1. Enhanced Group Call (EGC)

2. 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.

3. Two EGC services
The SafetyNET Service
The FleetNET Service

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Basic concepts of the EGC system

9. 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

10. SafetyNET messages addressed to a specified area

12. MSI Provision

13. Classes of Inmarsat-C SES and their EGC reception

14. Selective reception of messagesx x

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

16. 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.

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

18. 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.

19. LES 322 MSG 25468 –NavWarn/ Safety Call to AREA: 10 – NoPos
EGC 255 Page 1 UTC Time: :11:03
LES 322 MSG –NavWarn/ Safety Call to AREA: 10 – NoPos
SECURITE
FM MRCC AUSTRALIA 23 FEB 1330Z
NAVAREA X 011/97
HASTING ISLAND LIGHT K3446 POSITION S E
REPORTED UNLIT
NNNN
EGC 931 Page 1 UTC Time: :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: :06:31
LES 121 MSG – 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: :08:15
LES 001 – MSG – –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