Subelement A: Rules & Regulations— Topic 3: Watchkeeping
Question 1-3A2
Element 1 (MROP)All compulsory equipped cargo ships (except those operating under GMDSS regulations or in a VTS) while being navigated outside of a harbor or port, shall keep a continuous radiotelephone watch on:
Explanation
For compulsory equipped cargo ships operating outside of GMDSS regulations or a VTS, a continuous radiotelephone watch is maintained on **Channel 8**. This channel is internationally designated as an intership working frequency. Its use for continuous watch allows for routine navigational and operational communications between vessels, preventing congestion on Channel 16.
While **Channel 16** is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency that all vessels capable must monitor, the question specifically asks for the channel for a "continuous radiotelephone watch" for non-GMDSS/VTS cargo ships. In this context, Channel 8 serves as the primary working channel to facilitate ongoing communications.
**Channel 70** is the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress and calling channel, used for automated digital alerts, not for continuous voice radiotelephone watch. **Channel 6** is primarily an intership safety and search and rescue channel but is not the designated continuous watch channel for general navigation in this specific scenario.
Related Questions
1-2A6 What is a requirement of every commercial operator on duty and in charge of a transmitting system?1-3A1 Radio watches for compulsory radiotelephone stations will include the following:1-3A4 When a watch is required on 2182 kHz, at how many minutes past the hour must a 3 minute silent period be observed?1-3A5 Which is true concerning a required watch on VHF Ch-16?1-3A6 What are the mandatory DSC watchkeeping bands/channels?