GMDSS GUIDELINES FOR SMALL BOAT USERS IN EUROPEAN WATERS

Introduction What is GMDSS Watch keeping Which Radio? Procedures Recommended Equipment Emergency Procedures EPIRB RegistrationContacts Glossary Contacts Who are we?

Whether your boat is large or small, commercial or pleasure, this information provides useful basic guidelines on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

GMDSS GUIDELINES FOR SMALL BOAT USERS IN EUROPEAN WATERS

Whatever the size of your boat, these pages will provide useful information about the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in European coastal waters, which became fully operational on 1 February 1999.

It should enable you to acquire a knowledge of the basic concepts of GMDSS and provides guidance on training, qualifications and equipment.

Introduction (Top of Page)

 The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) has been developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to replace the existing world-wide Distress and safety Communications system.
GMDSS regulations are a compulsory requirement for all commercial vessels over 300 gross tons and for various classes of passenger and fishing vessels. In the United Kingdom, these regulations are administered by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). If you need further information contact the MCA(see contact address and telephone no. on last page).

Fitting of GMDSS communications will be a voluntary option for virtually every class of small non-commercial craft e.g. Leisure, fishing boats, lifeboats and pleasure craft representing a huge armada of small craft within the European coastal regions. For the foreseeable future existing distress arrangements for small craft (particularly VHF Channel 16) will operate in parallel with GMDSS. However, GMDSS will eventually replace it and become the sole means of initiating distress and safety communications. You must therefore carefully consider the options which are available to you, thinking about your own needs for training and equipment to understand and use GMDSS.

What is GMDSS? (Top of Page)

The GMDSS is primarily a vessel-to-shore alerting system where Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCC's) receive distress alerts from vessels and then co-ordinate an appropriate rescue response. Vessel-to-vessel distress alerting is also a feature of GMDSS and operates in a similar way to the current distress system. GMDSS also provides Urgency, Safety and routine communications and safety information broadcasts (navigation warnings, weather forecasts and search and rescue messages etc).

GMDSS is designed to provide an automatic means of transmitting and receiving distress alerts either by using Digital Selective Calling ( DSC) via conventional radio or via the Inmarsat satellite system. DSC communication is much faster and has a greater probability of reception than the existing manually operated distress system.
GMDSS also provides the facilities to send distress alerts and locating signals using EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) and SARTs (Search And Rescue radar Transponders). EPIRBs and SARTs are covered later.

GMDSS uses 4 coverage areas:- A1, A2, A3 and A4 to cover the sea areas of the world for distress watchkeeping:-

• Sea Area A1 is an area within VHF range of a coast station fitted with DSC (about 30 - 40 milesJ
• Sea Area A2 is an area within MF range of a coast station fitted with DSC (about 150 miles)
• Sea Area A3 is an area covered by the Inmarsat Satellite System (excluding A1 and A2 areas)
• Sea Area A4 is basically the polar regions which are not covered by the above

The A1 European Area has now been completed.

Watch keeping at sea (Top of Page)

VHF DSC radios automatically keep watch on VHF channel 70 and will alarm when there is an incoming call for your vessel, an "all ships" call, urgency or safety, a distress call or distress relay. The radio will indicate which channel to use for the subsequent communications such as channel 16 for distress working or 72 for ship-to-ship.
In the UK, HM Coastguard will continue to provide distress watches on channel 16 for the foreseeable future.

Small craft

If you are already fitted with VHF DSC then an automatic watch should be kept on channel 70 and, if practicable, a dual-watch on channels 16 and 13 to ensure that you monitor distress, safety and shipping traffic. If you sail within an area which operates a port operation or vessel traffic service (the management of ships' movements) then you should keep watch on that channel rather than chonnel 13. If you are unsure what channel that will be, or whether you are in an area which monitors ships movements, please check with the appropriate publication or contact the relevant Harbour Authority or your local Coastguard.

Merchant Ships

Merchant ships, which are legally required to carry GMDSS radio equipment, keep an automatic watch on channel 70 for DSC calls and when practicable an aural watch on channel 16 (although this is not compulsory). When hazards or density of traffic warrant it, these ships also keep a watch on channel 13 for bridge-to-bridge communication at sea.

Which radio equipment should I get? (DSC Types) (Top of Page)

DSC controllers are divided into various classes. Small craft should use class D type controllers for VHF operation. A class D controller is capable of sending and receiving distress, safety and routine calls. There is also a class F controller which is designed for use in hand-portable VHFs fitted with a DSC option. This will provide a send function only for distress purposes. It cannot receive DSC calls nor can it be used for ship-to-ship calls.

In the United Kingdom the specification for a small craft VHF DSC is MPT 1279 which specifies:

• a class D type of controller for fixed radio operation and
• a class F type controller for hand portable operation.

A further benefit of GMDSS is to provide the mariner with at least two independent means of transmitting a distress alert. An EPIRB provides the simplest means of providing one way to alert Rescue authorities. The most common EPIRB system is operated on 406MHz by the organisation which uses polar orbiting satellites.

If a vessel sinks, the 406MHz EPIRB is designed to detach itself automatically, float-free and transmit a distress signal via the satellite system (which calculates the position of the casualty) and relays the information to the nearest Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

EPIRB registration details will provide HM Coastguard Rescue Co-ordination Centres with the information needed to co-ordinate a rescue. (click here for details).

Most 406MHz EPIRBs also transmit a signal on 121.5MHz which enables search and rescue vessels (ie RNLI Lifeboats, Search and Rescue Helicopters etc) to obtain a radio bearing of the EPIRB.

Sarts

SARTs provide a homing signal by transmitting a coded response to a radar signal. These signals are displayed on the rescue vessel's radar screen.

Navtex

Mariners at sea can be made aware of search and and rescue information, navigation warnings, weather forecasts etc. In coastal waters, this service is provided by the NAVTEX system which transmits this information on Medium Frequencies. Navtex receivers display this information either on screen or on a paper printout.

Inmarsat

The Inmarsat Organisation operates a constellation of four satellites (which rotate at the same speed and direction as the earth) and are capable of relaying voice, telex, fax and data transmissions. Anyone intending to make a passage outside MF range of a coast station should consider satellite communications as a means of communication. With size and cost considerations, Inmarsat "C" may be the most suitable equipment for small craft and is capable of sending text messages only.

Inmarsat broadcasts the same type of information as Navtex on Inmarsat C.

How do GMDSS radio procedures work? (Top of Page)

The difference between current procedures and GMDSS is that DSC is used to transmit the initial call. For example, currently you would initiate the call on Channel 16 to agree a working channel, whereas the GMDSS procedure would send a DSC call on Channel 70 containing the proposed voice working channel. Once the other station has accepted the call then it can respond directly on the working channel.

If you are in distress, a DSC Distress Alert should be sent before the MAYDAY procedure. This Distress Alert will activate all alarms in any DSC radios within range and alert any radio operators to listen on the distress working chonnel (ie for VHF - Channel 16) for the subsequent MAYDAY call. The DSC alert contains your identification number and should contain a valid position (preferably as an automatic input from your navigation receiver).

Do not rely solely on the DSC alert. It should be followed immediately by the MAYDAY procedure on the appropriate distress channel/frequency (i.e. Channel VHF 16) as shown on the radio procedures sticker.

Education and Training are vital elements for any effective radio distress system. GMDSS is no different, and international qualifications have been agreed in order to ensure thot mariners possess the relevant skills to operate their equipment effectively. These qualifications will soon replace the existing certificates shown below:

The SRC is awarded to candidates who can demonstrate how routine, safety, urgency and distress communications are organised in a GMDSS Sea Area A1. A practical examination in the use of a DSC controller is included, together with Navtex, SARTs and EPIRBs.

If you have a radio-telephony certificate (ie the VHF Only certificate) it is possible to upgrade to the SRC by taking a modular course (typically 1 day, including the examination).

For candidates with no current radio operating qualification, the SRC is available by taking a more comprehensive course (typically 2 days) which, in addition to the GMDSS aspects covered in the modular course, also includes radio voice procedures and techniques.

To obtain details of courses and examinations in your area you should contact the RYA who administer this certificate in the UK.

Long Range Certificate (LRC)

The LRC may be used on vessels that are, for example, not legally required to fit GMDSS equipment but may make voyages outside of A1 areas. A practical examination in the use of DSC controllers, Navtex, SARTs, EPIRBs as well as "traditional VHF, MF and HF radios is also included. In addition, if you intend to fit Satellite equipment (eg Inmarsat C). There is a modular quolification covering satellite operation .

To obtain details of courses and examinations in your area you should contact AMERC who administer this certificate in the UK. (see contact address and telephone no).

If you have a radio-telephony certificate (ie the Restricted R/T Certificate) it is possible to upgrade to the LRC by taking modular courses (ie "DSC Module" and "Satellite Module - typically one day each, including the examination).

For candidates with no current radio operating qualification, the LRC is available by taking a more comprehensive course (typically four days) which, in addition to the GMDSS aspects covered in the modulor courses, also includes radio voice techniques.

It is strongly recommended that you attend a recognised SRC or LRC course in order to prepare thoroughly for the radio examination.

Why should I licence my radio?

It is a legal requirement to ensure your vessel's radio is properly licenced. In the UK, ship radio licenses are distributed by the Radiocommunications Agency. If you have any queries regarding radio licencing, or if you wish to obtain a Ship Radio Licence, contact the Radiocommunications Agency who also administer the allocation and registration of Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) numbers.

It is vital that your 406MHz EPIRB is registered with your appropriate national authority, so that your vessel's details (ie Name, Size and type of vessd) are known immediately if your EPIRB is activated.

Where should I register my EPIRB?

In the UK, this registration service is provided FREE OF CHARGE by the Coastguard. An "EPIRB registration form" is available by clicking "HERE".

Do's and Don'ts

DO:

• Make sure you are properly trained and qualified so that you can operate your radio kit effectively. In an emergency, you don't want to be looking for the handbook!
• Make sure your vessel has an up to date radio licence. If you fit DSC equipment, remember that you will need to obtain an MMSI number from the Radiocommunications Agency who automatically register this number with your licence.
• Register your 406MHz EPIRB with the Coastguard.
• Ensure that your EPIRB is installed correctly onboard and that regular checks are made on the battery and the hydrostatic release.
• Maintain a good radio watch when at sea, on the recommended chonnels for distress, calling and ship movements.

• Allow unauthorised persons to operate your radio, EPIRB etc. There is a real risk of setting off false distress alerts due to unfamiliarity with the kit or lack of training.
• Rely on a Cellular phone to replace your marine VHF radio for distress and safety calls.
• Transfer your EPIRB to another vessel without informing your national EPIRB registration authority of changes.
• Ignore the DO's! !

Cellular phones appear to offer a low cost alternative to marine VHF. However, if you were in distress they have several significant weaknesses.

• The cellular networks may offer poor coverage at sea.
• You can only ring one number (eg Coastguard), so other vessels close by will be unaware of your situation, and therefore unable to offer assistance.
• If you are on the fringe of a cell, you can very easily lose contact.
• Lifeboats and Helicopters are not equipped to obtain a bearing of cellular signals.

YOU ARE THEREFORE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CARRY A TYPE APPROVED MARINE VHF.  

 

Glossary of Terms. (Top of Page)

AMERC	Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges.
COSPAS/SARSAT	Multi-National Search and Rescue Satellite organisation.
DSC	Digital Selective Calling.
EPIRB	Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon.
GMDSS	Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.
HF	High Frequency.
HMCG	HM Coastguard.
IMO	International Maritime Organization.
INMARSAT	Internationol Maritime Satellite organisation.
LRC	Long Range Certificate.
MF	Medium Frequency.
MHz	Megahertz.
MMSI	Maritime Mobile Service Identity.
MRCC	Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
MCA	Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
NAVTEX	Marine safety information broodcast system.
RCC	Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
RNLI	Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
RYA	Royal Yachting Association.
SART	Search And Rescue radar Transponder.
SRC	Short Range Certificute.
VHF	Very High Frequency.

Who can I contact about? (Top of Page)

GMDSS

 

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Navigation and Communications
Bay 2/23
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
S05 1 EG
Tel:- 01703 329146 Fax:- 01703 329204
Web http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-home

 

Ship Radio Licensing

Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA

Switchboard: 020 7981 3000
Fax: 020 7981 3333
Textphone: 020 7981 3043 - Please note that this number only works with special equipment used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Web http://www.ofcom.org.uk/

 

 

EPIRB Registration

 

HM Coastguard
Pendennis Point
Castle Drive
Falmouth
Cornwall
TR11 4WZ
Tel:- 01326 211569 Fax:- 01326 319264

 

Radio Courses & Qualifications

 

Short Range Certificate (SRC)
Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
RYA House
Romsey Road
Eastleigh
Hampshire
S050 9YA
Tel:- 01703 627400 Fax:- 01703 627413
Web: http://www.rya.org.uk

 

Long Range Certificate (LRC)

 

Association of Marine Electronic & Radio Colleges (AMERC)
National Administrotion Centre
PO Box 4
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 OBE
Tel:- 015394 32255 Fax:- 015394 34663