🔍 Key Concepts

• GMDSS sea areas (A1–A4) and how watchkeeping requirements change between them • Difference between Ch-16 (distress/safety/calling), Ch-13 (Bridge-to-Bridge), and VTS channels • Exceptions to the continuous VHF Ch-16 watch requirement for certain vessels and situations

💭 Think About

• For each choice, ask yourself: does this statement match what the regulations say about when a continuous Ch-16 watch can be relaxed or transferred to another channel? • Think about whether the rules are the same in all GMDSS sea areas (A1–A4), or if A1 is treated differently from A2–A4. • Consider how being in a VTS system and being subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act affects which channel(s) must be monitored.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which vessels and in which sea areas may legally not keep a constant watch on Ch-16 if they are monitoring another specified channel instead. • Check whether the regulations say Ch-16 is always compulsory in A2, A3, and A4 without any exceptions. • Confirm whether being in a VTS area and monitoring Ch-13 and the VTS channel can satisfy the watchkeeping requirement in some circumstances.