Changes to Distress Procedure Words - 01 August 2009

At a recent World Conference, the ITU decided upon a couple of changes to the Distress Prowords. The words SEELONCE DISTRESS and PRUDONCE ar no longer be used. The words SEELONCE MAYDAY remain unchanged.

Automatic Transmitter Identification System (ATIS) - 07 August 2009

All vessels now entering the inland waterways of Europe must now be fitted with a radio that can indentify itself every time the "pressel" switch is used. Other requirements demand that, whilst in the waterways system, DSC may NOT be used and all transmissions must be restricted to 1watt.
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Reform of ship radio licensing (pdf)
published by Ofcom

Application for Ship Radio Licence (web link)
Statement by Ofcom

SOLAS V for pleasure craft (pdf)
published by the MCA

CG66 (web link)
Voluntary Safety Identification Scheme

Resuscitation Guidelines 2005 (web link)
Resuscitation Council

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Automatic Transmitter Identification System (ATIS) - 07 August 2009

Many of the inland waterways of Europe are used to transport bulky and hazardous goods and it is therefore important that moving vessels can be easily identified by the authorities who control the busier routes down rivers like the Rhine and Danube. All vessels now entering these waterways have to be fitted with a radio that can indentify itself every time the "pressel" switch is used. Other requirements demand that, whilst in the waterways system, DSC may NOT be used and all transmissions must be restricted to 1watt.

Although the UK has not signed the agreement implementing these rules (The Basel agreement) , Ofcom have agreed to issue an ATIS identification number to UK vessels. This number will be the MMSI number of the vessel preceded by the Figure 9 – making a ten figure number.

Older VHF radios are not ATIS 'capable' but many new ones can be 'enabled' or 'disabled' at the flick of a switch. ATIS must be DISABLED in UK waters as its use is banned.