Explanation: This scenario describes operations within Sea area A1. Sea area A1 is defined by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) as an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous digital selective calling (DSC) alerting is available. This typically extends approximately 20 to 30 nautical miles from shore, depending on the height of the coast station antenna. * **A) Sea area A1:** Correct. This directly matches the definition provided in the question: "within the range of a VHF shore station with continuous DSC alerting." * **B) Coastal and international zones:** This is not a formal GMDSS sea area definition. * **C) Inland and coastal waters:** While "coastal waters" might imply A1, "inland" waters are generally not covered by GMDSS sea area definitions unless they fall within an A1 coverage zone. This option is too broad and imprecise. * **D) Sea areas A1 and A2:** Sea area A2 requires coverage by an MF (medium frequency) DSC coast station, extending beyond VHF range. The question specifies only VHF coverage, so A2 is not applicable.