GMDSS
Overview
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Handbook, produced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines
GMDSS as follows:-
The basic concept of (GMDSS) is that search and rescue
authorities ashore, as well as shipping in the immediate vicinity of the ship
in distress, will be rapidly alerted to a distress incident so that they can
assist in a co-ordinated SAR operation with the minimum delay.
The
system also provides for agency and safety communications and the promulgation
of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) - navigational and meteorological warnings
and forecasts and other urgent safety information to ships. In other words,
every ship is able, irrespective of the area in which it operates, to perform
those communication functions which are essential for the safety of the ship
itself and of other ships operating in the same area.
Components of
GMDSS
GMDSS consists of several different safety systems based around
different communications technologies. These include:-
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
- NAVTEX
- INMARSAT,
- EPIRBs
- SARTs
- VHF , MF and HF Communication.
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Benefits of
GMDSS
All Distress and Safety communication will be automated and
watchkeeping on traditional voice and Morse code frequencies become history.
At the press of a button, a ship can send its identity, position and nature
of distress by either satellite or terrestrial communication.
It will then
be up to a shore based Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) to alert vessels in
the area to go to the aid of the casualty.
This co-ordinating role of the
RCC is a new one.
Under the SOLAS 1974 system, ships in the area were
required to monitor for distress alerts and then respond directly. The GMDSS
now makes this the responsibility of the RCC.
GMDSS also changes the
nature of Routine and Safety Radio operation. These become fully automatic,
enabling ship’s to deal with all incoming and outgoing ship’s radio
communication. It is no longer be necessary to sail with a specialist radio
officer onboard.
Full operation
Full operation of the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System came into fourse on the 1st February 1999.
Under IMO legislation, all passenger vessels had to be fitted with the
necessary equipment by 1995, and all vessels over 300grt to be GMDSS equipped
by the 1st February deadline.
National administrations are also being
encouraged to provide the necessary shore based infrastructure in sufficient
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