Mayday call via Satphone - Which MRCC to call?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Breaking Waves

It is not stupid when there are potential language issues. In a time of high stress, It is best if possible to talk to someone in a language you are both absolutely fluent in and have shared 'frames of reference'. If they have german 'emergency contacts' those will likely be easier to coordinate (to get crew and boat information) also with German center contact.

Did you read the quote in my post above - Bremen clearly disagrees with you, and think they are/should be the global point of contact for German ships or German seafarers.

Piscis, just as an fyi, some of these centers are rather more responsive to voice calls than text contact.

They may think that , but under GMDSS they are not a designated high seas MRCC, they are not designated for Inmarsat C or HF DSC. Ie an Inmarsat C distress will not be routed to Germany

[goboatingnow]

Yes, this is according to protocoll, when i place a DSC distress using my MMSI programmed VHF, INMARSAT or Marine SSB. The call goes to MRCC in Bremen (because German registered MMSI in VHF, AIS and EPIRB) and they redirect to the closest RCC accoring the provided GPS data.

Because EPIRB registration databases were not set up globally , it was the case that epirb data was routed to national authorities

Vhf DSC is processed by the mrcc within range and they will coordinate the response

HF dsc is handled again by small number of designated HF equipped MRCC , from memory Bremen is not one of them.

Ais is not an emergency system

Inmarsat C is not routed to Bremen.

That’s not to say the national MRCC isn’t alerted it always is.

[svRaison d Etre]

Is Inmarsat C a Satphone? Can you make a phone call on it?

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by svRaison d Etre

Is Inmarsat C a Satphone? Can you make a phone call on it?

no (quite slow) text only - is essentially obsolete technology but quite robust which is nice for emergency equipment.

Pretty much no yachts carry it now - We did 'back in the day' when we were doing high latitude, but iridium and such have pretty much replaced it in all but the commercial classed vessels.

[meirriba]

So much info...
Read GOBOATINGNOE posts.
This all you need to know....

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Breaking Waves

no (quite slow) text only - is essentially obsolete technology but quite robust which is nice for emergency equipment.

Pretty much no yachts carry it now - We did 'back in the day' when we were doing high latitude, but iridium and such have pretty much replaced it in all but the commercial classed vessels.

It was never fitted to yachts in the main , but it’s still part of GMDSS ,

[moseriw]

Foks what is going on? You just call 505 (SOS) for FREE and will be connected to the next Rescue Center to your position.

SO where the is the problem?

[sck5]

" Halifax USA"

I am from the USA and found Halifax to be a really nice city. However, the Canadians who live there seemed to be happy to be Canadians and not part of the US. Not that we didn't try back in 1812 but as I recall, we didn't succeed. At all.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by sck5

" Halifax USA"

I am from the USA and found Halifax to be a really nice city. However, the Canadians who live there seemed to be happy to be Canadians and not part of the US. Not that we didn't try back in 1812 but as I recall, we didn't succeed. At all.

That’s was just a slip of my fingers

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by moseriw

Foks what is going on? You just call 505 (SOS) for FREE and will be connected to the next Rescue Center to your position.

SO where the is the problem?

Isn’t that only available on Inmarsat fleet broadband.

They connect you to one of three high seas MRCC depending on the sea area you’re in.

Not sure iridium have anything similar.

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

It was never fitted to yachts in the main

Most 'superyachts' and many offshore racing yachts and many high latitude yachts had it, as I said 'back in the day'. It was a preferred method to get shore weather routing communication back then.

It has been pretty much superseded in that application.

On the 'call Germany or not' question - I personally have found language and culture issues to be more common points of possible failure/breakdown than you seem to, you pretty much ignored this point in my post above - this must reflect our different experiences.

I believe we have agreed the OP can call whichever of these Mrcc he is most comfortable with and get a decent response, and my personal suggestion is still he ask the german one what they recommend (which he says he has followed up on).

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Breaking Waves

Most 'superyachts' and many offshore racing yachts and many high latitude yachts had it, as I said 'back in the day'. It was a preferred method to get shore weather routing communication back then.

It has been pretty much superseded in that application.

On the 'call Germany or not' question - I personally have found language and culture issues to be more common points of possible failure/breakdown than you seem to, you pretty much ignored this point in my post above - this must reflect our different experiences.

I believe we have agreed the OP can call whichever of these Mrcc he is most comfortable with and get a decent response, and my personal suggestion is still he ask the german one what they recommend (which he says he has followed up on).

Yes, we used to have an Inmarsat-C aboard. Pretty sure you must have a general GMDSS license in order to have it so that is why not many have/had it.

[Dirk01]

I'm a German.
And I definitively would call MRCC Bremen in any case of a severe emergency first.
Regardless of whether they are officially listed or not.

Maybe it is a matter of trust, maybe I'd be uncertain if someone else really understands me, maybe .... any other thing ...

I don't know. I'd call MRCC Bremen first.

However, to have all other MRCCs in the speed dial list is not a failure. Or better to say my plan B (redundancy).

Only my 5 cts ...

Maybe right, maybe wrong, I'd do it as explained.

Cheers
Dirk

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by Dirk01

I'm a German.
And I definitively would call MRCC Bremen . . . .

Maybe it is a matter of trust, maybe I'd be uncertain if someone else really understands me, maybe .... any other thing ...

I don't know. I'd call MRCC Bremen first.

yea, this has been my practical experience - many people are more comfortable, stress is reduced, and calm down when they 'talk to someone from home' (in their language who understands their culture and frames of reference) in an emergency.

[ErnestV]

Originally Posted by Piscis

Planning a passage from the Seychelles to Thailand. We will not have SSB. Long range Distress calls would be done via Sat Phone.

On the way from the Seychelles to Thailand, we will cross 7 RCC sectors.

Question is: Which MRCC/ARCC/SRR unit to call best in case of an emergency?

John

Given you'll be using INMARSAT, here's from their website MBU_FleetBroadband_Fleet_Xpress_Free_Emergency_cal ling_2019.pdf.coredownload.pdf:

When you dial an emergency call code you will be connected directly to fully trained emergency operators. They will be ready to offer advice and instructions to help resolve your emergency. If required, they will dispatch the nearest search and rescue team to your location.

505 calls are routed directly to the MRCC most appropriate to your location

So I'd suggest to simply dial 505 when in distress as they will route your call wherever help is closest.