GMDSS Flashcards
What is SOLAS?
International Convention for the Safety Of LifeAt Sea
What is the aim of GMDSS?
Ensure that distress alerts are not only received by vessels in the vicinity, but also by a shore station capable of tasking resources and subsequent coordination of SAR action.
Who must be GMDSS compliant?
Commercial vessels over 300gt
All sea going passenger vessels
Mobile off shore platforms and rigs over 300gt
Who is exempt from GMDSS compliancy?
Pleasure craft Offshore Fixed Installations Ships not propelled by mechanical means Warships/Troopships Vessels whose trading is confined to the Great Lakes of North America
What are the 7 categories of vessels not required to be fully compliant with GMDSS?
UK directive fishing vessels.
EU directive fishing vessels .
Fishing vessels under 12m in length.
Commercial motor and sailing vessels over/less than 24m in length less than 12 passengers no cargo.
Small commercial workboats and pilot boats less than 24m in length, less than 12 passengers.
Non-commercial pleasure craft.
What is the A1 GMDS sea area?
Area within range of at least one VHF coast station, at which continuous VHF DSC alerting is available, as declared by that administration
What is the A2 GMDS sea area?
Area outside area A1, within range of at least one shore basedMF coast station, in which continuousMF DSC alerting is available, as declared by that administration.
What is the A3 GMDS sea area?
Area outside of Area A1 & A2, within coverage of INMARSAT geostationary satellites where continuous alerting is available.
What is the A4 GMDS sea area?
Everywhere not included in 1-3
What is COSPAS and SARSAT?
COSPAS – Space system for vessels in distress.
SARSAT – Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking.
What 3 satellite systems are used?
GEOSAT, LEOSAT, MEOSAT
What types of distress beacons are there?
EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
Designed for maritime use. Manually operated or float free.
ELT – Emergency Locator Transmitter
Primary used on Aircraft. Manually activated or on impact.
PLB – Personal Locator Beacon
Personal use. Manual only.
What are the Functions of GMDSS?
Ship To Ship Distress Signals Ship to Shore distress alerts by at least 2 separate means Shore to Ship distress alerts Bridge to Bridge communications On Scene communications Coordination communication MSI Locating signals General
What equipment is required in Sea Area A1?
Navtex EGC (Electric group comms) Radio VHF DSC Rx EPIRB SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) Watch keeper DSC Radar Portable VHF
What are the advantages of MEOSAR
Compatible with all Beacons.
Instantaneous global coverage.
Accurate independent locating.
High levels of redundancy. (Multiple satellites will detect signal at one time)
Provision of additional services. (return message)
Accuracy about 100m.
