.1
VITAL priority messages.
Messages assessed as VITAL, are to be broadcast immediately,
subject to avoiding interference to ongoing transmissions. On receipt
of a message with a VITAL priority, the NAVTEX Co-ordinator
will commence monitoring the NAVTEX frequency. If the frequency is
clear, the VITAL message is to be transmitted immediately. If the
frequency is in use, the Co-ordinator shall contact the station which,
according to the schedule, will be transmitting during the following
time slot and ask it to postpone their transmission start by one minute,
to allow a space for the VITAL message. Once the VITAL message
has been transmitted, the scheduled station is free to start its routine
transmissions;
.2
IMPORTANT priority messages.
Messages assessed as IMPORTANT, are to be broadcast
during the next available period when the NAVTEX frequency is unused.
This is to be identified by monitoring the frequency. It is expected
that this level of priority will be sufficient for the majority of
urgent information; and
.3
ROUTINE priority messages.
Messages assessed as ROUTINE, are to be broadcast
at the next scheduled transmission time. This level of priority will
be appropriate for almost all messages broadcast on NAVTEX and is
always to be used unless special circumstances dictate the use of
the procedures for an IMPORTANT or VITAL priority message.