OBS Communication & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct VHF radio procedure when you finish speaking and expect a reply?
- Say 'Goodbye'
- Say 'Over' (Correct answer)
- Say 'Out'
- Release the transmit button without saying anything
Correct answer: Say 'Over'
'Over' means you have finished transmitting and are awaiting a reply from the other station.
Question 2: Under the Navigation Rules, what sound signal should a power-driven vessel underway in restricted visibility give?
- One prolonged blast every 2 minutes (Correct answer)
- Two short blasts every 2 minutes
- One prolonged and two short blasts every 2 minutes
- Continuous sounding of the horn
Correct answer: One prolonged blast every 2 minutes
A power-driven vessel underway in restricted visibility must sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
Question 3: Which document must be carried aboard a documented vessel at all times?
- The owner's driver's license
- The Certificate of Documentation (Correct answer)
- A copy of the vessel's purchase receipt
- The original title from the state
Correct answer: The Certificate of Documentation
Federally documented vessels must carry the Certificate of Documentation aboard at all times as proof of registration and nationality.
Question 4: What does 'Pan-Pan' (pronounced pahn-pahn) signify in marine radio communication?
- An urgent safety message about a person overboard (Correct answer)
- A routine harbor traffic broadcast
- A distress call equal to MAYDAY
- A weather warning from the Coast Guard
Correct answer: An urgent safety message about a person overboard
Pan-Pan is an urgency signal indicating a very urgent message concerning the safety of a ship or person, but not as immediately life-threatening as MAYDAY.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of DSC (Digital Selective Calling) on a VHF radio?
- To receive NOAA weather broadcasts automatically
- To automatically send a distress signal with GPS position to rescuers (Correct answer)
- To communicate with other boaters on a selected channel
- To scan all VHF channels simultaneously
Correct answer: To automatically send a distress signal with GPS position to rescuers
DSC allows a boater to send an automated digital distress alert containing the vessel's MMSI number and, if connected to GPS, its exact position.
Question 6: What is an MMSI number and where is it used?
- A state registration number displayed on the hull
- A unique 9-digit identifier for a vessel used with DSC radio (Correct answer)
- A manufacturer's serial number for the VHF radio
- A Coast Guard case number assigned after a rescue
Correct answer: A unique 9-digit identifier for a vessel used with DSC radio
A Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a unique 9-digit number assigned to a vessel that is transmitted with DSC distress calls to identify the boat.
Question 7: Which type of radio signal is transmitted on VHF Channel 16 by NOAA and the Coast Guard as a navigational warning?
- MAYDAY relay
- SECURITE (pronounced say-cure-ee-tay) (Correct answer)
- PAN-PAN relay
- SELCAL alert
Correct answer: SECURITE (pronounced say-cure-ee-tay)
SECURITE is the safety signal used to broadcast navigational hazards, weather warnings, and other safety-related information to mariners.
OBS Communication & Documentation 3
What is the correct VHF radio procedure when you finish speaking and expect a reply?