Tag: GMDSS

IMO's MSC 99, currently underway in London, has recognized that the Iridium network, by the US-based satellite communications provider Iridium Communications Inc., meets all the criteria needed to provide mobile satellite services in the GMDSS, and to adopt the “Statement of Recognition” proposed by the US as a Committee Resolution.

​​IMO announced that the Plurinational State of Bolivia has become the 104th country to join the International Mobile Satellite Organization, the inter-governmental body that oversees the provision of certain satellite-based maritime distress communication services.

Seafarers depend on a robust distress and safety system when life is in danger at sea. In view of this, IMO's meeting of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue, being held on 19-23 February, will review progress in ongoing work to modernize the Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS).

Inmarsat announced the launch of a new service for Maritime Safety Information Providers, marking a key stage in upgrading the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, which helps to save thousands of lives at sea each year.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands reminds that IMO has pushed back the compliance date for ensuring Global Maritime Distress and Safety System communication capability. 

UK MCA issued amended guidance note to provide information about the changes made the Radio Regulations , which entered into force on January 1st, 2017 highlighting that the agency does not require the replacement of marine radio equipment installed and used on board. Therefore, it is operators' responsibility to consider, based upon the area of operation, whether an update or replacement of the on-board radio equipment is necessary.

Recent inquiries by US Coast Guard Marine Inspectors indicated that a large number of vessel operators and ship masters continue to rely on outdated high seas communications frequencies when communicating with the US Coast Guard.

An IMO Sub Committee decided to greenlight consideration of both Inmarsat's FleetBroadband and Fleet One for formal approval. To date, Inmarsat is the only company which has received approval from the International Maritime Organization to provide the GMDSS data and messaging communications on which mariners rely in the last resort.

Republic of the Marshall Islands issued a Marine Safety Advisory, in order to urge operators for compliance with revised Very High Frequency and Global Maritime Distress and Safety System HF Narrow-band Direct Printing channeling requirements.

The review and modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS) continues this week at the fourth session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communication, Search and Rescue (6-10 March).