GMDSS – EPIRB – COSPAS – SARSAT – LUT – MCC – RCC – SART – NAVTEX – PLB – MCA – MSA
 
Yes – Even more abbreviations in this months article!!  And whilst it easy to be amused by the fondness for abbreviation that seems to have become the norm, they all represent an extremely efficient system for the transmission of important safety information (Navtex). In addition, when necessary for the sailor or motor cruiser, a system whereby they can initiate search and rescue and expect a very fast and efficient response to their distress.

GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.  This involves worldwide coverage for:
 
EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). An Epirb is battery operated and small enough to be carried in one hand, when activated it sends off a signal to a satellite which is controlled by organizations called COSPAS and SARSAT. The satellite re-transmits your signal (which gives information such as your position and the name of the vessel) to an LUT (Local User Terminal) from where it is passed on to an MCC (Mission Control Centre) and an RCC (Rescue Co-ordination Centre) from where it is sent to Falmouth Coastguard where it will be sent on to the Coastguard station, which is nearest to the casualty’s position.  This all seems rather complicated, but as most of it is done electronically it actually works quickly and efficiently. An Epirb should never be activated unless you are in distress, if activated accidentally it should not be switched off until the nearest Coastguard station has been informed.  All Epirbs should be registered with: The Epirb Register, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Pendennis Point, Castle Drive, Falmouth, Cornwall. TR11 4WZ.  Tel: 01326 211569.

SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) Also battery operated and not much larger than a torch it can be carried on either a boat or in a life raft.  It should not be used instead of an Epirb, but in addition to.  It has a range of about 5 miles from a ship or up to about 30 miles for a searching aircraft.  In order for it to work it must first be switched on and in this mode it will have a battery life of about 96 hours. It is activated into transmit mode as a result of receiving a signal from another vessels radar (similar to a Racon beacon). When activated it will produce a line of 12 dots on a vessels radar screen, these dots will give a bearing to the vessel in distress and as the rescue vessel draws closer the dots will become small arcs and eventually complete circles when the rescue vessel is in close proximity.

NAVTEX is an information system that sends out text messages.  Navtex receivers either show messages on a small screen, or some sets actually print the messages on a roll of paper. The subjects covered by these messages are: weather forecasts, navigational warnings such as buoys that are out of position or lights that are not working or have been changed, ice reports and other subjects relating to safety. The receivers have a range of about 300 miles.
 
PLB (Personal Locater Beacon)  A type of mini EPIRB worn by an individual crew member with a locating device on board a vessel. These small transmitters and receivers are used for crew on vessels involved in long distance racing but can be purchased by anyone for any size of boat.
 
MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency)  The MCA has been created very recently as a result of the amalgamation of the MSA (Marine Safety Agency) and HM Coastguard.