🔍 Key Concepts

• SOLAS Chapter IV – Radiocommunications distinguishes between functional requirements (what the ship must be able to do) and carriage requirements (what equipment must be carried). • The definition of a compulsory vessel (SOLAS‑applicable ship) and how its GMDSS fit is based on sea areas A1, A2, A3, A4. • The difference between minimum number of licensed GMDSS operators and the ship’s technical ability to send/receive distress alerts.

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: Which choice sounds like the broad regulatory statement you would find in SOLAS about how GMDSS carriage is determined, rather than a very specific crewing formula? • Separate in your mind: (1) functional ability (distress alerting, reception of MSI, etc.) and (2) detailed personnel/maintenance requirements. Which answer is clearly describing the carriage requirement concept? • Look at how each option uses the sea areas (A1–A4). Which one reflects that equipment fit changes with the sea area, instead of setting one fixed pattern for all areas?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check which option clearly links required equipment to the intended sea area of operation (A1–A4), as SOLAS does. • Verify whether SOLAS/GMDSS rules normally state a fixed number of licensed operators in all sea areas, or if the key requirement language focuses first on equipment and capability. • Eliminate any option that mixes up a functional requirement (what the ship must be able to do) with a very detailed manning/crewing rule, unless you can confirm such a rule actually exists in SOLAS or FCC regulations.