🔍 Key Concepts

• GMDSS distress alerting order of priority (ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship) • Difference between relaying a DSC distress alert and passing follow‑on distress traffic by voice/telex • Role of the RCC (Rescue Coordination Center) vs. other ships in coordinating search and rescue

💭 Think About

• When you receive a DSC distress alert from another ship, who is supposed to coordinate the overall SAR response: another ship, or an RCC? • Under GMDSS, when should you repeat (relay) the digital DSC alert itself, and when should you instead contact the RCC and pass details of the distress by voice or telex? • Look at which options involve sending follow-on traffic details and which involve simply repeating a DSC alert without confirming what traffic has or has not been heard.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify in the GMDSS procedures that DSC distress relays by ships are normally used only when no coast station or RCC appears to be involved yet. • Check which option sends information directly to the RCC rather than just rebroadcasting to other ships. • Be sure the chosen method allows you to convey all known distress details (position, nature of distress, assisting units), not just repeat the digital alert.