ANNEX 3 - COMMUNICATIONS. Contents

Transcription

1 ANNEX 3 - COMMUNICATIONS Contents Overview... 2 The Maritime NZ Communications Plan... 3 Callsigns... 3 Operating Procedures for use of Radio Equipment... 4 The Phonetic Alphabet... 4 Oil Spill Response Communications Plan Template... 5 Communications Links Supporting Information... 7 Repeater-based systems... 7 ES Band... 7 Fishers Radio Networks (SSB, VHF), Civil Defence systems and Local Authorities networks... 7 Ultra High Frequency... 8 Marine Radio Communications... 8 Maritime NZ Dedicated Oil Spill Communication Equipment... 8 VHF-IMM and MF/HF - Single-Side Band... 8 INMARSAT... 9 Civil Aviation communications... 9 Amateur communications networks... 9 Cellular telephone networks... 9 Satellite Phones Special Dedicated Landline Systems Glossary National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 1 of 11

2 Overview This annex outlines a generic communications plan which has been designed for use by regional authorities and Maritime NZ during a Tier 2 or Tier 3 marine oil spill response. Regional marine oil spill plans may have relevant maps/figures showing mobile phone and pager coverage, as well as regional radio communications systems resources. National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 2 of 11

3 The Maritime NZ Communications Plan Given the varying types of communications equipment, the regional variances in channelisation and frequencies of equipment available from agencies and departments throughout New Zealand, it is extremely difficult to provide a common and standard communications plan which covers New Zealand for all situations. A generic communication plan has been developed and provides a guide on how regions and the On Scene Commander (OSC) can best allocate their communications equipment and resources to establish communication links that fit the required response operation. This communications plan, when utilised is such that it can be easily changed to reflect the communications requirements of a harbour, coastal, littoral or deep water spill situation. MNZ equipment may be deployed to enhance the existing equipment in use. The main communications bands in use and type will remain constant throughout New Zealand. It is important to note that the primary communications methods employed in the communications plan i.e VHF/UHF/Cellular rely on being in direct Line of Sight (LOS) of either base station, portable or repeater unit. Any interference to this line may degrade the signal and therefore the quality of the communications link. The communications plan will be based on the use of equipment listed in this annex. However, additional types of equipment not mentioned can and will be utilised to further enhance the flow of information in order to assist in the containment or cleanup operation in effect. Safety Note: Radios, mobile phones, pagers, certain cameras and other electromagnetic and radio frequency emitting devices must not be taken or operated on board tankers or in a spill situation unless they are certified and approved intrinsically safe. Callsigns It is highly recommended that callsigns be used to precede all radio transmissions. The use of callsigns will clearly identify the caller and the calling station. Utilisation of callsigns creates less confusion in a high intensity environment. Registered vessels and aeroplanes should in the first instance use their registered name or callsign or a combination of both. The On Shore Operations Team callsigns and other teams or individuals with radio equipment should be allocated a callsign. Department of Conservation, Civil Defence and other organisations may have pre-arranged callsigns which should be used in the first instance. When callsigns are not allocated, callsigns should consist of a name and in either a numerical or alphabetical order prior to commencing operations e.g. Shore Party 1 etc. The Incident Control Centre is the headquarters and therefore the communication centre. All information should flow through this centre for dissemination to the appropriate authorities, organisations and operational teams. The Incident Control Centre (headquarters) is allocated the callsign Incident Control. It is recommended that all regional councils utilise this callsign when conducting Tier 1 & 2 operations. This callsign should be used in conjunction with the generic communications plan at the appendix. Personal names and position/title should be used when utilising mobile phones. The Incident Control Centre is the Headquarters of any operation and therefore it should maintain positive control the radio networks being used. National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 3 of 11

4 Operating Procedures for use of Radio Equipment Correct operating procedures will assist the clear understanding of messages, save time, reduce channel usage and interference to other users. The following guidelines should be followed when operating any radio transmitting equipment: Users should listen on channel/frequency being used to ensure the channel/frequency is clear prior to transmitting, Callsigns should be used by both the called and calling operators, Operators should speak naturally, clearly, slowly and be courteous, Messages should be short and concise, The use of the phonetic alphabet should be utilised when required to spell or clarify certain words, grid references etc, Ensure the transmit button is in the OFF position when transmission has been completed. The following example will illustrate the procedures as outlined above: Incident Control This is - Shore Party 2 over Shore Party 2 - this is Incident Control - Go ahead over Incident Control - this is - Shore party 2 - roger, message as follows - area grid reference Tango Alpha 16 (TA16) through Tango Alpha 17 (TA17) cleared. Request further instructions over Shore Party 2 - this is Incident Control - roger your message - wait further instructions - out. The Phonetic Alphabet When it is necessary to spell out callsigns or words, the following words should be used to represent the letters and numbers: Letter Word Spoken As* Letter Word Spoken As* A Alpha AL FAH N November NO VEM BER B Bravo BRAH VOH O Oscar OSS CAH C Charlie CHAR LEE P Papa PAH PAH D Delta DELL TAH Q Quebec KEH BECK E Echo ECK OH R Romeo ROW ME OH F Foxtrot FOKS TROT S Sierra SEE AIR RAH G Golf GOLF T Tango TANG GO H Hotel HOH TELL U Uniform YOU NEE FORM I India IN DEE AH V Victor VIK TAH J Juliett JEW LEE ATT W Whiskey WISS KEY K Kilo KEY LOH X Xray ECKS RAY L Lima LEE MAH Y Yankee ` YANG KEY M Mike MIKE Z Zulu ZOO LOO 1 One WUN 2 Two TOO 3 Three TREE 4 Four FOW-ER 5 Five FIFE 6 Six SIX 7 Seven SEV-EN 8 Eight AIT 9 Nine NIN-ER 0 Zero ZEE-RO * The syllables to be emphasised are underlined. National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 4 of 11

5 Oil Spill Response Communications Plan Template Circuit / User Band Channel Frequency Callsign Remarks SHORE SHORE (HQ/Shore/ Cleanup parties) SHORE SHIP (HQ/Workboats/Tanker) SHORE SHIP (HQ/Workboats/Tanker) GROUND AIR (HQ/Spotter/Workboats Tanker) VHF Land Mobile Mobile Phone Networks VHF IMM Mobile Phone Networks ES/ESB Bands Various Region Dependant CH 16 Ch 4 88* As directed by user of equip 1. FM Voice 2. Equipment as provided by region i.e DOC, CD, Wildlife 3. MNZ Ch ES127 & ESX8 1. Cellular coverage dependant on differing networks Mhz International 1. FM Voice 2. Ch16 Intl Distress/Safety 3. * VHF IMM Channels are working channels and used as directed by Harbour authorities and Coastal stations. 4. Channels MM83-MM88 are reserved for Coast Guard operations. 5. Equipment - Hand Held or Fixed station radios. 6. Intrinsically Approved radios only to be used on tankers. 1. Cellular coverage dependant on differing networks. MH / HF As directed Various International 1. SSB Voice 2. Used for long haul communication links or when line of sight VHF links unsuitable VHF Aeronautical As directed As directed International 1. FM Voice 2. Linked directly to Incident control or relay via landline from Control tower Error! Objects cannot be created from editing field codes. Notes 1.. Maritime NZ portable Aeronautical handheld radios and Base station equipment available to be deployed as required. 2.. Maritime NZ portable handheld radios and Base station equipment (land mobile) available to be deployed as required. Can be used to supplement local regional resources. National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 5 of 11

6 Communications Links Supporting Information Repeater-based systems There are a number of UHF and VHF radio-based systems providing national coverage operating in New Zealand. These include the radio systems used by the emergency services (Ambulance, Fire, and Police), Fisheries, Civil Defence, local regional authorities as well as some private organisations. ES Band The Emergency Service Band (138.0 MHz to MHz) is part of the VHF radio spectrum coordinated by the Public Service Radio Frequency Management Group (PSRFMG) for use by government departments. The majority of government agencies radio networks are located in this band, especially those operated by emergency services and civil defence systems. Hence it has developed into an invaluable mechanism for communicating between agencies at multi-agencies incidents. Controlled Incident Management System (CIMS) events like oil spills and forest fires can occur in isolated areas where access to telecommunications services such as public telephone or cell phone networks is not available. ESB VHF-FM land mobile radio repeaters with their increased coverage and flexibility can be used to extend and give access to an agency s corporate telecommunication network. For example, the Department of Conservation have their own PABX based network which links into the DOC ES Band radio repeaters. The Department of Conservation as a member of Public Service Radio Frequency Management group, agreed to sponsor Maritime NZ as an exclusive user of radio channels ESB127 and ESX8. The Department has also allowed Maritime NZ to share its national ES Band network channels for marine oil spill exercises and operational purposes. Where possible, this should be on a non-interference basis and be arranged in advance to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. This should be accomplished by notification to either the local DOC Area Office, or by approaching the Telecommunications Support Team, DOC Head Office Wellington. Access to the DOC Network Radio Repeater channels ESB116-ESB124, ESB 154 ESB 158, and its single frequency simplex channel ESX04 or ESX 10 will require Maritime NZ to transmit the CTCSS access code,151.4hz. The Department of Conservation has established a national ESB band radio network, which is continually being fine tuned, and subject to change. Development of enhanced functionally to this network has also been undertaken, since it was commissioned. For example to support CIMS events, a small portable self contained radio repeater unit has been development, (similar to those developed and used by other government agencies), to provide localised communications during such events. A feature of these portable repeater units is they can be set-up to provide temporary connection back to the DOC radio network, thus temporarily extending the radio network into areas having no coverage. Another use of these portable units is to provide independent and extra radio communication capacity for the duration of an event, without infringing upon the general day to day operation requirements. The completed radio network allows for field radios which have been fitted with a DTMF capability to automaticity access the DOC internal telephone network. Maritime NZ s access to the external telephone network, including cellular, would require DOC approval. Fishers Radio Networks (SSB, VHF), Civil Defence systems and Local Authorities networks It is an extensive exercise for Maritime NZ to determine access to, and the coverage of, these systems due to the number that are established in New Zealand. Also, the systems are constantly changing over time as they are upgraded or replaced. Hence, Maritime NZ is reliant on Regional oil spill contingency plans to outline the local Fishers Radio Networks, Civil Defence systems and Local Authorities networks that may be accessed during an oil spill event. National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 6 of 11

7 Ultra High Frequency Ultra High Frequency hand-held radios are used for communication onboard ships as they are able to penetrate steel bulkheads. Marine Radio Communications The main types of Marine Radio Communications are VHF-FM radio, MF/HF - Single-Side Band (SSB) radio and International Marine Satellite (INMARSAT). There are no limits on the extent of coverage using SSB and INMARSAT systems. Where practicable, the Maritime Operations Centre should be used to communicate with ships using these systems. Maritime NZ Dedicated Oil Spill Communication Equipment The Maritime NZ radio communication equipment has four communication components: Marine VHF radio; MNZ ES band radio; Department of Conservation ES band radio; Aeronautical radio. MPRS maintains a limited stockpile of communications equipment including handheld radios and repeaters. The On-Shore Operations Team, located at the spill site, will be the key user of communication system. They will be able to access the ICC, support vessels (at sea), support and spotter aircraft, and the Wildlife Operations Team. The ICC will be positioned in a nearby town (usually the Regional ICC) that has access to existing communication infrastructure such as phone, fax, , and radio facilities. Oil spill communications will be achieved by primarily using the maritime ES radio. The maritime ES band repeater will provide coverage of the incident area for communications from the On-Shore Operations Team back to ICC and to the Wildlife Operations Team. Aeronautical radio is provided mainly as a monitoring role, as communications with aircraft would normally be via air traffic control or other approved controller (who may be stationed at the ICC). The On-Shore Operations Team will have access to maritime VHF and ES bands on one transceiver. This can be programmed to scan/listen on any desired channels, i.e. ChM67, 16, 6, ES127, ESX8. A list of the communication equipment is outlined in Annex 1. VHF-IMM and MF/HF - Single-Side Band Maritime NZ s Maritime Operations Centre is available 24 hours per day to send/receive VHF-IMM and MF/HF SSB messages to and from ships within New Zealand waters. The area of coverage for Maritime NZ VHF IMM is shown on the chart at the end of this Annex. Any gaps in terms of VHF IMM coverage by the Maritime Operations Centre may be filed using MF/HF SSB or Local Fishers networks. Medium Frequency (MF) and High Frequency (HF) Maritime Radio Services is provided by Taupo Maritime Radio. Taupo Maritime Radio remote aerial site is located in the middle of the North Island and the communications centre is located in the Wellington area. The area of coverage provided by MF/HF increases with the frequency of the signal, e.g khz has wider coverage than 4000 khz. Also, as a general rule, the area of coverage with each frequency band reduces at night due to a reduction in the ionosphere. The Maritime Operations Centre will be able to advise on the coverage provided by this system at the time of the response. National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 7 of 11

8 INMARSAT INMARSAT is a London-based communication system for which Telecom NZ International Limited are the New Zealand agents. Under this system, four geostationary satellites are able to send communications down to ships from shore and vice versa using telephones, facsimile or telex. INMARSAT coverage is nationwide. Telephone and facsimile may be used by anyone in the standard way, provided the ship has a phone or facsimile on board, by dialling followed by the ship s number. The Maritime Operations Centre has an INMARSAT telex that may be utilised 24 hours a day. The Maritime Operations Centre also has an extensive list of INMARSAT directories that will be able to identify if a ship has telephone, facsimile or telex on board and secondly the contact number(s). Telecom NZ International Limited has two portable INMARSAT sets, A and M, available for hire Contact details removed available in controlled copies of the National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan These sets may only be used on land, as they do not have stabilised antenna. Civil Aviation communications Methods of Civil Aviation communication include VHF AM, MF/HF Single-Side Band and ES Band. The VHF AM and MF/HF Singe-Side Band systems work much the same way as the marine-based systems. The National Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Lower Hutt is well equipped to communicate with aircraft. The Incident Command Centre may also be able to link into aircraft through local aircraft control towers. Almost every air force plane and most major rescue helicopters are also equipped with Marine VHF radio. ES Band is able to be used if the aeroplane is equipped with a cellular phone. Amateur communications networks It may be possible to utilise local Amateur Radio Emergency Corp. (AREC) during a spill response. Contact details removed available in controlled copies of the National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan These operators usually work in with Civil Defence and may be of significant assistance during a spill response in remote areas. The regional oil spill contingency plans may also identify any local HAM operators that may be able to assist. Cellular telephone networks Cell phone coverage around remote coastal areas can be very limited. In addition, exercises have indicated that the batteries going flat are a problem during extended response operations. Therefore, it is important to recognise the limitations of cellular phones when establishing a communications system during a response. Telecom NZ have one mobile repeater (Ventura 015) mounted on a trailer that is able to be hired as required Contact details removed available in controlled copies of the National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan. This mobile unit is able to increase coverage in remote areas and reduce congestion as well. Cell phone coverage maps can be found on the relevant networks websites: National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 8 of 11

9 Satellite Phones Iridium satellite phones offer complete coverage of the most remote points on Earth. For the phone to operate most efficiently the antenna should be fully extended and have a clear and unobstructed view of the sky. Tall trees, buildings or cliffs in the vicinity may affect the signal. MPRS currently owns one handheld sat phone and one BGAN system that allows both voice and internet communication via satellite. Contact details removed available in controlled copies of the National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Special Dedicated Landline Systems The Ministry of Defence have special dedicated landline systems in place. The Defence system has its own frequencies and the networks that are established must go through a chain of command. The NOSC may be able to use this system but will not be able to command it. For this reason military systems are not usually suited to the communication requirements of an oil spill response. Aeronautical Fixed Telecom Network (AFTN) is a landline that is used by all airports. Glossary VHF UHF MHz ES ESB CIMS PSTN PSRFMG PABX DoC CTCSS DTMF FM Very High Frequency (Radio spectrum 30MHz 300 MHz) Ultra High Frequency (Radio spectrum 300MHz 300oMHz) Mega Hertz Emergency Services Emergency Service Band Controlled Incident Management System Public Switched Telephone network Public Service Radio Frequency Management Group Private Automatic Branch Exchange Department of Conservation Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System Dual-tone multi-frequency Frequency Modulated National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan Page 9 of 11

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