3 MARITIME RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES FOR TELEMEDICAL ADVICE
3.1 Communications using metric waves (VHF) or hectometric waves (MF) by a contact radio station2:
The captain contacts the operator of an accessible radio station in the area where he is located and requests a telemedical advice from the TMAS, usually the reference service for the contact radio station, but may be the ships reference TMAS, particularly for reasons of language or monitoring the patient. The communication must be routed following the emergency procedure, as a priority and free of charge.
3.2 Communications using decametric waves (HF): decametric stations have a very long range which allows any ship to contact them regardless of their position at sea. Normally, there used to be a national maritime radiocommunication centre using decametric waves. Because of the development of new satellite telecommunications, this type of maritime radiocommunications, which was the basis for the first telemedical advice at sea, is less used. Some national centres have closed down. However, some ships are still only equipped with decametric SSB equipment for long distance communications.
In any event, under the GMDSS, global HF coverage is provided by a number of designated stations (see GMDSS master plan).
It is recommended that agreements between the competent national authorities and station operators should allow transmission of telemedical advice to the ship's reference TMAS following the free, priority, emergency procedures, recognized for medical consultations.
Maritime radiocommunications centres using decametric waves continue to provide a radio telex service used for telemedical advice, with both manual and automatic procedures.
3.3 Inmarsat communications: the various Inmarsat systems offer two abridged codes: 32 and 38, which can be used for medical assistance at sea by telephone or telex (telex only for Inmarsat-C):
- code 32 is used to obtain medical advice. Some coast earth stations (CPS) provide a direct link with the reference TMAS for the station or a nearby hospital when this code is used;
- code 38 should be used when the condition of an injured or sick person on board a ship justifies medical assistance (evacuation to shore or services of a doctor on board). This code allows the call to be routed to the shore-based service or body competent to deal with the situation. Some coast earth stations provide a direct link to the associated rescue coordination centres (RCC) when this code is used.
2 Contact radio station means either a coastal radio station, in the normal meaning of the term or another body such as an RCC.
