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Comparison between old distress system and GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) has been
Reliance on ships in vicinity Worldwide coverage
developed by the maritime nations in the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) and is the result of their adoption of amendments
made in 1988 to the 1974 International Convention on the Safety of
Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Based on recent developments in maritime communications, such

as satellites and digital technology, GMDSS is designed to ensure
maximum availability of safety-related communication for all passenger
ships as well as for cargo vessels of 300 GT and upwards engaged in
international voyages.*
B e c a u s e o f t h e i n h e re n t ly l i m i te d ra n g e o f G M D S S ve s s e l s c a r r y t h e c o m mu n i c a t i o n s
transmission on the distress and calling equipment appropriate for the Sea Area they are
The goal of GMDSS is to virtually guarantee that complying vessels frequencies of 500 and 2182 kHz, which were operating, and have the means to transmit long-
will be able to communicate with an onshore station at any time, commonly used for that purpose, there was a range communication whenever necessary. This
from any location, in case of distress or to exchange safety-related possibility that a call for assistance would not be means that a call for assistance can reach a
heard if other vessels and coastal stations were coastal station, and other ships at a far distance.
information. outside the range.
*Ships below 300 gross tonnage as well as those that are not engaged in international
voyages are subject to the requirements of the administrations of their flag states.
Equipment compatibility

SEA AREAS
GMDSS defines four sea areas based upon the location and capability of onshore-based communication facilities.
The definition of the Sea Areas for GMDSS is outlined below. Please refer to the illustrated layout of the European
area indicating the sea areas and coastal stations for quick reference.
Example: European GMDSS SEA AREAS
GMDSS Sea Areas
Medium Frequency (MF),
High Frequency (HF) and
Very High Frequency It was only possible for a vessel in distress to ask Since all GMDSS vessels carr y standardized
(VHF) Coast Radio Station other vessels in the vicinity for assistance, due to e q u i p m e n t fo r t h e S e a A re a , a n d t h ey a re
the limited range of communication means. operating in the same frequencies, the
Medium Frequency (MF) Wo rs e , t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n i n c o m p a t i b i l i t y compatibility between the SAR coordinator at a
and Very High Frequency bet ween a telegraphy vessel and a telephony coastal station and a vessel is assured.
(VHF) Coast Radio Station vessel hindered subsequent Search and Rescue
operations.
Very High Frequency
(VHF) Coast Radio Station Special skill to operate Simple and automatic operation
Sea Area
The radiotelephone
coverage of VHF coast
stations in which continuous
alerting by Digital Selective
Calling (DSC) is available.
Sea Area
The radiotelephone
coverage of MF coast
stations in which continuous
alerting by Digital Selective
Calling is available.
Sea Area
The coverage of Inmarsat
Radio officers had to send distress calls in Morse GMDSS equipment, on the other hand, provides
geostationary satellites. Code on 500 kHz through complicated operations, straightforward operation in time of emergency
Sea Area which include: switching and/or adjusting the simply by pressing the distress button on the VHF,
Area outside A1, A2 and transmitters. A successful distress attempt relied MF/HF DSC or Inmarsat MES. If this cannot be
A3, mostly sea area around heavily on the skill of the radio officers. done, a float-free EPIRB can transmit a distress
polar areas alert.

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 C a r r i a g e/functional requirements for GMDSS

General functional requirements for GMDSS

1 Transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least 5 Transmission/reception of on-scene communications;
two separate and independent means, using different 6 Transmission/reception of SART signals for locating;
radiocommunication service; 7 Transmission/reception of maritime safety information;
2 Reception of shore-to-ship distress alerts; 8 Transmission/reception of general radiocommunications to
3 Transmission/reception of ship-to-ship distress alerts; and from shore-based radio systems or networks; and
4 Transmission/reception of search and rescue co-ordinating 9 Transmission/reception of bridge-to-bridge communications.
communications;

System suggestions for GMDSS

General requirement for equipment and functions for all ships irrespective Additional equipment to be installed on ships operating in the Sea Areas:
of the operating sea area Note: There is no additional equipment required for ships operating exclusively in the Sea Area A1
Search and rescue locating
Two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus device (SART: either by radar transponder
operating in the 9 GHz band or AIS-SART) Functional requirements to be fulfilled by FS-xx75:
At least two two-way VHF radiotelephone MF/HF radiotelephone with
apparatus required for cargo ships of 300-500 GT At least one SART required for cargo built-in ◆ Distress and safety communications on MF
At least three two-way VHF radiotelephone ships of 300-500 GT DSC/DSC Watch Receiver (2,187.5 kHz using DSC* and 2,182 kHz using radiotelephony)
At least two SART required for all 　*It should be possible that transmission of distress alerts be initiated from the navigation bridge.
apparatus required for all passenger ships and
cargo ships of 500 GT and upwards passenger ships and cargo ships of ◆ Continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2,187.5 kHz
500 GT and upwards
◆ Transmission and reception of general
communications using radiotelephony or
　direct-printing telegraphy**
VHF radiotelephone with DSC and DSC Watch Receiver capable of:
◆ Transmission/reception of DSC on CH 70 (156.525 MHz); **For areas where there is no coastal radio station 　

handling MF/HF general communications, Inmarsat-C
◆ Transmission/reception of radiotelephony on CH 6 (156.300 MHz), CH 13 (156.650 MHz) FS-1575/2575/5075 mobile earth station may be used to fulfill the
and CH 16 (156.800 MHz); and requirement for general communications.
◆ Continuous watch on CH 70 (156.525 MHz)
Model: FM-8900S Other functional requirements Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station
Transmission of ship-to-shore distress FELCOM18
alerts by radio service other than MF
(to be fulfilled by 406 MHz satellite
406 MHz EPIRB EPIRB)
International NAVTEX Receiver (Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon)
Maintenance requirement for ships operating in Sea Area　　 and
Model: NX-700
In order to ensure the maintenance requirements specified in SOLAS Reg. IV/15,
DUPLICATION OF EQUIPMENT
Inmarsat EGC receiver one of the following measures should be taken as may be approved by the flag
REQUIRED FOR SHIPS
administrations:
Required if the ships operate within Inmarsat coverage but outside the international NAVTEX service area. However, OPERATING IN SEA AREA A1 and A2
ships operating exclusively in areas where an HF direct-printing telegraphy maritime safety information service is • Duplication of equipment;
provided and fitted with equipment capable of receiving such service may be exempted from this requirement. • Shore-based maintenance; or
• At sea electronic maintenance capability
Please consult with the flag administrations for details.
Arrangements required only for all passenger ships Permanently arranged electrical
Two-way radiotelephone for on-scene search and rescue communication using lighting for illuminating
frequencies 121.5 MHz and 123.1 MHz the control panel of the
radiocommunications
equipment VHF radiotelephone with
A distress panel at the conning position built-in
If the satellite EPIRB is used as the secondary means DSC/DSC Watch Receiver
of distress alerting and not remotely activated, it is
Automatic provision of position FM-8900S
acceptable to have an additional EPIRB installed close
from an internal or external
to the conning position.
navigation sensor for all two-
Model: IC-350 way communication equipment
Automatic and continuous update of position for all relevant radiocommunication that includes ship's position in
equipment to be included in the initial distress alert activated through the distress panel the distress alert

3 4
 C ar r i a g e /functional requirements for GMDSS

Additional equipment to be installed on ships operating in the Sea Areas: Maintenance requirement for ships operating in Sea Area
In order to ensure the availability of the maintenance requirements specified in
Inmarsat Solution SOLAS Reg. IV/15.7, combination of at least two of the following methods should be
taken as may be approved by the flag administrations, while taking into account the
Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station MF/HF radiotelephone with recommendation specified in IMO A.702(17):
built-in duplication of equipment;
DSC/DSC Watch Receiver • shore-based maintenance; or
• at-sea electronic maintenance capability.

All ships irrespective of the methods used should make all manufacturers’ installation
manuals and maintenance manuals for all the equipment installed available.
Adequate tools, spare parts and test equipment appropriate to the methods used
by the ship, as specified by the flag administration should be provided and readily
available onboard.

FELCOM18 FS-1575/2575/5075
Duplication of equipment
Functional requirements to be fulfilled by FELCOM18*: Functional requirements to be fulfilled by FS-xx75*: 1. VHF radio installation capable of
transmitting/receiving DSC on CH 70 as
◆ Transmission and reception of distress and safety ◆ Distress and safety communications using
well as radiotelephony on CH 6, 13 and 
communications using direct-printing telegraphy the following frequencies:
16 as well as contionuous DSC
• 2,187.5 kHz using DSC and continuous DSC watch
◆ Initiation and reception of distress priority calls watch on CH 70 and either of the radio 
• 2,182 kHz using radiotelephony
◆ Continuous watch on shore-to-ship distress alerts, installations listed as 2-a or 2-b below
*It should be possible that transmission of distress VHF radiotelephone with
incl. those directed to specially defined geographical area 　should be arranged onboard:
alerts be initiated from the navigation bridge. built-in
◆ Transmission and reception of general communications DSC/DSC Watch Receiver
using either radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy FM-8900S
*It should be possible that transmission of distress alerts be
initiated from the navigation bridge.
2-a. MF/HF radio installation for distress and 2-b. Inmarsat MES capable of
Other functional requirements safety communications on the frequency transmission/reception of distress and
Initiation of transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts* to be fulfilled by one of the followings: bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHz safety communications using direct-
◆ 406 MHz satellite EPIRB ◆ HF using DSC ◆ Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station and between 4,000 kHzand 27,500 kHz, printing telegraphy, initiation/reception
*It should be possible that transmission of distress alerts be initiated from the navigation bridge. using DSC, radiotelephony and direct- of distress primary calls, continuous
printing telegraphy. Continuous DSC watch watch on shore-to-ship distress

MF/HF Solution
OR on 2,187.5 kHz, 8,814.5 kHz and on at least
one of the distress and safety frequencies:
4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or
alerts, incl. those directed to specifically
defined geographical area, and
transmission/reception of general
16,804.5 kHz is also required. communications using either
MF/HF radiotelephone with NBDP Terminal Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy
built-in
DSC/DSC Watch Receiver

OR
MF/HF radiotelephone with
built-in
FS-1575/2575/5075 IB-585 FELCOM18 DSC/DSC Watch Receiver NBDP Terminal Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station
FS-1575/2575/5075 IB-585 FELCOM18
Functional requirements to be fulfilled by FS-xx75* plus IB-585: Functional requirements to be
fulfilled by FELCOM18*:
◆ Distress and safety communications on all distress and safety frequencies
on MF and HF bands ◆ Initiation of the transmission of
Shore-based maintenance At-sea electronic maintenance capability
using DSC  using radiotelephony  using direct printing telegraphy 　ship-to-shore distress alert by radio An arrangement acceptable to Adequate additional technical documentations, tools, spare parts and test equipment
◆ Continuous DSC watch on 2,187.5 kHz, 8,814.5 kHz, and on at least 　services other than HF the flag administration should be consistent with radio installation and as approved by the flag administration should be
one of the distress and safety frequencies: *It should be possible that transmission established to ensure adequate provided onboard so that the maintainer can perform tests and localize and repair faults in
4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz of distress alerts be initiated from the support of the ship for the the radio equipment while at sea.
navigation bridge. maintenance and repair of the
◆ Trasnsmission and reception of general radio communications using radio installations, i.e., service The person who is to conduct at-sea electronic maintenance should either hold an
radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by MF/HF radio installation agreement with a capable service appropriate certificate as specified by the Radio Regulations or have equivalent at-sea
*It should be possible that transmission of distress alerts be provider covering the trading area electronic maintenance qualifications as may be approved by the flag administration, taking
initiated from the navigation bridge. of the ship. into account the recommendation specified in Annex 5 of IMO A.703(17).

5 6
 C ar r i a g e /functional requirements for GMDSS

Additional equipment to be installed on ships operating in the Sea Areas: Maintenance requirement for ships operating in Sea Area and

In order to ensure the availability of the maintenance requirements specified in SOLAS Reg. IV/15.7, combination of at least
MF/HF radiotelephone with NBDP Terminal two of the following methods should be taken as may be approved by the flag administrations, while taking into account the
built-in recommendation specified in IMO A.702(17):
DSC/DSC Watch Receiver • duplication of equipment;
• shore-based maintenance; or
• at-sea electronic maintenance capability.

All ships irrespective of the methods used should make all manufacturers’ installation manuals and maintenance manuals
for all the equipment installed available. Adequate tools, spare parts and test equipment appropriate to the methods used
by the ship, as specified by the flag administration should be provided and readily available onboard.

FS-1575/2575/5075 IB-585 Duplication of equipment

1. VHF radio installation capable of
Functional requirements to be fulfilled by FS-xx75* plus IB-585: transmitting/receiving DSC on CH 70 as
well as radiotelephony on CH 6, 13 and 
◆ Distress and safety communications on all distress and safety frequencies 16 as well as contionuous DSC watch
on MF and HF bands on CH 70, and
• using DSC
• using radiotelephony VHF radiotelephone with
 • using direct printing telegraphy built-in
◆ Continuous DSC watch on 2,187.5 kHz, 8,814.5 kHz, and on at least DSC/DSC Watch Receiver
one of the distress and safety frequencies: FM-8900S
4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz
◆ Trasnsmission and reception of general radio communications using
radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by MF/HF radio installation 2. MF/HF radio installation for distress and
safety communications on the frequency 
*It should be possible that transmission of distress alerts be initiated from the navigation bridge.
bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000
kHz and between 4,000 kHz and 27,500
kHz, using DSC, radiotelephony and
Other functional requirements: direct-printing telegraphy. Continuous
DSC watch on 2,187.5 kHz, 8,814.5 kHz
◆ Initiation of the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alert by radio services o
 ther than HF** and on at least one of the distress and
**Inmarsat C MES cannot satisfy the requirement, and this shall lead to the assumption that 406 MHz MF/HF radiotelephone with
safety frequencies: 4,207.5 kHz, 6,312
Satellite EPIRB is the only option available to satisfy the functional requirement.
kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz is also built-in
required. DSC/DSC Watch Receiver NBDP Terminal
FS-1575/2575/5075 IB-585

Shore-based maintenance At-sea electronic maintenance capability

An arrangement acceptable to Adequate additional technical documentations, tools, spare parts and test equipment
the flag administration should be consistent with radio installation and as approved by the flag administration should be
established to ensure adequate provided onboard so that the maintainer can perform tests and localize and repair faults
support of the ship for the in the radio equipment while at sea.
maintenance and repair of the
radio installations, i.e., service The person who is to conduct at-sea electronic maintenance should either hold an
agreement with a capable service appropriate certificate as specified by the Radio Regulations or have equivalent at-sea
provider covering the trading area electronic maintenance qualifications as may be approved by the flag administration,
of the ship. taking into account the recommendation specified in Annex 5 of IMO A.703(17).

Note:
For ships operating in the sea area A4 only
occasionally but mostly operating in A3,
Inmarsat C MES may be installed for duplication in
lieu of MF/HF radiotelephone with built-in DSC plus
NBDP terminal, provided that the ship has originally VHF radiotelephone with built-in
MF/HF radio installation. DSC/DSC Watch Receiver Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station
FM-8900S FELCOM18

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 FURUNO GMDSS EQUIPMENT
F O R R E L I A B L E C O M M U N I C AT I O N

VHF Radiotelephone
MODEL: FM-8900S

Semi-duplex 25-Watt radiotelephone with a built-in Class-A

▲
DSC and CH70 watch receiver
Fully meets GMDSS carriage requirements for SOLAS ships

▲▲
Meets the new ITU reccomendation on digital selective calling MF/HF Radiotelephone
system for use in the Maritime Mobile Service, ITU-R M.493-13 MODELS: FS-1575 (150 W), FS-2575 (250 W), FS-5075 (500 W)
▲▲▲ Easy to read, high-contrast 4.3" bright color LCD
MF/HF radiotelephone with DSC facility

▲▲
Enhanced noise reduction and speaker for superb voice quality
Automatic entry of own ship position and time through the Fully meets GMDSS carriage requirements for SOLAS ships
interfaced GPS receiver operating in A3 and A4 sea areas
Meets the new ITU reccomendation on digital selective calling

▲
ATIS signal transmission available for inland waterways
▲

system for use in the Maritime Mobile Service, ITU-R M.493-13

Easy to read, high-contrast 4.3" bright color LCD

▲▲
Capable of distress, safety and routine communication

NBDP Terminal Unit

Dual-channel NAVTEX Receiver MODEL: IB-585
MODEL: NX-700A (message display and a printer) The IB-585 NBDP
NX-700B (message display unit only) terminal facilitates telex
communication. File
Fully meets IMO resolution MSC.148(77), IEC 61097-6 Ed.2 management, text editor
▲▲

Dual channel reception, 518 kHz and either 490 or 4209.5 kHz, and utility programs ensure
simultaneously straightforward operation.
Incorporate a printing device (NX-700A) or dedicated display
▲

device with printer output (NX-700B)

200 messages of average length 500 characters can be stored
▲

in non-volatile memory
Incorporates a preamp within a lightweight, compact antenna GMDSS Radio Station
▲

for reliable, uninterrupted reception MODEL: RC-1800F2

Low power consumption
▲

The RC-1800F2 contains all the necessary

radio equipment for ships operating in the
GMDSS sea areas A1, A2 and A3. The
availability of radio communications is assured
Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station by the equipment duplication as specified in
MODEL: FELCOM18 the previous page. This package delivers the
operation scheme that is straightforward in
addition to streamlined installation on new
Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station terminal for GMDSS builds as well as retrofitting.
▲

application
Full GMDSS compliance with optional printer and AC/DC power The communication equipment within the RC-
▲

supply 1800F2 includes:

SSAS capability with SSAS Alert Unit Printer for Inmarsat-C
▲▲▲

▲▲▲▲▲

Compatibility with LRIT application Printer for DSC/NBDP

A wide variety of communication schemes available: telex, Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station
FAX, emailing, EGC, data reporting/polling, etc. MF/HF radiotelephone
SD card for recording media NBDP Terminal
▲

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