Period monitored

19/09/2003 to 26/09/2003

Frequencies

8414.5, 12577.0, 16804.5 kHz

Monitoring setup

The system recorded all DSC calls received on the frequencies above

Criteria

Calls with ECC checksum errors were not included in the anlaysis

Observations

1. The dominance of 'Test' calls matches our previous experience of coast station data from systems we have installed around the world .

2. Routine calling (including ship's business) on the exclusive distress & safety frequencies accounted for almost 16% of the total traffic.

3. Calls received with checksum errors totalled 3172 for the same peiod.

4. No 'All Ships Safety' or 'All Ships Urgency' calls were received - reports from vessels suggest these calls are responsible for the numerous DSC alarms.

5. Approximately 3% of calls received contained invalid coding.

Disclaimer

This information is intended as indicative only and may not be representative of DSC calling in other locations.