Rescue 21: activated in San Diego, coming to LA soon

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Coast Guard multi-mission helicopter



I was wondering when we’d be covered by Rescue 21 technology and wrote to the CG and asked. Here’s what they said:

Sir: Installed Rescue 21 equipment at Sector LA/LB is in a system testing phase. By November of this year, the Coast Guard will likely conditionally accept the system and commence the shutdown of the older National Distress Response System (NDRS). In 2011, upon final acceptance of the Rescue 21 system, all obsolete or redundant NDRS equipment will be powered down.

BETTER RESPONSE: IT’S ALMOST HERE.

So, if you’ve got a VHF radio – you’ll benefit from Rescue 21 – but if you’ve got a VHF with a red DSC (Digital Selective Calling) button, you’ll have much better protection.

If you haven’t already done done so, you need to hook your VHF radio to the GPS and register your boat with the Coast Guard by getting an MMSI number. Those proceduers will enable DSC.

Here’s what the Coast Guard has to say about DSC:

Digital Selective Calling

No new equipment is needed for you to benefit from Rescue 21. The new system will increase the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to distress calls in the coastal zone. However, you can help us improve response time by using a marine-band VHF-radio equipped with digital selective calling (DSC).

If properly registered with a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number and interfaced with GPS, the DSC radio signal transmits vital vessel information, position, and the nature of distress (if entered) at the push of a button. In an emergency, with one push of a button, your DSC radio will send an automated digital distress alert containing your MMSI number and position to other DSC-equipped vessels and rescue facilities. DSC will provide a quicker and more accurate response by the Coast Guard. For more information on Digital Selective Calling check out the video, Can You Hear Me?
Get your MMSI Number

The Boat U.S. and Sea Tow MMSI Programs have been certified by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Coast Guard. To obtain and register your MMSI number, the Coast Guard recommends logging onto http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/ or http://www.seatow.com/boating_safety/mmsi/mmsiRegister.asp and following the instructions.

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