Functional Requirements of GMDSS

Functional Requirements of GMDSS

There are 9 functional requirements for mandatory equipped GMDSS vessels are:

1. Distress alerting – (Ship to shore)

• Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
• EPIRB
• INMARSAT

2. Distress alerting – (Shore to ship)

• DSC using MF, HF or VHF frequency bands.
• Using a broadcast of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) using either the NAVTEX service or the SafetyNET service.
  

3. Distress alerting – (Ship to ship) :- 

• by VHF Channel or by using Digital Selective Calling on either MF, HF or VHF

4. Search and Rescue Co-coordinating Communications

5. On-Scene Communication

6. Locating :-

• RADAR (9GHz) – for receiving
• SART(Search and Rescue Radar Transponder) – for transmitting
  

7. Transmission/Reception of Maritime Safety Information:- 

• NAVTEX – reception by terrestrial communication
• SafetyNET – transmission/reception by satellite communication
  

8. General Radio communications:- 

• Digital Selective Calling to set up a telephone or telex link on MF/HF or VHF
• The Inmarsat network.
  

9. Bridge-to-Bridge Communications:- 

Ship to Shore Distress alerting by at least 2 separate and independent means. Each using a different radio communication service.