Which equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of distress alerts and calls to individual stations?

Which equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of distress alerts and calls to individual stations?

• A. DSC controller
• B. VHF transceiver
• C. NAVTEX receiver
• D. SART

Answer: (A)

Distress alerts and calls are handled by Digital Selective Calling. The DSC controller is the unit programmed with the vessel’s MMSI and is responsible for initiating these digital distress alerts and direct calls. When activated, it can broadcast a general distress alert to all DSC-equipped stations and rescue authorities, or place a direct call to a specific station using its MMSI. The other equipment serves different roles. The VHF transceiver is the radio that actually sends voice or data under the control of the DSC system; NAVTEX receivers pick up navigational and weather information, not distress signals; SARTs are used to help rescuers locate a vessel by radar when interrogated, rather than to initiate distress calls.

Distress alerts and calls are handled by Digital Selective Calling. The DSC controller is the unit programmed with the vessel’s MMSI and is responsible for initiating these digital distress alerts and direct calls. When activated, it can broadcast a general distress alert to all DSC-equipped stations and rescue authorities, or place a direct call to a specific station using its MMSI.

The other equipment serves different roles. The VHF transceiver is the radio that actually sends voice or data under the control of the DSC system; NAVTEX receivers pick up navigational and weather information, not distress signals; SARTs are used to help rescuers locate a vessel by radar when interrogated, rather than to initiate distress calls.