Mayday call via Satphone - Which MRCC to call?

[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?

Generally speaking: Call MRCC of my ships registered Flag/MMSI (Germany)? or try to call the area "correct" and responsibe RCC?

I couldnt find a procedure to be followed...

Thanks!

John

[Breaking Waves]

I presume you also have an Epirb and it is german registered.
In that case, I would first call german MRCC - they will get your eprib signal first and then you can confirm the nature of the emergency by sat phone.
You will all have a common language which reduces one of the failure modes here.
The german's can/will coordinate with the coverage nation rcc would be useful, and will tell you if your making direct contact will be useful.

I think I personally would also have, just in case, written down (or in speed dial) the numbers to the rcc's for those coverage zones you are sailing thru.

Across that route you are going to get help from basically two sources - mostly commercial ships passing by and in a few spots Naval vessels on anti-piracy patrols. You are not likely to get much help from national SAR assets.

[goboatingnow]

Here’s the link showing you the dedicated high seas mrcc

https://www.inmarsat.com/en/solution...n-centres.html

Germany is not on it.

If in doubt I use Falmouth U.K. or Halifax USA.

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Here’s the link showing you the dedicated high seas mrcc

Germany is not on it.

If in doubt I use Falmouth U.K. or Halifax USA.

hmmm . . . . MRCC Bremen

We happen to have direct experience with the german procedure from an experience in Chile. German registered epirbs go direct/first to Bremen, and then they coordinate with the area local to the emergency. And there were, in the case we experienced, unfortunately, language issues.

[goboatingnow]

Again I’ve posted the approved GMDSS mrcc for high seas access, these are the centres to call via your satphone

Where the epirb is routed has nothin to do with the satphone access

These are the listed centres

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Again I’ve posted the approved GMDSS mrcc for high seas access, these are the centres to call via your satphone

Where the epirb is routed has nothin to do with the satphone access

These are the listed centres

You posted "a" list.

Here is another list which shows the Germany MRCC. published 'officially' by the Canadian coast guard.

And I happen to have first-hand experience with this direct issue (german vessel emergency in foreign waters), suggesting the best way to handle it.

"MRCC Bremen works closely with foreign MRCCs. At every point on earth, the watch leaders of the DGzRS support German ships or German seafarers abroad. MRCC Bremen is your global contact (National Maritime SAR Point of Contact), from arranging radio medical advice to evacuating crew members to the complete coordination of search and rescue measures in remote corners of the world's oceans."

But if the OP preferred to call say UK, I am sure they would handle it well also but probably with an extra step (calling germany).

For the OP - if you really want the direct answer to your question, just give Bremen a call and ask them. I'm quite sure they will be friendly and helpful for such a question.

[goboatingnow]

Every country has a MRCC. That’s not the point.

The list I provided are the centres designated as high seas rescue centres. They tend to have more resources then National only focused mrcc.

So when in the eastern Atlantic you’d use Falmouth , in the med , Rome etc

This is the designation under GMDSS

Of course call any damn MRCC you want they can all alert each other ,but it’s stupid calling a mrcc the other side of the world.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Every country has a MRCC. That’s not the point.

The list I provided are the centres designated as high seas rescue centres. They tend to have more resources then National only focused mrcc.

So when in the eastern Atlantic you’d use Falmouth , in the med , Rome etc

This is the designation under GMDSS

Of course call any damn MRCC you want they can all alert each other ,but it’s stupid calling a mrcc the other side of the world.

( I was until recently a GMDSS radio instructor and examiner )

[Piscis]

Originally Posted by Breaking Waves

hmmm . . . . MRCC Bremen

We happen to have direct experience with the german procedure from an experience in Chile. German registered epirbs go direct/first to Bremen, and then they coordinate with the area local to the emergency...

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.
And i am sure, in case of distress i could call Bremen as well and they will redirect to the local responsible RCC.

However, i thought there might be protocoll or given procedure on who to call in case not using DSC.

And you are right, best would be to keep all RCC numbers for the sectors on speed dial.

Thanks!

John

[PippaB]

FWIW, we have been contacted twice, at night, by MRCC Reunion. That only tells me that the center keeps an effective watch, it may be a useful contact to have for the first half. Maybe not first on the list, but possibly worth keeping the number available.

[Piscis]

I just texted MRCC in Bremen. Lets see what they suggest.

[Breaking Waves]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Of course call any damn MRCC you want they can all alert each other ,but it’s stupid calling a mrcc the other side of the world.

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.

[Piscis]

Thanks! I will see if they respond. If not, i will take the phone...

[glenn.225]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

( I was until recently a GMDSS radio instructor and examiner )

And can't get countries right. Halifax USA

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by glenn.225

And can't get countries right. Halifax USA

Sure Canada is just the US with healthcare