Digital Selective Calling (DSC) – Definition and Pronunciation
What is DSC?
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a automated communication system used in marine and maritime environments that allows vessels to send and receive distress and safety messages via radio. It enhances communication efficiency by enabling specific alerts to targeted stations without requiring manual acknowledgment, improving overall maritime safety.
Examples of DSC
Many marine VHF units have the DSC facility inbuilt with the ability to interface a Global Position System (GPS) receiver to the DSC, in order to ensure accurate and up to date position information that will be automatically included in a distress alert.
From “Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Alert Procedures and Protocols”.
Ships receiving a DSC distress alert from another ship should normally not acknowledge the alert by DSC since acknowledgment of a DSC distress alert by use of DSC is normally made by coast stations only.
From “DSC (Digital Selective Calling) Procedures for VHF – MF and HF”.
All GMDSS ships must be fitted with VHF DSC channel 70 for distress and safety calls from ship to ship. In sea area A1, ships must also be able to execute distress and safety calls to a coast station.
From “DSC – Digital Selective Calling”.
Pronunciation of DSC
