How are high seas (HF) radiotelephone communications initially established between a vessel and a public correspondence station?

Correct Answer: Option D — The vessel calls and establishes voice contact with the public correspondence station on a channel that the station is known to monitor, and the two stations then proceed with their business.

Public correspondence stations monitor specific ITU-assigned working channels for voice traffic. Operators establish initial contact by calling the station on a known frequency, confirming the station is listening, and then proceeding with the requested communication. This direct voice handshake remains a standard procedure for non-DSC routine radiotelephone traffic.