Enhanced Group Call (EGC)

EGC The EGC services were developed by Inmarsat to achieve access to a unique global automatic service, capable of addressing traffic to predetermined group of ships, or ships in both fixed and variable geographical areas. It can offer automatic services in coastal waters where it may not be possible to establish the NAVTEX service.

Two EGC services The SafetyNET Service The FleetNET Service

The SafetyNET Service This service allows an Information Provider, such as a meteorological or hydrographic office, to broadcast MSI addressed to all, or selected SES within an ocean region.

The FleetNET Service This service is a commercial service and allows an Information Provider such as shipping companies or governments to broadcast information such as company news, or government information to selected SES belonging to a closed network.

Basic concepts of the EGC system

SafetyNET broadcast messages = Coastal warnings ( areas where NAVTEX MSI is not provided ) = Navigational Warnings = Meteorological Warnings = Ice Reports = Search and Rescue information = Meteorological Forecasts = Pilot Service Messages = DECCA; LORAN; OMEGA; and SATNAV system Messages = Other Electronic Navaid Messages = Additional Navigational warnings = Meteorological and Navarea Warnings and meteorological forecasts to ships within specified NAVAREA/METAREA = SAR coordination to fixed or specified circular areas = Shore-to-ship distress alerts to ships w/in specified circular areas = Urgency and Safety messages to ships w/in specified rectangular areas = Chart correction services

SafetyNET messages addressed to a specified area

MSI Provision

Classes of Inmarsat-C SES and their EGC reception

Selective reception of messages x x

Updating ship’s position IMO requires Manual position update every 4 hours

What messages you MUST receive Shore-to-ship distress alert for the current NAVAREA; Navigational warnings for the current NAVAREA; Meteorological warnings for the current METAREA.

What messages you MAY receive Meteorological forecasts; MSI for any other NAVAREAs in which the ship is expected to sail.

Good Operating Practice Ensure any equipment associated with the EGC receiver is working properly. Make sure that the terminal is not storing unwanted messages, and has storage space for new messages. Make sure that the terminal is regularly updated with ship’s current position. While in port, keep the EGC receiver in operation, to ensure that you have received all necessary MSI before sailing. At the scheduled time, make sure that the receiver is tuned to the appropriate NCS channel/Ocean Region as given in the current “List of Radio Signals” Throughout your voyage, ensure that a written log is kept of the identities of all received messages, and a printed copy is kept of all distress traffic. Other messages should be kept on the bridge for as long as they remain in force.

LES 322 MSG 25468 –NavWarn/ Safety Call to AREA: 10 – NoPos EGC 255 Page 1 UTC Time: 11-02-23 00:11:03 LES 322 MSG 25468 –NavWarn/ Safety Call to AREA: 10 – NoPos SECURITE FM MRCC AUSTRALIA 23 FEB 1330Z NAVAREA X 011/97 HASTING ISLAND LIGHT K3446 POSITION 10-20.5S 151-52.0E REPORTED UNLIT NNNN EGC 931 Page 1 UTC Time: 11-02-27 21:32:16 TO: MASTER MV ARIES FM: STASCO LTD. HEAD OFFICE RE: RANDOM ALCOHOL TESTING SIR: PLEASE CONDUCT A.S.A.P. ALCOHOL TEST ON THE FOLLOWING: SECOND OFFICER A.B. (4 TO 8 WATCH) OILER YOU ARE HEARBY TO SUBMIT IMMEDIATELY THE RESULTS TO THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER CAPT. FRANK G. STAVISH. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE IF RECEIVED LATE OF MORE THAN 30 MINUTES. THANK YOU. REGARDS CAPT. STAVISH NNNN EGC 926 Page 1 UTC Time: 11-02-24 09:06:31 LES 121 MSG 2498 – MetWarn/Fore Urgent Call to AREA: 2 – PosOK WARNING ON NAVAREA 2, ISSUED BY METEO-FRANCE, TOULOUSE WIND SPEED IN BEAUFORT SCALE WARNING N004 WEST OF FARADAY FROM 28 FEBRUARY AT 09 UTC TO 28 FEBRUARY AT 18 UTC SOUTHWEST 8 = EGC 926 NNNN EGC 477 Page 1 UTC Time: 11-02-24 02:08:15 LES 001 – MSG – 28915 –NavWarn/ Safety Call to AREA: 4 – PosOK NAVAREA IV 582/95(27). OLD BAHAMA CHANNEL 185 FOOT FREIGHTER BEBO, GRAY HULL, WHITE SUPERSTRUCTURE WITH BRIDGE AFT, DISABLED AND ADRIFT VICINITY 21-47N 82-21W. VESSEL REPORTS FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS AND IS REQUESTING TOW TO THE BAHAMA BANK ANCHOR. VESSEL IN VICINITY REQUESTED TO MAINTAIN SHARP LOOK OUT, ASSIST IF POSSIBLE AND REPORT SIGHTINGS TO U.S. COASTGUARD. NNNN