GMDSS

Global Maritim Distress Safety System

GMDSS equipment aboard an oil rig

Student: Ciuclea Alin Petrica

Electrotehnica IFR – FE41
ANUL:4
The development of the commercial maritime system is accompanied by an
increase in information flows, both inside and outside the system. Hence the
need for a global communications system with global coverage and rules
respected by all components of the system. In 1974, the SOLAS Convention laid
the foundations for a hazard and safety communications system. The 1974
SOLAS Convention has become one of the main instruments of the IMO.
The maritime communications system used by most of the world's navigators
until 1992, as described in ch. IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention and ITU radio
regulations require continuous monitoring of 500 KHz Morse radiotelegraphy
for passenger ships, regardless of size, and cargo ships of up to 1600 tdw and
above. The Convention requires radiotelephone communication on the
frequencies 2182 KHz and 156.8 MHz (VHF - Channel 16) for passenger and
cargo ships of 300 tdw and above. Although the system has proven effective over
the years, limitations such as short range, manual alerting and auditory
surveillance have become an issue. The advancement of technology has led
IMO members to make the decision to develop a new system based on modern
technology and automation.
The new system is called the Global Emergency and Safety System and was
adopted by the IMO in 1988. It is automatic and provides an efficient means of
communication between land - ship and ship - to - ship. For alert and
subsequent radio communications, use terrestrial radio mediation and satellite
radio. The system will be applied to all cargo ships of 300 tdw and over and to
all international passenger ships of any size.
The GMDSS requirements for radiocommunications are contained in the new
chapter. IV al SOLAS 1974. It was a period of transition to the new system in
order to allow the industry of those years to overcome all the problems of
introducing the new system. The transition began on 1 February 1992 and
ended on 1 February 1999. Gradual implementation began with NAVTEX
receivers for the reception of maritime safety information and the EPIRB on 1
August 1993. During the transition period ships operating with GMDSS had to
comply with the 1988 regulations in ch. IV of SOLAS from 1974. The basic
concept of the GMDSS
The basic concept of the GMDSS is that search and rescue authorities on the
coast, as well as ships in the immediate vicinity of the ship, or the person in
danger will be alerted quickly to the incident so that they can participate in
search and rescue operations. with minimal delay.
GMDSS equipment aboard an oil rig
The characteristics of ship equipment now depend on the area of navigation in
which the ship is moving. In addition, naval communication in the GMDSS
system requires a primary and secondary hazard warning system. This involves a
VHF system, DSC as the primary system for a ship close to shore, supplemented
by an EPIRB satellite. A ship in an offshore area may have a medium frequency
DSC system, a high frequency DSC system or an Inmarsat satellite as the main
system, supplemented by an EPIRB satellite. The type of equipment for the main
system is determined by the navigation area used. The support characteristics are
defined in chap. IV in SOLAS for the four naval areas.
All ships must apply for GMDSS from 1 February 1999.
In naval areas A1 and A2, the use of the equipment will be ensured by one of the
strategies:
- duplication of equipment,
- maintenance on land bases,
- maintenance at sea
In naval areas A3 and A4, the use of the equipment shall be ensured by the use of a
combination of at least two of the above, as approved by the Administration.
On board personnel must hold certificates of specialization in maritime
communications and be responsible for radiocommunications in case of danger.
The provisions of the Radio Regulations require that personnel on ground and
naval stations for whom radio installations are mandatory and who use
GMDSS frequencies and techniques include at least:
- for stations on board ships sailing outside the radius of VHF coastal stations,
taking into account the provisions of SOLAS: a holder of a first or second class
radioelectronist certificate (GOC),
- for stations aboard ships sailing within VHF coastline stations, taking into
account the provisions of SOLAS: a holder of a first class radioelectronist
certificate or a general operator certificate (GOC) or a limited operator
certificate (ROC) .
The combined effect of maintenance and personnel demands in the four naval
areas is that there must be at least two GOC holders on board ships sailing in
A2, A3 or A4.
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification of 1978,
amended in 1995, requires all deck officers to hold a certificate of use of
radiocommunication equipment;
The destination of the main frequencies
490 kHz
In the mobile maritime service, after the full integration of the GMDSS service,
the 490 kHz frequency will be used exclusively for the transmission by weather
stations of weather and navigation warning messages and urgent messages to
ships, by using Direct Print Telegraphy in Narrowband (in the national
language system).
518 kHz
În serviciul maritim mobil, frecvenţa de 518 kHz este folosită în exclusivitate
pentru transmiterea de către staţiile de coastă a mesajelor de avertisment
meteo şi de navigaţie şi a mesajelor urgente către nave în limba engleză prin
folosirea Telegrafiei cu Printare Directă în Bandă Îngustă (sistemul NAVTEX
Internaţional).
2174.5 kHz
The 2174.5 kHz frequency is used exclusively for distress and security messages
using Narrowband Direct Print Telegraphy.
2182 kHz
The 2182 kHz frequency is used for distress and safety messages,
radiotelephony, using J3E emission class.
2187.5 kHz
The 2187.5 kHz frequency is used exclusively for distress and security calls
using DSC (Digital Selective Calling), in accordance with CCIR
recommendations.
3023 kHz
The 3023 kHz radio frequency carrier frequency may be used for
communications between mobile stations when cooperating in search
and rescue missions, as well as for communications between these
stations and participating coastal stations, in accordance with Article
27 of the ITU Radio Regulations. (International Telecommunication
Union).
4125 kHz
The 4125 kHz carrier frequency is used for distress and safety messages
by radiotelephony. The 4125 kHz carrier frequency can also be used by
aircraft to communicate with mobile maritime stations for distress and
safety purposes, including search and rescue.
4177.5 kHz
The 4177.5 kHz frequency is used exclusively for distress and security
traffic, using Narrowband Direct Print Telegraphy.
4207.5 kHz
The 4207.5 kHz frequency is used exclusively for distress and security
calls using DSC (Digital Selective Calling), in accordance with CCIR
recommendations.
4209.5 kHz
In the mobile maritime service, the 4209.5 kHz frequency is used exclusively
for NAVTEX type transmissions by coastal stations, weather and navigation
warnings, as well as urgent messages to ships using Narrowband Direct Print
Telegraphy.
4210 kHz
The 4210 kHz frequency is used exclusively for the transmission of maritime
safety information by coastal stations using Narrowband Direct Printing
Telegraphy.

5680 kHz
The radio frequency carrier frequency of 5680 kHz may be used for
communications between mobile stations when cooperating in search and
rescue missions, as well as for communications between these stations and
participating coastal stations, in accordance with Article 27 of the Radio at
the Mobile Air Service.
6215 kHz
The 6215 kHz frequency is used for distress and safety messages via
radiotelephony.
Frequency monitoring

Coastal stations are those coastal stations that have a role in GMDSS
surveillance and must maintain automatic monitoring of DSC frequencies
for the period indicated in the information published in the List of
Coastal Stations (ITU Revolution No. 322 (Rev.Mob-87)) .
Local coast stations are those stations that have a role in GMDSS
surveillance, they need to maintain a permanent, automatic surveillance
for distress alerts issued by satellites.
Naval stations; Vessels complying with this Chapter shall, while at sea,
maintain automatic DSC monitoring of distress and safety calls in the
frequency band in which they operate. Naval stations so equipped shall
maintain an automatic surveillance for the reception of weather
transmissions and navigation warnings and other information.
Distress communications: Distress messages / calls have absolute priority
over all other communications. When we hear them, all other transmissions
must be banned and a monitoring card must be kept. Any distress
messages / calls must be recorded in the logbook and entrusted to the
master. When you receive a distress message, if it is nearby, confirm receipt
immediately. If it is not in the vicinity, allow a period of time to elapse before
notifying its reception to allow other nearby vessels to operate.
Abbreviations for the Q code are often requested by coastal stations, naval
communications or other coastal stations for communication assistance.
Many of the Q codes for Maritime Telephone Service have a similar meaning
to the signals in the International Code of Signals (INTERCO).
Examples of calling procedures
Once the frequency has been set, the operator must ensure that it is preferable
not to interfere with transmissions already in progress when initiating the call.
If interference occurs accidentally, then the transmission must be stopped.
The requesting station must indicate the time required to complete the data
transmission.
For ship-to-coast communications it is usually the ship that establishes
the connection. Coastal information stations for ships transmit their
signals in the form of traffic lists consisting of names and call signs. in
alphabetical order, of the vessels for which they have data to transmit.
GMDSS Training
The handling of GMDSS equipment requires certified training as well as
licensing from the Telecommunication department of the department. The
General Operators Certificate (GOC) is mandatory in order for an officer to
be allowed to handle GMDSS equipment onboard the ship.
To obtain this GOC, a short course is compulsory to attend following which
an exam is conducted (written and oral), which needs to be cleared. This
training is aimed at Cadets who ought to become licensed Radio Operators
to operate all the equipment in conjunction with the regulations laid out for
GMDSS.
The training period is around 12 days and owing to the course being
mandatory, it is advised to call in to an approved institute to book a seat for a
future date, well in advance. Depending which country the individual is from,
they must check the respective institute websites as well as the Ministry of
Shipping (or whichever applicable for their country) website to get the full
details on eligibility and criteria for admission into the GMDSS course.
Over the period of the course, the officer is taught about the various aspects of
GMDSS ranging from Radio Log to sending IMNARSAT messages and all such
aspects of it which will be required when carrying out communication
onboard. The written exam tests the theory whereas the oral examination is a
one on one session with a surveyor who tests the individual on the different
aspects of GMDSS, covering the whole syllabus (theory as well as practical).
GMDSS ship equipment
GMDSS Danube Boating
Transmitting distress messages
The distress message shall be transmitted when, in the opinion of the master, the ship or a
person is in distress and requires immediate assistance. The code word is MAYDAY or M
′AIDER.
Whenever possible, the DSC distress alert should include the last known position of the vessel
and the time (UTC) when it was valid. The position and time can be entered automatically by
the ship's navigation equipment or manually by an operator.
The DSC distress alert is transmitted as follows:
As time allows, type or select from the on-board DSC keyboard:
a) the nature of the danger,
b) the last known position of the ship (latitude and longitude),
c) the time (UTC) when this position was valid,
d) the subsequent communications (telephony) are typed according to the manufacturing
instructions of the DSC equipment.
Dangerous traffic begins with the format:
a) MAYDAY,
b) NAME, MMSI or CALLSIGN / IDENTIFICATION OF THE STATION IN DISTRESS,
c) POSITION (WIDE and LONG, or with reference to a geographical position),
d) THE NATURE OF THE DISTRESS,
e) THE KIND OF AID REQUESTED,
f) ANY OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION.
Confirmation of DSC distress alert.
Ship and coastal stations are required to ensure that DSC is monitored
on distress and security call frequencies / channels.
Any ship or coastal station receiving a distress call via DSC shall
immediately cease any transmission that may interfere with the distress
traffic and shall continue to listen until the distress call is confirmed.
Thus, a ship station receiving a distress call via DSC must postpone the
confirmation of receipt of this call for a period of time in order to enable
coastal stations to locate the disaster within the area it covers and to
confirm the first call. The time interval is 3.5-4.5 minutes.
BIBLIOGRAFIE

1. *** IMO STCW cap A-IV;

2. *** SOLAS Cap IV (GMDSS);
3. *** IMO GMDSS Handbook;
4. *** IMO Model course 1.25 (GMDSS-GOC)
5. *** Programa ERC/DEC/(99)01
6.*** MANUAL for use by MARITIME MOBIL AND MARITIME MOBIL
SATELLITE SERVICES;
7. *** NAVTEX MANUAL ;
8. *** INMARSAT Comunications Handbook;
9. *** INMARSAT – C User’s Manual;
10. *** INMARSAT – A User’s Manual;
11. *** INMARSAT – B User’s Manual;
12. *** GMDSS RADIO LOG-BOOK;
13. *** TRANSAS GMDSS F RADIO SIGNALS vol. 1- 7;
15. *** ITU REGULATIOSIMULATOR, Documentatie simulator GMDSS;
14. *** ADMIRALTY LIST ON
Va multumesc !