Question 36E4

Inmarsat distress alerts are transmitted via satellite to a Land Earth Station (LES), not directly to terrestrial coast stations. The LES then forwards the alert to an associated Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). Therefore, USCG coast stations, which are terrestrial, do not *receive* the initial satellite alert from an Inmarsat terminal. They act as an RCC or are notified by an RCC. This makes statement A incorrect. Statements B, C, and D are true: * **B) The operator selection of LES will determine which associated RCC will receive the alert.** Each LES serves a specific region and has agreements with particular RCCs, so the choice of LES directs the alert. * **C) If the operator selects an invalid or inoperative LES code the NCS for that service will intercept the call and...** The Network Coordination Station (NCS) oversees the Inmarsat network and would detect such an issue, taking action to re-route or handle the distress. * **D) If the LES choice is not updated properly the Distress Alert might be routed to a non-optimum RCC.** An outdated or poorly chosen LES could route the alert to an RCC far from the vessel's actual position, causing delays or inefficiencies.