Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

An internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, communication protocols, and equipment designed to ensure that ships at sea can send and receive distress signals and safety information.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and facilitate the efficient coordination of search and rescue operations. It is a comprehensive system that integrates satellite and terrestrial communication technologies to ensure that vessels, regardless of their location, can communicate distress signals and receive urgent safety information. The system is mandatory for all ships over 300 gross tonnage engaged in international voyages, as well as passenger ships, and it is designed to function automatically, reducing the reliance on manual intervention in emergency situations.

GMDSS equipment includes a range of communication devices, such as VHF, MF, and HF radios, satellite communication systems (like INMARSAT), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), and Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs). These devices are used to transmit distress alerts, receive navigational warnings, and communicate with rescue coordination centres. The system is divided into four sea areas (A1, A2, A3, and A4), each with different communication requirements based on the distance from shore and the availability of communication infrastructure.

The GMDSS has significantly improved the safety of life at sea by ensuring that distress signals are relayed quickly and efficiently to the appropriate authorities, enabling faster response times and more effective rescue operations.