Rescue 21: Improving Communications To Save Lives in the 21st Century

摘要

Americans expect the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to their calls for help at sea, just like calling 911. Unlike 911, however, the Coast Guard cannot determine the position of a radio transmission. The Coast Guard is utilizing antiquated communications equipment that was installed in the early 1970s and depends on persons in distress to calm-ly and clearly state their identity, location and nature of distress. That is difficult to do, at best, in many distress situations, Little to no direction-finding capability is just one of the many deficiencies of the current National Distress & Response System (NDRS). Other shortcomings include interoperability, DSC, single-channel operation, VHF-FM communication gaps and failing equipment.