1. Safety Radio GMDSS

2. SR Surveys BV approved radio specialist
BV Surveyor supervises on board the radio specialist
Confirms with the specialist the type of system on board
BV Surveyor checks all certificates, publications required for radio communication and shore-based maintenance

3. GMDSS – Basic Systems
International maritime satellite communications (INMARSAT)
Digital selective calling (DSC)
Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
Enhanced group calling (EGC)
Navtex & EGC
Radar transponders (search & rescue transponders - SART)

4. IMMARSAT Organization of about 60 countries Geo-stationary satellites
Provide almost complete global coverage
Serving four regions
Pacific ocean region (POR)
Indian ocean region (IOR)
Atlantic ocean region east (AOR (e))
Atlantic ocean region west (AOR (w))

5. Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
Distress alerting facilities without the use of satellites
Operates in the bands:
Very high frequency (VHF)
High frequency (HF)
Medium frequency (MF)

6. EPIRB Emits signals with ship’s position and identity
Battery limit dates to be checked
Maintenance of EPIRBs to be carried out at intervals not exceeding 5 years by an approved shore-based facility
Satellite EPIRB:
COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system on 406 MHz
INMARSAT satellite system on 1.6 GHz
VHF EPIRB on channel 70

7. NAVTEX & EGC Broadcast on 518 KHz Automatic reception on board
Marine Safety Information comprising meteorological, navigational & safety information
Information displayed on a print roll
Broadcast at specific times
Enhanced group calling (EGC), an INMARSAT service on 1.6 GHz

8. RADAR TRANSPONDERS Search & rescue transponders (SART)
Signal in the 9 GHz band
Detected by ship’s radar
Designed as a ship to ship search & rescue within close range

9. GMDSS - Functions
Transmitting ship to shore distress alerts by at least 2 separate & independent means, each using a different radio communication
Receiving shore to ship distress alerts
Transmitting & receiving ship to ship distress alert
Transmitting & receiving search & rescue coordinating communications

10. GMDSS - Functions Transmitting & receiving: On-scene communications
Signals for locating
Marine Safety Information (MSI)
General radio communications to & from shore-based radio stations
Bridge to bridge communications

11. SEA AREAS - LIMITS AREA A1 - 20 to 30 miles AREA A2 - 100 miles
AREA A3 - Worldwide except polar regions
AREA A4 - Polar regions

12. OPERATION & MANNING Principles:
Two separate systems for making distress alerts
Ability to operate the alert system on board at the location from where the ship is navigating
Adequate provisions for the maintenance of the equipment

13. PSC – Main Problems
Main installation
Satellite EPIRB
Auto alarm

14. Survey and Certification
The 1988 Protocol to SOLAS 1974 provides for the issuance of a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate with a 5-year validity.
Periodical Surveys are nevertheless conducted every year, within a window of plus or minus three months from the anniversary date.
The scope of these surveys are the same, except that the Renewal Survey provides for the issuance of a new Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate.
The Surveyor endorses the date and place of the survey onto the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate in the same way as he endorses annual surveys.

15. Survey and Certification
Record of Approved Cargo Ship Safety Radio (Ad.7318)
Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate
Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (Panama)
Record of Cargo Ship Safety Certificate Form R