What is GMDSS?

The GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) is an integral part of SOLAS and is a radio-based communications system designed to support the implementation of search and rescue (SAR) plans. The GMDSS provides for automatic distress alerting and locating in cases where a radio operator doesn’t have time to send an SOS call, and, for the first time, requires ships to receive broadcasts of maritime safety information that could prevent a distress from happening in the first place.

The GMDSS consists of several systems, some of which are new, but many of which have been in operation for many years. The system will be able to reliably perform the following functions:

• Alerting (including position determination of the unit in distress);
• Search and rescue co-ordination; locating (homing);
• Maritime safety information broadcasts;
• General communications;
• Bridge-to-bridge communications.

Specific radio carriage requirements depend upon the ship's area of operation, rather than its tonnage. The system also provides backup means of distress alerting and emergency sources of power.

07/11/2003