Maritime Voice Radiocommunications Regulations & Procedures
Voice Radiocommunications
General Provisions
Unnecessary Transmissions & Interference
Communications should be restricted to those necessary for the safe and expeditious movement of vessels. Unnecessary transmissions are not permitted.
Profane and obscene language is strictly prohibited.
False Distress Signals
False distress signals are strictly prohibited.
Penalties for Violations
Any person who knowingly transmits or causes to be transmitted any false or fraudulent distress signal, call, or message is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a penalty or to imprisonment, or to both.
Radio Interference Regulations
All radio stations shall be installed and operated so as not to interfere with or interrupt the working of another radio station. The only situation under which you may interrupt or interfere with the normal working of another station is when you are required to transmit a higher priority call or message (for example, distress, urgency, or safety calls or messages).
Priority of Communications
The order of priority for radiocommunications is as follows:
- Distress communications
- Urgency communications
- Safety communications
- Communications relative to direction-finding bearings
- Communications relative to the navigation, movement, and needs of aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations
- Messages containing exclusively meteorological (weather) observations intended for an official meteorological office
- Communications related to the application of the United Nations Charter
- Service messages related to the operation of the radiocommunications service or to messages that have been previously transmitted
- All other communications
Operating Procedures: Using IMO Standard Phrases
The efficient use of a radiotelephone depends to a large extent on the operator’s method of speaking. As the distinctive sounds of consonants are apt to become blurred in the transmission of speech, words of similar length containing the same vowel sounds may sound alike. Special care is necessary in their pronunciation. Special care is also required in handling the microphone. Do not hold the microphone too close to your mouth because it may cause distortion or slurring of words, and you may have to repeat your message to be understood. Speak all words plainly and end each word clearly in order to prevent the running together of consecutive words. The following points should be kept in mind when using a radiotelephone:
Speed and Rhythm of Speech
Keep the rate of speech constant, neither too fast nor too slow. Remember that the operator receiving your message may have to write it down. Preserve the rhythm of ordinary conversation. Avoid the introduction of unnecessary sounds such as “er” and “um” between words.
If the communication link is unreliable, or the wording of the text complex or confusing, use the command WORDS TWICE or, upon request, repeat the message using the phonetic alphabet. This should ensure that the information within the text of the message is received correctly.
SMCP Message Markers
The message marker is the word pronounced before the message to signal and introduce the purpose and content of the message to be communicated. The following eight message markers are recommended: