ABSTRACT

In the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), greater emphasis is placed on ship-to-shore distress alerting while retaining the traditional ship-to-ship distress alerting method of former times. The world’s maritime states installed the necessary shore-based infrastructure establishing maritime rescue co-ordination centres, which can respond to vessels in distress and co-ordinate search and rescue operations. Such centres are equipped with sophisticated communication capabilities that include digital selective calling and satellite equipment to deal with any maritime contingency. Fixed or portable equipment, plus headset and boom microphone, may be used to fulfil this requirement. Existing equipment provided with distinct alerting facilities, will be acceptable. Existing arrangements to prevent inadvertent activation of the distress alert facilities remain acceptable, as do the indications of activation, unless equipment is subsequently replaced. In compliance with international agreements, administrations must ensure that an adequately qualified operator controls the operating of a ship’s GMDSS equipment.