Coast Guard Rescue 21 System
The Rescue 21 System includes coastal waters
along the United States and its territories
which are designated Sea Area A1, an area
of within 20 nautical miles seaward of the
territorial baseline along the East, West, and
Gulf coasts of the United States, and including
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin
Islands of the United States, and Northern
Mariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
While not in Sea Area A1, the Rescue
21 System provides coast stations along
the Great Lakes resulting in 20 nautical
mile off-shore coverage of the Great Lakes.
Alaskan waters are not covered.
Watchkeeping by VHF coast stations
and ships with DSC should provide
as complete 24/7 coverage of Sea Area A1
as possible. It behooves all mariners to
obtain VHF-DSC radios and activate the
Mobile Marine Service Identity (MMSI),
and that their DSC radios be connected
to Global Positioning System (GPS)
devices.
Assuring that any DSC alert is accompanied
by both a properly registered MMSI
and a GPS location enhances and expedites
search and rescue efforts, especially when a
nearby boat receives a distress call.
Remember that no radio-communications
system can guaranty 100 percent
availability because of the vagaries of radio
propagation and equipment performance.
Proper Use and Language
Part of any communication procedure is
the use of proper language. This facilitates
brief yet clear communication between
radio users so that radio channels are not
cluttered with unnecessary chatter.
• The use of special radio terms such as
affirmative, negative, out, over, and roger
help make messages clearer and shorter
(Table 12-3).
Several types of communication are prohibited
from use and are against the law. If
used, the user can be subject to significant
fines, imprisonment, or both. You, as the
Table 12-3. Routine Calls & Procedures for DSC
Select Working Channel for Reply
(Channels 68,69,71,72 or 78)
Press “Call” button Once
Select type of call from Pull-Down Menu (Usually “Routine”)
Select MMSI or Person you wish to call
Press “Enter” button Once
Use prowords (verbal shorthand) and abbreviations to make
messages clearer and shorter. Don’t be shy about using
prowords, no one will think you are showing off if you use them
correctly.
This is: Preface to your call sign
Affirmative: Yes
Negative: No
Correct: you are correct
ETA: estimated time of arrival
ETD: estimated time of departure
ETR: estimated time of return
Figures: Indicated numbers will follow
I Spell: I will spell the next word phonetically
Out: End of transmission
Over: End of transmission, and a response if expected
Roger: I received your transmission
Wilco: I received your transmission and I will comply
Say Again: Repeat
Wait: Stand by for additional transmission
Wait Out: I will call you back
boat operator, are responsible to ensure
your boat’s radio is used properly. You will
be held responsible and incur any penalties
associated with that misuse.
• It is a criminal offense to use profane or
indecent words, language, or meaning on
a VHF radio.
• Making a false Mayday or distress call can
cause emergency resources to be diverted
from a real emergency, possibly causing
unnecessary loss of life or property. Making
a false call is a felony and authorities
Section 12: Communications Afloat 139
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77