Licensed • Vessels that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications, or telegraphy, • Power Driven vessels over 65.6 feet/20 meters in length. • Vessels used for commercial purposes including: • Vessels documented for commercial use, including commercial fishing vessels. • CG inspected vessels carrying more than 6 passengers. • Towboats more than 25.7 feet/7.8 meters in length. • Vessels of more than 100 tons certified to carry at least 1 passenger. • Cargo ships over 300 tons. • Any vessel, including a recreational vessel, on an international voyage. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

25. VHF Marine Radio Channels Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

26. Roger Means only that "I understand your transmission." It does not mean that I agree or disagree with what you said. Wilco Means "I understand your transmission and I will comply with your request." (WIL = will, CO = comply) In spite of what you may have heard in old war movies, there is no such thing as "Roger Wilco"! It is either one or the other, but not both. Affirmative Means "Yes". Do not use words like "Yup" or“Alrighty". Negative Means "No". Do not say "Negatory"; there is no such word. Over Means "I have completed my statement and am awaiting your reply." Just say "Over", not "Do you copy?" or "Come on back!". Out Means that "I have completed my communication and I am returning to the hailing channel." There is no such thing as "Over and Out". It’s either one (Over) or the other (Out). VHF Radio Usage Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

27. Non-Emergency Call Procedures • First listen to your radio to make sure that no one else is using the channel. • Next, you say, “Venture, Venture, Venture (repeat the name of the boat you are trying to reach) this is Gremlin (use the name of your boat) over". • The entire transmission, including a second call if necessary, should not take more than thirty (30)seconds. If Venture does not answer, you must wait two (2) minutes before trying to call him again. • If Venture hears your hail (call), it should then go like this: • Venture says, "This is Venture, switch and answer on 68". • (See the correct numbers of all legal working channels.) • Your reply should be, "Roger Venture, 68". • "Roger" means "I understand", and “68" means "I am switching to channel 68 to talk to you." • After you have finished your transmission/conversation, say "Out". • Finally, to conclude the transmission you say, "This is Gremlin (your boat) back to channel 16." Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

28. VHF Emergency Calls • Mayday - Distress Signal • Is a request for immediate assistance. • LISTEN! DO NOT TRANSMIT! • Determine if you're in a position to help. If not, maintain radio silence. "Mayday" identifies an imminent, life-threatening emergency. • Pan-Pan - Urgency Signal (pronounced pahn-pahn) • Is used when the safety of a boat or person is in jeopardy. • Man-overboard messages are sent with the Pan-Pan signal • Running out of gas is not a Pan-Pan situation, unless you are in danger of being swept ashore in high seas. • Securite - Safety Signal (pronounced say-cure-e-tay) • Is used to pass navigation information or weather warnings.  • False Distress Alerts • It is unlawful to intentionally transmit a false distress alert, or to unintentionally transmit a false distress alert without taking steps to cancel that alert. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications

29. Emergency Call Procedures • Make sure radio is on • Select channel 16 • Press/hold the transmit button and clearly say: • MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY • Give: • Name of boat (3 times), call letters or description • Position and/or description of location • Nature of emergency and kind of assistance required • Number of people on board and condition of injured • Release transmit button • Wait for 10 seconds – If no response, repeat. Ordinary Requirement 10 - Communications