Commandant
2100 Second Street, S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-SCT
Phone: (202) 267-2860
COMDTINST 16121.1
JAN 29 1998
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16121.1
Subj: DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING OPERATIONS DOCTRINE
Ref:
(a) Telecommunications Manual, COMDTINST M2000.3 (Series)
(b) Manual for use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services (ITU
1992)
(c) International Code of Signals (DMAHTC Pub 102)
1.
PURPOSE. To establish policy and operational doctrine for the use of MF/HF Digital
Selective Calling (DSC) in support of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) at shore stations within the Coast Guard Telecommunications System.
2.
ACTION. Area, District Commanders, and unit Commanding Officers shall ensure
compliance with the provisions of this Instruction.
3.
DIRECTIVE AFFECTED. None
4.
DISCUSSION.
a.
General. The primary purpose of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) is to improve telecommunications to and from ships at sea by automatically
identifying the caller and the location of a vessel in distress. The components of
GMDSS rely primarily on satellite communications instead of traditional terrestrial
communications (i.e., VHF/MF voice and radiotelegraphy). GMDSS becomes fully
effective for the 77 signatory nations of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention
on February 1, 1999. As a component of the GMDSS, Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
is designed for automatic station calling, distress alerting, and the establishment of
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