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Alaska FAQs
1. What benefits will Rescue 21 bring to Alaska?
- Enhances clarity of distress calls
- Supports Digital Selective Calling for registered users.
- Allows simultaneous channel monitoring
- Upgrades playback and recording feature of distress calls
- Reduces coverage gaps for coastal communications
- Automates transmission of Marine Information Broadcasts
- Enhanced clear and protected communications with Coast Guard assets
2. Why does the Coast Guard need to modernize the National Distress and Response System (NDRS)?
When completed, this vital major systems acquisition will provide leading-edge VHF-FM and UHF communications replacing the legacy National Distress and Response System that has been in use since the 1970s. By replacing outdated legacy technology with a fully integrated system, Rescue 21 Alaska will provide the Coast Guard with an upgraded tool with which to better protect the state’s 33,000 miles of coastline and inland waterways.
3. I’ve noticed that Rescue 21 won’t have the same direction finding capability as the lower 48. Why is this?
The suite of Rescue 21 technologies being deployed in Alaska are heavily influenced by supportability, weather, environment, habitability, terrain, power and bandwidth issues unique to the state. Terrain and weather present issues that, with current technology, are extremely hard to solve. Rescue 21 will continue to research equipment that may successfully address these issues, which may be implemented in the future.
4. Where and when will the system be deployed in Alaska?
The Coast Guard identified over 50 critical sites in Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula, the Aleutian Chain and Nome, at which expanded VHF-FM and UHF communications coverage will be installed. All work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.
5. Will boaters need to buy any new equipment?
No. Existing VHF marine band radios will be compatible with Rescue 21.
6. Will Rescue 21 be capable of responding to cell phone distress calls?
No. Rescue 21 is a VHF radio-based system and does not replace cellular or mobile phone systems. The Coast Guard would like to remind all mariners not to rely upon cell phone coverage on the water. Always keep a VHF radio aboard your vessel, and remember to test it often.
Cell phones are point-to-point transmissions that can only be received by a single party. Rescue 21 provides broadcast signals that can be received by other vessels / aircraft within range of the broadcast, thereby increasing probability of rescue.
7. Does the Coast Guard intend to replace Channel 16 communications with Digital Selective Calling?
The Coast Guard has no plans to replace Channel 16 as the primary method of distress notification. The Coast Guard will monitor Channel 70 (Digital Selective Calling channel) in areas with Rescue 21. If properly registered with a Mobile Maritime Service Identity (MMSI) number and interfaced with the vessel's GPS, a DSC radio signal transmits vital vessel information, position, and the nature of distress (if entered) at the push of a button. It is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED that all mariners correctly install and register their DSC capable VHF radios as soon as possible. For more information on DSC and its benefits, see www.uscg.mil/rescu21/benefits.asp.
8. What are the potential environmental impacts of deploying the system?
The Rescue 21 system is subject to all provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as various other federal environmental regulations. The overall environmental impacts are expected to be minimal. The Coast Guard is committed to minimizing the impact of Rescue 21 deployment on migrating birds, wetlands, historic and cultural resources, and other ecologically fragile natural resources.
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