Task 15: Communications Officer

[Prof. Amy Lupin 9]

As a communications officer, you’re responsible for incoming and outgoing messages as well as for communications between crew. You also need help maintain related messaging equipment. Additionally, it’s up to you to establish protocols for interacting with other ships and the docks upon arrival at a new planet. 

 

For this task, we’d like you to write up the protocols for communicating with a ship that appears to be travelling head on towards your ship. Remember to be cordial and avoid antagonising the other ship at all costs. Your write-up should be at least 100 words.

 

Post your communication protocols below by 23:59 HOL time on 28 February to earn 10 rubies.

 

[Galena May 7]

Basic protocol for communicating with unknown spaceships:

1. Do not reveal identities/identification information of your ship or company/cargo and contents/purpose of travel/destination/number of crew members onboard or any detailed information at the first message relayed, to avoid overwhelming the other ship.

2. Reveal your home planet and your official native language at the first message relayed, to aid communication. A first message would be like, "Hii, I am from planet Earth, my primary language is English".

3. Always send messages in both languages, Common and your own language, to facilitate communication and enhance understanding, and it is polite to incorporate the same message in a third language (the one that the crew from the other spaceship speak) if you can also speak it.

 4. Keep the initial messages short and simple, peaceful (include absolutely no hostile comments), gentle, and ask for the main purpose of communication if they sent the first message or else relay the main purpose of communication if you sent the first message, e.g., "The current position of your ship is in our way as per our navigation route, we may collide head-on (or scratch each other, list whatever you think may happen) in __ __ __ __ __ time (approximate time before collision) and our outer coatings may burn up (include possible adverse complications and technical details)".

If it is an emergency and there is very less time before a tragedy happens, also include the steps you are planning to take in as few words as you can but covering all important details. Take said steps without waiting for a response.

If there is no emergency or there is ample time before the tragedy, do not include any future plans in the first exchange, allow the other ship to speak first (for all you know, they may be planning to swerve out of your way, or have a better suggestion or technology to avoid the collision). Listen to them, then send your suggestions and work together towards a solution. If no response is received within reasonable time or the situation becomes an emergency, send a second message with the steps you are planning to take and take the steps without waiting for a response.
 5. If it is a simple communication just to say hello, the ship that communicates first reveals their identities/identification information of the ship or company/cargo and contents/purpose of travel/destination/number of crew members onboard first. The other ship then sends back the same corresponding details.

6. If either ship is communicating to ask to borrow fuel or technicians or something else, as an offer or plea for help, or for exchange of cargo, the ship in need of something from the other ship sends their identities/identification information of the ship or company/cargo and contents/purpose of travel/destination/number of crew members onboard and includes other relevant information first. The other ship responds with the same corresponding details and includes their ability/inability to help with or without relevant reasons.

7. In the absence of an emergency, always commit 20 percent of your message towards building mutual trust and rapport and mutual understanding, for every subsequent message that you send after the first one. You could say things like, "Pleased to come across you", "We are looking forward to mutual assistance", "Would you like to come aboard for a cup of tea?", or "Would you like to taste our space-brew?"

8. The purpose of communication and the presence/absence of emergencies is key to determining how long or short the relayed messages can be.

9. If the other ship's messages indicate an emergency that you aren't equipped to handle but think is too important to abandon, immediately send a radio communication to your headquarters with your location and the exact distance from/location of the other spaceship, then gather the remaining crew on your spaceship to help strategize. If you have any reason to believe that the other ship is in danger, don't hesitate to inform the other ship and ask for assistance from your OWN headquarters. Do not panic and there is no need to contact nearby planets and spaceships as your headquarters will do that for you with a cooler head and more assistance than you can manage in the thick of the action on the field.

10. If either you or any of your crew members are going to the other ship or they are coming aboard your ship or exchanging any sort of cargo or technology, always send a message to your own headquarters to inform about the exchange so that they are up to date about the condition of your ship and also so that both ships are traceable if there is any disruption in space.

11. Never leave conversations unfinished or without a proper goodbye to signify the end. Always close the conversation with a goodbye (never say see you again as it may confuse the other ship about your future navigation route) and always include the direction you will be taking thereafter and a reasonably small portion (only the part during which the two ships will be in each other's vicinity) of your navigation route in the last message to avoid collisions after closing communication.

12. Keep records of all communication so that relevant information can be retrieved in case there is need for future assistance.

Edited February 17 by Galena May

[River Fenwick 4]

AstroMed Supply Communications Protocol:

 

Initial Contact - The first step with the unknown ship would be establishing a secure communication line with the ship, sending out a generic greeting broadcast like "This is AstroMed Supply, requesting communication with the approaching vessel."

Vessel Identification - Next, we would request the identity of the other ship, along with their purpose of travel, sharing our own. Hence, both parties know what could happen if the ships were to collide (such as if flammable materials were aboard).

Situation Assessment - It would be essential to share some aspects of the ship, such as the speed and trajectory, to ensure the safety of all those involved, coordinate with each other, and make adjustments so that both ships can carry on to their destination.

Maintain Communication - Avoidance of an issue isn't enough, as anything could go wrong after it was thought to be in the clear. As long as there is a visual of the ship on the navigator, it's wise to remain in contact with the ship until they're far enough to no longer pose any threat.

[Scarlet Robloutain 0]

Communication Protocol for Approaching Ships:

 Initial Contact:
   - Open a communication channel to the approaching ship.
   - Send a friendly and clear message: "Greetings from the Nimbus Voyager. We have detected your vessel on a head-on trajectory with ours. Please respond so we can coordinate safe passage."

Await Response:
   - Give the other ship time to respond. If no response is received within a few minutes, send a follow-up message: "Nimbus Voyager to approaching vessel, please acknowledge this message to avoid any potential collision."

Establish Intentions:
   - Once contact is made, politely discuss and agree on manoeuvres to ensure both ships can pass safely. Example: "We propose altering our course by 10 degrees starboard. Please confirm if this works for you."

Maintain Professionalism:
   - Keep all communications respectful and courteous. Avoid any language that could be perceived as confrontational or aggressive.

Confirm Actions:
   - Confirm the agreed-upon manoeuvres: "We will alter our course by 10 degrees starboard. Please proceed with your agreed manoeuvre. Safe travels."

Log Communication:
   - Record all communications and actions taken in the ship's log for future reference.

Monitor Situation:
   - Continue to monitor the approaching ship until it is at a safe distance. Be prepared to re-establish communication if necessary.