Book Description

Now in its seventh edition, this bestselling Handbook for Marine Radio Communication provides an incomparable reference source for all vessels using maritime radio communication systems, which are now a legislative requirement. It includes exhaustive coverage of all UK and international regulations relating to modern maritime communications, such as the crucial GMDSS, all contained within one singular volume.

This edition has been fully updated to account for recent major developments in the field. The authors deliver an authoritative guide to the complicated and changing world of radio communications, including:

• Information reflecting ITU Radio Regulations 2020
• Impending modernization of the GMDSS
• Radical changes to maritime satellite communications and associated distress and safety services
• Introduction of VHF data exchange system (VDES) to supplement coastal AIS services
• Introduction of navigational data (NAVDAT) to supplement NAVTEX services
• Improvements to COSPAS/SARSAT systems
• Introduction of AIS facility to EPIRBs
• Automatic link establishment (ALE) on HF bands
• Updating of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS)
• UK explanatory memorandum to the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunications) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

This is a definitive guide for today’s maritime communications industry, including ship owners, ship managers, coast guards, seafarers, students of maritime communications, as well as the recreational sector.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Chapter 2: Distress urgency and safety communications
Chapter 3: Digital selective calling (DSC)
Chapter 4: Safety-related equipment and services
Chapter 5: Satellite communications
Chapter 6: Radiotelex and data services
Chapter 7: Radiotelephony (RT)
Chapter 8: General regulations
Chapter 9: Electronic navigation and vessel reporting systems
Chapter 10: Certification

Appendix 1: IMO guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts
Appendix 2: GMDSS frequencies
Appendix 3: DfT SI 1316 of 2021
Appendix 4: UK VHF channel allocation
Appendix 5: ITU MF RT ship-to-shore working channels
Appendix 6: ITU HF RT duplex working channels
Appendix 7: Proposed 12.5 kHz spacing of VHF channels
Appendix 8: Allocation of Maritime Identification Digit (MID) series
Appendix 9: Watchkeeping safety - use of VHF radio and AIS
Appendix 10: United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and Irish Rescue Centres
Appendix 11: Table of international call sign series
Appendix 12: ITU international telephone dialling codes
Appendix 13: ITU international telex dialling codes
Appendix 14: International Morse code signals and phonetic alphabet
Appendix 15: Radio procedures in the event of piracy, armed robbery, and other acts of violence against UK merchant shipping
Appendix 16: Code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers 2015
Appendix 17: Extract from MGN 305 (M+F) Amendment 1