Marine communication
MSN 243
Introduction for the GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress And Safety System
History
• The GMDSS was entered into force in 1992 and fully implemented in
1999, how was it before that?
• Morse code.
• Radio operators.
• In case of distress no guarantee that the messages will be heard by any
other stations.
GMDSS watchkeeping requirements
• All GMDSS communication are under control of an
appropriately certified operator.
• Communication procedures and discipline are
followed so that interference with other radio users
is avoided. Distre
• Frequencies are used for their correct purpose. ss
• GMDSS communication are prioritised according Urgency
to their importance for safety of life at sea;
Safety (MSI)
Other routine communications
GMDSS function requirement
The GMDSS provides every ship, while at sea, the following basic communication functions:
• transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts (by at least two separate and independent methods)
• receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts
• transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts
• transmitting and receiving search and rescue coordinating communications
• transmitting and receiving on-scene communications
• transmitting and receiving signals for locating
• transmitting and receiving maritime safety information
• transmitting and receiving general communications
• transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications.
GMDSS carriage requirement and
communication priorities
• The carriage requirement is determined by ship’s area of navigation, not the ship’s size.
• Distress communication: indicates that a mobile unit or person is threatened by grave
and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
• Distress calls transmitted by radiotelephony are prefixed by the spoken word MAYDAY.
• Urgency communication: indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message
concerning the safety of a mobile unit or person.
• Urgency messages transmitted via radiotelephony are prefixed by the words PAN PAN.
• Safety message: indicates that the calling station has an important navigational or
meteorological warning to transmit.
• Safety messages sent via radiotelephony are prefixed by the word SECURITE.
• Routine/public communication: exchange routine information between ships and shore.
GMDSS areas of operation
• There are four areas of operation, each has different communication systems
due to the range and services limitations.
• Sea Area A1: within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast
station in which continuous VHF DSC alerting is available (approx. 20-30
nm).
• Sea Area A2: within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast
station in which continuous MF DSC alerting is available (within approx. 100
nm).
• Sea Area A3: within the coverage area of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite
in which continuous alerting is available (approx. between 76° N and S).
• Sea Area A4: the remaining sea areas outside areas A1, A2 and A3 (basically,
the polar regions).
GMDSS operational concept
• The GMDSS allows search and rescue authorities ashore, as well as shipping in the
vicinity of the ship in distress, to be quickly alerted to a distress incident so that they
can assist in a coordinated search and rescue operation with minimum delay.
• the GMDSS provides urgency and safety communications methods and the
broadcasting of maritime safety information (MSI) (navigational and meteorological
information) to ships.
• Two systems are used for broadcasting MSI:
• NAVTEX — which uses MF radio to provide coastal warnings
• SafetyNET — which uses Inmarsat satellites to provide coverage from about 76
degrees north to 76 degrees south latitude.
Types of stations at sea
• Ship station, ship to ship and ship to shore stations.
• Coastal radio stations.
• Port operations stations, including VTS.
• Aircraft stations, for search and rescue operation.
• Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC)
Communication systems in GMDSS
• Satellite communication:
• INMARSAT: geostationary satellites, distress alerting and two-way
communication.
• COSPAS-SARSAT: is used for alerting of distress by EPIRB to provide identity
and position of ship in distress, one-way of communication.
• Terrestrial communication: Digital Selective Calls DSC is the basic of distress
alerting and safety communications, then it is followed by radiotelephony calls.
• Long-range service: using HF frequency, used for long range communication,
uses Inmarsat (when available) and long-range capability.
• Medium-range service: MF frequency, for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore
communication and for SAR operation.
• Short-range service: VHF frequency, most common method for short range
communication.
