GMDSS INCLUDES

VHF radios
DSC data, ATIS, frequency, power, VSWR and deviation.
Measuring frequency and power simultaneously.

MF/HF radios
Measuring DSC data and frequency simultaneously.

NAVTEX receivers
Reception of transmitted NAVTEX messages.

AIS transponders
Measuring AIS data, frequency, power and VSWR simultaneously on:
 Class A & B transponders
 AIS base stations
 Aircraft Search and Rescue transponders
 Aids to Navigation devices (AtoN)
Search and rescue transponders
Measuring Data & frequency on:
 EPIRB
 Man Over Board (MoB) devices
 AIS SART beacon data & frequency

SEA AREAS

The GMDSS operates over 4 sea areas of coverage from

shore to ship. The 4 sea areas are classified as: A1, A2, A3
and A4.

Sea area A1: Covered by VHF radio enabling Digital Selective

Calling (DSC) and Radio Telephone (RT). Determined range
of approximately 20-30 nautical miles.

Sea area A2: Covered by MF radio also enabling DSC and RT.
Determined range up to 150 nautical miles.

Sea area A3: Covered by HF radio and Inmarsat

geostationary satellite enabling DSC and satellite
communication 70°N and below 70°S.
Sea area A4: Categorized as the polar regions above 70°N
and below 70°S. This area requires HF radio with DSC

Power supply sources

The GMDSS equipment must have at least three independent sources of
power: the main source, the reserve source, and the emergency source.
The main source is usually the ship's main or auxiliary generators, which
provide AC power to the GMDSS equipment through a dedicated
distribution panel. The reserve source is usually a battery bank, which
provides DC power to the GMDSS equipment through a charger/inverter
unit. The emergency source is either a portable generator or another
battery bank, which can be connected to the GMDSS equipment in case
of failure of the main and reserve sources.

Power supply capacities

The power supply capacities required for each sea area depend on the
type and number of GMDSS equipment installed on board. The minimum
capacities are specified in the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea (SOLAS), Chapter IV, Regulation 15. The following table
summarizes the main requirements:
| Sea area | Main source capacity | Reserve source capacity | Emergency
source capacity |
|----------|----------------------|------------------------|-----------------------
---|
| A1 | Sufficient to operate all GMDSS equipment for 1 hour | Sufficient to
operate all GMDSS equipment for 1 hour | Sufficient to operate a VHF
radio with DSC and a VHF radio with radiotelephony for 6 hours |
| A2 | Sufficient to operate all GMDSS equipment for 2 hours | Sufficient
to operate all GMDSS equipment for 6 hours | Sufficient to operate a
MF/HF radio with DSC and a MF/HF radio with radiotelephony for 6 hours
|
| A3 | Sufficient to operate all GMDSS equipment for 4 hours | Sufficient
to operate all GMDSS equipment for 18 hours | Sufficient to operate an
Inmarsat terminal and a MF/HF radio with DSC and radiotelephony for 6
hours |
| A4 | Sufficient to operate all GMDSS equipment for 6 hours | Sufficient
to operate all GMDSS equipment for 36 hours | Sufficient to operate a
MF/HF radio with DSC and a MF/HF radio with radiotelephony for 6 hours
|

Power supply troubleshooting

GMDSS equipment must be tested and maintained regularly to ensure its
proper functioning and compliance with power supply requirements.
Common problems and solutions for GMDSS power supply
troubleshooting include low voltage or current, which can be caused by
faulty wiring, loose connections, corroded terminals, or depleted
batteries. The solution is to check and repair the wiring, tighten the
connections, clean the terminals, or recharge or replace the batteries.
Overvoltage or overcurrent can be caused by short circuits, overloading,
or faulty regulation. To solve this problem, you must isolate and identify
the source of the fault, reduce the load, or replace the faulty components.
Power supply failure may result from generator breakdown, battery
failure, or charger/inverter malfunction. In such cases, switch to an
alternative power source, repair or replace the faulty equipment, and
notify the relevant authorities.

5Power supply standards

The GMDSS power supply standards are established by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Telecommunication Union
(ITU), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). These
standards provide technical specifications, performance criteria, testing
methods, and certification procedures for the GMDSS power supply
equipment and systems.

SEA AREAS

The GMDSS operates over 4 sea areas of coverage from shore to ship. The 4
sea areas are classified as: A1, A2, A3 and A4.

Sea area A1: Covered by VHF radio enabling Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
and Radio Telephone (RT). Determined range of approximately 20-30 nautical
miles.
Sea area A2: Covered by MF radio also enabling DSC and RT. Determined
range up to 150 nautical miles.
Sea area A3: Covered by HF radio and Inmarsat geostationary satellite
enabling DSC and satellite communication 70°N and below 70°S.
Sea area A4: Categorized as the polar regions above 70°N and below 70°S.
This area requires HF radio with DSC

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Certificates

 If you are in charge of distress and safety communications on a ship required to
comply with GMDSS, then you need to hold a GMDSS certificate. There are two
types of GMDSS certificates:
 The general operator’s certificate (GOC), for personnel assigned to radio
communication duties on deep-sea ships operating beyond VHF coast station
coverage.
 The restricted operator’s certificate (ROC), for personnel on board ships operating
only in sea areas within VHF coverage (coastal areas).
 The type of certificate you need (and the communications equipment needed on
board) depends on the GMDSS sea area (or areas) in which the ship you are serving
on operates.
 GMDSS is mandatory for all ocean-going passenger ships (carrying more than 12
passengers) and Cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards on international
voyages.
 All seafarers performing navigation duties at operational and management levels
(master and officers), and any other person assigned to radio communication duties,
need to hold a GMDSS certificate.
 If you are in charge of radio communications on a ship not required to participate in
GMDSS, then you are not required to hold GMDSS certification.

STCW Requirements to Obtain a GMDSS Radio Operator

Certification
 Age: be not less than 18 years of age.
 Education & Training: have completed a period of approved education and training
and meet the standard of competence.

GMDSS Operational Areas:

Area A1
within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous
VHF DSC alerting is available;
Area A2
within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in which continuous
MF DSC alerting is available (excluding sea area A1);

Area A3
within the coverage area of an INMARSAT geostationary satellite in which continuous
alerting is available (excluding sea areas A1 and A2); and

Area A4
the remaining sea areas outside areas A1, A2 and A3 (basically, the polar regions).

GMDSS Ships Are Required To Carry The Following

Minimum Equipment:
A VHF radio installation capable of transmitting DSC on channel 70, and radiotelephony
on channels 16, 13 and 6. (see Note 1).

One SART if under 500 GRT, 2 SARTs if over 500 GRT.

Two portable VHF transceivers for use in survival craft if under 500 GRT, three if over
500 GRT.

A NAVTEX receiver, if the ship passes in any area where a NAVTEX service is
provided.

An Inmarsat EGC receiver, if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of Inmarsat
coverage where MSI services are not provided by NAVTEX or HF NBDP (see note 2).

A 406 MHz EPIRB

Note 1 - Voice watch is effectively required on channel 16 until further notice.

Note 2 - in practice, this means that all GMDSS A3 and A4 vessels are required to carry
at least one Inmarsat C system.

Radio equipment - Sea area A1

Every ship engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 shall be provided with the
minimum equipment specified previously.

Radio equipment - Sea areas A1 and A2

Every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea area A1, but remaining within sea area A2,
shall be provided with the minimum equipment specified previously, plus:
An MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving on the frequencies 2187.5
kHz using DSC and 2182 kHz using radiotelephony; and

a DSC watchkeeping receiver operating on 2187.5 kHz.

The ship shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general

radiocommunications using radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by either:

A HF radio installation operating on working frequencies in the (marine) bands between

1,605 kHz and 27,500 kHz. (This requirement is normally fulfilled by the MF equipment
referred to earlier - all GMDSS MF transceivers also cover HF) OR

Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3

These vessels have two options to satisfy their GMDSS requirements. The options allow a
vessel to choose from the primary method to be used for ship-shore alerting;

Every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea areas A1 and A2, but remaining within sea
area A3 shall be provided with the minimum equipment specified previously, plus either:

An Inmarsat C ship earth station :

An MF radio installation and 2187.5 kHz DSC watchkeeping receiver (can be the same
one as required for A2);

OR

An MF/HF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving on all distress and
safety frequencies in the (marine) bands between 1,605 kHz and 27,500 kHz using DSC,
radiotelephony and NBDP.

An MF/HF DSC watchkeeping receiver capable of maintaining DSC watch on 2,187.5

kHz, 8,414.5 kHz and on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4,207.5
kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz; at any time, it shall be possible to select
any of these DSC distress and safety frequencies

AND

Ships shall be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using

radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by an MF/HF radio installation operating on
working frequencies in the (marine) bands between 1,605 kHz and 27,500 kHz. This
requirement is normally fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the MF/HF
equipment referred to earlier - there is no MF only equipment made.

Means of ensuring availability of ship station equipment

Regulation 15 of the SOLAS GMDSS regulations defines 3 methods to ensure availability

of GMDSS equipment at sea;
At sea electronic maintenance, requiring the carriage of a qualified radio/electronic officer
(holding a GMDSS First or Second class Radio-Electronics Certificate) and adequate
spares and manuals;

Duplication of certain equipment; or

Shore based maintenance

Ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A1 and A2 are required to use at least one of the
three maintenance methods outlined above, or a combination as may be approved by their
administration. Ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A3 and A4 are required to use at
least two of the methods outlined above.

And of course what all that means is that 99% of A3 GMDSS ships, along with probably
100% of A1 and A2 GMDSS ships do not opt for at sea maintenance - they either
duplicate the equipment and use shore based maintenance (for A3 ships), or use shore
based maintenance only (A1 and A2 ships).

Equipment to be duplicated for area A3 vessels

GMDSS ships operating in A3 areas are required to provide the following duplicated
equipment;

Two complete VHF installations (including DSC), and either;

Two complete Inmarsat C systems and one MF radio system, or;

One complete Inmarsat C system and one complete MF/HF radio system (including a
scanning DSC receiver and NBDP equipment).

Many GMDSS ships opt for the latter option (1 Inmarsat C and one MF/HF DSC system),
on cost grounds. Unfortunately, this has proven to be one of the underlying causes of the
present extremely high false alerting rate on some GMDSS systems.

Power supply requirements

GMDSS equipment is required to be powered from three sources of supply:

 ship's normal alternators/generators;

 ship's emergency alternator/generator (if fitted);

 a dedicated radio battery supply.

The batteries are required to have a capacity to power the equipment for 1 hour on ships
with an emergency generator, and 6 hours on ships not fitted with an emergency
generator.
The batteries must be charged by an automatic charger, which is also required to be
powered from the main and emergency generators.

Changeover from AC to battery supply must be automatic, and effected in such a way that
any any data held by the equipment is not corrupted (ie: "no break").

Operator qualifications

There are a number of different types of GMDSS qualifications, as follows:

 First Class Radio-Electronic Certificate;

 Second Class Radio-Electronic Certificate; and

 GMDSS General Operator's Certificate

The First and Second Radio-Electronic Certificates are diploma and associate diploma
level technical qualifications. They are designed for Ship's Radio-Electronic Officers, who
sail on GMDSS ships, which use the option of at-sea electronic maintenance.

The GMDSS General Operator's Certificate is a non-technical operator qualification,

designed for Navigating Officers.

The GMDSS General Operator's Certificate is normally awarded after a ten days course
and examination.

DISTRESSS

If you are on a ship and face a medical emergency, you may need to use
the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) to communicate
with other vessels or shore stations. The GMDSS is a network of radio and
satellite devices that can send and receive distress, urgency, safety, and
routine messages. But how do you prioritize GMDSS distress calls in a
medical emergency? Here are some tips to help you make the right
decision.

1Know the categories

There are three categories of GMDSS distress calls: mayday, pan-pan, and
securite. A mayday call is used when there is a grave and imminent
danger to life or the ship, such as a fire, a sinking, or a man overboard. A
pan-pan call is used when there is an urgent situation that is not life-
threatening, but requires assistance, such as a medical emergency, a
mechanical failure, or a navigation problem. A securite call is used when
there is a safety message that affects the navigation or weather of other
ships, such as a storm warning, an iceberg, or a hazard.

Выскажите свое мнение

2Assess the situation

Before you make a GMDSS distress call, you need to assess the situation
and determine the severity and urgency of the medical emergency. You
should consider the following factors: the type and extent of the injury or
illness, the availability and effectiveness of first aid or treatment on board,
the distance and time to the nearest medical facility, the weather and sea
conditions, and the risk of aggravating the condition by moving the
patient.

Выскажите свое мнение

3Choose the appropriate call

Based on your assessment, you should choose the appropriate category
of GMDSS distress call for your medical emergency. If the patient is in a
life-threatening condition and needs immediate evacuation or medical
advice, you should use a mayday call. If the patient is in a serious but
stable condition and needs urgent assistance or medical advice, you
should use a pan-pan call. If the patient is in a mild or non-critical
condition and does not need immediate attention, you should use a
securite call or a routine message.

Выскажите свое мнение

4Follow the format and procedure

Once you have chosen the category of GMDSS distress call, you should
follow the standard format and procedure for sending and receiving the
message. You should use the correct frequency, channel, or mode for
your device, such as VHF, MF, HF, or satellite. You should use the
international phonetic alphabet and numerals to spell out your call sign,
position, and other information. You should repeat the message three
times and wait for an acknowledgment or a relay from another station.
You should also listen to the instructions or advice from the responding
station and follow them accordingly.

5Keep the communication clear and

concise
When you communicate with other stations using the GMDSS, you should
keep your messages clear and concise. You should avoid using slang,
jargon, or abbreviations that may cause confusion or misunderstanding.
You should use plain language and simple sentences to describe your
situation and your needs. You should also avoid unnecessary or irrelevant
information that may distract or delay the response. You should confirm
the receipt and understanding of the messages by repeating or
paraphrasing them.

Выскажите свое мнение

6Update the situation regularly

After you have made a GMDSS distress call for a medical emergency, you
should update the situation regularly until you receive the assistance or
advice you need. You should inform the responding station of any
changes in the patient's condition, your position, your course, your speed,
or your ETA. You should also report any difficulties or problems that may
affect your communication or your safety. You should also acknowledge
any messages or instructions that you receive from the responding
station and follow them accordingly.