Section-I: Inmarsat Equip. & Comms: Key Topic #75: Inmarsat Distress Communications:

75I1 Which statement is false regarding an Inmarsat Distress request?

A. The NCS in each ocean region automatically monitors the processing of such calls by other LESs in that region and processes calls if any anomaly exists in the system.

B. If all satellite channels are busy then one of them will be preempted by a Distress request.

C. Any Distress request is automatically switched to an Inmarsat Distress working frequency.

D. Any request message with Distress priority is automatically recognized by the LES and a satellite channel is instantly assigned.

75I2 In what way(s) may a Distress message be initiated through Inmarsat?

A. By transmitting the Distress message on the U.S. Coast Guard's dedicated monitoring channel.

B. By adding the word "Distress" in the first line of the message's preamble.

C. All Inmarsat units must use a dedicated key that can be pressed for immediate action.

D. By pressing dedicated key(s) for this purpose or using menu-driven features to produce a Distress priority message.

75I3 How is an Inmarsat Distress priority message ordinarily initiated on board the vessel?

A. By pressing one or more dedicated "Distress key" controls on the equipment.

B. By dialing the correct code on the telephone remote unit.

C. By contacting the LES operator and announcing a Distress condition is in progress.

D. By contacting the LES operator using the radiotelephone Distress procedure "Mayday”... etc.

75I4 What must be done to disconnect an incoming TELEX message when voice Distress communications is desired via Inmarsat-B?

A. Momentarily turn off the system power.

B. Depressing the "Distress" button automatically disconnects incoming messages.

C. It is necessary to wait until the incoming TELEX message has concluded otherwise a system fault will occur.

D. Depress the "Reset" switch to disconnect incoming message.

75I5 Why is the correct selection of the LES in the Distress Alert Setup menu so crucial?

A. Each LES has its own dedicated RCC whose jurisdiction is defined by the LES selected.

B. The LES choice determines the nationality of the RCC which will handle the Distress traffic and perform SAR duties or that will pass the particulars to the RCC with jurisdiction to coordinate the SAR situation.

C. Inmarsat terminals use the GPS position to automatically determine the optimum LES choice in a Distress situation.

D. The vessel need not select the LES because the NCS will always intercept a Distress priority call and route it to the closest RCC.

75I6 If an Inmarsat Distress Alert Setup menu contains an incorrect or unavailable LES code what happens to the Distress Alert transmission?

A. The NCS updates the LES codes in the Distress Alert Setup menu as the vessel moves from ocean region to ocean region to ensure this does not happen.

B. The NCS will send a Distress Alert Setup incorrect LES code alarm so the alert can be corrected and re-transmitted.

C. The NCS will step in and route the Distress Alert transmission to an RCC.

D. If the LES code is incorrect then the Distress Alert transmission is not detected by any RCC.

Answers: 75I1 - C 75I2 - D 75I3 - A 75I4 - B 75I5 - B 75I6 - C