Norwegian Shipowners’ Association –Corps of Cadet Officers

University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue

A.C. Cortes Ave., Looc, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014

MARCOM 03870
ASSIGNMENT Semi Finals

Submitted by: Carlos Dominico B. Valdez

Submitted to: C/M Tomas Ngo
 Norwegian Shipowners’ Association –Corps of Cadet Officers
University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue
A.C. Cortes Ave., Looc, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014

GMDSS
The GMDSS is an internationally recognized distress and radio communication safety system that has
been in place for several decades. The GMDSS is an automated ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship system
using satellites and/or terrestrial radio systems with digital selective calling technology. These systems
provide safety-of-life information and communication systems that inform vessels of navigation hazards
and weather conditions, and enable distress calls with pertinent location and identification information
with the push of a button. The GMDSS is mandated for ships internationally by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), 1974, as amended in 1988, and
carries the force of an international treaty. The procedures governing use are contained in the
International Telecommunication Union recommendations and in the International Radio Regulations,
and also carry the force of an International Treaty. In addition to improving the capability of ships to
declare their distress and receive assistance co-ordinated from the shore, the GMDSS also provided for
the broadcast of essential safety-related information – Maritime Safety Information (MSI) – which could
be received automatically on board ships at sea and would offer ships the chance to navigate more safely
on a routine basis.
The main purpose of GMDSS is to prevent unanswered distress calls and delay in Search and Rescue
actions when distress situations occur. GMDSS assures “... that any emergency at sea will result in a
distress call and the response to that call will be immediate and effective” (IMO, Shipping Emergencies -
Search and Rescue and the GMDSS, March 1999). These systems provide safety-of-life information and
communication systems that inform vessels of navigation hazards and weather conditions, and enable
distress calls with pertinent location and identification information with the push of a button.
IAMSAR
Jointly published by IMO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the three-volume
IAMSAR Manual provides guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach to organizing and
providing search and rescue (SAR) services. Each volume can be used as a standalone document or, in
conjunction with the other two volumes, as a means to attain a full view of the SAR system.
The primary purpose of the three volumes of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and
Rescue Manual (IAMSAR Manual) is to assist States in meeting their own search and rescue (SAR)
needs, and the obligations they accepted under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the
International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea (SOLAS). These volumes provide guidelines for a common aviation and maritime approach
to organizing and providing SAR services. States are encouraged to develop and improve their SAR
services, co-operate with neighboring States and to consider their SAR services to be part of a global
system. 121.5 MHz AM. This is the international aeronautical distress frequency. All designated SAR
aircraft and civil aircraft carry equipment operating on 121.5 MHz; it may also be used by maritime craft.
All aircraft are required to guard this frequency, flight-deck duties and equipment limitations permitting.