Question

Communication system on us coast guard ships

Answer 1

A new U.S. Coast Guard Safety Alert has been published regarding the fact that many vessel operators and ship masters continue to rely on outdated high seas communications frequencies when communicating with the Coast Guard. 

Although telecommunications technology is improving quickly, people at sea do not have access to the same telecommunications infrastructure people ashore have. Like people ashore, Mariners need to access international shore telephone and data public switched networks. Additionally they need to access many maritime specific communications listed below:Mariners need to be able to communicate with other ships of any size or nationality.Mariners need to be able to receive and send urgent maritime safety information.Mariners need to be able to send or receive distress alerts in an emergency to or from rescue coordination centers ashore and nearby ships anywhere in the world.

Maritime telecommunications systems must be internationally interoperable. Bringing new telecommunications technology to mariners can be difficult, since to be interoperable, the technology must be affordable, acceptable and available to most ships and maritime countries.

The Coast Guard does not advocate cellular telephones as substitute for the regular maritime radio distress and safety systems recognized by the Federal Communications Commission and the International Radio Regulations -- particularly VHF maritime radio.  However, cellular phones can have a place on board as an added measure of safety.

The Coast Guard does not endorse cellular phones as a primary means of distress notification in the maritime environment.  Cell phones have several shortcomings in the maritime environment that can delay search and rescue authorities.During a search and rescue (SAR) case, the Coast Guard attempts to broadcast as much information as possible about the case. These broadcasts provide information to mariners that may be in the vicinity of the SAR case so that they can respond appropriately. A cell phone limits communications between the Coast Guard and the mariner in distress, because other possible rescuers in the area are not immediately made aware of the SAR case. In contrast, a marine radio call allows all other mariners in the area to overhear the distress call and respond if possible.Most cellular phones are designed for a land-based service. Their offshore coverage is limited and may change without notice.Locating a cellular caller can be difficult.  If you don't know your position precisely, the Coast Guard may have difficulty locating you.