Tag: GMDSS

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Coast Guard Marine Inspectors indicated that a large number of vessel operators and ship masters continue to rely on outdated high seas communications frequencies when communicating with the US Coast Guard.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

Ocean Signal SafeSea V100 GMDSS hand-held VHF UK marine electronics company Ocean Signal has announced that its SafeSea V100 GMDSS hand-held VHF radio has been awarded MED product certification from BABT, as a portable survival craft two-way VHF radiotelephone.The SafeSea V100 is claimed to exceed GMDSS environmental requirements, and it features an ergonomic design, laser etched keypad, high contrast backlit LCD and backlit keys, and 21 international simplex channels. The unit was designed for long battery life, and is fitted with an emergency lithium primary battery with a protection tab which avoids inadvertent use. Only when the tab is broken off will the battery operate the radio, ensuring the pack is at full capacity when needed. The tab is not replaceable and the battery is marked 'Used' underneath the tab. The battery is classified as non-hazardous for shipment and can be user replaced. A battery life of 16h-plus is claimed, said to be a significant improvement over other products. For day-to-day onboard use, a lithium polymer rechargeable battery pack is available with rapid charger that can be desk or wall mounted. An accessory socket option is also available for users requiring helmets or headsets.Managing director Alan Wrigley commented, "This award ...

MSC.88 outcome MSC.1/Circ.1382 Please find here below the following useful informationIMO Questionnaire on Shore-Based Facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)