GMDSS 20june2007

IMO Library Services
External Relations Office
INFORMATION RESOURCES
ON
THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS

AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS)
[INFORMATION SHEET NO. 26]
(Last update: 20 June 2007)
Important notice
This information resources document is offered by the IMO Library Services, External Relations Office specifically to assist
those who are conducting research on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). All users of this document
should be aware that the information presented in this document has been compiled from a limited variety of sources,
which cannot be guaranteed to reflect the most-up -to-date examination or complete survey of the subject concerned or of
the associated issues and possible points of view.
Furthermore, some of this information is subject to copyright protection and restriction as to distribution or re-circulation.
Additionally, while every reasonable effort has been made to focus only on (publicly available) information which is valid and
helpful, neither the IMO nor its Library Services can accept responsibility for information which is out-of-date, incomplete,
biased or otherwise inaccurate, misleading or offensive; and the mention of a reference, item of information, publication,
product or service in this document should not be viewed as constituting a validation or endorsement by IMO as to its quality,
content, or value.
Finally, users who have questions regarding the interpretation and/or implementation of IMO instruments should direct such
questions to their National Maritime Administration.
The IMO Library Services, External Relations Office is not in a position to provide copies of any material for copyright
reasons but will gladly answer your queries on where to obtain it
INTRODUCTION
"The GMDSS - which became fully effective on 1 February 1999 - is essentially a worldwide network of
automated emergency communications for ships at sea. It means that all ocean-going passenger ships and cargo
ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards must be equipped with radio equipment that conforms to international
standards as set out in the system. The basic concept is that search and rescue authorities ashore, as well as shipping
in the immediate vicinity of the ship in distress, will be rapidly alerted through satellite and terrestrial
communication techniques to a distress incident so that they can assist in a co-ordinated SAR operation with the
minimum of delay."
Extract from : "Surviving disaster - life saving at Sea. Focus on IMO, March 1999
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 20 7735 7611, Fax: +44 20 7587 3348, Internet Site http://www.imo.org Email library@imo.org
1
IMO PUBLICATIONS
** Certified true copy is not a sales item
Shipping emergencies : Search and rescue and the GMDSS. Focus on IMO, March 1999.
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id=1478/GMDSS%20and%20SAR%201999.pdf
The complete GMDSS. The GMDSS is fully implemented. Maritime distress and safety communications
enter new era. In IMO News, No. 1, 1999, pp 9-20.
SOLAS Convention
- SOLAS. Consolidated edition 2004. (IM0-ID110E). Language(s): E,F,S
Consolidated text of the Convention and its 1988 Protocol, incorporating all amendments in effect on 1 July 2004.
Amendments to 1974 Solas Convention

- Conference of contracting governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 on the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Final Act of the Conference with resolutions (1 to 8) and
Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention concerning radiocommunications for the Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System. 1989 edition. Language(s): E/F/S/A (IMO-156)
N.B. The certified true copy** of the Final Act contains in addition a translation in Chinese and Russian
- Amendments to SOLAS 1974 concerning Radiocommunications for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System. 1989 edition. Language(s): E; F; S; A (IMO-156)
N.B. The text of the certified true copy** is also available in ENG. FRE. SPA. CHI. ARA. RUS.
- (Corrected text of) Resolution 2 of the Final Act of the Conference of Contracting Governments to the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
London, 26 June 1990. Language(s): A/C/E/F/R/S. Certified true copy**
Amendments to 1978 Solas Protocol
- Conference of parties to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea, 1974 on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Final Act of the Conference with resolution and
Amendments to the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974
concerning radiocommunications for the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. Signed in London 11 November
1988. 1989 edition. Language(s): E; F; S; A (IMO -162)
N.B. The certified true copy** of the amendments contains in addition a translation in Russian and Chinese
GMDSS handbook : Handbook on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. 2001 edition (IMOIB970E)
The entry into force and implementation of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) between 1992 and 1999
was the most far-reaching development in maritime emergency assistance since the invention of the radio. The GMDSS
Handbook presents the principles on which the GMDSS is based, the requirements for its implementation, the standards to be
met by GMDSS equipment, and the method of operation of the various radio services which make up the GMDSS.
The Handbook is divided into eights sections and several substantial annexes: Part 1 introduces the background to the
GMDSS, including its history and development; Part 2 describes the basic functions of the GMDSS; Part 3 outlines the various
communications systems within the GMDSS; Part 4 lays down requirements for the carriage of GMDSS equipment; Part 5
describes the method of operation of the various radio services within the GMDSS; Part 6 focuses on the shore-based side of
the GMDSSS; Part 7 presents the Master Plan for the GMDSS; Part 8 offers guidance on maintenance of equipment. The
annexes give comprehensive information on all aspects of the GMDSS, including primary texts such as: relevant amendments
to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and resolutions of the 1979 SAR Convention; relevant IMO Assembly resolutions, MSC and
COM circulars, articles of the Radio Regulations, resolutions of WARC and WARC-Mob conferences ; IMO performance
standards and related ITU-R recommendations ; the Master Plan for the GMDSSS ; COSPAS-SARSAT system data
GMDSS handbook on CD-ROM (Version 2.0). (D402E)

GMDSS operating guidance card.1992 edition. (IMO-I969)
This useful A4 (297 mm x 210 mm) card provides guidance on the procedures to be followed under the global maritime
distress and safety system (GMDSS) by masters of ships in dis tress. A tough plastic lamination and strips of double-sided
adhesive tape on the back make the card ideal for display on ships' bridges and other suitable locations.
International SafetyNet manual. 2003 Edition. (IMO-IA908E). Language(s) : E, F, S.

SafetyNET is an international automatic direct-printing satellite-based service for the promulgation of navigation and
meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages maritime safety information
(MSI) to ships.
NAVTEX Manual. 2005 Edition. (IMO-IC951E). Language(s): E

NAVTEX is an international automated direct-printing service for promulgation of navigational and meteorological warnings
and urgent information to ships. It has been developed to provide a low-cost, simple and automated means of receiving
maritime safety information on board ships at sea and in coastal waters. The information transmitted is relevant to all sizes and
types of vessel and the selective message-rejection feature ensures that every mariner can receive a safety information
broadcast which is tailored to his particular needs.
SAR Convention (revised, 2000 Edition. International Convention on maritime search and rescue, 1979. 1979
edition. (IMO-IA955E)
The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979, provided a framework for carrying out search and
rescue operations following accidents at sea. Ratification was slow, however, partly because of problems with some of the
provisions of the Convention, so a revised text was approved by the MSC at its 69th session (May 1998) by resolution
MSC.70(69). The revised Convention entered into force on 1 January 2000.
Final Act of the International Conference on maritime search and rescue, 1979 : Certified true copy** signed
on 17 June 1980. London, IMO, 1980. Language(s): E/ F/ S/ R/C
IAMSAR Manual : International aeronautical and maritime search and rescue manual.
Jointly published by IMO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the three-volume IAMSAR
Manual provides guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organizing and providing search and
rescue (SAR) services. Each volume (available separately in loose-leaf form, binder included) can be used as a
standalone document or, in conjunction with the other two volumes, as a means to attain a full view of the SAR
system.
Vol. I - Organization and Management . Consolidated edition 2007. 2007 edition (IMO-IE960E) Language(s): E,
F, S);
Vol. II - Mission Co-ordination, assists personnel who pla n and co-ordinate SAR operations and exercises.
Consolidated edition 2007. 2007 edition. Language(s): E,F,S (IMO-IB961E)
Vol. III - Mobile Facilities, is intended to be carried aboard rescue units, aircraft and vessels to help with
performance of a search, rescue or on-scene co-coordinator function, and with aspects of SAR that pertain to their
own emergencies. Consolidated edition 2007. 2007 edition (IMO-IE962E): Language(s): E, F, S
General requirements and performance standards for shipborne radiocommunications and navigational
equipment including related operational recommendations and guidance : Consolidated edition. 4th Ed.
2002 edition. . (IMO -IB978)
In 1988, the International Maritime Organization printed a publication Performance Standards for Navigational Equipment.
After many additional performance standards were adopted, this publication was replaced in 1997 with General Requirements
and Performance Standards for Shipborne Radiocommunications and Navigational Equipment, which incorporated these new
standards. Since the 1997 edition, three sets of amendments to that edition have been published (Amendments 2000 and May
and December 2000 Amendments and 2001 Amendments). These have been included in the new 2002 consolidated edition of
the publication.
Performance standards for shipborne radiocommunications and navigational equipment : 2002-2004

Amendments. 2005. (IMO-IB977E)
IMO SMCP : IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases. 2002 edition. (IMO-I987) Language(s): E,F,S
As navigational and safety communications from ship to shore and vice versa, from ship to ship, and on board ship must be
precise, simple and unambiguous so as to avoid confusion and error, there is a need to standardize the language used. This is of
particular importance in the light of the increasing number of internationally trading vessels with crews speaking many
different languages, since problems of communication may cause misunderstandings leading to dangers to the vessel, the
people on board and the environment. The Phrases are divided into part A and part B. Part A covers phrases applicable in
external communications, and may be regarded as the replacement of the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary 1985. This
part is enriched by essential phrases concerning ship handling and safety of navigation to be used in on-board communications.
Part B includes other on-board standard safety-related phrases which, supplementary to part A, may also be regarded as useful
for maritime English instruction.
Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime safety information (MSI). (IMO-I910E). Language(s): E, S

This Manual provides a practical guide for anyone who is concerned with drafting radio navigational warnings or with the
issuance of meteorological forecasts and warnings for the high seas under the GMDSS, as well as for the mariners who are
expected to use the information they receive in such warnings and forecasts. It is assumed throughout that the navigational
warnings are being issued under the auspices of the IHO/IMO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) and that
the meteorological forecasts and warnings are being issued under the patronage of the WMO, and in accordance with the
requirements of IMO resolution A.706(17), as amended.
INMARSAT
International conference on the establishment of an international maritime satellite system, 1975-1976. Final
act of the conference including the convention and operating agreement on the International Maritime Satellite
Organisation (INMARSAT). 1976 edition. Language(s): E; F; S; R (IMO-930)
This Conference was convened to decide on the principle of setting up an international maritime satellite system, to be used to
improve, among other services, the maritime distress and safety system, and the communication link between all bodies and
groups involved in shipping. The publication contains: Final Act of the Conference; Convention on the International Maritime
Satellite Organization (Inmarsat); Operating Agreement on Inmarsat; Resolutions and recommendations adopted by the
Conference.
1985 Amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization : Amendments to
the operating agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization. 1985 edition. Language(s): E/
F/ R/S (IMO -934)
1989 Amendments to the Convention and to the operating agreement on the International Maritime
Satellite Organization. 1989 edition. Language(s): E/F/R/S (IMO-942)
Contains the texts of the amendments to the Convention and to the Operating Agreement which were adopted and confirmed,
respectively, by the Inmarsat Assembly at its sixth (extraordinary) session in January 1989.
Amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization : Amendments to the
operating agreement on the International Maritime Satellite Organization. Certified true copy** signed on 24
June 1998. 1998. Language(s): ENG/ FRE/RUS/SPA.
- Report on the Indian Ocean Conference on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Fremantle (Australia), 21-25 September 1998. London, IMO, 1999
Resolution 1 - Provisional Maritime Search and Rescue Plan for the Indian Ocean Region
Resolution 2 - Arrangements for the provision and co-ordination of search and rescue (SAR) services and
co-operation between states
Resolution 3 - Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Resolution 4 - Technical co-operation in Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Resolution 5 - Establishment of an international SAR Fund.
Resolution 6 - Completion of the provisional global maritime SAR plan
Resolution 7 - Expressions of appreciation
- Report of the 9th Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation meeting on GMDSS. Gothenburg, 14-16 October
1998. London, IMO, 1999. (IMO Doc. COMSAR 4/Inf.4)
- North Sea Regional Co-ordination Conference under the GMDSS : Summary of the Final Report. London,
IMO, 1999 (IMO Doc. COMSAR 4/Inf.8)
- Report of the 13 th session of the Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation on the GMDSS (BBRCGMDSS13). Submitted by Lithuania. London, IMO, 2003 (IMO Doc. COMSAR 8/Inf.2)
- Information on agreements on search and rescue regions and services. (Annex List of member states which
have signed agreements on search and rescue regions services in accordance with paragraph 2.1.4 of the Annex to
the 1979 SAR convention, as amended). London, IMO, 2003 (IMO Doc. COMSAR 8/Inf.3)
- Report on the evaluation and assessment of maritime search and rescue and GMDSS facilities in Western
Africa. (15-30 June 2003 and 18-29 September 2006). London, IMO, 2006
IMO MODEL COURSES

General operator's certificate for the global maritime distress and safety system. Course + Compendium.
1997 edition. Model Course 1.25. (IMO - T125E)
The course covers the training recommended in Annex 3 to IMO Assembly resolution A.703(17) Recommendations on Training of Radio Operators related to the General Operator's Certificate (GOC). A glossary
of terms is included.
Maritime search and rescue administration. Model Course 3.13. 2005 edition. (IMO-TA313E)
Restricted operator's certificate for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Course + Compendium.
1998 edition. Model Course 1.26 (IMO-T126E)
Second-class radioelectronic certificate for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio personnel.
Course + Compendium. 2002 edition Model Course 1.31. (IMO-T131E)
IMO DOCUMENTS
Abbreviations: International Chamber of Shipping (ICS); International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL;
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); : International Hydrographic Organization (IHO);International
Lifeboat Federation (ILF); International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO); International Sailing Federation
(ISAF); International Shipping Federation (ISF);Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC); Regional
Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME); World Meteorological Organization
(WMO)
Please note document listed below are from the year 2000 onwards with an exception of the Circulars.
Only resolutions and circulars are listed below.
Some of the IMO Documents listed below are available on the following site:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/imo/document.htm
IMO declines all responsibility if some of the documents made available by other parties are not up to date or
accurate.
IMO Assembly Resolutions relevant to the GMDSS

Assembly resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian
A.568 (14)
Use of the COSPAS-SARSAT low polar orbiting satellite EPIRB system
A.570 (14)
Type approval of ship earth stations
A.606 (15)
Review and evaluation of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS)
A.614(15)
Carriage of radar operating in the frequency band 9300-9500 MHz
A.616 (15)
Search and rescue homing capability
A.617 (15)
Implementation of the NAVTEX system as a component of the World-Wide

Navigational Warning Service
A.660 (16)
Carriage of satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)
A.694 (17)
General requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System and for electronic navigational aids
A.696 (17)
Type of approval of satellite EPIRBs operating in the COSPAS-SARSAT system
A.701 (17)
Carriage of Inmarsat Enhanced Group Call SafetyNET receivers under the GMDSS
A.702 (17)
Radio maintenance guidelines for the GMDSS related to sea areas A3 and A4
A.703 (17)
Training of radio personnel in the GMDSS
A.705 (17)
Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information
A.706 (17)
World-Wide Navigational Warning Service. Amended by MSC/Circ. 750 & MSC/Circ.957
A 707 (17)
Charges for distress, urgency and safety messages through the Inmarsat system
A.764 (18)
Establishment, updating and retrieval of the information contained in the registration

databases of satellite EPIRBs
A. 769 (18)
Procedures and arrangements for issuing GMDSS certificates to holders of

non-GMDSS certificates
A.801 (19)
Provision of radio services for the global maritime distress and safety system
(GMDSS)
Annex 1 : Recommendation on provision of radio services for the GMDSS
Annex 2 : Criteria for use when providing shore-based digital selective calling
(DSC) facilities for use in the GMDSS
Annex 3 : Criteria for establishing GMDSS sea areas
Annex 4 : Criteria for use when providing a NAVTEX service
Annex 5 : Criteria for use when providing Inmarsat shore-based facilities
for use in the GMDSS
A.814 (19)
Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts

Annex : Guidelines for avoiding false distress alerts
Appendix : Instructions for mariners and others on how to cancel a false
distress alert
A. 815 (19)
World-wide radionavigation system

Annex : report on the study of a world-wide radionavigation system
A.860 (20)
Maritime Policy for a future global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
A.887 (21)
Establishment, updating and retrieval of the information contained in the registration database for
the Global Maritime Distress Signals and Safety System (GMDSS)
A.888 (21)
Criteria for the provision of mobile -satellite communication systems in the Global Maritime
A.915(22)
Revised maritime policy and requirements for a future Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
CIRCULARS GMDSS+
+Available through the National Maritime Administrations
Maritime safety Committee ( MSC )

MSC/Circ. 423
18.02.86
Equivalent arrangements for survival craft emergency position indicating radio beacons
MSC/Circ.467
08.05.87
Radiocommunications. Volume of traffic for distress and safety communications
MSC/Circ. 469
08.05.87
Guidelines for the participation of non-Convention ships in the GMDSS
MSC/Circ. 470
08.05.87
Procedures for routeing distress information derived from the COSPAS-SARSAT system
MSC/Circ. 516
13.04.89
Recommendations on the early development and introduction of the

Inmarsat enhanced group call SafetyNET broadcast service
MSC/Circ.560
25.06.91
Meteorological wind profiler radars and their effect on the COSPAS-SARSAT system
MSC/Circ. 610
07.07.93
Use and application of computers
MSC/Circ. 640
27.05.94
International SafetyNET Service
MSC/Circ. 660
12.01.95
Proper use of lanyards attached to satellite EPIRBs
MSC/ Circ. 682

22.05.95
Implementation of the GMDSS on board all ships
MSC/ Circ .683

22.05.95
Present homing capability of satellite EPIRBs
MSC/Circ.684
22.05.95
Questionnaire on shore-based facilities for the global maritime

distress and safety system (GMDSS)
MSC/Circ.685
Amendments to resolution A.706(17)- World-Wide Navigational Warning service

7
22.05.95
MSC/Circ.748
13.06.96
Implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
MSC/Circ.749
13.06.96
Guidance of Administrations on Improving the Capability of Shore

Authorities to Contact Ships During Situations Involving Distress or SAR Operations
MSC/Circ.750
13.06.96
Amendments to Resolution A.706(17) - World-Wide Navigational Warning Service
MSC/Circ.803
09.07.97
Participation of non-SOLAS Ships in the Global Maritime Distress

and Safety System (GMDSS)
MSC/Circ.804
09 .07.97
Impact of the Year 2000 on Software Systems
MSC/Circ.805
06.07.97
Guidance for the use of Radio Signals by Ships under Attack

or threat of attack from pirates or armed robbers
MSC/Circ.822
29 .08.97
Amendments to the MERSAR Manual
MSC/Circ.855
12.06.98
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended
MSC/Circ.858
22 .05.98
Document of Compliance with SOLAS Regulations II-2/54
MSC/Circ.861
22 .05.98
Measures to Reduce the Number of false distress alerts
MSC/Circ.862
22.05.98
Clarifications of Certain Requirements in IMO performance

Standards for GMDSS Equipment
MSC/Circ.863
22 .05.98
Recommendation on Prevention of Harmful Interference to 406 Mhz

EPIRBS operating with the COSPAS-SARSAT System
MSC/Circ.864
22.05.98
Guidelines for preparing Plans for co-operation between search and

rescue services and passenger ships on fixed routes (in accordance
with SOLAS regulation V/15(C))
MSC/Circ.882
14.12.98
Guidelines on annual testing of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs

http://www.imo.org/imo/circs/msc/70/list.htm
MSC/Circ.883
14.12.98
Maritime safety and INMARSAT ship earth station barring

procedures
MSC/Circ.957
25.05.2000
Amendments to Resolution A.706(17) on the World-Wide Navigational

Warning Service http://www.imo.org/imo/circs/msc/72/list.htm
MSC/Circ.958
26.05.2000
Amendments to NAVTEX Manual

MSC/Circ.959
20.05.2000
Interim procedures for MRCCS on receipt of distress alerts

MSC/Circ.999
Adoption of amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search
11.06.2001
and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=1168/999.pdf
MSC/Circ.1041
28.05.2002
Guidelines for ship operators and Search and Rescue (SAR) services on minimum
requirements for SAR data providers holding SAR co-operation plans in accordance with
Solas Regulation V/7.3 and MSC/Circ.1000 and the provision of up-to-date plans at all
Times. http://www.imo.org/includes/bla stData.asp/doc_id=2382/1041.pdf
MSC/Circ.1044
05.06.2002
Adoption of Amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and

Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual.
MSC/Circ. 1064
06.06.2003
Amendment to the International SafetyNET Manual

http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=2987/1064a1.pdf
MSC/Circ.1064/Add.1 Amendments to the International SafetyNET Manual

06.06.2003
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=2987/1064a1.pdf
MSC/Circ.1077
06.06.2003
Procedure for evaluation and possible recognition of mobile -satellite systems notified for
use in the GMDSS http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=3010/1077.pdf
MSC/Circ.1078
06.06.2003
Guidelines to Administrations on reporting false alerts

MSC/Circ.1079
10.07.2003
Guidelines for preparing plans for co-operation between search and rescue services and
(in accordance with Solas regulation V/7.3).
MSC/Circ.1080
06.06.2003
Adoption of amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and

Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual.
MSC/Circ.1122
24.05.2004
Adoption of the revised NAVTEX Manual

GMDSS Circulars
GMDSS.1/Circ.8/Corr.13
21/04/2006
Master plan of shore based facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System (GMDSS Master Plan)
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=6392/8c13.pdf
31/10/2005
Master plan of shore based facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
31/03/2005
Master plan of shore-based facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
Status of shore-based facilities for the GMDSS
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=3216/Annex%201.pdf
Annex 1
Annex 2
List of VHF DSC coast stations for sea areas A1

Annex 3
List of MF DSC coast stations for sea areas A2

Annex 4
List of HF DSC coast stations for sea areas A3 and A4

Annex 5
List of Inmarsat coast earth stations

Annex 6
List of rescue co-ordination centres using ship earth stations

Annex 7
Navtex service : International 518kHz Navtex

Annex 8
International SafetyNET service

Annex 8 Appendice
Table of international co-ordinated broadcast schedules

http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4789/Annex%208Appendices.pdf
Annex 9
HF NBDP Maritime safety information broadcast services

Annex 10
List of COSPAS_SARSAT MCCs (Mission Control Centres) and LEOLUTs

(Local user terminals in Leosar system)
Annex 12
Satellite EPIRB registration information

Annex 13
List of 24 hours points of contact for MMSI ships identification

GMDSS.1/Circ.9
23/04/2007
Master plan of shore-based facilities for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
COM & COMSAR Circulars

N.B. The Committee on Radiocommunications (COM) has been renamed as Sub-Committee on
Radiocommunication and Search and rescue (COMSAR)
COM/Circ.70 Rev1
31.05.90
Questionnaire on the maritime distress system
COM/Circ.100
16.05.88
Use of frequency 4,209.5Khz for promulgation of maritime safety information (MSI)
COM/Circ.103
31.03.90
Design and installation guidelines for Inmarsat standard-C ship earth stations and
enhanced group call (EGC) receivers
COM/Circ.104
26.06.91
Coding of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBS's
COM/Circ.105
16.07.91
Clarification of certain provisions of the 1988 SOLAS amendments

for the GMDSS
10
COM/Circ.106
06.08.91
Testing of MF digital selective calling equipment installed for distress and safety
by ships and coast stations
COM/Circ.107
05.08.91
Shortage of supply of 406 MHz EPIRBs
COM/Circ 109
23.04.92
Use of frequency 8364 kHz for survival craft
COM/Circ.110
08.02.93
Clarification of Solas regulations IV/6.1, IV/6.2.2 and IV/10.1.1.3
COM/Circ.112
10.02.93
Implementation of maritime safety information (MSI) broadcasts via

SafetyNET in areas not covered by NAVTEX
COM/Circ.115
10.02.93
Discontinuation of morse code services in the MF radiotelegraphy band
COM/Circ.116
11.01.94
Provision of GMDSS radio installations with position-updating facility
COM/Circ.117
10.01.94
Clarification of the application of certain provisions of chapter IV of the Solas conventionSolas regulations IV/15.5, IV.15.6 and IV/15.7
COM/Circ.120
31.01.94
Notification of maritime mobile service identities (MMIS) assigned to ships
COM/Circ.121
14.02.95
Implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
COM/Circ.122
14.02.95
Selection of more than one fixed area in the Inmarsat-C system
COM/Circ.125
20.02.95
Recommendations on the use of batteries for two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus
COM/Circ.128
22.05.95
Guidelines for use in evaluating regional mobile satellite systems.
COMSAR/Circ.2
11.04.96
Procedure for responding to an MF (2187.5 kHz) DSC distress alert in sea areas A2
COMSAR/Circ.3
19.04.96
Relations between NAVAREA co-ordinators and rescue co-ordination centers
COMSAR/Circ.6
19.04.96
Recommendation on prevention of harmful interference on the 8,12 and 16 Mhz GMDSS

distress and safety simplex frequencies
COMSAR/Circ.7
07.10.96
Importance of correct formatting of transmissions on Navtex system
COMSAR/Circ.9
12.03.97
Requirements for notification to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of

GMDSS Ships Identities, for inclusion in the maritime mobile access and retrieval system
(MARS)
COMSAR/Circ.10
18.02.97
Possible temporary loss of Inmarsat services to part of the north Atlantic ocean
11
COMSAR/Circ.11
04.03.97
List of coast earth stations (CES) operation co-ordinators in Inmarsat system
COMSAR/Circ.12
06.06.97
Relays of distress alerts by digital selective calling
COMSAR/Circ.13
06/03/98
Shore to ship communications during a distress
COMSAR/Circ.15
09.03.98
Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (MOI)
COMSAR/Circ.16
04.03.98
Guidelines on the configuration of the reserve source or sources of energy used to supply
radio installations on GMDSS ships
COMSAR/Circ.17
09/03/98
Recommendations on use of GMDSS equipment for non-safety Communications
COMSAR/Circ.18
11.03.98
Guidance on minimum communication needs of maritime rescue co-ordination centres

(MRCC)
COMSAR/Circ.19
11/05/99
Distress priority communications for RCC from shore-to-ship Via Inmarsat
COMSAR/Circ.20
21.08.99
List of NAVERA co-ordinators (Superseded by Circ.24)
COMSAR/Circ.21
25.01.2000
Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships
COMSAR/Circ.22
20.05.2000
Guidance on data fields for SAR databases

COMSAR/Circ.23
20.05.2000
Guidance on Central Alerting Posts (CAPs)

COMSAR/Circ.24
10.01.2001
List of NAVAREA Co-ordinators
COMSAR/Circ.25
15.03.2001
Procedures for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships

COMSAR/Circ.25
FLOW Diagram 1
Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships flow chart 1 actions by ships
upon reception of VHF/MF distress alert
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4691/25-flow%201.pdf
COMSAR/Circ.25
FLOW Diagram 2
Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships flow chart 2 actions by ships
upon reception of HF DSC distress alert
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4692/25-flow%202.pdf
COMSAR/Circ.26
10.05.2001
Operational and service implications for numbering plan formats for mobile -satellite
communication systems participating in the GMDSS
COMSAR/Circ.27
12.10.2001
Data format for a new combined SAR.2 and SAR.3 Circular concerning information on the
current availability of SAR services
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id=3791/27.pdf
COMSAR/Circ.28
12.06.2001
International Navtex Service
12
COMSAR/Circ.29
27/05/02
Guidance for the voluntary use of the standardized questionnaires and formats for
reporting false 27/05/02 alerts in collecting data on false alerts.
COMSAR/Circ.30
20.01.2003
List of NAVAREA Co-ordinators

http://www.imo.org/Circulars/mainframe.asp?topic_id=726&doc_id=2776
COMSAR/Circ.31
06.02.2003
Guidance for mass rescue operations

COMSAR/Circ.32
16.08.2004
Harmonization of GMDSS requirements for radio installations on board Solas ships

COMSAR/Circ.33
26.02.2004
GMDSS coast station operators certificate (CSOC) Model Course

COMSAR/Circ.34
21.05.2004
Clarification on the use of Navtex B3B4 characters =00 and Navtex service areas
COMSAR/Circ. 35
21.05.2004
Recommendations on medium frequency/high frequency (MF/HF) digital selective

calling (DSC) test calls to coast stations
http://www.imo.org/includes/bla stData.asp/doc_id=3690/35.pdf
COMSAR/Circ.37
28/02/2005
Guidance on Minimum Communication Needs of Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres

(MRCCs) http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=4922/37.pdf
SUB-COMMITTEE ON RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS AND SEARCH AND

RESCUE (COMSAR)
5 th Session (11 December 2000)
COMSAR 5/3
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) : Watch-keeping technology :

Development of maritime radiocommunications systems and technology. Submitted by
France
COMSAR 5/3/1
Idem. Promulgation of maritime safety information. International NAVTEX service. Note

by the Chairman of the International NAVREX Co-ordinating Panel
COMSAR 5/3/2
Idem. On Circulars COMSAR/Circ.2 and COMSAR/Circ.21. Note by the Russian

Federation
COMSAR 5/3/3
Idem. Operational and technical co-ordination of MSI services. Note by IHO and WMO
COMSAR 5/3/4
Idem. Harmonisation of GMDSS requirements for radio installations on board SOLAS

ships. Interpretation of term occasionally as mentioned in paragraph 2.1.2 of resolution
(A.702(17) when used in connection with the implementation f the GMDSS on fishing
vessels. Note by Norway
COMSAR 5/4/1
Development of criteria for general communications. General communications in the

GMDSS. Submitted by France
COMSAR 5/6
Satellite services : (INMARSAT and COSPAS-SARSAT). Information on the GMDSS

performance of Inmarsat Ltd. Note by IMSO
13
COMSAR 5/6/Add.1
Idem. Report on the GMDSS performance of Inmarsat Ltd. Note by IMSO
COMSAR 5/7/4
Emergency radiocommunications : False alerts and interference. Measures to reduce the

number of false distress alerts for practical use of GMDSS. Submitted by Argentina
COMSAR 5/7/5
Idem. Measures to reduce the number of false distress alerts for practical use of the
GMDSS. Note by Japan
COMSAR 5/8
Matters concerning search and rescue, including those related to the 1979 SAR Conference
and the introduction of the GMDSS : Report of the 17th ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group
on harmonization of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue
COMSAR 5/8/1
Idem. Long distance yacht racing. Note by ISAF
COMSAR 5/8/2
Idem. Medical assistance at sea. Note by ICS
COMSAR 5/8/3
Idem. Florence Conference on maritime search and rescue (SAR) and the Global Maritime
COMSAR 5/8/4
Idem. Harmonization of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue procedures, including
SAR training matters. Assistance to be provided to certain MRCCs confronted with air
accidents. Submitted by France
COMSAR 5/8/5
Idem. Plan for the provision of maritime SAR services, including procedures for routeing
distress information in the GMDSS. Model agreement (or administrative arrangement) or
search and rescue between a State responsible for a search and rescue region (SRR) and
another State whose coasts are situated in its SRR. Submitted by France.
COMSAR 5/8/6
distress information in the GMDSS. Principles for the preparation and distribution of
circular SAR.7/Circ.x. Submitted by France
COMSAR 5/8/7
distress information services in the GMDSS. Search and rescue statistics. Submitted by
France
COMSAR 5/8/8
Idem. Adventure navigation an the International Convention on Maritime Search and

Rescue. Submitted by Chile
COMSAR 5/8/9
Idem. SOLAS regulation V/15(c) and SAR Co-operation Plans for passenger ships
transiting many SAR regions Revision of MSC/Circ.864. Note by the United Kingdom
COMSAR 5/8/10
Idem. SOLAS regulation V/15(c) and SAR Co-operation Plans for passenger ships
transiting many SAR Regions. Note by the United Kingdom
COMSAR 5/8/11
Idem. Proposed SAR co-operation plans for passenger ships. Note by ICCL
COMSAR 5/8/12
distress information services in the GMDSS. Updating or replacement of SAR.2/Circ.x.
Submitted by France ad the United Kingdom
COMSAR 5/8/13
SAR training matters. GMDSS Coast Station Operators Course (GMDSS CSOC). Note
by the Russian Federation
COMSAR 5/8/14
Idem. Mass rescue operations (MROs). Note by the United States of America
14
COMSAR 5/14
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee. (Section 3 Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS); Section 8 Matters concerning search and rescue, including
those related to the 1979 SAR Conference and the introduction of the GMDSS)
COMSAR 5/INF.2
and the introduction of the GMDSS. Reports on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and
the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Conferences (1981 to 1998)
COMSAR 5/INF.5
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Report of the 10th Baltic/Barents Sea
Regional co-operation meeting on the GMDSS. Note by Norway
COMSAR 5/INF.6
Idem. Report of the 11th session of the Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation on the
GMDSS (BBRC/GMDSS-11). Note by Demark
COMSAR 5/INF.8
Idem. 10th North Sea regional Co-ordination Conference under the GMDSS (10th
NRC/GMDSS). Note by Iceland
COMSAR 5/INF.9
Emergency radiocommunications : False alerts and interference. Professional refresher and

updating training of GMDSS operators and measures aimed at reduction of dales distress
alerts. Note by the Russian Federation
COMSAR 5/INF.10
Any other business. Development of a draft IMO Model Course for training of GMDSS
Second-Class Radio Electronics. Note by the Russian Federation
COMSAR 5/INF.11
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Harmonization of GMDSS requirements for
radio installation on board SOLAS ships. Sinking of the bulk carrier Flare. Note by
Canada
COMSAR 5/INF.12
Idem. Matters relating to the GMDSS Master Plan. VHF DSC in the North Sea. Note by
Norway
COMSAR 5/INF.13
and the introduction of the GMDSS. GMDSS Coast Station Operator Certificate (CSOC)
Course. Note by the United Kingdom
6 th Session (18 February 2002)

COMSAR 6/6/3
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Operational and technical coordination provisions of MSI services. On NAV/METAREAs northward of the Arctic
coast of the Russian Federation. Submitted by the Russian Federation
COMSA 6/3/1
Idem. Operational and technical co-ordination provisions of MSI services including review
of the related documents. Proposed draft amendments to the International SafetyNET
Manual. Note by Chairman, the International SafetyNET Broadcast Co-ordinating Panel
COMSAR 6/3/2
Idem. Operational and technical co-ordination provisions of MSI services. Some

considerations on the document COMSAR 6/3/1 Proposed draft amendments to the
International SafetyNET Manual. Submitted by the Russian Federation
COMSAR 6/6/2
Satellite Services (INMARSAT and COSPAS-SARSAT). Discrpancies between IMO

GMDSS Master Pla n and COSPAS-SARSAT Information on 406MHz Beacon Registries.
Submitted by COSPAS-SARSAT
COMSAR 6/6/3
Idem. Analysis and assessment of the GMDSS performance of Inmarsat Ltd. Submitted by
IMOS
15
COMSAR 6/8
and the introduction of the GMDSS. Report of the 8th Session of the ICAO/IMO Joint
Working Group on harmonization of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue
COMSAR 6/8/Add.1
Idem. Report of the 8th Session of the ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on harmonization
of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue
COMSAR 6/8/1
Idem. Impact on GMDSS distress alerting due to the discontinuance of live telex.
Submitted by Canada
COMSA 6/8/2
Idem. Report of an Asia -Pacific regional Search and Rescue Conference held in Cairns,
Australia, 13-16 August 2001. Submitted by Australia
COMSAR 6/8/3
Idem. Need for updating model training courses on maritime search and rescue.
COMSAR 6/8/4
Idem. Plan for setting up maritime search and rescue services, including procedures for
routeing distress signals under GMDSS. Revision of COMSAR/Circ.18. Guidance on
minimum communication needs of maritime rescue co-ordination centres (MRCC).
Submitted by France
COMSAR 6/8/5
Idem. Review o safety measures and procedures for the treatment of persons rescued at
sea. Submitted by France
COMSAR 6/8/5/Rev.1 Idem.

COMSAR 6/8/6
Idem. Minimum requirements for SAR Data providers holding SAR Co-operation Plans in
accordance with SOLAS regulation V/7.3 and MSC/Circ.1000. Submitted by the United
Kingdom and ICCL
COMSAR 6/8/7
Idem. Maintaining up-to-date SAR Co-operation Plans in accordance with SOLAS

regulation V/7.3 and MSC/Circ.1000. Submitted by the United Kingdom and ICCL
COSMAR 6/8/8
Idem. A possible impact on GMDSS distress alerting due to the termination of ARQ telex.
Submitted by Norway
COMSAR 6/8/9
Idem. Development of a list of contents for a medical first-aid kit for certain ro-ro
passenger ships for utilization by a medical doctor
COMSAR 6/22
Safety System (GMDSS); Section 8 Matters concerning search and rescue, including
those related to the 1979 SAR conference and the introduction of the GMDSS; Section 18
Harmonization of GMDSS requirements for radio installations on board SOLAS ships
COMSAR 6/INF.2
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Final Report of the 1st North SeaNorth Atlantic Co-ordinating Conference on maritime Radiocommunications (NS-NA
CCMR) Submitted by Canada
COMSAR 6/INF.4
Idem. Promulgation of maritime safety information. International NAVTEX service. Note

by NAVTEX Co-ordinating panel
COMSAR 6/INF.8
and the introduction of the GMDSS. Voluntary doctors on board helicopter during medical
evacuation. Submitted by Hong Kong, China
COMSAR 6/INF.10
Idem. The use of direct-printing telegraph for distress and safety purposes by SOLAS
ships. Submitted by Norway
16
COMSAR 6/INF.12
Emergency radiocommunications : False alerts and interference. How to maintain the

GMDSS competence. Submitted by Norway
7 th Session (13 January 2003)

COMSAR 7/3
Public
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). General communication matters.
correspondence service resumed by Turku Radio. Submitted by Finland
COMSAR 7/3/1
Idem. Operational and technical co-ordination provisions of maritime safety information

(MSI) services, including review of related documents. List of NAVAREA Co-ordinators.
Note by IHO)
COMSAR 7/5/2
Satellite services (Inmarsat and Cospas-sarsat). Analysis and assessment of the GMDSS
performance of Inmarsat Ltd. Note by IMSO
COMSAR 7/6
Emergency radio communications, including false alerts and interference. Report of the
Correspondence Group on false alerts. Submitted by Norway
COMSAR 7/7
and the introduction of the GMDSS. Report of the 9th Session of the ICAO/IMO Joint
Working Group on harmonisation of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue
COMSAR 7/7/Add.1
Idem.
COMSAR 7/7/1
distress information in the GMDSS. Revision of circular COMSAR/Circ.18 Guidance on
minimum communication needs of MRCCs. Submitted by France
COMSAR 7/7/2
Idem. Harmonisation of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue procedures,

including SAR training matters. GMDSS Coast Station Operator Certificate (CSOC)
Course. Submitted by the United Kingdom
COMSAR 7/23
Safety System (GMDSS); Annex 18 Draft COMSAR Circular on harmonization of
GMDSS requirements for radio installations on board Solas Ships)
COMSAR 7/INF.2
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Report of the 12th session of the
Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation on the GMDSS (BBRC/GMDSS-12). Submitted
by Poland
8 th Session (16-20 February 2004)

COMSAR 8/7
Matters concerning search and rescue, including those related to the 1979 SOLAS
Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS. Report of the 10th session of the
ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search
and Rescue
COMSAR 8/7/1
Idem. Proposal to issue a circular containing information on the current availability of

SAR services world-wide (Global SAR Plan)
COMSR 8/7/2
Idem. GMDSS Coast station operator certificate (CSOC) course. Submitted by the United
Kingdom on behalf of the Joint ICAO/IMO Working Group
17
COMSAR 8/7/3
Idem. Medical assistance in SAR services. Guidelines on responsibility and liability issues
involved in the use of the Emergency Medical Kit/Bag and on evaluation of such use in
emergency incidents. Report of the Correspondence Group. Submitted by France in its
capacity as co-ordinator of the Correspondence group.
COMSAR 8/7/4
Idem. Immediate establishment of an international SAR fund. Submitted by the ILF
COMSAR 8/17/1
Any other business. Revision of SOLAS reg IV/14 on performance standards. Submitted
by the Republic of Korea (This document proposes amendments to SOLAS reg. IV/14 to clarify
the requirements for GMDSS equipment to be replaced and added)
COMSAR 8/17/3
Idem. DSC alerting Push the button. Submitted by Norway. (This document contains an
excerpt from an article published in the Norwegian maritime magazine Navigare. Norway is
concerned about the apparently lack of knowledge and understanding on how distress alerting and
the follow-up communications should be performed on a GMDSS ship in case of distress incidents)
COMSAR 8/17/4
Idem. Maritime GMDSS certificates. GMDSS radiocommunications during lifeboat and

fire-fighting manoeuvres on ships and offshore units. Submitted by Norway
COMSAR 8/18
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee (Section 3 Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS); Section 7- Matters concerning search and rescue, including
those related to the 1979 SAR Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS
COMSAR 8/INF.2
Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation on the GMDSS (BBRX/GMDSS-13) Submitted
by Lithuania
COMSAR 8/INF.3
Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS. Information on agreements on search
and rescue regions and services
COMSAR 8/INF.9
Idem. Submitted by Canada
9th Session (7-11 February 2005)

COMSAR 9/3
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Use of MF and HF NBDP.
Submitted by Denmark
COMSAR 9/3/1
Idem. Operational and technical co-ordination provisions of Maritime Safety Information

(MSI) services, including review of the related documents. Outcome of an Inter-agency
Co-ordinating Meeting on the South Asian tsunami disaster
COMSAR 9/3/2
Idem. Outcome of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction. Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, 1822 January 2005
COMSAR 9/3/3

(MSI) services, including review of the related documents. Evaluation of existing NATEX,
SafetyNET and World-wide Navigational Warning Services manuals and guidance
documents in respect to the promulgation of tsunami and other urgent natural disaster
warnings. Submitted by the IHO.
COMSAR 9/3/4
Idem. Priority handling of Tsunami Warnings in the NAVTEX service. Submitted by

Japan
COMSAR 9/3/5

(MSI) services, including review of the related documents. Harmonization of maritime
operational services A proposal for discussion. Submitted by the Chairman of the
18
COMSAR Sub-Committee
COMSAR 9/3/6

(MSI) services, including review of the related documents. Comments on the
dissemination of information from tsunami warning centres. Submitted by the United
Kingdom
COMSAR 9/3/7
Idem. Proposals for improvements of SAR response to large-scale disasters. Submitted by

the ILF
COMSAR 9/5
Satellite services (Inmarsat and COSPAS-SARSAT). Status of COSPAS-SARSAT

programme. Submitted by COSPAS-SARSAT
COMSAR 9/5/1
Idem. Approval of satellite systems for use in the GMDSS. Submitted by IMSO
COMSAR 9/5/2
Idem. Proposal to review resolution A.888(21) on criteria for the provision of mobile satellite communication systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS). Submitted by the United States
COMSAR 9/5/3
Idem. Provision of mobile -satellite communications in the GMDSS. Submitted by

Denmark and Liberia
COMSAR 9/5/4
Idem. Analysis and assessment of the GMDSS performance of Inmarsat Ltd. Submitted by
IMSO
COMSAR 9/6
Emergency radiocommunications, including false alerts and interference. GMDSS

System Monitoring and Reporting (GMDSS-SMR) Submitted by Norway
COMSAR 9/7
ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search
and Rescue
COMSAR 9/8/1
Developments in maritime radio communication systems and technology. Use of IP

technology for the GMDSS. Submitted by Japan
COMSAR 9/19
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee. (Section 3 - Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS); Section 7 - Matters concerning search and rescue, including
those related to the 1979 SOLAS Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS;
Annex 3 Draft resolution MSC.[ ](80) on adoption of amendments to resolution
A.801(19) Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System (GMDSS))
COMSAR 9/INF.5
Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation on the GMDSS (BBRC/GMDSS-14). Submitted
by Latvia
COMSAR 9/INF.7
Idem. Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information. NAVTEX service. Report by the

Chairman of the International NAVTEX Co-ordinating Panel
COMSAR 9/INF.9
Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS. Coast Station Operators Certificate.
Submitted by Norway
COMSAR 9/INF.13
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Operational and technical coordination provisions of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) services, including review of
the related documents. UN General Assembly and IAPH resolutions concerning
strengthening, rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention in the aftermath of the Indian
19
Ocean tsunami disaster

10 th Session (6 10 March 2005)
COMSAR 10/3
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Operational and technical coordination provisions of maritime safety information (MSI) services, including review of
related documents., Establishment of two new NAVEREAs in the Arctic seas. Submitted
by the Russian Federation
COMSAR 10/3/1
Idem. Outcome of the 7th session of the IHO Commission on the promulgation of radio
navigational warnings (CPRNW). Submitted by IHO
COMSAR 10/3/2
Idem. Promulgation of maritime safety information (MSI). NAVTEX Service. Report by

the Chairman of the International NAVTEX Co-ordinating Panel
COMSAR 10/3/3
Idem. Report of the correspondence group on Tsunami. Submitted by Japan
COMSAR 10/5/1
Satellite services (Inmarsat and COSPAS-SARSAT). Analysis and assessment of the

GMDSS performance of Inmarsat Global Ltd. Submitted by IMSO
COMSAR 10/6
ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search
and Rescue
COMSAR 10/6/1
Idem. Report of the South East Asian Regional Seminar and Workshop on Maritime
Search and Rescue and the GMDSS
COMSAR 10/6/2
Idem. Integrated search and rescue model for the Caribbean. Submitted by Venezuela
COMSAR 10/6/3
Idem. First Regional Meeting on Maritime Search and Rescue in ROPME Sea Area.
Submitted by ROPME and MEMAC
COMSAR 10/6/4
Idem. Current availability of SAR services world-wide (Global SAR Plan)
COMSAR 10/6/5
and the implementation of the GMDSS. Locating lights for emergency position-indicating
radio beacons (EPIRBs). Submitted by the United States
COMSAR 10/6/6
Idem. Plan for the provision of maritime SAR Services, including procedures for routing
distress information in the GMDSS. Submitted by the United States
COMSAR 10/6/7
Idem. 2nd Black Sea Conference on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Global
Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), Odessa, Ukraine, 23-24 November 2005.
Submitted by Ukraine
COMSAR 10/6/8
Idem. Medical assistance in SAR services. Replenishing ships compulsory medical

supplies and status of medical supplies on board. Submitted by France
COMSAR 10/6/9
Idem. Locating lights for emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs).

Submitted by the IEC
COMSAR 10/6/9
Idem. Medical assistance in SAR services. Exchange of medical information between

TMAS to facilitate and enhance Transnational SAR operations : proposed standards form
for exchange of medical information for use in joint operational procedures. Submitted by
France
20
COMSAR 10/16
Safety System (GMDSS); Section 6 - Matters concerning search and rescue, including
those related to the 1979 SAR Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS)
COMSAR 10/INF.3
SAR training matters. SAR Management Course established at the World Maritime
University
COMSAR 10/INF.4
Baltic/Barents Sea Regional Co-operation on matters relating to the COSMR SubCommittee (BBRC/COMSR-15). Submitted by Estonia
COMSAR 10/INF.5
Idem. Matters relating to the GMDSS Master Plan. List of Operations Co-ordinators at
Inmarsat Land Earth Stations. Submitted by IMSO
COMSAR 10/INF.8
Conference and the implementation of the GMDSS. Search planning software. Submitted
by the United States
11 th Session (19-23 February 2006)

COMSAR 11/3
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Outcome of the 8th session of the
IHO Commission on the Promulgation of Radio Navigational Warnings (CPRNW).
Submitted by IHO
COMSAR 11/3/1
Idem. Matters relating to the GMDSS Master Plan. Amendments to the GMDSS Master
Plan
COMSAR 11/3/2
Idem. Report of the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Correspondence Group on Arctic MSI

Services. Submitted by the Chairman of the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Correspondence Group
(CG) on Arctic MSI Services
COMSAR 11/3/3

(MSI) services, including review of the related documents. List of NAVERA
Co-ordinators. Submitted by IHO
COMSAR 11/3/4

(MSI) services, including review of the related documents., Establishment of new
NAVERAs in the Arctic Seas. Submitted by Norway
COMSR 11/3/5
Idem. Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information (MSI). NAVTEX Service. Submitted

by the Chairman of the International NAVTEX Co-ordinating Panel
COMSAR 11/4
ITI maritime radiocommunications matters. ITU World Radiocommunication Conference

matters. Modification of Article 32 of the Radio Regulations and consequential review to
the IMO flow chart diagram for distress call procedure. Submitted by Sweden. (Annex
GMDSS operating guidance on distress alert)
COMSAR 11/5/1
Satellite services (Inmarsat and COSPAS-SARSAT). Analysis and assessment of the

GMDSS performance of Inmarsat Global Ltd. Submitted by IMOS
COMSAR 11/6
and the implementation of the GMDSS. Report of the 13th session of the ICAO/IMO Joint
Working Group on Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
COMSAR 11/6/1
Idem. SAR Services issues related to the implementation of the long-range Identification
and Tracking (LRIT) system. Submitted by the United States
21
COMSAR 11/6/2
Idem. Member States Search and Rescue Obligations under the SAR Convention and
other international instruments., Submitted by Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and
the United States
COMSAR 11/6/3
Idem. Report of the 13th session of the ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on harmonization
of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue. Submitted by the United States
COMSAR 11/6/4
Idem. Current availability of SAR services world-wide (Global SAR Plan)
COMSAR 11/6/5
Idem. Submitted by Chile
COMSAR 11/12/1
Idem. Draft performance standard for the exchange of HF data and electronic mail used in
the GMDSS. Submitted by USA
COMSAR 11/14
Development of an e-navigation strategy. GMDSS as a data communication network for

E-navigation. Submitted by the Republic of Korea
COMSAR 11/INF.4
and the implementation of the GMDSS. Outcome of special inspections carried out by the
SAR authority of the Republic of Korea to minimize false alerts of satellite EPIRBs.
Submitted by the Republic of Korea
SUB-COMMITTEE ON FLAG STATE IMPMENTATION

15 th Session (4 8 June 2007)
FSI 15/INF.6
Idem. Report of the 2005 Paris MoU CIC on GMDSS. Submitted by the Paris MoU
ICAO/IMO JWG ON HARMONIZATION OF AERONAUTICAL AND

MARITIME SAR
ICAO/IMO JWG 12/7 SAR COMMUNICATIONS : Status of the GMDSS. Report on COSPSA/SARSAT
system status, operations and future developments. Submitted by COSPAS-SARSAT
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE

72 nd Session (17 26 May 2000)
MSC 72/21/3
Work programme. Addition of bridge-to bridge communications in the GMDSS to the

criteria for general communications in the wok programme of the COMSAR SubCommittee. Submitted by France
MSC 72/INF.15
Radiocommunications and search and rescue. Information on the GMDSS performance of

Inmarsat Ltd. Note by IMSO
MSC 72/23
Report of the Maritime Safety Committee on its 72nd Session
74 th Session (30 May 8 June 2001)

MSC 74/21/10
Work programme. Addition of bridge-to bridge communications in the GMDSS to the

criteria for general communications in the wok programme of the COMSAR SubCommittee. Submitted by France
22
MSC 74/24
Report of the Maritime Safety Committee on its 74th Session
75 th Session (15 24 May 2002)

MSC 75/11/2
Radiocommunications and search and rescue. Matters concerning search and rescue,
including those related to the 1979 SAR Conference and the introduction of the GMDSS
Review of safety measures and procedures for treatment of persons rescued at sea.
Submitted by Germany
MSC 75/11/3
Idem. Matters concerning search and rescue, including those related to the 1979 SAR
Conference and the introduction of the GMDSS. Development of guidance for the use of a
medical first-aid kit for certain passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships meeting
comparative criteria. Submitted by France, Germany and Sweden
MSC 75/24
77 th Session (28 May 6 June 2003)

MSC 77/10/4
Radiocommunications and search and rescue. Intergovernmental oversight of possible

future mobile -satellite service providers to the GMDSS. Submitted by Denmark
MSC 77/26

MSC 78/16/2
Radiocommunications and search and rescue. Intergovernmental oversight of possible

future mobile -satellite service providers to the GMDSS
MSC 78/16/4
Idem. Analsis and assessment of the GMDSS performance of Inmarsat Ltd. Note by IMSO
MSC 78/26
79 th Session (1 10 December 2004)

MSC 79/22/1
Any other business. Outcome of the 70th Session of the IMSO Assembly. (Provision of
satellite services for the GMDSS)
MSC 79/22/1/Add.1
Idem.
MSC 79/22/7
Idem. GMDSS Future viability of the L-band EPIRB system. Submitted by IMSO
MSC 79/22/10
Idem. GMDSS Future availability of the L-band EPIRB system. Submitted by Germany
MSC 79/23

MSC 80/24
Report of the Maritime Safety Committee on its 80th Session (Annex 13 Resolution
MSC.199(90) Adoption of amendments to provision of radio services for the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) (Resolution A.801(19))
23
81st Session (10- 19 May 2006)

MSC 81/25
Report of the Maritime Safety Committee on its 81st Session.
82 nd Session (29 November 8 December 2006)

MSC 82/8/2
Radiocommunications and search and rescue. Revision of resolution A.888(21) Criteria for the provision of mobile -satellite communication systems in the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
MSC 82/8/7
Idem. Revision of resolution A.888(21) on Criteria for the provision of mobile -satellite
communication systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Submitted by Spain
MSC 82/8/10
Idem. Revision of resolution A.888(21) - Criteria for the provision of mobile -satellite
communication systems in the Global Marit ime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Submitted by IMSO Secretariat
MSC 82/24
Report of the Maritime Safety Committee on its 82nd Session.
SUB-COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING AND WATCHKEEPING

32 nd Session (22 26 January 2001)
STW 32/3/3
Validation of Model Training Course content. IMO Model Course for training of GMDSS
second-class radioelectronics. Submitted by the Russian Federation
STW 32/16
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee
STW 32/INF.2
Validation of Model Training Courses
33rd Session (21 25 January 2002

STW 33/5/3
Follow-up action to the 1995 STCW Conference : Maritime GOC & ROC certificates :
How to maintain GMDSS competence. Submitted by Norway
STW 33/5/6
Idem. Submitted by Russia Federation
STW 33/17
Report to Maritime Safety Committee
34 th Session (24 28 February 2003)

STW 34/3/1
Validation of Model Training Courses. Review of GOC and ROC Model training courses
STW 34/14
35 th Session (26 30 January 2004)

STW 35/18/2
Any other business : requirement for navigating officers to hold GMDSS qualifications.
Submitted by Australia
STW 35/19

24

STW 36/16/2
Any other business. Performance of GMDSS operators certificate holders
STW 36/16/6
Idem. Performance of GMDSS operators certificate holders. Submitted by ISF
STW 36/17

STW 37/12
Revalidation of GMDSS operators certificate. Submitted by ISF
STW 37/12/1
Idem. Submitted by India
STW 37/12/2
Idem. Revalidation of GOC and ROC after 5 years of service. Submitted by Norway
STW 37/18
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee. (Annex 4 Draft MSC Circular on promoting
and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on board ships)

STW 38/16/2
Any other business : Measures to enhance the competency of GMDSS operators. Outcome
of Focused Examination Campaign on the Competency of GMDSS Operators. Submitted
by China
IMO MATERIAL ON THE WEBSITE

GMDSS. http://www.imo.org/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=389
The GMDSS is fully implemented : Maritime distress and safety communications enter new era. IMO News,
No. 1/1999, pp 9-16 http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D696/NEWS199.PDF
GMDSS Frequently asked questions. IMO News, No. 1/1999, pp 18-20
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id%3D696/NEWS199.PDF
Shipping emergencies : Search and rescue and the GMDSS. Focus on IMO, March 1999.
http://www.imo.org/includes/blastDataOnly.asp/data_id=1478/GMDSS%20and%20SAR%201999.pdf
CONFERENCE PAPERS
BARTLETT, P.
- GMDSS : Responding to DSC alerts. In: Canadian Coast Guard College, MarSaf 2001 Maritime Safety
Colloquium 2001: Proceedings (Aqaba, Jordan, August 5-9, 2001). Nova Scotia, Canadian Coast Guard College,
2001.
- Introduction to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). : In: Canadian Coast Guard College,
MarSaf 97 Maritime Safety Colloquium 1997 : Proceedings (May 20-28, 1997). Nova Scotia, Canadian Coast
Guard College, 1997, Chapter 10.
25
BRODJE, L.- International harmonization in maritime communication. In: International Maritime Lecturers'
Association (IMLA) ; International Conference on maritime education and training (Seventh : July, 1992 : New
York) Proceedings. -- Malm : IMLA, 1992, Paper 11
CHARY, L.R.- SATCOM - An effective communication tool in GMDSS In: The Institute of Marine Engineers
- India; International Maritime Conference (24-26 November 1994 : Bombay) INMARCO 94. -- Bombay( India)
: The Institute of Marine Engineers, 1994, 5-A
THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS - India .- Seminar papers - National Convention of marine engineers and all
Indian Seminar on emerging trends and technologies in the maritime industry (6-7 June 1996 : Mumbai) . -Mumbai (India) : The Institution of Engineers, 1996
JONES, H.; HAWKINS, P.- GMDSS : Developing practical solutions for ship upgrades. In: The Institute of
Marine Engineers (IMarE) ; Maritime communication control (7-8 July 1993 : London) Conference papers. -London : Marine Management Holdings) Ltd, 1993, Paper 14
KENYON, M.W.- The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) In: Leith International
Conferences; International Conference and Exhibition (Eleventh : November 3-6, 1992 : Edinburgh) Offshore
search and rescue, marine communications, marine and aviation safety. -- Edinburgh : Leith International
Conferences, 1992
LEITH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES .- Offshore search and rescue, marine communications, marine &
aviation safety - International Conference & Exhibition (Eleventh : 3rd November 1992 : Edinburgh) . -Edinburgh : Leith International Conferences, 1992
MACDONALD, D.
- Acquisition of distress information before and after GMDSS. In: Canadian Coast Guard College, MarSaf 98
Maritime Safety Colloquium 1998 : Proceedings (August 24-28, 1998). Nova Scotia, Canadian Coast Guard
College, 1997, Chapter 6.
- GMDSS problems and challenges. In: Canadian Coast Guard College, MarSaf 97 Maritime Safety
Colloquium 1997 : Proceedings (May 20-28, 1997). Nova Scotia, Canadian Coast Guard College, 1997, Chapter
11.
MEHTA, K.H. Global maritime distress and safety system : Implication on maritime safety. In: Institution of
Engineers (India), 10 th National Convention of marine engineers and all India Seminar on emerging trends and
technologies in the maritime industry. (Mumbai, 6-7 June 1996), Mumbai, Institution of Engineers, 1996, pp 49-52
MITROPOULOS, E.E.
- Purpose and intent of the conference need for a regional SAR plan development of the global SAR plan : Paper
delivered at the Cape Town Conference on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS), Cape Town, 2-6 September 1996, 1996
-The GMDSS implementation status and perspectives : Paper delivered at the 1996 Cospas-Sarsat Seminar, IMO,
London, 23-25 October 1996, 1996
- Florence Conference on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS).2000 (IMO Doc. COMSAR 5/8/3)
- Report on the Florence Conference on maritime search and rescue and the GMDSS (16-20 October 2000 :
Florence) .2000.
OUELLETTE, M. GMDSS distress alerting procedures. In: Canadian Coast Guard College, MarSaf 98
Maritime Safety Colloquium 1998 : Proceedings (August 24-28, 1998). Nova Scotia, Canadian Coast Guard
College, 1997, Chapter 7.
26
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

- Speakers presentations and personal profiles - Second International GMDSS Conference (21-22 March 1994 :
Plymouth) . -- Plymouth : Plymouth College of Further Education, 1994.
- Speakers papers and personal profiles - International GMDSS Conference (Third : 20-21 March 1995 :
Plymouth) . -- Plymouth : Plymouth College of Further Education, 1995.
- International GMDSS Conference (Fourth : 25-26 March 1996 : Plymouth) . Plymouth : Plymouth College of
Further Education, 1996.
- International GMDSS Conference (Fifth : 17-18 March 1997 : Plymouth) . -- Plymouth : Plymouth College of
Further Information, 1997.
- International GMDSS Conference - UK (Sixth : 23-24 March 1998 : Plymouth). Plymouth : Plymouth College of
Further Education, 1998
- International GMDSS Conference (Seventh : 22-23 March 1999 : Plymouth). Plymouth : Plymouth College of
Further Information, 1999 (NB. Conferences were held until GMDSS was implemented. This is the last
conference of the series)
SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY Seminar on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) and Search and Rescue (SAR). (Nadi, Fiji Islands, 25-27 February 2002). Suva, Secretariat of the Pacific
Community, Fiji Islands, 2002. (ISBN 982-203-894-1).
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
BRHAUT, D. GMDSS : A users handbook. 2nd ed. London, Adlard Coles Nautical, 2002. (ISBN 0-71366224-7)
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Commission decision of 4 September 2003 on essential
requirements relating to marine radio communication equipment which is intended to be used on non-Solas vessels
and to participate in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). (2004/71/EC). In: Official
Journal of the European Union, Vol. 47/No. L 16, pp 54-55, 23 January 2004.
COOPER, R.- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System : In: Sterling Publications
international 1994. -- London : Sterling Publications Ltd, 1994, pp 149-152
Maritime transport
COOPER, R.A./LLOYD'S REGISTER TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION.- The global maritime distress and safety
system and its impact on ship radio services and surveys. -- London : Lloyds Register of Shipping, 1993.
FEAR, J..- Inmarsat and GMDSS. In: Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)
1994. -- London : Bimco, 1994, pp 400-408
BIMCO Review
GOODWIN, W.D.- One hundred years of maritime radio. -- Glasgow : Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd, 1995.
( ISBN 0-85174-632-2)
HARRIS, M. Communications at sea. Marine radio, e-mail, satellite and internet services. London, Adlard
Coles Nautical, 2003. (ISBN 0-7136-6271-9)
HOUSE, D.J.
.- Navigation for masters. -- 2nd ed.. -- London : Witherby & Co. Ltd, 1998 (ISBN 1-85609-147-3)
- The command companion of seamanship techniques. Oxford : Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. Vol. 3 (ISBN : 07506-4443-5)
27
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC) - Global maritime distress and safety system
(GMDSS). -- 1st ed..-- Geneva : IEC, 1992. (Part 1 : Radar transponder - Marine search and rescue (SART) Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results). (Document No.: IEC
1097-1) : Language(s): ENG/FRE
INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANIZATION (IHO) - Implementation of the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). (Circular Letter No. 26/1998). Monaco, IHO, 1998. (Includes IMO
Assembly Resolution A.705(17). ENG, FRE, SPA
INTERNATIONAL MOBILE SATELLITE ORGANIZATION (INMARSAT)
- What is the GMDSS? http://www.inmarsat.com/maritimesafety/mss_gmdss.htm
- Inmarsats role in the GMDSS http://www.inmarsat.org/maritimesafety/mss_role.htm
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)
Manual for use by the maritime mobile and maritime mobile -satellite services. Geneva, ITU, 1999 (ISBN 92-6108031-6)
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKER'S FEDERATION (ITF) - The future global maritime distress and
safety system : A trade union response. -- London : ITF, 1987
LEES, G.D.; WILLIAMSON, W.G..- Handbook for marine radio communication. 3rd ed.. -- London : Lloyd's
of London Press, 1999 (ISBN 1-85978-672-3)
LLOYD'S LIST INTERNATIONAL.- GMDSS - Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. London : Lloyd's
List International, 1991
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT - Japan - Lecturers Papers - 1987 Tokyo Seminar on the Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (25-27 November) - Tokyo : Ministry of Transport, 1987
SMITH, P.C.; SEATON, J.J.- GMDSS for navigators. -- Oxford : Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd,
1994 (ISBN 0-7506-2177)
TETLEY, L.; CALCUTT, D..- Understanding GMDSS (The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System). -London : Edward Arnold, 1994 (ISBN 0-340-61042-5)
UNITED KINGDOM HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE (UKHO) - Admiralty list of radio signals.-- Vol. 5 (2007/08) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System; Taunton (UK) : UKHO, 2007 (ISBN 978-0-70-771-9023)
VAN KLUIJVEN, P.C. The international maritime language programme : An English course for students at
maritime colleges and for on-boarding training : SMCP included. Alkmaar, Alk & Heijnen Publishers, The
Netherlands, 2003 (ISBN 90-5961-006-7)
WAUGH, I..- The mariner's guide to marine communications. London : The Nautical Institute, 2001
870077-58-X) (http://www.nautinst.org)
WILLIAMSON, W. - GMDSS - Approaching the deadline. In: Lloyd's of London Press (LLP)
Year Book 1999. London : LLP, 1998, pp 88-90
(ISBN : 1-
Lloyd's Nautical
AUDIOVISUAL RESOURCES
MARITIME EDUCATION SWEDEN AB
Maritime communications : An interactive training program about maritime radio communications, based on the
GMDSS. 1994 (CD-ROM)
28
VIDEOTEL MARINE INTERNATIONAL

- The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Pal system, running time : 26 minutes
http://www.videotel.co.uk
- GMDSS training course. 8 Modules. CD-ROM. http://www.videotel.co.uk
USEFUL ADDRESSES
COSPAS-SARSAT Secretariat
c/o INMARSAT
99 City Road
London EC1Y 1AX
Tel.: +44 20 7728 1212
Fax.: +44 20 7728 1602
Website: http://www.worldserver.pipex.com/cospas-sarsat
INMARSAT Ventures Ltd
99 City Road
London EC1Y 1AX
Tel.: +44 20 7728 1000
Fax.: +44 20 7728 1044
Website : http://www.inmarsat.org
Customer Care
Tel: +44 20 7728 1777
Fax: +44 20 7728 1142
Email: customer_care@inmarsat.com
International Radio Maritime Committee (CIRM)
South Bank House
Black Prince Road
London SE1 7SJ
Tel.: +44 20 7587 1245
Fax.: +44 20 7587 1436
Website: http://www.cirm.org
Email: sg@cirm.org
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Place des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 22 730 5111
Fax.: +41 22 733 7256
Website: http://www.itu.int/
Email : sales@itu.ch
29
INTERNET RESOURCES
IMO Library Services, External Relations Office
Directory of Maritime Links
http://www.imo.org
Inmarsat
http://www.inmarsat.org
International Radio Maritime Committee (CIRM)
http://www.cirm.org
COSPAS-SARSAT
http://www.cospas-sarsat.org/
Maritime Mobile Access & Retrieval System
http://gold.itu.int/MARS/
ITU list of countries, ship stations
http://gold.itu.ch/MARS
The GMDSS Examination page
http://members.aol.com/ab0di/
Distress and Safety Communications

AMSA - Australia
http://www.amsa.gov.au/AUSSAR/sos.htm
U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov
An overview of the Global Maritime Distress and

Safety System
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/default.
htm
GMDSS Task Force
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/gmdsst
f.htm
GMDSS Area of Operation
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/area.ht
m
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/gmdss
_systems.htm
_compliance.htm
_statistics.htm
_brochure.htm
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/referen
ce_gmdss.htm
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/checkls
t.htm
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/biblio.
htm
The Cospas -Sarsat System

GMDSS Compliance Requirements
GMDSS Statistics
GMDD Brochure
GMDSS Reference Information
GMDSS Inspection Chekclist
GMDSS Bibliography Other Information Sources
(Courses in U.S.A.)
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/docum
ent.htm
GMDSS Documents Index
30
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/mmsi.h
tm
Maritime Mobile Service Identities

GMDSS Identities and Data Elements
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/data.ht
m
http://www.gpsworld.com
GPS World Online
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rdixon/crs/500close.htm
Morse Code in UK
http://www.morsum.demon.co.uk/links.html
Links to other web sites of MORSE interest
ARTICLES FROM THE PRESS

LEGAL PERIODICALS
'Inmarsat and the Mariner'. (A look at the work of Inmarsat and its important role in the GMDSS, and the services it
provides to the global shipping community) - THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARINE AND
COASTAL LAW, August 1999, pp 423-431
'GMDSS seminar held in Suva'. (A joint seminar was held in Juva 6-8 October 1999 by the Japan Transport Cooperation Association and the Maritime Programme of the Pacific Community to look as ways of implementing the
GMDSS provisions of Chapter V of Solas Convention. The seminar also explored options for the provisions of
GMDSS equipment for non-Solas vessels) - MARITIME STUDIES, Jan/Feb 2000, pp
36-37
'Port state control report: Inspection campaigns' INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW, Vol 8, No 5, pp 171-175
TECHNICAL/TRADE PERIODICALS
Articles dated earlier than 1998 are available upon request.
'Inmarsat's future in fisheries'. (Two of the leading figures in the international satellite group explain why fishing
vessels are prominent in their plans for the 21st century) - WORLD FISHING, January 1998, p 6
'The creeping supremacy of virtual reality'. (The uncomfortable relationship between greater automation and
improved safety) - LLOYD'S LIST, 2 February 1998, p 10
'Special Report: GMDSS'. (At midnight on 31 December 1997, after 75 years of operation, the UK's 500kHz Morse
Distress Watch was discontinued as part of the plan for implementing the new Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)) - TELEGRAPH, February 1998, pp 14-15
'GMDSS deadline concern grows'. (Anxiety has been expressed over the problems which will have to overcome if
GMDSS installations are to be completed by February next year) - OCEAN VOICE, January 1998, pp 23-26
'Maritime communications'. (Special Report) - LLOYD'S LIST, 5 March 1998, p 7 LL0YD'S LIST, 6 March 1998,
p3
31
In defence of DSC'. (Digital Selective Calling has attracted much criticism since its implementation. Alan
Clemmetsen, Managing Director of ICS Electronics Ltd explains how it will succeed as a key element of GMDSS)
- SAFETY AT SEA, February 1998, pp 19-20
'Meeting the GMDSS challenge'. (The final countdown to the introduction of the GMDSS is underway. The
question is how many ships and maritime administrations will be fully compliant with the system on 1 February
1999) - SAFETY AT SEA, February 1998, pp 21-22
'IMO is set to back revamp of Inmarsat'. (IMO delegates look set to back the overall restructuring of Inmarsat,
when they submit their formal position to Inmarsat's assembly this autumn) - LLOYD'S LIST, 9 March 1998, p 3
'Letters to the Editor: No decision to extend deadline on GMDSS, says E Mitropoulos, Director of IMO's Maritime
Safety Division' - LLOYD'S LIST, 9 March 1998, p 5
'Magical clock to GMDSS'. (Identifying a ship's position has come a long way since John Harrison's day) LLOYD'S LIST, 30 March 1998, p 14
'Unspoken threats'. (Uncertainty over the fate of non-compliant ships is creating a vicious circle that has the
GMDSS world in a spin) - COMPUSHIP, Feb/March 1998, pp 14-17
'GMDSS takes to the road'. (As the February 1, 1999 Solas deadline draws closer for all vessels to have at least one
GMDSS-trained member onboard, the demand for training is increasing) - LLOYD'S SHIP MANAGER, April
1998, p 30
'Out with SOS - in with GMDSS'. (With the phase-out of the morse code SOS, vessels are being equipped with a
startling array of hi-tech distress alerting systems) - OCEAN VOICE, April 1998, pp 11-14
'Inmarsat is preparing for Year 2000' - BIMCO BULLETIN, April 1998, pp 34-35
'Equipos radioelctricos para la seguridad martima' - INGENIERIA NAVAL, April 1998, pp 93-97
'Inmarsat privatisation by January 1999 agreed. IMO gives cautious welcome to latest plan' - COMPUSHIP,
April/May 1998, p 4
'GMDSS countdown: Is GSM, digital mobile phone service provided for land users, viable as a distress call
option?' - COMPUSHIP, April/May 1998, pp 10-11
'New alarm over GMDSS'. (Numast and shipowners warn conference of training problems that could jeopardise
effectiveness of satcom system) - TELEGRAPH, May 1998, p 15
'Satellites fight bug'. (Eight manufacturers of maritime satellite communications equipment have demonstrated that
their systems are immune to the millennium bug) - TRADEWINDS, 29 May 1998, p 16
'A double-edged sword'. (Owners and states not ready for GMDSS) - FAIRPLAY, 4 June 1998, pp 32-33
'DSC causes distress as false alerts rise'. (Digital Selective Calling, which forms part of the GMDSS, is still cause
of concern as the number of false alerts continues to rise) - FAIRPLAY, 4 June 1998, pp 33-34
'Inmarsat goes private' - FAIRPLAY, 4 June 1998, p 38
'Free global safety service'. (COMSAT Mobile Communications has teamed up with the US National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and the USCG to offer life-saving information free to mariners that use the
COMSAT-C satellite messaging service) - FAIRPLAY, 11 June 1998, p 40
'Maritime Communications'. (Special Report) - LLOYD'S LIST, 23 June 1998, pp 10-11
'Merchant ships move into line on GMDSS rules' - LLOYD'S LIST, 23 June 1998, p 10
32
'New satellite derived sea ice motion tracks Arctic contamination' - MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN, July/Dec
1997, pp 345-352
'Satellite communications'. (Worldwide communication is being made easier with the many systems that are being
launched) - LLOYD'S LIST MARITIME ASIA, July 1998, pp 39-42
'US delays IMO fishing vessel safety rules'. (The US Senate has unanimously passed legislation that postpones
US-flag fishing vessel implementation of IMO's mandatory Global Maritime Distress and Safety System regulation
for one year) - LLOYD'S LIST, 3 August 1998, p. 3
'GMDSS: Crying out for help?'. (As the crucial GMDSS deadline draws closer, this special issue takes an in-depth
look at the key issues: shore facilities, shipboard equipment, officer training and the future) - COMPUSHIP, June
1998, pp 1-30
'GMDSS countdown'. (Sixth International GMDSS Conference, Plymouth) -OCEAN VOICE, July 1998, pp 18-19
'Letter: GMDSS introduction was not rushed, argues C F Rayfield, Principal Radiocommunication Adviser,
International Chamber of Shipping' - LLOYD'S LIST, 22 September 1998, p 5
'Worry over false alarms from Epirbs' (Potentially dangerous and costly false alerts from emergency position
indicating radio beacons are spreading new worries in the maritime industry, as a deadline for mandatory
implementation approaches) - LLOYD'S List, 12 October 1998, p 10.
'Comment: No reprieve for GMDSS dodgers - February deadline stands' - FAIRPLAY SOLUTIONS, November
1998, p 3
'The GMDSS deadline - Who is going to be ready?'. (Without a detailed study, something that even the IMO has
found to be beyond its capabilities, it is considered impossible to assess the remaining GMDSS requirement
accurately) - FAIRPLAY SOLUTIONS, November 1998, pp 26-28
'GMDSS - are you ready?'. (1 February 1999 is the deadline for the full and effective implementation of the
GMDSS System) - BIMCO BULLETIN, October 1998, pp 49-50
'Early start for distress at sea network'. (A new maritime distress system, the VHF DSC (Digital Selective Calling),
became operational around Britain ahead of schedule) - LLOYD'S LIST, 2 December 1998, p. 3
'GMDSS'. (Special Report) - LLOYD'S LIST, 3 December 1998, pp 6-8
'Thousands of vessels to miss GMDSS deadline'. (February 1 deadline for conversion to GMDSS - Equipment
industry experts estimate that at least 25 percent to 30 percent of the 30,000 oceangoing vessels have still to
retrofit) - LLOYD'S LIST, 5 December 1998, p. 1
'New system for distress calls'. (The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency's VHF DSC became fully operational
at all 21 rescue centres around the UK on Tuesday in compliance with the forthcoming mandatory Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which is due to be implemented) - TRADEWINDS, 4 December 1998, p.
23
'Numast to run GMDSS survey'. (British officers' union Numast is to undertake a survey to gauge the industry's
readiness to implement the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, amid fears that many glitches have yet to
be sorted out) - LLOYD'S LIST, 23 December 1998, p. 2
'Letters to the Editor: Russian ships will meet GMDSS requirements'. (Letter from V.Bogdanov, director General
Morvsviazsputnik) - LLOYD'S LIST, 6 January 1999, p 5
'Malaysia enforces safety at sea rules'. (The Malaysian Marine Department will conduct checks on vessels in its
waters for compliance with the GMDSS from early next month) - LLOYD'S LIST, 12 January 1999, p 10
33
'Tough line on satellite compliance'. (Hundred of merchant ships face fines or detention in ports around the world
from February 1 over failure to meet new satellite communication requirements (GMDSS)) - LLOYD'S LIST, 22
January 1999, p 3
'Officers to face union check on GMDSS doubts'. (Ships' officers are to be quizzed on the effectiveness of the
GMDSS which is officially being fully implemented from today) - LLOYD'S LIST, 1 February 1999, p 1
'GMDSS makes its official debut today... over and out' - LLOYD'S LIST , 1 February 1999, p 5
'Everything you ever wanted to know about GMDSS' - LLOYD'S LIST, 1 February 1999, p 5
'GMDSS infractions set to be detainable'. (In theory, failure to comply with the GMDSS under Solas 74 will
become a detainable offence under the auspices of Port State Control from 1 February) - TRADEWINDS, 29
January 1999, p 28
'GMDSS'. (Special Report) - FAIRPLAY, 5 February 1999, pp 28-34
'GMDSS is now mandatory'. (The IMO's Secretary General is confident of the potential of GMDSS, but will the
reality live up to expectations?) - FAIRPLAY, 5 February 1999, p 29
'First arrests for GMDSS failure'. (Maritime and Coastguard Agency officials have made their first arrests of
vessels for non-compliance with GMDSS requirements with the detention of three Russian flagged vessels in UK
ports) - LLOYD'S LIST, 6 February 1999, p 1
'Coming to terms with a new distress system'. (The GMDSS came into full effect internationally this week but in
reality this may not be simple to achieve) - TRADEWINDS, 5 February 1999, p 2
'Nations form net to catch satellite cheats'. (Eighteen maritime nations have begun a surveillance operation on ships
failing to meet new satellite communication requirements) - LLOYD'S LIST, 11 February 1999, p 16
'Sea change for shipping'. (Signif icant amendments to the IMO's Solas Convention will come into force during
1999, not least the full implementation of the GMDSS) - SAFETY AT SEA, January 1999, pp 20-21
'Last-ditch scramble as GMDSS takes effect'. (Satcom specialist Inmarsat has commissioned its 50,000th
Inmarsat-C terminal as operators scramble to meet this month's GMDSS deadline date) - TELEGRAPH, February
1999, p 28
'GMDSS queries for secretariat'. (The Paris MOU has received many requests to clarify the organisation's position
as rega rds holding vessels for non-compliance with the GMDSS which came into force on 1 February) TRADEWINDS, 26 February 1999, p 27
'Ports action on GMDSS cheats'. (18 key maritime countries, including the UK, have launched an inspection
clampdown against ships failing to meet GMDSS requirements) - TELEGRAPH, March 1999, p 1
'British officers critical of GMDSS'. (Four of five British officers are critical of the global maritime distress and
safety system, officers' union NUMAST will tell a conference today) - LLOYD'S LIST, 23 March 1999, p. 1
'Coast Station Operators Certificate'. (GMDSS training has traditionally tended to focus on the seafarer. HM
Coastguard in the UK has now established a new standard of competence for coast station operators) - SAFETY
AT SEA, March 1999, pp 14-15
'The way ahead'. (The introduction of the GMDSS represents the biggest change in marine emergency
communications since the invention of radio. Guy Beale, Editor of the Admiralty List of Radio Signals looks at the
future of GMDSS ) - SAFETY AT SEA, March 1999, pp 16-18
'GMDSS now in full swing'. (Despite the long phase-in period there is concern about a backlog) - LLOYD'S SHIP
MANAGER, March 1999, pp 66-67
34
'Critics attack rate of GMDSS false alerts' - TRADEWINDS, 1 April 1999, p 24

'GMDSS - time to deliver'. (Now that the implementation deadline has passed, will GMDSS live up to its promise
of a safer shipping industry?)- COMPUSHIP, February 1999, pp 14-17
'The demands of distress'. (Dave Walsh of Marine Electronics Marketing looks at the approaching effects of
GMDSS on fishing vessels)- WORLD FISHING, April 1999, pp 14-15
'Asia -Pacific safety code campaign'. (Port state control authorities in the Asia -Pacific region are to launch a
concerted inspection campaign to check for compliance with new global maritime distress and safety system
requirements later this year)- LLOYD'S LIST, 7 May 1999, p 3
'GMDSS - Progress report'. (This year's GMDSS conference organised by the Plymouth College of Further
Education predicted an optimistic future for the system that many see as riddled with bugs)- SEATRADE
REVIEW, May 1999, p 49
'Global safety system scrutiny'. (The members state of the Tokyo MOU are to mount a campaign on vessel's
compliance with the GMDSS, following the success of last year's blitz on the ISM Code)- TRADEWINDS, 13
May 1999, p 29
'Numast survey sounds the alarm on GMDSS'. (Serious shortcomings in GMDSS training and operation have been
revealed in an important new survey carried out by Numast)- TELEGRAPH, April 1999, p 28
'Special Report: GMDSS'. (March's GMDSS conference in Plymouth discovered how the system's faults are
becoming apparent since its introduction)- TELEGRAPH, May 1999, pp 12-13
'False alarms trigger fears of threat to safety'. (The safety and efficiency of navigational watchkeepers is being
adversely affected by the problem of false alarms from the GMDSS, the International Marine Accident Reporting
Scheme has warned)- LLOYD'S LIST, 4 June 19999, p 5
'Trip to MARS? Switch off the GMDSS'. (A disturbing table of false alerts over the whole range of maritime
communications systems supports the concerns voiced by mariners)- FAIRPLAY, 24 June 1999, p 23
'Inmarsat hands over GMDSS obligations'. (Changes to Solas urged as new intergovernmental organisation
assumes role)- COMPUSHIP, May 1999, p 2
'GMDSS war in the offing'. (Member states of the Tokyo MOU will wage war for three months starting on 1
October against those vessels non compliant with the GMDSS convention) - TRADEWINDS, 3 September 1999, p
25
'USA halts DSC implementation'. (GMDSS implementation in jeopardy as concern mounts over false alerts) COMPUSHIP, p 2
'Developing full potential'. (Some GMDSS problems still needed to be addressed. These were explored at the
Plymouth conference) OCEAN VOICE, August 1999, pp 22-23
'Inmarsat rivals await IMO criteria'. (Potential rivals to satellite communications company Inmarsat should know
later this month the criteria they need to meet in order to supply services within the GMDSS System. Draft criteria
for providing mobile satellite communications systems in the GMDSS will be considered by the IMO Assembly on
November 21) - LLOYD'S LIST, 6 November 1999, p 4
'Inmarsat 20 Successful Years'. (Special Report) - LLOYD'S LIST, 17 November 1999, pp 12-17
'Safe pair of hands fill watchdog role'. (Providing a safe of hands for the GMDSS is the work of Jerzy Vonau who
heads the International Mobile Satellite Organisation, based in the Inmarsat headquarters) - LLOYD'S LIST, 17
November 1999, p 14
35
'Australians pic k up GMDSS faults'. (Of the seven ships detained by the Australian Maritime Authority last month,
three had problems with GMDSS-related equipment) - TRADEWINDS, 10 December 1999, p 31
'Cyprus seeks new checks on vessel call signs'. (Cyprus' Department of Merchant Shipping is studying the
acquisition of special equipment to allow it to check the veracity of ships' call signs after the second sinking off the
island's coast in six months where a vessel gave out the wrong identification signal) - LLOYD'S LIST, 6 January
2000, p 14
'Manila to implement GMDSS'. (The Philippines will soon require domestic passenger and cargo vessels to be
equipped with GMDSS equipment) - LLOYD'S LIST, 27 January 2000, p 5
'Planning for the unavoidable'. (The IMO has broken new ground in its efforts to tackle the vital issue of saving
lives at sea. Aline de Bievre analyses the group's plans for the worst case scenario) - LLOYD'S LIST (Magazine
Focus), January 2000, pp 23-24
'Philippines to implement GMDSS' - SAFETY AT SEA, March 2000, pp 6
'Manning & Training'. (Special Report) - LLOYD'S SHIP MANAGER, October 2000, pp 51-61
'GMDSS crackdown'. (The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has announced that it is going to be doing a fourmonth inspection blitz, starting on April 1, specifically aimed at GMDSS) - LLOYD'S LIST, 14 March 2001, p 7
'GMDSS - two years on'. (Two years after GMDSS became mandatory for many vessel types, Inmarsat looks at
how false alarms are being cut) - SAFETY AT SEA, March 2001, pp 20-21
'Prophet of doom in the world of safety at sea'. (Re: Communications and IT in Shipping (Citis) conference) LLOYD'S LIST, 24 March 2001, p7
'Letter: Prudent masters will know when to issue distress call'. (Captain C R Kelsom Bursledon Heights, Bursledon,
Hants) - LLOYD'S LIST, 4 July 2001, p 6
'Safety omits human factor at its peril'. (The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System is floundering because
people are blinded by the technology. Neville Cresdee, an engineering technician and GMDSS/IT/communications
officer, says the value of a human presence must not be downplayed) - OCEAN VOICE, April 2001, pp 28-29
'Satellites - 25 years on' - SAFETY AT SEA, September 2001, pp 8-10
'Call by cellphone pending GMDSS'. (Colombia's navy says maritime emergencies on the Caribbean coast will be
covered by cellular telephone communication, as planning continues on how to comply with IMO GMDSS
agreements) - FAIRPLAY, 11 October 2001, p 9
'Time to move forward in our safety training'. (Seafarers deserve better distress and safety training) - OCEAN
VOICE, August/September 2001, pp 22-23
'We need radio officers'. (Master mariner John Gorman-Charlton gives his views onboard communications and
explains why the GMDSS is not the way forward for the industry) - OCEAN VOICE, October/November 2001, pp
24-25
'Training in Latvia' - SEAWAYS, March 2002, p 13
'Safety demands new marine officer grade'. (Experiences radio officer Neville Cresdee puts the case for the creation
of a new marine role: the GMDSS/communications officer) - OCEAN VOICE, Feb/March 2002, pp 49-51
'Review: GMDSS shipboard companion'. (The "GMDSS Shipboard Companion", by Jose V Banzuelo, is a
valuable resource for all those who need to understand communication procedures and equipment operation on
board GMDSS-equipped vessels) - FAIRPLAY, 14 March 2002, p 27
36
'Review: Guide to a shipboard revolution'. (A shipboard telecommunications revolution in the past few years has
ushered in more changes than in any period since the first use of radio at the beginning of the last century.
Innovations such as GPS, GMDSS, email and the internet have totally changed the way marine communications
work, with crews relying far more heavily on electronic forms of communication for both operational and personal
purposes. The aim of the book is to provide a broad overview of various shipboard technologies available,
comparing different systems, with the second part of the book devoted to reference material and further sources of
information. "Communications at Sea", by Mike Harris. Published by Adlard Coles Nautical. (ISBN 0 713662719). Paperback with illustrations, price 14.99) - LLOYD'S LIST, 30 May 2003, p 6
'Where have those commas gone?'. (Maritime safety communication equipment and facilities are supposed to be a
vital tool to guide ships and prevent collisions, especially on busier passages such as that leading to Manila, where
domestic and international ships meet. Action should already be in hand. After the Singapore-flagged container
ship Kota Suria and the inter-island ferry Cebu City collided near the San Nicolas-Superferry 12 disaster site in
1994, plans were drawn up for a traffic separation scheme. Separate GMDSS-based facilities had already been set
up in response to the Doa Paz tragedy in 1987. More recently, a maritime communications office (MCO), which
aims to monitor and receive analogue messages from ships in distress, was inaugurated in 1997. ) - FAIRPLAY, 19
June 2003, p 16
'Hurdle delays free ISPS ship alert'. "THE use of Global Maritime Distress Safety Service equipment to send covert
ship alerts free of charge, as part of compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, has hit
a regulatory hurdle. Inmarsat has been forced to postpone the activation of the GMDSS-based service after
Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres refused to handle the P3 alerts due to a lack of procedural definition and
concerns over security of the data. " - LLOYD'S LIST, 29 January 2004 (No. 58,584) , p. 3
'Safety catch'. "The correct use of Inmarsat C can enhance fishing vessel safety" - OCEAN VOICE, July-Sept.
2003, pp 16-17
'GMDSS false alerts: a persistent problem for the safety of navigation at sea' - THE JOURNAL OF
NAVIGATION, January 2004 (Vol.57, No.1) , pp 153-159
'Mess of ship security alerts'. "The legislation for ship security alerts is a big mess, because of maritime rescue
centres reluctance to take the responsibility of receiving them" - DIGITAL SHIP, April 2004 (Vol.4, No.6) , pp
11-12
'The 8th session of the IMO Sub-committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR)' - IALA
BULLETIN (No.2, 2004) , pp 17-19
'Inmarsat-E EPIRBS set to be withdrawn'. "INMARSAT has announced plans to withdraw its emergency beacon
service, Inmarsat-E, over the next two years with the service being switched off entirely by 2006. Just 1,300
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons have been sold since the service began in the late 1990s and only
100 of these are in use on merchant ships." - LLOYD'S LIST, 14 September 2004 (No.58744) , p 5
'Last word: Over and out'. "Farewell to EPIRBS" - LLOYD'S LIST, 15 September 2004 (No.58745) , p 12
'Editorial: E's not good'. "Need the shipping industry feel short-changed by the decision of Inmarsat to withdraw its
emergency beacon service, or Epirb, from the end of 2006? Not particularly would be the immediate answer since
of the 1,300 sold, just 100 or so are fitted to ships that fall under the auspices of the Global Marine Distress and
Safety System." - LLOYD'S LIST, 21 September 2004 (No.58749) , p 7
'No safety in low numbers'. "Inmarsat announces that it will withdraw its "E" EPIRB service after sales figures fail
to hit the mark" - LLOYD'S SHIP MANAGER, October 2004, p 43
'Union urges owners to support bid to cut epirb false alarms'. "Numast is urging shipowners to install a device
which cuts down on false distress calls. Developed with the Union's support, the Standguard EPIRB Guard
Receiver warns crew members when EPIRB distress beacons have become dislodged accidentally - but take-up of
the technology has been disappointingly slow" - TELEGRAPH, November 2004 (Vol.37, No.11) , p 12
37
'US pressure on Inmarsat GMDSS grip'. "A satellite company heading for a London flotation is facing steep
competition in vital maritime-safety service. Inmarsat, the privatised satellite communication company looking to
float on the London stock market this month, is facing the loss of its monopoly of maritime distress traffic. The
company, valued at1bn ($1.84bn), is mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as the sole
satellite-based provider of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) but the US is pushing for the
relevant part of the Solas convention to be amended." - TRADEWINDS, 10 June 2005 (Vol.16, No.23) , p 38
'Paris MOU to get tough on radio inspections'. "Paris memorandum countries are gearing up for a concentrated
inspection campaign that will target compliance with Global Maritime Distress and Safety System requirements.
The port state control drive - which will last three months from September 1 - will see radio operators asked to
show that the radio station is in a satisfactory working condition and used for its intended purpose. Every port state
control inspection will check the vessel's GMDSS, its equipment, operation and correct recording of
communications and maintenance. Compliance with the Safety of Life at Sea convention, the Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping convention and the International Safety Management code will also be
verified." - LLOYD'S LIST, 12 July 2005 (No.58952) , p 3
'Paris to focus on radios'. "Ships entering European ports this autumn will face tough port-state control checks on
their radio, safety and distress equipment. The Paris MOU participants say they will conduct a three-month
concentrated campaign on safety communication equipment starting in September. In a statement Paris MOU
secretariat head Richard Schiferli said: "During every port-state control inspection, the ship's Global Maritime
Distress & Safety System (GMDSS), its equipment, operation and correct recording of communications and
maintenance shall be verified in more detail for compliance with Solas, STCW code and ISM code."" TRADEWINDS, 15 July 2005 (Vol.16, No.28) , p 39
'Port State Control GMDSS crackdown'. "The 22 Maritime Authorities (EU members together with Canada,
Croatia, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation) of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State
Control have announced plans to carry out a Concentrated Inspection Campaign on ships GMDSS systems" DIGITAL SHIP, September 2005 (Vol.6, No.1) , p 4
'Inmarsat opts for ACR Epirb replacement'. "Leading maritime communications provider Inmarsat has signed an
agreement with ACR Electronics to replace its emergency beacon service. The London-based company last year
announced the closure of the existing Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon service from the end of 2006
due to a lack of demand from merchant vessels, and will hand over the contract to the US-based specialist in safety
technology." - LLOYD'S LIST, 4 October 2005 (No.59011) , p 2
'Inmarsat opts for ACR Epirb replacement'. "Leading maritime communications provider Inmarsat has signed an
agreement with ACR Electronics to replace its emergency beacon service. The London-based company last year
announced the closure of the existing Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon service from the end of 2006
due to a lack of demand from merchant vessels, and will hand over the contract to the US-based specialist in safety
technology." - LLOYD'S LIST, 4 October 2005 (No.59011) , p 2
'Current status of GNSS'. "The past decade has seen the continued growth of Global Navigation Satellites Systems
(GNSS), from the initial development of the US GPS and the Russian GLONASS system, through to the current
development of the European system, Galileo. During the past decade the development of these systems has lead to
an unprecedented rise in the use of navigation systems, which has seen navigation and timing solutions being used
in many diverse applications worldwide" - IALA BULLETIN, 2005 (No.3) , pp 20-30
'Letter: Why just one distress message?'. "SIR, There is little doubt there would have been many more survivors
from the Egyptian ferry Al Salam Boccaccio 98 had the crew been more proactive in sending distress messages. It
would appear only one distress message was sent by VHF and this was ignored by passing ships. In the end, it was
the ship's EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), which automatically activated as the ship sank,
that alerted the world to this tragedy. This raises two very serious issues - why was the distress message sent by
VHF radio ignored by passing ships and why did the crew of the sinking ship not use the full range of GMDSS
(Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) radio equipment available for their use in these circumstances?" FAIRPLAY, 16 February 2006 (Vol.356, No.6366) , p 15
'Galileo opportunities'. "Special Report" - GPS WORLD, February 2006 (Vol.17, No.2) , pp 19-25
38
'IMO report - Progress in training and certification' - SEAWAYS, April 2006, p 30

'GNSS: Benefits, risks and misconceptions' - NAVIGATION NEWS, March/April 2006, pp 8-11
'GMDSS needs a review'. "Captain Stephen Bligh, speaking at the ACI maritime communications and technology
conference in London in May, says the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) needs a review" DIGITAL SHIP, September 2006 (Vol.7, No.1) , pp 20-21
'Bitter row over satellite services'. "Bitter disputes are threatening the opening of satellite-based safety services to
competition and the supervision of the long-range tracking of ships. The controversy is embroiling London-based
Inmarsat as it faces the loss of its monopoly on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) if other
satellite operators such as Iridium, Orbcomm and Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) of the US bid successfully for
licences." - TRADEWINDS, 3 November 2006 (Vol.17, No.44) , p 42
'IMO set to end Inmarsat GMDSS monopoly'. "As Solutions goes to press the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee
will be discussing changes to SOLAS chapter IV that could see an end to Inmarsat's monopoly on providing
GMDSS communications services. At the time that GMDSS was introduced, there were no other satellite service
providers with a global coverage and so Inmarsat's monopoly arose more by default than by decision. Now the US
has proposed an amendment to the relevant wording in SOLAS which would see provision of GMDSS services
opened up to other satellite service networks. " - FAIRPLAY SOLUTIONS, December 2006 (No.123) , p 11
'New distress gear is better by design'. "EPIRBs and personal locator beacons (PLBs) are becoming smaller, lighter
and more effective, and are complemented by a growing range of beacons and transmitters and search and rescue
(SAR) systems for localised use. As Peter Forey, director of Sartech Engineering, explained, the major change that
has taken place with EPIRBs is the introduction of new technology such as temperature-compensated oscillators
and LED (Light Emitting Diode) location lamps." - SAFETY AT SEA, December 2006 (Vol.40, No.454) , pp 2427
'GMDSS vote at IMO spurs rethink by US'. "The US is having to rethink its strategy after the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) opted to back the oversight of a satellite-based safety system by a London-based
watchdog. The vote by the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at its meeting in Istanbul means the approval
and monitoring of providers of Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) services will be carried out
by the organisation that currently acts as the watchdog of privatised company Inmarsat.The International Mobile
Satellite Organisation (IMSO), currently housed in Inmarsat's London offices and financed by Inmarsat, will, the
MSC decided, also act as co-ordinator of the satellite-based Long-Range Identification & Tracking (LRIT) system,
which monitors the movements of ships for anti-terrorist and search-and-rescue purposes." - TRADEWINDS, 15
December 2006 (Vol.17, No.50) , p 28
'Long-distance lookout'. "F ollowing closely on the heels of GMDSS, AIS and SSAS, the next officially ordained
communication system to be imposed on ship operators will be long-range identification and tracking (LRIT),
which is scheduled to begin in less than two years' time. While GMDSS was reasonably well received - except
perhaps by redundant radio officers - AIS and SSAS were both considered by many to be unnecessary and
introduced hastily without proper consideration. LRIT, which was initially thought likely to be achieved through
enhanced shore-based AIS systems, is sure to prove even more controversial. The new regulation on LRIT, adopted
at MSC 81 in May last year, is included in SOLAS chapter V on Safety of Navigation. LRIT will be introduced as
a mandatory requirement for passenger ships, including high-speed craft; cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of
300 gross tonnage and upwards; and mobile offshore drilling units on international voyages." - FAIRPLAY
SOLUTIONS, February 2007 (No.125) , p 34
'Radio traffic accounting - An extract from The Mariner's Guide to Marine Communications'. "The Mariner's Guide
to Marine Communications has become a text for GMDSS courses and also a practical reference book for use on
board. The new edition covers recent regulatory requirements like security alerts and safety procedures" SEAWAYS, March 2007, pp 24-26
'IMO outlines distress call procedure'. "The IMO's Subcommittee on radiocommunications and search and rescue,
in conjunction with the ITU has issued a clarification of distress call procedures, paying particular attention to how
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) should be used as part of the global GMDSS system" - DIGITAL SHIP, March
2007 (Vol.7, No.6) , p 3
39
'IMSO chief signs in'. "Esteban Pacha -Vicente has taken up the post of director of the International Mobile Satellite
Organization. IMSO is the watchdog for International Maritime Organization-mandated maritime safety and
security communications services. It oversees the provision of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and
has been appointed co-ordinator of the Long Range Identification and Tracking of ships." - LLOYD'S LIST, 19
April 2007 (No.59401) , p 12
A new dawn rises in maritime safety'. "Imso's new head says an open market in satellite safety and tracking
systems is a step forward. Esteban Pacha is a man with a lot on his plate. The new director of the International
Maritime Satellite Organization has joined the safety services watchdog at the greatest point of change in its
history. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System provided via Inmarsat under a public service agreement is
to be opened to other service providers just as monitoring of shipping under the Long Range Identification and
Tracking programme begins." - LLOYD'S LIST, 3 May 2007 (No. 59,411) , p. 8
40

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IMO Library Services

External Relations Office

THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS

Amendments to 1974 Solas Convention

GMDSS handbook on CD-ROM (Version 2.0). (D402E)

International SafetyNet manual. 2003 Edition. (IMO-IA908E). Language(s) : E, F, S.

NAVTEX Manual. 2005 Edition. (IMO-IC951E). Language(s): E

Performance standards for shipborne radiocommunications and navigational equipment : 2002-2004

Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime safety information (MSI). (IMO-I910E). Language(s): E, S

IMO MODEL COURSES

IMO Assembly Resolutions relevant to the GMDSS

Use of the COSPAS-SARSAT low polar orbiting satellite EPIRB system

Type approval of ship earth stations

Carriage of radar operating in the frequency band 9300-9500 MHz

Search and rescue homing capability

Implementation of the NAVTEX system as a component of the World-Wide

Carriage of satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)

Type of approval of satellite EPIRBs operating in the COSPAS-SARSAT system

Training of radio personnel in the GMDSS

Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information

World-Wide Navigational Warning Service. Amended by MSC/Circ. 750 & MSC/Circ.957

Establishment, updating and retrieval of the information contained in the registration

Procedures and arrangements for issuing GMDSS certificates to holders of

Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts

World-wide radionavigation system

Maritime Policy for a future global navigation satellite system (GNSS)

Maritime safety Committee ( MSC )

Radiocommunications. Volume of traffic for distress and safety communications

Guidelines for the participation of non-Convention ships in the GMDSS

Recommendations on the early development and introduction of the

Use and application of computers

International SafetyNET Service

Proper use of lanyards attached to satellite EPIRBs

MSC/ Circ. 682

Implementation of the GMDSS on board all ships

MSC/ Circ .683

Present homing capability of satellite EPIRBs

Questionnaire on shore-based facilities for the global maritime

Amendments to resolution A.706(17)- World-Wide Navigational Warning service

Implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Guidance of Administrations on Improving the Capability of Shore

Amendments to Resolution A.706(17) - World-Wide Navigational Warning Service

Participation of non-SOLAS Ships in the Global Maritime Distress

Impact of the Year 2000 on Software Systems

Guidance for the use of Radio Signals by Ships under Attack

Amendments to the MERSAR Manual

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended

Document of Compliance with SOLAS Regulations II-2/54

Measures to Reduce the Number of false distress alerts

Clarifications of Certain Requirements in IMO performance

Recommendation on Prevention of Harmful Interference to 406 Mhz

Guidelines for preparing Plans for co-operation between search and

Guidelines on annual testing of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs

Maritime safety and INMARSAT ship earth station barring

Amendments to Resolution A.706(17) on the World-Wide Navigational

Amendments to NAVTEX Manual

Interim procedures for MRCCS on receipt of distress alerts

Adoption of amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search

and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

Adoption of Amendments to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and

Amendment to the International SafetyNET Manual

MSC/Circ.1064/Add.1 Amendments to the International SafetyNET Manual

Guidelines to Administrations on reporting false alerts