Equipment for radiotelephony use in survival craft stations under GMDSS must have what capability?

The equipment for radiotelephony use in survival craft stations under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) must have the capability to operate on Channel 16, which is designated as the international distress frequency for maritime communications. This frequency plays a crucial role in emergency situations, allowing vessels in distress to communicate their situation and request assistance effectively.

Operating on Channel 16 also ensures that the distress calls can reach the widest audience of maritime operators, including other vessels and shore stations that monitor this frequency. Thus, it is essential for survival craft stations to be equipped with radios capable of operating on this channel to maximize the chances of being heard and receiving timely assistance in an emergency.

The other frequency options mentioned, such as 457.525 MHz and 121.5 MHz, are used for different purposes; 121.5 MHz, for example, is often associated with emergency locator transmitters and is not strictly a radiotelephony channel like Channel 16. While these frequencies may serve important roles in safety, the specific requirement set out for survival craft under GMDSS focuses primarily on the ability to communicate on Channel 16 during distress situations.