Safety RadioGMDSS

2Safety Radio

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

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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)

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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))

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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SEA AREAS - LIMITS

► AREA A1 - 20 to 30 miles

► AREA A2 - 100 miles

► AREA A3 - Worldwide except polar regions

► AREA A4 - Polar regions

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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

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PSC – Main Problems

► Main installation

► Satellite EPIRB

► Auto alarm

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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.

Survey and Certification

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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

Survey and Certification