Yachtmaster revision module 18 of 20
Distress, urgency, safety calls, DSC/VHF procedure, visual signals, flag signals, Morse, and harbour traffic signals.
18 guided lessons · 24 practice questions · 25 flashcards
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A Yachtmaster candidate must be able to choose the right level of radio call quickly. MAYDAY is for grave and imminent danger to a vessel or person. PAN-PAN is for urgency, where help or...
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) sends an electronic distress alert from the VHF set. A DSC distress alert normally includes the vessel MMSI, position if the radio is connected to GNSS, ti...
A clear voice MAYDAY follows a predictable structure: MAYDAY repeated three times, vessel name repeated three times, call sign or MMSI if available, position, nature of distress, assistan...
PAN-PAN is used for urgent situations such as engine failure near a lee shore, a serious but stable medical problem, or a vessel disabled but not in grave and imminent danger. For the MCA...
If you hear a distress call and no coastguard or other station responds, you may need to relay the distress. A MAYDAY RELAY passes on the distress details so that rescue authorities recei...
Visual distress signals support radio and electronic alerting. Red parachute rockets are for long-range night or poor-visibility alerting. Red hand flares help rescuers pinpoint the vesse...
The International Code of Signals provides a standard set of flags, pennants, and meanings. Yachtmasters do not need to memorise the whole code, but they should recognise common safety fl...
SOS in Morse is three short, three long, three short. It can be sent by light, sound, or any other signalling method. A safe water mark often uses Morse A, which is dot dash. A Yachtmaste...
Harbour entrances, locks, bridges, and traffic-controlled channels may display lights, boards, flags, or VHF instructions. The exact system is local, so the skipper must check the almanac...
Good VHF discipline is part of seamanship. Listen before transmitting, use low power when range allows, keep calls short, and move routine traffic to a working channel. Channel 16 must be...
When grave and imminent danger requires immediate assistance, lift the cover, select the nature of distress if time permits, and press and hold the distress control until the set confirms...
Priority is determined by the real condition, not by whether the skipper feels embarrassed about calling. Flooding that is being contained may become grave and imminent if pumps are losin...
VHF is principally line of sight. Antenna height, terrain, vessel structure, sea state, transmitter power, cabling, and the receiving station affect range. A masthead fixed set usually re...
Channel 70 is reserved for DSC signalling and must not be used for voice. Channel 16 carries distress, urgency, very brief safety communications, and initial calling where the procedure r...
On receiving a DSC distress alert, stop transmissions that may interfere and maintain a listening watch on Channel 16. Record the identity, position, time, nature of distress, and control...
Prepare position before the call. Latitude and longitude must include degrees, minutes, decimals if used, and North or South, East or West; give the time and datum if relevant. Alternativ...
Signals & Communications at Yachtmaster level is not just recall. The answer has to show command judgement, evidence quality, margin, and a fallback if the first plan stops being safe.
Decision pressure: A slow or unclear communication plan can turn a manageable incident into distress.
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