New Online Seminar - Safety at Sea with Marine VHF Digital Selective Calling
Marathon, FL, (March 21, 2012) – Capt. Marti Brown and Cruising Companion Publications
are proud to release the first in a series of online seminars geared to boating safety
entitled, “Safety at Sea With Marine VHF Digital Selective Calling.”
As the Coast Guard’s new marine radio network, Rescue 21, becomes operational
throughout the U.S., rescue centers will have the ability to receive instant distress alerts
from commonly used DSC-capable VHF marine radios; however, approximately 90
percent of VHF DSC distress alerts received by the Coast Guard do not contain position
information, and approximately 60 percent do not contain a registered identity. The
Coast Guard cannot effectively respond to a DSC distress alert sent from such a radio.
As a result, search and rescue efforts may normally be suspended when:
--no communications with the distressed vessel can be established;
--no further information or means of contacting the vessel can be obtained from other sources; and,
--no position information is known.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Mariners are encouraged to
invest in a VHF-FM radio as their primary means of distress alerting on the water.
Communication via VHF-FM radio provides superior alerting capabilities over cellular
phones.”
VHF-FM radios are manufactured today with DSC which provides the mariner with an
emergency feature that will send a distress with the vessel’s information and Global
Positioning System (GPS) location at the press of a button.
The new safety course describes what Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is, how DSC fits
into the US Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, how
to program your DSC capable VHF radio and how to use its lifesaving and fun features.
The course can be accessed 24/7, can be viewed at the convenience of the student
and is reasonably priced at $24.95.
To access this new and important information and to take the course, go to:
http://www.idiyachts.com/
About Captain Marti Brown:
Capt. Marti’s widely acclaimed books include three easy to read textbooks on marine
communications - Marine SSB Radio For “Idi-Yachts,”
The ICOM M802 Radio Manual for “Idi-Yachts.”
marine electronics and keep the fun in boating! Don’t miss her newest book “Murder At
Stacy’s Cove Marina,” – a nautical murder mystery.
