🔍 Key Concepts

• DSC (Digital Selective Calling) Distress alerts on VHF Ch-70 and the required follow‑up on voice channel 16 • Role of all ships in range when a Distress alert is received (GMDSS obligations) • Difference between acknowledging to the ship and listening/relaying for the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC)

💭 Think About

• After a Ch-70 DSC Distress alert sounds on your set, what voice channel is associated with that alert, and why is listening there important? • In a real emergency, which is more important initially: immediately talking back to the vessel, or making sure you correctly monitor and understand the distress traffic? • Should an ordinary ship normally send a DSC ‘receipt’ back to the distress vessel, or is that function primarily for coast stations / RCC under GMDSS procedures?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what standard follow‑up channel is used after a VHF Ch-70 DSC Distress alert (think: routine distress working channel). • Check whether all ships that receive the alert must maintain watch and be ready to assist, not just coast stations. • Confirm who is normally authorized to acknowledge a DSC distress alert by DSC (ship vs. coast station) before deciding whether to transmit anything.