You are underway in the Gulf of Mexico when you hear a distress message over the VHF radio. The position of the sender is about 20 miles south of Galveston, TX, and you are about 80 miles ESE of Galveston. What action should you take?
• VHF radio distress procedures and who should control distress traffic • Typical VHF range between ships at sea and whether you are likely to be within range of the distressed vessel • The role of a coast radio station (like a USCG station) in coordinating distress communications
• Compare your position and the distressed vessel’s position. Roughly how many miles apart are you likely to be, and is that within normal VHF range? • In a distress situation, is it better for the nearest capable vessel or the coast station to take control of the radio traffic, or for distant ships to respond immediately? • What problems might occur on Channel 16 if vessels that are too far away all acknowledge a distress call right away?
• Verify typical line-of-sight VHF range between ship antennas at sea (in nautical miles). • Consider who normally has primary responsibility for acknowledging and coordinating VHF distress calls near the U.S. coast. • Make sure your choice does not create unnecessary congestion on Channel 16 or interfere with closer ships or shore stations.
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