NTCHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
The call consists of:—
(i.) The general call (A A A A A A) etc., or
(ii.) The signal letters of the ship to be called.
On observing the call, and when ready in all respects to read and
write down, the receiving ship will answer by making the answering sign.
Component 2.—The Identity.—It will not always be necessary for two
ships to establish their identity; should such necessity exist the two
ships will cany out the following procedure: when the call has been
answered the transmitting ship will make "de (from)," followed by her
signal letters. This will be repeated back The receiving ship will then
signal her own signal letters, which the transmitting ship will repeat
back. If either ship fails to repeat back immediately, or repeats back
incorrectly, the other will make her signal letters again until they are
correctly repeated back.
Component 3.—The Break Sign (BT) is next inserted. It is to be
repeated back, but the transmitting ship does not in this case acknow-
ledge the repetition by the receiving ship of the break sign (BT) by
making "O," for the reason that it is not a part of the text. If the
receiving ship fails to repeat back the break sign (BT) correctly, the
transmitting ship will make "BT" again until it is repeated back
correctly.
The brealc sign is not inserted before the text of messages requesting
repetitions.
Component 4.—The text consists of words of plain language or of
groups of Code. Each word or group is signalled separately. The
receiving ship will—
(a) Acknowledge the receipt of each plain language word with **2V*
(b) Repeat back all Code groups, numbers signalled as figures
(that is not spelt out), procedure signals and signs except "0"
and punctuation signs. If the repetition is correct, the
transmitting ship will made "C," if incorrect she will make the
group again.
If the receiving ship does not acknowledge the receipt or repeat back,
the transmitting ship should immediately signal agaio the last word or
group.
Component 5.—The ending consists of the ending sign (AR), The
ending is answered by "JS."