GMDSS stands for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. It is a new system for automated and rapid response to a search and rescue. This system was mandatory for ship installation as of February 1, 1999. In order for this system to function as required by Solas chapter IV, we have to be familiar with the different system that supports the GMDSS. One system that is used by GMDSS is the Inmarsat Geostationary satellite. It is geostationary in the sense that its satellite is geosynchronous with the earth’s rotation and its satellites are situated along the equator and thus covers only up to 70 degrees North and South from the equator. This system is used by our Inmarsat terminals such as Inmarsat A/B, C, Mini-m, Inmarsat EPIRB, etc. Another support system is the COSPAS-SARSAT system. This system is used by our COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB for global distress alerting. Unlike the Inmarsat Epirb where the coverage is limited, the Cospas-sarsat employs global coverage as its satellite is polar orbiting. Then lastly we have the Maritime Mobile Services on VHF, MF and HF bands for our Navtex, VHF/MF/HF DSC, Radiotelephony and Radiotelex. Proceed to the Mersar section for PDF and PPT downloads and more of these resources >>

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