INFORMATION SERVICE AT SEA

Croatian maritime radio-telephone service is organized by the PLOVPUT company in Split.

It can be used by vessels with VHF radio-stations (passenger or cargo boats over 300 GRT) and also by yachts, sport and pleasure boats regardless of size if they have a VHF station. The coastal radio-stations at Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik man a continuous service on the international frequencies 2182 kHz and 156 800 MHz (channel 16). Coastal radiostations transmit weather forecasts and reports and provide medical advice. Such services are free. Only commercial and private services are paying.

@NASLTAB = COASTAL VHF RADIOSTATIONS SERVICE

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Stations, Continuous working hours on the chanel, Meteorological forecast and radio announcements, +

^, ^, Channel, Time (UTC)

RIJEKARADIO, 16,, 20,, 24,, 04, 24, 05 35,, 14 35,, 19 35

SPLITRADIO , 16,, 21,, 23,28,, 04,, 07, 21,, 23,, 28,04,, 07, 05 45,, 12 45,, 19 45

DUBROVNIKRADIO, 16,, 07, 07, 06 25,, 13 20,, 21 20

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Names and channel of the radio-equipments: RIJEKARADIO Ucka 16,, 20,, 24,, Razromir 04; SPLITRADIO Labištica 16,, 23; Vidova Gora (Brac) 16,, 21; Vis (Hum) 16,, 28; Sv. Mihovil (Ugljan) 16,, 07; Uljenje (Pelješac) 16,, 04; DUBROVNIKRADIO Sr| 16,, 07.Notice: UTC is almost as GMT, +, +, +

@Z_TBL_END =

Harbour master's offices also operate VHF radio-stations and organize sea-search and rescue. Contact is made on channel 16. In addition to channel 16 harbour master's offices man a continuous service on channel 10 and a continuous daytime service on the same frequency is manned by their branch offices. Marinas have their VHF radio-service on channel 17.

If vessels observe some important event they must immediately notify the coastal radio-station.

Messages by radio-telephone

Coastal radio-stations identify themselves by their geographical name (i.e. SPLITRADIO). The ship's radio-stations identify themselves by the name of vessel or by the authorized call-signal of the radio-station.

The ship's radio-telephone service can maintain contact only with vessels which have their own radio operator.

Vessels in principle transmit and receive open messages concerning safety at sea and maritime traffic in general. They may however send and receive personal messages and communicate with persons on shore or on other vessels.

The maritime movable service operates on the frequencies 1605...4000 kHz and 156...162 MHz. For vessels (boats) sailing in the Adriatic a VHF radio-telephone station is sufficient (frequency 156162 MHz).

Croatian vessels and coastal radio-stations use the national language and English. Exceptionally in cases where understanding causes difficulties the message may be coded in International Signal Code (ISC) and International Regulations Concerning the Exchange of Messages at Sea should be adhered to.

For details see Radio-Navigation Service (Radionavigacijska služba) and other manuals published by the State Hydrographic Institute in Split.

To simplify the transmission and reception of messages by radiotelephone The Standard Maritime Vocabulary IMO (Standardni pomorsko-navigacijski rjecnik, published by Školska knjiga in Zagreb) is recommended.

Passage from open messages to coded text is denoted by the words: ;Please use the international code of signals+ or the signal group YU (Yankee Uniform), from ISC.

The procedure for radio messages depends on the type of message concerned: general messages or those where safety at sea or urgency is involved.

Special attention must be given to the following signals:

MAYDAY indicates that sender is in danger and requires immediate help;

PAN PAN the sender wishes to send an urgent message;

SICURITI the sender is about to transmit a message concerning safety at sea or important weather information;

MEDICO medical advice needed;

Other messages concern: radio-position of vessels, radionavigation information, weather report, movements and needs of vessels, official messages, etc.

At sea constant monitoring (watch service) of international frequency 2182 kHz must be maintained. VHF-stations call on frequency 156 800 MHz (channel 16).

Transmission. Coastal radio-telephone stations call vessels of their own nationality on any of the authorized radio frequencies. If they call a vessel of foreign registration or a particular vessel of their own nationality they use the international radio-frequency 2182 kHz; VHF radio-stations call on frequency 156 800 (channel 16). The same rules hold for calls from vessels to coastal stations Vessels call other vessels on radio frequency 2182 kHz or 156 800 MHz (channel 16)

Replying. If the transmitting radio-telephone station did not provide the frequency for reply then the reply is given on the transmission frequency. The receiving station may suggest another frequency. In the cases of misunderstanding the coastal station is the deciding factor. If there is misunderstanding between vessels it is the station that originally transmitted that sets the frequency for replies also.

Sending messages. After radio contact has been established the message is sent on one of the authorized frequencies. Frequencies exclusively intended for calling (especially frequency 2182 kHz and 156 800 MHz) should only be used for sending messages concerned with danger at sea.

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a) Exchange of messages

@P11 = CALL REPLY

@P11 = BIOKOVO(three times) SPLITRADIO(three times)

@P11 = THIS IS THIS IS

@P11 = SPLITRADIO (three times) BIOKOVO (three times)

@P111 = Please pass over on Receiving you clearly.

@P111 = frequency 2740 kHz. Passing to your radio-frequency

@P111 = Can you hear me? OVER. 2740 kHz. OVER.

@P111 =

@P111 = Please proceed to position Message received

@P111 = latitude 4213 longitude 1654. Master.

@P111 = Please confirm me. OVER.

@P111 = OUT X OUT

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b) Danger message

@P11 = CALL REPLY

@P11 = MAYDAYMAYDAYMAYDAY MAJAMAJAMAJA

@P11 = THIS IS THIS IS

@P11 = MAJAMAJAMAJA ZVONIMIRZVONIMIRZVONIMIR

@P111 = MAYDAY. My position 2300 hours MAYDAY signal received.

@P111 = latitude 4220 longitude 1720. My position 1600 hours latitude

@P111 = Fire. Require assistance 4120 longitude 1720, speed 15

@P111 = immediately. Master. OVER. knots. Estimated time of arrival

@P111 = 0300 hours. Master.

@P111 = OUT X OUT

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c) Urgent message d) Security message

@P11 = PAN PAN PAN SICURITI SICURITI SICURITI

@P11 = ALL STATIONS (three times) ALL STATIONS (three times)

@P11 = THIS IS THIS IS

@P11 = KATJA KATJA KATJA SPLITRADIO (three times)

@P111 = Position 2210 hours 15 miles SW Information for navigators. Zone

@P111 = Kamenjak point. Man overboard. between island of Brac and shore

@P111 = Master. OVER. forbidden for sailing. Information

@P111 = for navigators concluded.

Radio-navigational information

These are transmitted by coastal radio-stations and concern safety at sea (e.g. alterations of lights or navigational signs, floating wreck, danger zones etc.). Navigational lights are divided into 16 zones identified by numbers. The Mediterranean (including the Adriatic) is coordinated from Spain (AREA III: MADRID NAVAL RADIO, short. EBA)

Messages are preceded by NAVAREA followed by the number of the zone and the number of the message in the current calendar year.

Open messages are sent (in the language of the coastal station and then in English) on designated frequencies, at designated times and at a vessel's request. They are repeated in regular radio-transmissions until cancelled, loss of relevance or publication in Notice to Mariners. In cases of imminent maritime danger radio messages are transmitted urgently on the international frequencies 2182 kHz and 156 800 MHz (channel 16) and repeated after the next silent period (2182 kHz). They are preceded by SICURITI. Vessels that observe anything dangerous notify all vessels on the same frequencies and the coastal stations with which they are in contact and notify their frequency (channel).

In recent years the NAVTEX system is increasingly used. This operates on frequency 518 kHz and reception is possible up to 400 M. NAVTEX is particularly suitable for small vessels. Information in English is given in descriptive form (similar to telefax). Besides navigational warnings important for safety at sea messages may be received important for hyperbolic and satellite navigation systems. SPLITRADIO transmits NAVTEX messages at 0250, 0650, 1050, 1850 and 2250 UTC.

Radio-notices relevant for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas are given in Notice to Mariners (Oglas za pomorce).

For more details consult manual of the Radio-Navigation Service published by the State Hydrographic Institute in Split.

Radio-medical assistance

The international radio-medical centre in Rome (CIRM) organizes this service for vessels at sea. Medical advice is given and the organization of reception of invalids and their transfer to hospital for medical assistance irrespective of nationality and sailing area. Medical messages may be sent in the CIRM code or open.

Medical advice may also be received from some coastal stations (in Croatia and Italy from all). In urgent cases messages must include the signal RADIOMEDICAL and the place (i.e. RADIOMEDICAL SPLITRADIO). In other cases MEDICO may be used. The message should contain a short account of the accident or symptoms. It may be in open text or coded according to the international signal code (medical section) and is signed by the shipmaster. Such messages are free.

For further details see Radio-Navigation Service manual published by the State Hydrographic Institute in Split.

Exchange of spoken messages (by megaphone)

Megaphones (simple horn or solid-state) may be used for exchange of messages when vessels are within hailing distance. The principles of sending such messages is the same as radio-telephone messages.

Exchange of messages between two vessels

@P11 = CALL REPLY

@P11 = TONITONITONI IVOIVOIVO

@P11 = THIS IS THIS IS

@P11 = IVOIVOIVO TONITONITONI

@P111 = Your position please. OVER. My position is 20 nautical

@P111 = miles south of Jabuka.

@P111 = OUT X OUT

Morse signalling with lights

This can be done with a hand torch or a light from the mast. The standard speed is about 40 letters a minute. Care must be taken of the pauses between dots and dashes of the letter (very short), between letters (slightly longer) and between words (slightly longer again). Messages may be in open text or in code according to International Signals Convention. Instead of a period the word STOP may be sent.

@CENT 2 = NUMBERS

@M = 1 . 6 . . . .

@M = 2 . . 7 . . .

@M = 3 . . . 8 . .

@M = 4 . . . . 9 .

@M = 5 . . . . . 0

@CENT 2 = LETTERS

@L = A . J . R . .

@L = B . . . K . S . . .

@L = C . . L . . . T

@L = D . . M U . .

@L = E . N . V . . .

@L = F . . . O W .

@L = G . P . . X . .

@L = H . . . . Q . Y .

@L = I . . Z . .

@L =

@31 = Example. Yacht ;Katja+ (identification sign HTQK) in open text message informs yacht ;Sonja+ (HTWY): ;I have engine trouble+

@P10 = Katja Sonja

@P5 = HTWY HTWY... Z TTTT...

@P5 = DE HTQK Z DE HTQK

@P5 = HTWY X HTWY

@P5 = I have Z T

@P5 = engine Z T

@P5 = trouble Z T

@P5 = AR Z R

@331 = Example. When identification number not understood, or if there is misunderstanding of a word by the receiver.

@P10 = Katja Unknown vessel

@P5 = AAAAAA Z TTTT...

@P5 = I have Z T

@P5 = trouble Z T

@P5 = EEEEE... Z EEEE...

@P5 = have Z T

@P5 = engine Z T

@P5 = trouble Z T

@P5 = AR Z R

@31 = Notes: DE coming from; T received and understood; EEEE sign of a defect (if a receiver does not understand, he emits EEE..., sender repeats EEE... and also the last understood word); AR message ends; R message received and understood. If a receiver cannot take the message immediately he will give the signal AS with a number showing how many minutes will elapse before he will be able to take the message (e.g. AS05).

Sound signalling

Sound signalling is slow and today is seldom practised. Sound signals in Morse Code are allowed only in accordance with the Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

Vessel (yacht) driven by mechanical propulsion which change course show their intention by:

one short blast meaning ;I am turning to starboard+ (right);

2 short blasts ;I am turning to port (left)+;

3 short blasts ;I am going astern+.

If two vessels are near each other and not sure of each other's movements either must show uncertainty by 5 short quick blasts.

A vessel (yacht) sailing in a narrow channel and wishing to overtake the vessel in front of it may signal her intention by:

two long and one short blasts if intending to overtake on the starboard side;

two long and two short blasts if intending to overtake on the port side.

The vessel to be overtaken signals agreement by giving a long followed by a short blast twice repeated.

If a vessel (yacht) is approaching a bend in a channel or river, not easy to survey, it signals its presence by one long blast. Any approaching vessel will answer in the same way.

When sailing in limited visibility (fog, mist, strong rain) a vessel longer than 12 m sends the following sound signals:

a vessel with mechanical propulsion, one long signal with intervals shorter than 2 minutes (while moving), i.e. 2 long signals in the intervals of 2 seconds (the engine is stopped and the vessel is not moving);

a vessel with limited manoeuvring capability, a sailing-boat, a fishing-craft, a tug-boat, 1 long and 2 short signals in intervals shorter of 2 minutes;

an anchored ship, quick bell-ringing (above 5 seconds) in intervals shorter than 1 minute (warning signal shortlongshort);

a wrecked vessel, 3 separate bell-ringing and a sound signal like an anchored vessel;

a tug-boat, as any other, can give 4 short signals.

A vessel (yacht) shorter of 12 m is not bound to follow the given regulations, but must give efficacious sound signals in intervals shorter than 2 minutes.

Flag signalling

Flag signalling is done according to International Signalling Code (ISC). The messages are regularly coded. A signal can be a letter or a figure or a combination of both. More significant of the general (ISC) are: Danger-Urgency. Trouble-Damage. Navigation-Hydrography. Manoeuvring. Various. MeteorologyWeather. Connection. International Health Regulations. A section on medicine is separate.

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One-letter signals

@NV = A (Alpha)

@NV1 = I have divers below water; keep wide berth or go dead-slow

@NV = B (Bravo)

@NV1 = I am loading, unloading, transporting dangerous cargo

@NV = C (Charlie)

@NV1 = Yes (affirmative answering signal)

@NV = D (Delta)

@NV1 = Give me wide berth, I have difficulty in manoeuvring

@NV = E (Echo)

@NV1 = I am changing course to starboard (turning to the right)

@NV = F (Foxtrot)

@NV1 = I am disabled, retain contact with me

@NV = G (Golf)

@NV1 = I need a pilot (for fishing vessels: I am raising my nets)

@NV = H (Hotel)

@NV1 = I have a pilot aboard

@NV = I (India)

@NV1 = I am changing course to port (turning on the left)

@NV = J (Juliette)

@NV1 = I am on fire and have dangerous cargo; keep wide berth

@NV = K (Kilo)

@NV1 = I am trying to make contact with you (signal for need to pass message)

@NV = L (Lima)

@NV1 = Stop immediately

@NV = M (Mike)

@NV1 = I have stopped and am making no way

@NV = N (November)

@NV1 = No (negative reply)

@NV = O (Oscar)

@NV1 = Man overboard

@NV = P (Papa)

@NV1 = At sea: my nets have snagged (for fishing-boat). On shore: all men aboard, we are about to sail

@NV = Q (Quebec)

@NV1 = Health on board OK. I am asking free passage

@NV = R (Romeo)

@NV1 = Passage beside me free, can you pass

@NV = S (Sierra)

@NV1 = My stern engines are working

@NV = T (Tango)

@NV1 = Keep your distance, I am towing/trawling

@NV = U (Uniform)

@NV1 = You are sailing into danger

@NV = V (Victor)

@NV1 = I need help

@NV = W (Whiskey)

@NV1 = I need a doctor

@NV = X (X-ray)

@NV1 = Stop what you are undertaking and watch for my signals

@NV = Y (Yankee)

@NV1 = I am dragging anchor (for Croatian naval vessels: I am leaving/entering port)

@NV = Z (Zulu)

@NV1 = I need a tug (for fishing-boats: I am letting down my nets)

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Important two-letter signals denoting danger oraccidents

@NVX = AE I am abandoning ship

@NVX = AL I have a doctor aboard

@NVX = AN I need a doctor

@NVX = CB I need help urgently

@NVX = CC I am in danger (then give position)

@NVX = CP I am coming to help you

@NVX = CS What is the name of your boat

@NVX = CV I cannot help you

@NVX = DX I am sinking (then give position)

@NVX = IT Fire aboard

@NVX = JG I have run aground and am in danger

@NVX = JM I have run aground but am not in danger

@NVX = KF I need a tug

@NVX = KG Do you need a tug

@NVX = KM Can I tow you

@NVX = KN I cannot tow you

@NVX = VC Where is the nearest fuel

@NVX = VD You can get fuel at...

@NVX = VK Storm imminent from...

@NVX = XW Happy journey 

Posted in: INFORMATION SERVICE AT SEA