The Global Maritime Distress and Safety

System (GMDSS)
 is an international system which uses
improved terrestrial and satellite
technology and ship-board radio
systems. It ensures rapid alerting of
shore-based rescue and communications
authorities in the event of an emergency.
How they work?

 When a ship uses GMDSS, it basically sends

a distress signal via a satellite or radio
communication equipment. It’s also used as a
medium for sending or receiving maritime
safety information and general communication
channel.
Basic concept of GMDSS
The different elements
of GMDSS are as
follows:
INMARSAT:
 It is a Satellite operated system that includes
ship earth station terminals – Inmarsat B, C
and F77. It provides telex, telephone and data
transfer services between ship-to-ship, ship to
shore, and shore to ship along with a priority
telex and telephone service connected to
shore rescue centres.
Inmarsat Satellites
NAVTEX
 NAVTEX is an internationally adopted
automated system which is used to
distribute MSI-maritime safety information,
and includes weather forecasts and
warnings, navigational warnings, search and
rescue notices and other similar safety
information.
How NAVTEX works?
Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB):
 EPIRB is an equipment to help
determine the position of survivors
during a SAR operation. It is a
secondary means of distress alerting.
EPIRB
Search and Rescue Transponder
(SART)
 SARTs are portable radar transponders
used to help locate survivors of distressed
vessels, which have sent a distress alert.
They are detected by radar and therefore
operate in the same frequency range as
radars carried onboard most vessels
SART
Digital Selective Calling
(DSC):
 This is a calling service between ship to
ship, ship to shore or vice versa for
safety and distress information mainly on
high or medium frequency and VHF
maritime radio Each DSC-equipped ship,
shore station and group is assigned a
unique 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service
Identity.
VHF Marine Radio
GMDSS sea areas
 GMDSS sea areas serve two purposes: to
describe areas where GMDSS services are
available, and to define what radio equipment
GMDSS ships must carry (carriage
requirements
Sea Area A1
An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in
which continuous digital selective calling and radiotelephony services are available.
Such an area could extend typically 30 to 40
nautical miles (56 to 74 km) from the Coast Station.
Sea area A2
An area within a coverage of at least one coast station continuous
listening on MF (2187.5 kHz) other than Area A1
Sea Area A3
An area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsat
geostationary satellite. This area lies between about latitude 76 Degrees North
And South
Sea Area A4
An area outside Sea Areas A1, A2 and A3 is called Sea Area A4.
This is essentially the polar regions, north and south of about 76 degrees
of latitude, excluding any A1, A2 and A3 areas.
References:
http://hb9rxc.homeip.net/gmdss.html

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Maritime_Distress_and_Safety_System
 https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/introduction-gmdss-global-maritime-distress-safety-
system/
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=646&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNQ5wYzRv7v8nhtjoNW0BHBX
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https://www.buffalocomputergraphics.com/gmdss_simulation
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https://cursos.yachtpointbcn.com/en/curso/vhf-marine-radio-src-course-online/