🔍 Key Concepts

• Portable survival craft VHF transceivers are part of the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) equipment • Think about the purpose of survival craft radios during an emergency: who needs to talk to whom? • Consider how search and rescue (SAR) operations are coordinated between liferafts, ships, and rescue units.

💭 Think About

• In a real abandon-ship situation, which parties must be able to coordinate directly by radio to save lives? • Would it make sense for these radios to be limited to only one type of station, or designed to work with multiple emergency participants? Why? • Look at each option and ask: does this communication link improve safety and coordination during a distress situation?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify who is listed as authorized communication partners for survival craft two‑way VHF radiotelephone apparatus in current SOLAS/GMDSS requirements (verify in current regulations). • Check whether search and rescue units (SAR units) are expected to maintain communication on the same distress and safety channels as survival craft and ships. • Confirm that portable survival craft radios operate on VHF marine distress/safety channels (e.g., Ch. 16) that are shared with other ships and SAR units, not on a special "raft‑only" channel.