The Position Report Dialog is used for creating a position report and then saving that report in binary for transmission on the Standard - C unit for distribution to the coast guard and for distribution to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) center. A Position Report provides the current position of the vessel. Position Reports should be sent within 24 hours of departure and subsequently at least every 48 hours until an Arrival report is submitted. If the vessel is participating in both the AMVER and SEAS Meteorological Observation (MET) program there is no need to send Position Reports, since they are automatically generated from weather, MET observations. At the discretion of the master, reports may be sent more frequently than the above schedule, for example, during heavy weather or other adverse conditions.

Definitions:

Comment - Use Comment box if there is any other information you wish to transmit. Entering comments will force the reports to be sent in the message channel even if the transceiver is set up to send messages in the signal channel.

Current - Current location of ship and time.

Current Course - The vessel's course. This information is used by AMVER to dead reckon the vessel's progress.

Current Radio - Indicates the radio station through which ship currently communicates. These may include commercial coastal stations or U.S. Coast Guard Communication Stations.

Destination - Position and time at destination..

Date - Date that ship is at given position in format indicated: YYYY MM DD.

Emergency Watch Mobile ID - Emergency INMARSAT C number. Used for emergencies only.

Forward - Used for forwarding Amver Information to other programs. (LINK)See Administration definition.

Intended Ship Speed - The average speed of the vessel. This information is used with the current course to dead reckon the vessel's progress.

Latitude - Ship position in degrees, minutes and direction.
Formatted as DD MM N/S

Longitude - Ship position in degrees, minutes and direction.
Formatted as DDD MM E/W.

Medical Staff - Describes the type of medical staff that are currently on board the ship. In case of emergency informs the Coast Guard Amver of medical capabilities.

Next Radio - Indicates the radio station through which you will be communicating after the current one.

Port - The ports names and locations are restricted to the 6000+ ports identified by AMVER. In the binary AMVER message, port numbers are sent instead of names and locations. The AMVER port list locations are often the sea buoys where tracking starts and stops. As a result several ports located within restricted waters may have a common position. Always use the closest port.

Time - Time that ship is at given position in format indicated: HH MM.

Dialog Operation:

Dialog Access - In order to create a Position Report, select 'AMVER' and then 'Position Report' from the AMVER/SEAS menu. Clicking the button on the AMVER SEAS main menu also opens the report.

Data Entry - Enter data into the edit boxes using the mouse and/or the tab keys. First enter the current ships position. Current time is automatically entered but it can be edited if necessary. Enter the ship's speed and course. Enter ID information. Click the appropriate medical and forwarding information using the mouse.

Data Transmission - Once the Position Report is filled out then the data is saved in binary for transmission. From the menu select 'Transmit'|'Save Binary' to save the data in binary format or alternatively click on the 'Save Binary for Transmit' button. The transmitted file name is PR.bin. This converts the data to binary for transmission on the Standard - C unit for distribution to the Coast Guard. Data can also be saved in ASCII by selecting 'Transmit'|'Save ASCII' from the menu.

Menu Operation:
File:
Print - Prints the Position Report information.
Cancel - Cancels all changes and returns user to AMVER SEAS main screen.

Transmit:
Save Binary - Saves the data in binary for data transmission.
Save ASCII - Saves the data in ASCII for transmission