Professional Documents
Culture Documents
An Introduction To GMDSS-8th Edition
An Introduction To GMDSS-8th Edition
i
I .
!
r
Tor R. Kristensen
Produced by:
[F)@@IED[Q)@[K!]
P.O. Box 89, N-8376 Leknes, Norway
Tel. +47 760 54330 Fax: +47 760 82006
E-mail: info@poseidon.no
Internet: www.poseidon.no
Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................................. Page 9
CHAPTER 1
THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM Page 11
1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... Page 11
1.2 Means of Communication -definitions .............................................................................. Page 12
1.3 GMDSS system configuration ............................................................................................ Page 13
1.4 GMDSS Implementation Schedule ..................................................................................... Page 14
1.5 GMDSS- functional requirements ..................................................................................... Page 14
1.6 GMDSS ships- radio watch ................................................................................................ Page 15
1. 7 Basic equipment - minimum requirements ......................................................................... Page 16
1.8 Maintenance requirements for GMDSS equipment ........................................................... Page 21
1,9 The GMDSS Master Plan ................................................................................................... Page 21
1.10 EXERCISES - GMDSS .....................................................................,, .............................. Page 23
CHAPTER2
SHIP's ANTENNAS•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 25
2.1 General Information ............................................................................................................ Page 25
2.2 Radio waves ........................................................................................................................ Page 26
2.3 Antenna length and resonance frequency ........................................................................... Page 26
2.4 Radio wavelengths and frequencies .................................................................................... Page 28
2.5 Unit of measurement: Hertz (Hz) ........................................................................................ Page 28
2.6 Table of wavelengths ..........................................................................•............................... Page 30
2. 7 Propagation of Radio Waves ............................................................................................... Page 31
2.8 VHF ..................................................................................................................................... Page 32
2.9 MF ....................................................................................................................................... Page 33
2.10 HF ........................................................................................................................................ Page 34
2.11 lnmarsat-B antennas ............................................................................................................ Page 35
2.12 Inmarsat-C antennas ......................................................................................... ~.................. Page 36
2.13 Simplex transmission .......................................................................................................... Page 37
2.14 Duplex transmission ............................................................................................................ Page 37
2.15 Antenna maintenance .......................................................................................................... Page 37
2.16 EXERCISES -ANTENNAS ............................................................................................... Page 43
CHAPTER3
REGULATIONS AND TRAFFIC PROCEDURES ••••••..••••••••••••• Page 45
3.1 Ship· s Radio Licences ....................................................................................................... Page 45
3.2 Radio Surveys and Radio Safety Certificates .................................................................... Page 45
3.3 Operation of the Ship Station - Operator Certificates ........................................................ Page 45
3.4 Observance of Secrecy ...................................................................................................... Page 46
3.5 Priority for distress calls, distress messages and other messages concerning
the safety of lives at sea ..................................................................................................... Page 46
3.6 Unauthorised transmissions ............................................................................................... Page 46
3.7 Control and adjustment of radio transmitters .................................................................... Page 46
3.8 Service documents ............................................................................................................. Page 46
3.9 Radio log ............................................................................................................................ Page 47
3.10 Radio Telephony Communications- Calling Procedures .................................................. Page 47
3.11 Traffic Lists ........................................................................................................................ Page 50
3.12 MF radio telephony (coast telephony) ............................................................................... Page 50
3.13 The international distress and calling frequency 2182 kHz .............................................. Page 51
3.14 General calling procedures ................................................................................................ Page 51
3.15 HF telephony ..................................................................................................................... Page 52
3.16 Traffic lists ......................................................................................................................... Page 53
CHAPTER4
DISTRESS SIGNALS AND DISTRESS TRAFFIC ••••••.•.••.•..•••••• Page 55
4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... Page 55
4.2 General regulations ............................................................................................................ Page 55
4.3 The international distress and calling frequency 2182kHz·····················:·················· ...... Page 56
4.4 Silence periods ................................................................................................................... Page 56
4.5 The radiotelephony alarm signal ................................................................•...................... Page '56
4.6 The distress signal- MAYDAY ......................................................................................... Page 57
4.7 The distress call ................................................................................................................. Page 57
4.8 The distress message ......................................................................................................... Page 57
4.9 Acknowledgement of receipt of a distress message .......................................................... Page 58
4.10 Distress traffic .................................................. :································································· Page 59
4.11 Transmission of a distress message by a station not itself in distress ............................... Page 60
CHAPTERS
URGENCY TRANSMISSIONS •••.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••..•.•• Page 63
5.1 Urgency signal ................................................................................................................... Page 63
5.2 Medical Advice, Medico ................................................................................................... Page 64
CHAPTER6
SAFE1rl' TRANSMISSIONS ••••••••.•.••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••• Page 65
6.1 Safety signals and messages .............................................................................................. Page 65
6.2 Exercises: Regulations and Traffic Procedures ................................................................. Page 67
6.3 Exercises - Distress, Urgency and Safety Traffic .............................................................. Page 68
CHAPTER 7
DSC- DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING •.•.•••••••••••••••.•••••••••••.•••• Page 69
7.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... Page 69
7.2 DSC ··································································································································:Page 69
7.3 The Individual Elements of the DSC Call ............................... ~ ......................................... Page 71
7.4 DSC routine call ................................................................................................................ Page 72
7.5 Selective calling numbers in GMDSS ............................................................................... Page 73
7.6 MMSINumbers ...............'.................................................................................................. Page 74
7. 7 Exercises DSC ................................................................................................................... Page 75
CHAPTERS
DSC PROCEDURES FOR VHF- MF AND HF.••••••••••••.••••••••••. Page 77
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... Page 77
8.1 Distress .............................................................................................................................. Page 77
8.2 Urgency .............................................................................................................................. Page 80
8.3 Safety ................................................................. .' ............................................................... Page 81
8.4 Public Correspondence ...................................................................................................... Page 83
8.5 Testing the equipment used for distress and safety ........................................................... Page 84
8.6 Special conditions and procedures for DSC communication on HF ................................. Page 85
8.7 EXERCISES- DSC OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES ................................................... Page 91
CHAPTER 9
IN~R!iA1r ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• i»CI!I~ ~!i
9.1 Introduction .......... \ ......................................................................................................... Page 95
9.2 A General Overview ........................................................................................................ Page 95
9.3 The space segment. ........................................................................................................... Page 96
9.4 Coast Earth Stations (CES) ............................................................................................... Page 97
9.5 Network Co-ordinating Station CS) .............................................................................. Page 98
9.6 Ship Earth Station (SES) ................................................................................................. Page 9.$
9. 7 lnmarsat Mobile Number.................................................................................................. Page 98
CHAPTER 10
INMARSAT-FLEET F77 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 11 0
10.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 110
10.2 System Description ................................................................................................................... 110
10.3 Fleet F77 Equipment ................................................................................................................ 110
10.4 Distress, Urgency and Safety Communication ......................................................................... 111
10.5 Transmitting Distress Calls Using Fleet F77 ............................................................................ 112
10.6 Inmarsat Mobile Number.......................................................................................................... 112
10.7 EXERCISES: FLEET F77 ........................................................................................................ 113
CHAPTER 11
INMARSAT-C ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••• Page 114
11.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... Page 114
11 .2. System operation ............................................................................................................. Page 114
11.3 Inmarsat-C Equipment .................................................................................................... Page 115
11.4 The Inmarsat-C system ................................................................................................... Page 115
11.5. Inmarsat Mobile Number (IMN) .................................................................................... Page 116
11.6 The lnmarsat-C Communication services ........................................................L ............ Page 116
11.7 Accessing different networks using an Inmarsat-C SES ................................................. Page 120
11.8 EXERCISES -INMARSAT-C ........................................................................................ Page 121
CHAPTER 12
INMARSAT-M/B •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 123
12.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... Page 123
12.2 Basic system architecture ................................................................................................ Page 123
12.3 System operation ............................................................................................................. Page 123
12.4 Single and Multi-channel Inmarsat M and B SESs ......................................................... Page 125
12.5 Inmarsat MIB numbering scheme .................................................................................... Page 126
12.6.1 Sending a DISTRESS message by telex using an Inmarsat-B SES ................................ Page 126
12.7.1 Making a telephone call ................................................................................................... Page 127
12.8 EXERCISES- INMARSAT-M/B ................................................................................... Page 128
CHAPTER 13
TELEX OVER RADIO •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 129
13.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... Page 129
13.2 The System ..................................................................................................................... Page 129
13.3 The Modem ...................................................................................................................... Page 130
13.4 Modulation....................................................................................................................... Page 131
13.5 ARQ ................................................................................................................................. Page 132
13.6 FEC .................................................................................................................................. Page 133
13.7 SELFEC ........................................................................................................................... Page 134
CHAPTER14
MARITIME SAFETY INFORMATION UNDER THE GMDSS Page 135
14.1 Background .............................................................................. :....................................... Page 135
14.2 Maritime Safety Information- MSI ............................................................................... Page 135
14.3 The Navtex System .......................................................................................-................... Page 135
14.4 Navareas .......................................................................................................................... Page 136
14.5 Navarea !. ......................................................................................................................... Page 136
14.6 Building up a Navtex Message ........................................................................................ Page 138
14.7 Examples ofNavtex Messages ....................................................................................... Page 139
14.8 National Navtex service .................................... ,.............................................................. Page 140
14.9 The Navtex receiver. ........................................................................................................ Page 140
14.10 EGC - Enhanced Group Call ........................................................................................... Page 140
14.11 SafetyNET broadcast messages ....................................................................................... Page 142
14.12 Availability ofMSI in different NAVAREAS/METAREAS ........................................... Page 143
14.13 Reception of EGC messages - operating your EGC receiver. ......................................... Page 148
14.14 EGC - message examples ............................................................................................... Page 150
14.15 High frequency (HF) MSI ............................................................................................... Page 151
14.16 EXERCISES- NAVTEX, EGC ...................................................................................... Page 153
CHAPTER 15
EMERGENCY RADIO BEACONS ........................................ Page 155
15.1 General Information ........................................................................................................ Page 155
15.2 Different types ofradio beacons ...................................................................................... Page ,155
15.3 Basic Concepts of the COSPAS/SARSAT System ......................................... ;............... Page 156
15.4 Facts about COSPAS/SARSAT as of December 2007 .................................................... Page 160
15.5 The COSPAS/SARSAT Beacon ...................................................................................... Page 160
15.6 VHF emergency beacons for manual activation .............................................................. Page 163
15.7 VHF Emergency Beacon (DSC channel70) .................................................................. Page 164
CHAPTER16
SART - SEARCH AND RESCUE TRANSPONDERS
- PORTABLE VHF TRANSCEIVERS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 165
16.1 Background ............'.......................................................................................................... Page 165
16.2 Range performance ...................................................................................,. ...................... Page 165
16.3 Categories of SARI ......................................................................................................... Page 165
16.4 Testprocedure .................................................................................................................. Page 166
16.5 Specifications ................................................................................................................... Page 166
16.6 Labels and marking ......................................................................................................... Page 166
16.7 Portable VHF Transceivers .................................: ............................................................ Page 168
16.8 VHF Emergency Communication Set ............................................................................. Page 169
16.9 EXERCISES- EPIRB, SARI, PORTABLE VHF TRANSCEIVERS ............................ Page 170
CHAPTER 17
POWER SUPPLIES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 171
17.1 Radio batteries ................................................................................................................. Page 171
17.2 Lead batteries ................................................................................................................... Page 171
17.3 Ni-Fe batteries ................................................................................................................. Page 173
17.4 Ni-Cd batteries ................................................................................................................. Page 173
17.5 UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) ................................................................................ Page 174
17.6 Capacity requirements ..................................................................................................... Page 175
17.7 EXERCISES - POWER SUPPLIES ................................................................................ Page 177
'~
CHAPTER 18
MARITIME MOBILE TRAFFIC CHARGES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 179
18.1 Radio telephone calls ....................................................................................................... Page 179
18.2 Charges for radio telephone calls .................................................................................... Page 179
18.3 Radiotelegrams ······'·········································································································Page 180
18.4 Keeping a Radio Log ....................................................................................................... Page 181
18.5 Telephone and telex via Inmarsat-B ................................................................................ Page 181
18.6 Inmarsat-C Charges ......................................................................................................... Page 182
18.7 EXERCISES - CHARGES .............................................................................................. Page 186
CHAPTER19
FALSE ALERTS IN THE GMDSS .......................................... Page 187
19.1 General Information ........................................................................................................ Page 187
19.2 INMARSAT-C ................................................................................................................. Page 187
19.3 EPIRB .............................................................................................................................. Page 188
19.4 DSC ................................................................................................................................. Page 188
19.5 Guidelines for avoiding false distress alerts .................................................................... Page 189
19.6 Instructions for mariners and others for cancelling a false distress alert ......................... Page 193
19.7 EXERCISES- FALSE ALERTS IN THE GMDSS ........................................................ Page 194
CHAPTER20
THE ROLE OF THE RCC IN THE GMDSS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Page 195
20.1 THE 1974 SOLAS CONVENTION................................................................................ Page 195
20.2 THE GMDSS SYSTEM .................................................................................................. Page 195
20.3 RCC's- MRCC's- SAR CO-ORDINATION ................................................................ Page 196
. 20.4 Action by the first RCC on receipt of distress alert ......................................................... Page 198
20.5 A genuine rescue operation .............................................................................................. Page 198
20;6 EXERCISES - THE ROLE OF THE RCC IN THE GMDSS ......................................... Page 200
Preface
General information
The 20th century witnessed a revolution with regard to_ the development of
maritime radio communications. It began with Marconi's groundbreaking
wireless communication across the Atlantic, and ended with the complete
implementation of the GMDSS system in 1999.
The book also deals with the importance of understanding the limita-
tions and potential of the various radio systems within the GMDSS, with
regard to range and coverage. ,\
Together with instrument user manuals and ITU publications, this book
will provide the answer to most questions that may arise when taking a
GMDSS radio operator course.
Target Audience
"An Introduction to GMDSS/GOC" is intended for readers with an inter-
est in maritime radio communications, including:
• navigators and radio officers aiming to update their maritime certificates
by taking a GMDSS radio operator course
• Students finishing off their navigational education with a GMDSS radio
operator course
• GMDSS instructors and schools of navigation I maritime training
centres
• Others wishing to improve their knowledge of the GMDSS
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Inmarsat, IMO and COSPAS/SARSAT Sec-
retariat for their goodwill and permission to reproduce the necessary
illustrations in this book. Similarly, we thank the GMDSS radio equip-
ment manufacturers that have contributed with permission to reproduce
illustrations from their brochures and fact sheets.
Finally, readers are invited to provide feedback to the author with re-
gard to the content of this book, so that we can achieve the best possible
GMDSS system description.
January 2010
Tor R. Kristensen
CHAPTER 1
Satellite and radio systems that are part ofGMDSS, have individual limita-
tions concerning range and availability. In order to ensure that the required
communication functions are available at all times, duplicates of vital
functions such as alerti , aming and communications are included.
n Area which extends approx. 30 - 50 nautical miles from the coast station.
2
! Area which extends approx. 150 nautical miles from the coast station. ·\
3
! Inmarsat range is between latitude 76° north and latitude 76° south.
1.1.1 Alerting
When distress messages are sent to another ship, or to a Rescue Coordi-
nation Centre (RCC), the RCC leads and coordinates the ensuing rescue
operation.
Frequencies to be used:
Ship-ship: VHF channel 16, 06 (intership)
MF 2182kHz
Ship-aircraft: 3023kHz, 4125kHz and 5680kHz
4
J Polar areas north of76° north and south of76° south.
Distress
alerting
EPIRB
COSPAS/SARSAT
.f ,,
· 1. August 1993
All ships covered by the SOLAS Convention must be provided with the
following equipment:
- NAVTEX RECEIVER (FEC BROADCAST RECEIVER
ON 518kHz)
- FLOAT-FREE SATELLITE EPIRB
· 1. February 1995
All new ships constructed after 1. February 1995 must be equipped
with GMDSS radio installations.
· 1. February 1999
ALL SHIPS SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH COMPLETE GMDSS
RADIO INSTALLATIONS.
A)
Ships fitted with a VHF radio installation shall keep continuous watch
on VHF DSC channel 70.
B)
Ships fitted with a MF radio installation shall keep continuous watch on
MF DSC distress and safety frequency 2187.5 kHz.
C)
Ships fitted with a MF /HF radio installation shall keep continuous watch
on the DSC frequencies assigned for distress and safety, 2187.5 kHz
and 8414.5 kHz and also at least one other HF DSC distress and safety
frequency from the following: 4207.5 kHz, 6312.0 kHz, 12577.0 kHz
or 16804.5 kHz.
Propagation characteristics ofHF radio waves for the actual season and
time of day should be taken into account when choosing HF bands for
transmission of distress alerts.
(This watch can be kept by means of a scanning receiver)
D)
Ships equipped with a VHF installation in accordance with ITU radio
Regulations eep continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 until
February 1, 2005.
(IMO- Maritime Safety Committee, at its eight session (May 2004)
agreed that listeneing watch on VHF chaimel16 by SOLAS ships, while
at sea, should be required and kept for foreseeable future with view to
providing:
1. a distress ability and communication channel for non-SOLAS vessels;
and
2. bridge to bridge communication for SOLAS ships)
E)
Ships stations should also keep a continuous watch for MSI (Maritime
Safety Information) in the Sea Area in which the ship is sailing, by
means of:
I Sea Area A1
VHFDSC
CONTROLLER ~ DSC ALERTING VHF WITH DSC
MARITIME
NAVTEX SAFETY
RX518 KHZ INFORMATION
VHFTX+RX
. ·I RADIO TELEPHONY
I
VHF DSC
CONTROLLER ~ DSC ALERTING VHF WITH DSC
WATCH KEEPING
RXCH 70 DSC ~CALERTING
/
/
MFTX+RX RADIO TELEPHONY MFWITH DSC
~
MF
DSC CONTROLLER
WATCHKEEPING
RX 2187, 5 DSC DSC ALERTING
RADAR
TRANSPONDER r------+lr·
·I LOCATING
I SHIPS 500 GRT AND UPWARDS: 2 PC~
SHIPS BETWEEN 300·500 GRT:1 PCS
, _ _ __ _ _ _ _______J ·~
VHF DSC
CONTROLLER ~ DSC ALERTING VHF WITH DSC
WATCHKEEPING
RX 2187, 5 DSC DSC ALERTING
MF/HF
- TX+RX
RADIO TELEPHONY
TELEX MF/HF WITH DSC
MF/HF DSC
CONTROLLER
MF/HF DSC
r
WATCH KEEPING A/ DSC ALERTING
~
RX
RADIOTELEX j/
EGC MARITIME SAFETY
INFORMATION MSI VIAINMARSAT
RX
TRA~~~DER I ·IL___
SHIPS 500 GRT AND UPWARDS: 2 PCS
SHIPS BETWEEN 300-500 GRT:i1 PCS
Lo_c_A-TI-NG
_ ___J
VHF DSC
CONTROLLER ~ DSC ALERTING
+
INMARSAT DISTRESS ALERTING
SHIP-EARTH
STATION
8/C OR FLEET F77
TELEPHONE .
TELEX
•
or
HF 1)
,----- RADIO TELEPHONY
TX+RX
TELEX
DSC HF
CONTROLLER
y RADIOTELEX
Ships in GMDS S sea areas Al and A2 shall use one of the three methods,
while ships in GMDSS sea areas A3 and A4 shall use a combination of
at least two of the above listed options.
On-board maintenance:
Qualified and authorised equipment servicing personnel must be present
on board.
Spare parts and necessary instruments must be available on board for
servicing mandatory equipmen .
Duplication of equipment:
Duplication can be used as a thod of ensuring the availability of
equipment.
10. By which date must all ship covered by the SOLAS Convention
be equipped with complete G SS radio installations?
11. How many pieces of SART must ship of 24,450 tons gross ton-
nage be provided with?
14. Which functional requirements must your ship be able to meet when
equipped in accordance with GMDSS specifications?
15. Give an account of the maintenance methods that ships can choose
from in order to ensure the availability of radio equipment under
the GMDSS.
16. What is the commonest method used by ships sailing in Sea Areas
A3 ands A4 to ensure the availability of radio equipment in accord-
ance with GMDSS regulations?
CHAPTER I
SHIP's ANTENNAS
2.1 General Information
A ship's antenna arrangement consists of several different transmitter
and receiver antennas, and the available space on board is very limited.
Therefore, the antenna locations are often a result of various compro-
mises. The design of the antenna arrangement is of major importance
when it comes to the amount of radiated power available and the recep-
tion of different radio signals.
MF/HF RADIO-TELEPHONE
WATCHKEEPING RECEIVER
LORAN RECEIVER
VHF TX/RX No2 ADAR SCANNER
Insulator Insulator
Wheelhouse deck
Transmitter
sig~
Modulating
(voice) J Amplitude modulated
radio signal
L
Antenna tuning
circuit
Carrier~
frequen~
The following equation shows the ratio between the propagation speed
of radio waves (C), the wavelength (lambda), and the frequency (f):
C = fx Lambda
1.4.1 Wavelength
The wavelength, symbolized by the greek letter lambda, is the distance
from one wave top to another.
1.4.3 Period
A period, or cycle, is the time it takes for a wave to move from zero to
360 degrees.
Wavelength
+
w
0
:::>
I-
_J
a..
~
I
0
00
<(
1
Period
Example No.1:
1 THz (Terra Hz) =1 000 000 000 000 Hz
1 GHz (Giga Hz) =1 000 000 000 Hz
1 MHz (Mega Hz) =1 000 000 Hz
1 kHz (Kilo Hz) =1000Hz
Example No. 2:
The ship-to-shore alerting channel for VHF DSC is channel 70, at a
frequency of 156.525 MHz. This frequency can also be expressed as:
Frequency= F(Hz) = C
Lambda
Example No.3:
Again using the frequency for channel 70, we can calculate the
wavelength for this frequency:
L = .Q_
f
L = 1.92 meter
Example No.4:
If the wavelength is 600 meters, it is quite simple to calculate the fre-
quency:
f = c
Lambda
MF Antenna lengths
In the medium wave (MF) frequency range, from 1605 kHz to 4000
kHz, the electrical length of the antenna is always a quarter of the total
wavelength.
MF Emergency antenna
In some cases, it may be necessary to replace a damaged antenna, your
MF/HF antenna, for instance. The distress frequency on the MF band
is 2182 kHz. To find the correct length of the antenna wire, you have to
calculate a quarter of the total wavelength.
Example No.5:
Lambda =C
f
Lambda = 137.5 m
So, when replacing your damaged antenna, you can exchange it with a
wire antenna with a length of 34.4 metres.
When measured directly above a given point, solar radiation in the iono-
sphere is greatest at noon, while at night it is at a minimum. When the
radiation is removed, many of the free ions and electrons which were
ionized will recombine into neutral atoms. During the interval of time
between these conditions, the position and number of the ionized layers
within the ionosphere changes. Since the position of the sun varies with
respect to a specified point on earth daily, monthly, and yearly, the exact
characteristics of the layers are extreme y difficult to predict. However,
the following general statements can b made:
2.8 VHF
The
SUN
Distances:
The D-layer, 40-90 km from the Earth
TheE-layer, 90-145 km from the Earth
The F-layer, 145-400 km from the eart
Frequencies higher than 30 MHz are normally not refracted in the iono-
sphere, and the VHF radio waves follow the Earth's surface only to a
lesser extent.
VHF Communications
Direct Wave
TX./. ·---~
RX
< Reflected Wave
~~. ·., -
~-- ... ______ ,,.~;·
h1 ',
' / h2
/
EartflZ
2.9 MF
The medium wave band (MF) consists of frequencies between 1605 and
4000kHz.
This band is also called the coast telephony band.
The propagation of radio waves can be described in the following
way:
In the day time, the radio waves are propagated only along the surface
of the earth, as ground waves. The safe communication range is about
150 nautical miles, 280 km.
At night, the radio waves are more or less refracted by the E layer ofthe
ionosphere, and the range will increase considerably.
As previously mentioned, the intensity ofthe layers of the ionosphere is
dependent on the radiation of energy from the sun, therefore the iono-
sphere's refraction ability will vary from day to night time.
MF Communications
Reflected Wave
TX Ground Wave
During the day, the radio horizon is only approx. 150 nautical miles (Ground wave propagation).
At night reflections occur, and the range is increased.
2.10 HF
High frequency communication is based on the refraction of signals in
the F-layer of the ionosphere.
HF communication is also called sky wave communication.
Sky waves are those waves radiated from the transmitting antenna in a
direction that produces a large angle in relation to the Earth.
A sky-wave has the ability to strike the ionosphere, be refracted back to
the ground, strike the ground, be reflected back to the ionosphere, and
so on.
The refraction and reflecting action of the ionosphere and the ground is
called skipping.
An Introduction to GMDSS
The figure on the previous page shows the relationship between frequency
and refraction in the ionosphere, and different skip distances. The skip
distance is increased by a lower angle of radiation.
'' '~'
~'- \\
'I. -------Night '
'
,Q ' signals '
i\ \ '
-
", ~~~~~~;:~:;r--------~~------~·r-------------------
~7 - ~t.~:.:L;. .,~ I
6 Mhz ~ at lower angle of radiation / i
skip distance \ i I
(lower layer)
'\ .- .
•------~~.~_::::::::.::::::-;::=·--
.,~--T------.,,1
-t
Increased skip distance
6 Mhz skip distance at lower angle of radiation
(upper layer)
11 Skip distance is the shortest distance from the transmitter to the place where radio waves of a certain frequency
are reflected back to earth. ·
This antenna works with frequencies in the range of 1.5- 1.6 GHz.
The antenna framework and the power/control unit is protected by a
radom e.
deally, the antenna must have free visibility in all directions over an
ele ·on of 5 degrees.
Also, the ra e should be kept at least 5 meters away from the HF-
antenna, and 3 meters or more from magnetic compasses.
The radome should also be kept away from the rotating area of the radar
scanner, and heat and smoke from the funnel.
Requirements concerning antenna locations are provided by the «lnmarsat
·\
Guidelines» and IMO Res. A.608(15).
ABOVE DECK
EQUIPMENT
RADOME
lnmarsat-8 antennas
179.0
I COMRODAV6K
'
Marine VHF antenna
APPLICATION:
; The AV&K is a rugged high quality
i dipol antenna designed for the manne
iI VHF radio telephone service.
I
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICAliONS:
I
I Frequency range: 156-162 MHz. WSVR ::: 115
153-170 MHz. WSVR ::; 1:2
II Nominal impedance:
Power rating:
SO ohm
200W
Pattern: Horizontal plane: omnidirectional.
&1'1
Vertical plane: see reverse side
-...
N
Gain: 2 dbi
Polarization: Vertical
Connector: Nand UHF female are sdlndard.
DC-grounded: Yes
E:: MIN. • 30
MOUNTING:
The AV6K may be mounted to two welded brackets or clamped on to a mast or
post. Clamps of type AVC are included. Connector is protected by a plastic tube
with stuffing nut.
Suitable cable: RG8. RG213 or similar.
For more detailed mounting instructions. see data sheet no. 704·9.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency range: AR80: 0.15-30 MHz
ARSOT: with transformer T: 0.15-4 MHz
ARBOTH: with transformer TH: 1.6-30 MHz
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Polarization: Vertical
Electrical length: 7.4 m
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Design: Self-supporting fibreglass rod with bronze
armature for mounting and connection.
Height: 8m
Weight: 10.5 kg. including clamps
Sections: Base section: ARB40
Top section: APN1
Wind rating: 55 m/s
Moment of flexure: 75 kpm at 55 mts
Deflection due to wind load: 4.4m
Finish: Polyurethane lacquer, white
Temperature: -40°(, + 55°(
......;
MOUNTING:
The AR80 may be bolted to two welded brackets or clamp mounted on a post
or mast.
Clamps type ATC with bolts are supplied.
Suitable cable: RC8. RC213 or similar.
For more detailed unting instructions. see data sheet no. 704-59.
COMRODAR11
Distress frequency
receiving antenna
APPLICATION:
AR 11 is a coil-loaded receiving whip at the marine distress calling frequency
antenna especially developed for use 2182kHz.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Design: Self-supporting coil loaded fibreglass whip
with bronze armature for mounting and
connection. The helical coil is completely
enclosed in the laminate.
Height: 4.04m
I
Weight 2.6 kg, including hoops
Number of sections: 1
Ec ~
Deflection due to wind load:
Finish:
2.6 m
Polyurethane lacquer. white
I 70
MOUNTING:
AR11 is easily mounted to bulkhead by means of 4 boltholes in the bronze
bracket, or to a mast or tube with hoops. Hoops in stainless steel are mcluded.
Suitable cable: RG8. RG213 or similar.
Cable inlet: Pg 11.
COMRODAT 60
6m marine transmitting antenna
APPLICATION:
AT &0 is a high quality glassfibre
transmitting antenna for the marine
coastal and HF telephony bands. It
matches well all modem SSB marine
telephony transmitters.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICAnONS:
Frequency range: 1.&- 30 MHg
Power rating: 1.5 kw PEP
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Cl
Polarization: Vertical
Ql
Q/ Electrical length: 4.8m
PII
I
' MECHANICAL SPECIFICAnONS:
Design: Self-supporting fibre glass rod with bronze
II armature and hot dip galvanized mounting
hardware.
I
Height 6m
I Weight
Sections:
&.0 kg
Base section: ATB 30
Top section: APN 30
Wind rating: 55 m/s
Moment of flexure: 70 kgm at 55 m/s
Defection due to wind load: 3m
Finish: Polyurethane flame lacquer, white
Temperature: + 40"C, +5S"t
MOUNTING:
The AT &0 may be bolted to two welded brackets or clamp mounted on a post or
mast. Clamps type ATC with bolts are supplied. Suitable feeder:
0.& x 7 x 7 or 0.7 x 7 x 7 copperwire. .
For more detailed mounting instructions, see data sheet no. 703-145.
COMROD ATIOOD
10 m marine transmitting antenna
APPUCATION:
AT100D is a high quality glassfibre It matches well all modern SSB marine
transmitting antenna for the marine telephony transmitters.
coastal and HF telephony bands.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency range: 1.&-JOMHz
Power rating: 1.5 kW PEP
Impedance: See reverse side
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Polarization: Vertical
"
Electrical length: 10m
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Design: Self-supporting fibreglass rod with bronze
armature and epoxy insulated feeding point
Height: 10m
Weight: 18.9 kg
Sections: Base section: ATBSO
Top section: APBSO
Wind rating: 55 m/S
Moment of flexure: 275 kpm at 55 m/s
Deflection due to wind load: S.Om
Finish: Polyurethane lacquer, white
Temperature: -40°C, + 55°C
MOUNTING:
The AT1000 is well suited for mounting on top of the radio cabin. If the feeding
insulator is not long enough, extensions are availab~.
The flange holes are matched to M12 bolts. For more detailed mounting
instructions, see data sheet. no. 704-146.
all
11111111/- ~"'--···_j
2 Bhotesal~
CHAPTER 3
The licence, or a copy of it, must always be found on board the ship so
that it can be inspected by any authorities that are entitled to do so.
All cargo and passenger ships obliged to be fitted with radio stations in
accordance with the SOLAS Convention must have a CARGO SHIP
SAFETY RADIO CERTIFICATE.
The certificate is normally valid for maximum one year from the date of
issue, and must be renewed every year.
(d) The List of Call Signs and SPitions' Numerical Identities used by the
Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile Service (ITU)
(e) The List of Coast Stations (ITU)
(f) The List of Ship Stations (ITU)
(g) The List ofRadiodetermination and Special Service Stations (ITU)
(h) The manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile" and Maritime Mobile-
Satellite Services (ITU).
3. 9 Radio Log
The radio log, as required by the SOLAS Convention, must be kept to-
gether with the radio and must be written in accordance with the details
required by the Radio Regulations and guidelines.
The frequencies on the VHF-band are used for short distance commu-
nication, and are less exposed to interference and distortion than the
MF-band.
The international frequency list includes both simplex and duplex chan-
nels, numbered from 01 to 28, and from 60 to 88 with a channel separa-
tion of 25 kHz.
As a general rule, ships calling coast stations should make the call on
the available working channel whenever possible.
Before calling, the ship must listen to the working channel to make sure
that there is no traffic taking place.
Consult the ITU "List of Coast Stations" for further information.
Example call:
Refer to the "List of Coast Stations 21st edition- 2008".
If the ship's position is outside Karlskrona in Sweden and the ship is
within VHF range, the call must take place on VHF channel 81.
Example:
STOCKHOLM RADIO STOCKHOLM RADIO
THIS IS
PIONEER PIONEER CALLSIGN ELPU9
CHANNELS!
TRAFFIC ON HAND
OVER
Example:
FINISTERRE RADIO FINISTERRE RADIO
THIS IS
PIONEER PIONEER CALLSIGN ELPU9
CHANNEL 16
TELEPHONE CALL
OVER
60 156.025 160.625 x. X
01 156.050 160.650 X X
61 156.075 160.675 X X
02 156.100 160.700 X X
62 156.125 160.725 X X
03 156.150 160.750 X X
63 156.175 160.775 X X
04 156.200 160.800 X X
64 156.225 160.825 X X
05 156.250 160.850 X X
65 156.275 .160.875 X X
06 156.300 X
66 156.325 .· 160.925 X X
07 156.350 160.950 X X
67 156.375 156;375 X X
08 156.400 X
68 156.425 156.425 X
09 156.450 156.450 X X
69 156.475 156.475 X X
10 156.500 156.500 X X
70 156.525 156.525 Digital Selective Calling for distress, safety and calling_
11 156.550 156.550 X
71 156.575 156:575 X
12 156.600 156;600 X
72 156.625 X
13 156.650 156.650 X X
73 156.675 156.675 X X '
14 156;700 156.700 X
74 156.725 156.725 X
15 156.750 156.750 X X
75 -156.775 X
16 156.800 156.800 Distress, safetv and callin!l
i"'.
76. 156.825 X
17
.. :.
156.850 156.850 x X
77 156.875 X
18 156.900 161.500 X X X
78 156.925 161.525 X X
19 156.950 161.550 X X
79 156.975 161.575 X X
20 157.000 161.600 X X
80 157.025 161.625 X X
21 157.050 161.650 X X
81 157.075 161.675 X X
22 157.100 161.700 X X
82 157.125 161.725 X X -0 X
23 157.150 161.750 X X
83 157.175 161.775 X X X
24 157.200 161.800 X X
84 157.225 161.825 X X X
25 157.250 161.850 X X
85 157.275 161.875 X X X
26 157.300 161.900 -•·- X- X
86 157.325 161.925 X X X
27 157.350 16'1.950 X X
87 ~ 157,375 X
28 157.400 162.000 X X
88 157.425 . .X .·
Ship stations within range of VHF coast stations should, wherever pos-
sible, keep listening watch on channel 16.
Ship stations equipped only with VHF installations, SHALL KEEP
LISTENING WATCH ON CHANNEL 16, when the ship is at sea.
The traffic lists are transmitted at fixed times on the primary working
channels. This information is found in the "List of Coast Stations"
The coast station announces its traffic lists on VHF channel16, in the
following way:
Example:
- ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS
-THIS IS
- ROGALAND RADIO ROGALAND RADIO ROGALAND RADIO
- LISTEN FOR MY TRAFFIC LIST ON VHF WORKING FREQUEN-
CIES
.l
An Introduction to GMDSS
Example call:
With reference to the "List of Coast Stations" 21st edition, 2008. (
··~
When contact is established, Port Said Radio will announce its working
frequency, and both stations will continue further traffic on the working
frequencies.
3.15 HF telephony
Only emission class BE should be used on the short wave bands be-
tween 4000-27000 kHz. Ship stations may generally use the following
HF frequencies (duplex) to call coast stations:
Example call
With reference to to the List of Coast of Stations 21th edition, 2008.
Pioneer:
- VALPARASIO RADIO VALPARAISO RADIO VALPARASIO RADIO
-THIS IS
- PIONEER PIONEER PIONEER CALLSIGN ELPU9
- CHANNEL 821
1
An Introduction to GMDSS
- TRAFFIC ON HAND
-OVER
Valparasio Radio:
- PIONEER PIONEER
-THIS IS
- VALPARASIO RADIO VALPARASIO RADIO
-ROGER READ YOU FIVE
- CHANGE TO HF CHANNEL 815
- STAND BY YOUR ARE NUMBER TWO IN TRAFFIC
-OVER
Pioneer:
- VALPARASIO RADIO
-THIS IS
-PIONEER
-ROGER
- STANDINGBYONHF CHANNEL 815
The coast stations' short wave frequencies are assigned to several coun-
tries collectively. This means that interruptions/interference from other
coast stations may occur from time to time.
Example:
'
'\
7!
60
40
30
20'
o·
40'
60'
f! 1so· . 1-to· 12o· too· eo· 6o· 40' 20' o· :>()' 40' 60' eo· IOQ' 120· uo· 1so·
1
An Introduction to GMDSS
CHAPTER4
The two most commonly used are VHF channel 16 and MF 2182 kHz.
In distress situations, speech and radiotelephony must be as slow and clear
as possible. If language problems should occur, the phonetic alphabet
and the "International Signalbook 1969" can be used.
This frequency may be used for distress calls and distress traffic, urgency
signals and urgency messages, and the safety signal.
Otherwise, the 2182 kHz frequency can be used for calling and replying
to calls.
The distress call and message shall only be transmitted on the author-
ity of the master or the person responsible for the ship, aircraft or other
vehicle carrying the mobile station or ship-earth station.
The radiotelephone distress signal consists of the word MAYDAY a
derivative of the French word "M' AIDER".
The distress signal indicates that a ship, aircraft or other vehicle is
threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate as-
sistance.
Example
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
THIS IS
STOLT EGRET STOLT EGRET STOLT EGRET CALLSIGN LAP04
MMSI 257501000
As a general rule, the ship shall signal its position in latitude and lon-
gitude, using figures for degrees and minutes, together with one of the
Example:
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
THIS IS
STOLT EGRET STOLT EGRET STOLT EGRET CALLSIGN LAP04
MMSI 257501000
(brief pause)
MAYDAY
STOLT EGRET CALLSIGN LAP04 MMSI 257501000
IN POSITION 09.15 SOUTH 102.10 WEST
20 DEGREES LISTING TO PORT SIDE
DANGER OF CAPZISING
NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
15-CREWMEMBERS
THE WEATHER IS NORTHWEST GALE 8
RAINSHOWERS VISIBILITY ABOUT 5 NAUTICAL MILES
MAYDAY
- the call sign or other identification of the station sending the distress
message, spoken three times
- the word THIS IS (or DE, pronounced as DELTA ECHO in case of
language difficulties)
- the call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging re-
ceipt, spoken three times
- the words RECEIVED (or RRR pronounced as ROMEO ROMEO
ROMEO) in case oflanguage difficulties
- the distress signal MAYDAY
Example:
MAYDAY
STOLT EGRET STOLT EGRET STOLT EGRET LAP04 MMSI
257501000
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER LAN02
RECEIVED MAYDAY
An Introduction to GMDSS
Example:
-MAYDAY
-ALL STATIONS
- SEELONCE MAYDAY
Wherever necessary, any maritime mobile service station near the ship,
aircraft or other vessel in distress, may impose silence. This is done in
the following way:
Example:
-MAYDAY
-ALL STATIONS
- SEELONCE DISTRESS
-THIS IS
- OWN CALLSIGN OR IDENTIFICATION
-MAYDAY
-ALL STATIONS, sent three times
-THIS IS
- the call sign or other identification of the station sending the message
- the time the message was submitted
- the name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress
- the words SEELONCE FEENEE
(
-~
Example:
MAYDAY
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER LAN02
TIME 1530 UTC
STOLT EGRET LAP02
SEELONCE FEENEE
1
l
An Introduction to GMDSS
Example:
MAYDAY RELAY MAYDAY RELAY MAYDAY RELAY
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER CALL-
SIGN LAN02 MMSI 257555000
FOLLOWING RECEIVED FROM STOLT EGRET CALLSIGN
LAP02MMSI2573330000NVHFCHANNEL 16TIME 1615UTC:
MAYDAY
STOLT EGRET LAP02 MMSI 257333000
POSITION09.15 SOUTH 012.10WESTTIME 1235 UTC
20 DEGREES LISTING TO PORT SIDE
NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
15 CREWMEMBERS
THE WEATHER IS NORTHWEST GALE FORCE 8
VISIBILITY ABOUT 5 NAUTICAL MILES
CHAPTERS
URGENCY TRANSMISSIONS
The urgency signal shall be sent only on the authority of the master or
the person responsible for the ship, aircraft or other vehicle carrying the
mobile station or mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite
service.
The urgency signal indicates that the calling station has a very urgent
message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft or other
vehicle, or the safety of a person.
The urgency signal and the message following it, shall be transmitted
on one or more of the international distress frequencies. However, in the
case of a long message or a medical call, or in areas with heavy traffic,
maritime mobile service messages shall be transmitted on a working
frequency.
The urgency signal shall have priority over all other communication,
with the exception of distress.
All stations hearing the urgency signal shall take care not to interfere
with the transmission of the message which follows it.
Mobile stations hearing the urgency signal shall continue to listen for at
least three minutes.
At the end of this period, if no urgency message has been heard, a land sta-
tion should, if possible, be notified of the receipt of the urgency signal.
When the urgency signal has been sent prior to transmitting a message
to "all stations" calling for action by the station receiving the message,
the station responsible for its transmission shall cancel it as soon as it
knows that action is no longer necessary.
Such a message of cancellation shall likewise be addressed to "all sta-
tions".
'
'\
Example:
The "BRUNITA" LKFE has lost a man over board at position 55.10 N,
018.10 E.
The call will take place on VHF channel 16
If the person is found, the "BRUNITA" must cancel her PAN message:
Example:
PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN
ROGALAND RADIO ROGALAND RADIO ROGALAND RADIO
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER, BERGE MASTER, BERGE MASTER, LAN02
MEDICO
CHANNEL260VER
SAFETY TRANSMISSIONS
6.1 Safety signals and messages
In radiotelephony, the safety signal consists of the word SECURITE
pronounced clearly as in French. The safety signal shall be repeated
three times before the call.
The safety signal indicates that the station is about to transmit a message
containing an important navigational or meteorological warning.
The navigational warning signal, the safety signal and the call, shall be
transmitted on one of the international distress frequencies.
·The safety message which follows the call should be sent on a working
frequency. A suitable announcement to this effect shall be made at the
end of the call.
Example:
- SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE
- ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS
- THIS IS
- ROGALAND RADIO ROGALAND RADIO ROGALAND RADIO
- LISTEN FOR NAVIGATIONAL WARNING ON VHF WORKING
CHANNELS
'
·~
An Introduction to GMDSS
CHAPTER7
The DSC control unit is able to monitor/keep watch on all DSC frequen-
cies allocated for distress and safety purposes. When a coast station or a
ship receives a DSC distress alert, a display or printout of the message
will be produced including notification that distress communication
will follow on the radiotelephony/radiotelex frequencies allocated for
distress and safety purposes. In addition to the printout of the message,
an audible/visual alarm will be activated to attract the attention of the
operator.
7.2 DSC
DSC is a system used for calling:
- a particular ship
- a particular coast station
- a group of ships (within a certain geographical area)
-all ships
- VHFDSC
All GMDSS ships must be fitted with VHF DSC channel 70 for distress
and safety calls from ship to ship.
In sea area Al, ships must also be able to execute distress and safety
calls to a coast station.
-MFDSC
All GMDSS ships sailing in sea areas A2, A3 and A4, must be fitted to
accommodate the 2187.5 kHz frequency for distress and safety calls
from ship to ship.
In sea area A2, the ship must be able to execute distress and safety calls
between ship and coast station.
-HFDSC
GMDSS ships sailing in sea areaA4, and those without Inmarsat terminals
sailing in sea area A3, must be equipped with DSC for VHF and MF.
In addition the ship must be equipped with HF DSC for distress and
safety calls between ship and coast station.
Message
1
Message
2
Message
3
Message
4
?~·· >
~
< End of
·~ sequence
Error check
character
>
>
Message 3: Message 3 provides the point in time when the position was
correct. It is given in UTC time by means of four digits.
- Digits 1 and 2 denote HOURS
- Digits 3 and 4 denote MINUTES
NOTE: If the point in time is not stated, the digit "8" is transmitted 4
times.
1
l
An Introduction to GMDSS
The current status of MID allocations is found in the ITU "Manual for
use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services".
The MID group is followed by 6 digits, where the last digit is always
"0" (zero).
For most larger ships, the three last digits are zeroes.
Inmarsat-B: 3MIDXXXZZ
Inmarsat-C: 4MIDXXXZZ
lnmarsat-M: 6MIDXXXZZ
Above, we have seen that the MMSI number consists of9 digits and that
we also distinguish between three different call identities.
I
·~
An Introduction to GMDSS
CHAPTERS
8.1 Distress
A distress alert should be transmitted if, in the opinion of the Master, the
ship or a person is in distress and requires immediate assistance.
A DSC distress alert should as far as possible include the ship's last
known position and the time (in UTC) when it was valid.
The position and the time may be included automatically by the ship's
navigational equipment or may be inserted manually:
- tune the transmitter to the DSC distress channel (2187.5 kHz on MF,
channel 70 on VHF (see Note 1)).
- prepare for the subsequent distress traffic by tuning the transmitter and
the radiotelephony receiver to the distress traffic channel in the same
band, i.e. 2182 kHz on MF, channel16 on VHF, while waiting for the I
DSC distress acknowledgement.
NOTE 1- Some maritime MF radiotelephony transmitters shall be tuned to a frequency 1700Hz lower than
2187.5 kHz, i.e. 2185.8 kHz, in order to transmit the DSC distress alert on 2187.5 kHz;
Ships receiving a DSC distress alert from another ship should also defer
the acknowledgement of the distress alert by radiotelephony for a short
interval, if the ship is within an area covered by one or more coast sta-
tions, in order to give the coast station time to acknowledge the DSC
distress alert first.
-"MAYDAY",
- the 9-:digit identity of the ship in distress, repeated 3 times,
- "this is",
- the 9-digit identity or the call sign or other identification of own ship,
repeated 3 times,
-"RECEIVED MAYDAY".
- "MAYDAY",
- "this is",
- the 9-digit identity and the call sign or other identification of the
ship,
- the ship in distress is not itself able to transmit the distress alert,
- the Master of the ship considers that further help is necessary.
-tune the transmitter to the DSC distress channel (2187.5 kHz on MF,
channel 70 on VHF),
- sele ct the distress relay call format on the DSC equipment,
- key in or select on the DSC equipment keyboard:
- All Ships Call (VHF). Geographic Area Call (MF /HF) or the 9-digit
identity of the appropriate coast station,
- the 9-digit identity of the ship in distress, ifknown,
- the nature of distress,
- the latest position of the ship in distress, if known,
- the time (in UTC) the position was valid (if known),
- type of subsequent distress communication (telephony);
- transmit the DSC distress relay call;
- prepare for the subsequent distress traffic by tuning the transmitter and
the radiotelephony receiver to the distr~ss traffic channel in the same
band, i.e. 2182 kHz on MF and channel16 on VHF, while waiting for
the DSC distress acknowledgement.
same band in which the relay call was received, i.e. 2182 kHz on MF,
channel 16 on VHF.
- "MAYDAY" RELAY,
- the 9-digit identity or the call sign or other identification ofthe ca11ing
coast station,
- "this is",
- the 9-digit identity or call sign or other identification of own ship,
- "RECEIVED MAYDAY RELAY".
8.1.7.1
Immediately cancel the distress alert aurally over the telephony distress
traffic channel associated with each DSC channel on which the "distress
alert" was transmitted.
8.1.7.2
Monitor the telephony distress traffic channel associated with the DSC
channel on which the distress was transmitted, and respond to any com-
munications concerning that distress alert as appropriate.
8.2 Urgency
Announcement:
- tune the transmitter to the DSC distress calling channel (2187 .5 kHz
on MF, channel 70 on VHF);
- select the appropriate calling format on the DSC equipment (all ships
(VHF only), geographical area (MFIHF only) or individual);
---:- key in or select on the DSC equipment keyboard:
- specific area or 9-digit identity of the specific station, if appropriate,
- the category of the call (urgency),
- the frequency or channel on which the urgency message will be trans-
mitted,
- the type of communication in which the urgency message will be given
(radiotelephony), in accordance with the DSC equipment manufactur-
er's instructions;
- transmit the DSC urgency call.
8.3 Safety
The DSC safety call may be addressed to all ships (VHF only), ships in
a specific geographical area (MF/HF only), or to a specific station.
Announcement:
. .:. . tune the transmitter to the DSC distress calling channel (2187 .5 kHz
on MF, channel 70 on VHF);
- select the appropriate calling format on the DSC equipment (all ships
(VHF only), geographical area (MF/HF only), or individual);
- key in or select on the DSC equipment keyboard:
- specific area or 9-digit identity of specific station, if appropriate,
- the category ofthe call (safety),
- the frequency or channel on which the safety message will be trans-
mitted,
- the type of communication in which the safety message will be given
(radiotelephony),
8.4.1.1 VHF
The VHF DSC channel 70 is used for DSC for distress and safety pur-
poses as well as for DSC for public correspondence.
8.4.1.1 MF
International and national DSC channels separate from the DSC distress
and safety calling channel2187 .5 kHz are used for digital selective-call-
ing on MF for public correspondence.
The frequency 2177 kHz is also used for DSC between ships for general
communication.
It will normally rest with the ship to call again a little later in case the
acknowledgement from the coast station indicates that the coast station
is not able to receive the traffic immediately.
Testing on the exclusive DSC distress and safety calling frequency 2187.5
kHz should be avoided as far as possible by using other methods.
- tune the transmitter to the DSC distress and safety calling frequency
(i.e. channel 70 and 2187.5 kHz),
- key in or select the format for the test call on the DSC equipment in
accordance with the DSC equipment manufacturer's instructions,
- key in the 9-digit identity of the station to be ~ailed,
- transmit the DSC call after checking as far as possible that no calls
are in progress on the frequency,
- wait for acknowledgement.
General
The procedures for DSC communication on HF are- with some additions
described in section 8.6.1 to 8.6.3 below- equal to the corresponding
procedures for DSC communications on MF NHF.
Due regard to the special conditions described in section 8.6.1 to 8.6.3
should be given when making DSC communications on HF.
8.6.1 Distress
DSC distress alert should be sent to coast stations- e.g. inA3 andA4 sea
areas on HF- and on MF and/or VHF to other ships in the vicinity.
The DSC distress alert should as far as possible include the ship's last
known position and the time (in UTC) it was valid. If the position and
time is not inserted automatically from the ship's navigational equipment,
it should be inserted manually.
I'
Ship-to-shore distress alert
Choice of HF band
Propagation characteristics ofHF radio waves for the actual season and
time of the day should be taken into- account when choosing HF bands
for transmission of DSC distress alert.
As a general rule the DSC distress channel in the 8 MHz maritime band
(8414.5 kHz) may in many cases be an appropriate first choice.
Transmission of the DSC distress alert in more than one HF band will
normally increase the probability of successful reception of the alert by
coast stations.
a) either by transmitting the DSC distress alert on one HF band, and wait-
ing a few minutes for receiving acknowledgement by a coast station;
After having transmitted the DSC distress alert on appropriate DSC dis-
tress channels (HF, MF and/or VHF), prepare for the subsequent distress
traffic by tuning the radiocommunication set(s) (HF, MF and/or VHF as
appropriate) to the corresponding distress traffic channel(s).
NOTE 1 -Ship-to-ship distress alert should normally be made on MF and/or VHF, using the procedures for
transmission ofDSC distress alert on MFIVHF described in section 8.1.1.
NOTE 2 - Some maritime HF transmitters shall be tuned to a frequency 1700 Hz lower than the DSC fre-
quencies given above in order to transmit the DSC distress alert on the correct frequency.
HF(kHz):
Telephony 4125 6215 8291 12290 16420
Telex 4177.5 6268 8376.5 12520 16695
MF(kHz):
Telephony 2182
Telex 217 4.5
The following procedures shall be used in cases where the distress traffic
on MF /HF is carried out by radiotelex:
- if telex mode was indicated in the DSC distress alert, the HF radio-
communication set should be tuned to the radiotelex distress traffic
channel in the HF band concerned.
-. if the DSC distress alert was received on more than one HF band, the
radiocommunication set should be tuned to the relevant distress traf-
fic channel in the HF band considered to be the best one in the actual
case. If the DSC distress alert was received successfully on the 8 MHz
band, this band may in many cases be an appropriate first choice;
8.6.1 Urgency
Transmission of urgency messages on I:IF should normally be ad-
dressed:
8.6.3 Safety
The procedures for transmission of DSC safety announcement and for
transmission of the safety message are the same as for urgency messages,
described in section 8.6.2.2, except that:
2. You receive the same distress alerting on MF. Answer the same
question asked in number 1.
4. You are receiving a DSC Distress Relay Alert from a coast station
on DSC frequency 12577.0 kHz. How should you act in accordance
with DSC operational procedures?
5. When are you supposed to relay a DSC alert?
6. You are preparing for a DSC urgency message on VHF. On which
channel will you announce the message, and on which channel will
you transmit the subsequent PAN message?
kHz kHz
2187.5 2187.5
1624.5 2159.5
2177.0 2189.5
On which channel/frequency will you call Lyngby Radio when using
DSC?
12. You have called a coast station twice within the last 5 minutes
without a reply (routine call). What procedure should you follow if
calling again?
13. Are "test transmissions" allowed on 2187.5 kHz? If yes, how should
you proceed?
'
'\
~
"'
ACTIONS BY SHIPS UPON RECEPTION OF VHF I MF DSC DISTRESS ALERT
H ,"'::r-·
DSC
DISTRESSALERT
LISTEN ON
HFCH1612!82kHI •<
,c"' )>
IS RECEIVED FOR S MIN
0
:I
;;
n
-
::3
::3
g-
0
RESET
ACKNOWLEDGE
THE ALBRT BY
RADIOTELEPHONY
,..-·
~
g.
n
SYSTEM
0 THB SHIP IN DISTRESS 0 Q'
ON VHF CH 16!2182 kHz """
< a·
@
..,
0
(f)
NO
_ __.._ _.. Note l ...
:::c
..........
::3
0
0
m
5
_z
ENTER
DETAILS INFORM ...a
3:
~
IN LOG CSAND
~
!=' ORRCC
c
::::>
"'s. "'na. 0
~
"'~-·
:::r
0
~
~ REMARKS:
""C
:::r Note I : Appropriate or relevant RCC and/or Coast Station shall be informed accordingly. If further DSC alerts are received from the same source and the
l.
::::>
ship in distress is beyond doubt in the vicinity, a DSC acknowledgement may, after consultation with an RCC or Coast Station, be sent to
terminate the call.
"'"'121
-
<C
Q
a; Note 2 : In no case is a ship permitted to transmit a DSC distress relay call on receipt of a DSC distress alert on either VHF channel 70 or MF channel 2187.5 kHz.
~
""C
~
@
-·:s~
"
~
m
a COMSAR/Circ.25
0
_z 0
ANNEX
,~
c
::>
Page4 FLOW DIAGRAM 2
"'
!1
"'E<
:::>"
,"':::r-·
Q
u;·
2l.
ACTIONS BY SHIPS UPON RECEPTION OF HF DSC DISTRESS ALERT
-g.
§
~-
::>
<0
HFDSC
LISTEN ON
ASSOCIATED RTF
ORNBOP
TRANSMIT DISTRJ:!:SS
RELAY ON HF TO
COAST STATLON
,"'c )>
::3
.
Q DISTRESS ALERT
til
""0
g_
c:
u
IS RECEIVED
CHANNEL(S)
FORSMIN
AND INFORM RCC 0
:I :r
g-
§r A
n 0
,-·
""0
a
:::>"
a'
A Q.
~ c:
HF DSC RTF AND NBDP CHANNELS (kHz)
RESET CONTACT RCC VIA ""' n
MOST EFFICIENT 0
..... Q'
DSC RTF NBDP SYSTEM
a·
4207.5 4125 4177.5
ABLE-TO
ASSIST?
MEDiUM TO OFFER
ASSISTANCE ...:::cc ::3
6312.0
8414.5
6215
8291
6268
8376.5 0
12577.0 12290 12520
ENTER
NO
"'
n C)
16804.5
a.
"';;""'-·
16420 16695
~
DETAILS
J:N LOG
0
~
REMARKS:
"'"'AI
NOTE I: If it is clear the ship or persons in distress are not in the vicinity and/or other crafts are better placed to assist, superflous communications which could
interfere with search and rescue activities are to be avoided. Details should be recorded in the appropriate logbook.
-
A
::1.
NOTE 2: The ship should establish communications with the station controlling the distress as directed and render such assistance as required and appropriate.
..r--
~-
-~
~
An Introduction to GMDSS
CHAPTER 9
INMARSAT
9.1 Introduction
Satellite communication facilities are provided by the International Mari-
time Satellite Organization, Inmarsat. The organization was founded on
September 3, 1976, and today numbers 86 member countries, with more
countries in the process of joining.
In 1982 the first Inmarsat system was introduced into global commercial
operation.
Ocean Region
Telex Telefon
Automatic routing to ocean region:
lnmarsat-B 580 870 (system finds correct ocean region)
lnmarsat-C 580 (system finds correct ocean region)
lnmarsat-M 870 (system finds correct ocean region)
Fleet F77 580 870 (system finds correct ocean region)
Mobic(mini-M) 870 (system finds correct ocean region)
NOTE!
Particular care should be taken in selecting CESs in areas where Ocean
Regions overlap. In western waters, there are three Ocean ,Regions,
AORE, AORW and lOR that do actually overlap.
178'E
/
/
/
/
I
I '\
I \
I \
I \
\
'
'
' :i
''
...
1s.s·w
The lnmarsat system includes four satellites in geostationary orbit.
The figure shows distance from satellite to Earth.
Before an Inmarsat SES can be used in the Inmarsat system, it must have
been properly installed and commissioned. Only after successful com-
missioning will Inmarsat permit the SES to access the system.
Inmarsat-B 3MIDXXXZZ
Inmarsat-C 4MIDXXXZZ
Inmarsat-M 6MIDXXXZZ
9.8.3 Decommissioning
If an Inmarsat terminal is to be sold after initial commissioning, or as
previously mentioned after change of flag, the terminal has to be de-
commissioned. This means that the terminal is taken out of the Inmarsat
system and then recommissioned i.e. re-entered into the system with a
new identity.
ADE It is highly recommended that one should keep clear of the SES an-
tenna.
When theSES is being used to send or receive a call, the antenna transmits
a powerful electro-magnetic field towards the satellite. This field, in the
vicinity of the antenna, could be harmful, and it is therefore important
always to keep at a safe distance from the antenna.
lnmarsat-C 1M
E
• 1~
tl)
co
c:i
?Kg
0.20m
Above Deck
Above Deck
Below Deck
3kg ~
-~
PC
NB: Actual sizes, weights and service configurations vary between models.
Today, new terminals are fitted with automatic antenna scanning, allow-
ing the equipment to automatically search for and find the TDM signal
from the satellite, thereby eliminating the need for manual input of the
azimuth and elevation angles for antenna pointing. Even if the signal is
temporarily blocked, (mast, stack, etc.) the system will automatically
recover.
N
11° ---4---+-----+---
,-
1
I
I
go
Example 09.40N
09° 40' N 106° 10' E and 106.10E
I I
I
[
'I
Example:
38° elevation
LONGITUDE
~
100W SOW 60W 40W 20W 0 20E 40E 60E OOE 100E 120 e 140E 160E 180 160W 140W 120W 100W BOW sow 40W 20W 0 20E
BON
-·
3
c )>
!f
60 N f.~:-~·~~··:;·,,~,:..·~u.·i~i::i · :~ · · · !. · t-': · · !···k .. ;U'· )J,;~~::'\-.ih:/'•_rf~N... _!il_~~,f,l!•iv!•Y!i· ,, .~ ,·,.• :~~.:.-.. •.~. ~(}:.y~:.'.;.-:~'\.:;<!i·~-":"."':~. · ·+···! .~."':~"j::;./J."!.~.:.~~-t:J;~;~.~;,;..}/JII[~~·t;:t_,.{!~~:.·_: -: · .l~!l:~\i"':-:-· · !····j-:>··i:· · ·i····,r,- ···t· ~-_:/·"\;.~~~ ·";,'!!;'-~] 60 N
Dl
-
:l
r·1·· · · ·.., ·r
::I :l
40 N t'i?'r. ;:£~ l:~_;_,l/l-i.- ... -...\- -i·-~: ····'r··;•_ -- \ ---~- ~---.;Ji,:..i4""-:t'~~~~~~t7~_;,v;{l.:">i:. ~_:.;~\:~;.::;.;;.-J:l -1~-- .•1. =· ';; :-~..f -I ~-j~~--?-.~·\~_;;~,--\~~:;......-\ ....!J.----':-·--~-...J,~l----'1··--·-i----i-~-~·-t---·-l--·¥:-~.;~.ff,::'-~'~9f~~l·J-·:1:\: ~,1:~-:-~-----~ --·>;'"·i· . . -: +·f----l--.. .k-- -~r~,:~~+~r---~~\ -'~~~~1 40 N
-
u:a g-
... ·T ·- ·· · · . , .. · -····s···-·r· ··l · ···· · ·
~
0
. ..,., ......,....,. ,.. '• ....., ..., ,.. · -......... _,, ' ., .,.... ' ·~·. ·"'i" ··~·· .. ···~ , ..... ,.. ' ,., .. ,,_, ..........,. .. "'" '· •. ,,. ""''' ......, ...... ,..,..,.,,.... -... ... . "
~- ,
3 Q.
~
:'T . h 'h ' •. ~.:·., >;';>-
0
Vi·
CD
100W sow 60W 40W 20W 0 20E 40E 60E 80E 100 E 120E 140E 160E 1BO 160W 140W 120W 100W SOW 60W 40W 20W 0 20E
a.
-o
:::r
s
0
0
-o
'<
::r
<C
I Atlantic Ocean East Region
AOR-E
Indian Ocean Region
lOR
Pacific Ocean Region
POR
Atlantic Ocean West Region
AOR-W
Q
a;
-o
aa.
h
a·
:::>
a
:::r
5'
~
!"'-
~
An Introduction to GMDSS
Inmarsat Fleet Fn
Ocean Region
Land Earth Station Operator Country
AOR-E AOR-W lOR POR
BeijingMCN China 868 868 868 868
France Telecom France Oil Oil Oil Oil
KDDI Japan 003 003 003 003
Korea Telecom South Korea 006 006 006 006
Malaysia Telekom (Virtual) Malaysia 060 060 060 060
Ministere des Posts et
Algeria 777
Telecommunications
OTE Greece 005 005 005 005
Singapore Telecom Singapore 210 210 210 210
Stratos Global (Goonhilly LES) United Kingdom 002
Stratos Global (Burum LES) Netherlands 002 002
Stratos Global (Auckland LES) New Zealand 002
Stratos Global (Burum LES) Netherlands 012 012 012 012
Stratos Global (Perth LES) Australia 022
Telecom Italia Italy 555 555 555
Telenor Satellite Services AS Norway 004 004 004 004
Telenor Satellite Services Inc. USA 001 001 001/405 001
VSNL India 306
BeijingMCN China
AOR-E AOR-W lOR
868
. POR
868
France Telecom France 011 011 011 011
KDDI Japan 003 003 003 003
Korea Telecom South Korea 006 006
Stratos Global (Goonhilly LES) United Kingdom 002
Stratos Global (Burum LES) 002 002
Stratos Global (Auckland LES) New Zealand 002
Stratos Global (Burum LES) Netherlands 012 012 012 012
Stratos Global (Perth LES) Australia 022
Telecom Italia Italy 555 555 555
Telenor Satellite Services AS Norway 004 004 004 004
Telenor Satellite Services Inc. USA 001 001 0011405 001
1B:Y 160'' 140" 1 2C" 100~ ao~ 60"' 4o~ 20~ O' z:y 40'' oo~ ao~ 100~ 120~ 140' 1oo· 180"
Glob;dB<JamCoveragG
Pocific Ocean Reg•on
G!ob;tl O.am S•rvk<lt
f~t
ISDN
77 voke, ~ .. ~. Mf>OS. b4kt>p§ D ~= ~;~~1:;~~~N
rl«>t 55t"-'<.ISDN, Mf'DS, 31Khz;.cNoo
D ~=n~~:Milfitime
Coverag•Area
~ Atl~ntK O<::eion Region-We~t Flet>!5S,33.vok~ fleat33fM.9.6kbpsC~a.MPDS All spot iwarn $~r•icH
- Atlanti<;: Oc•:<<ln Region-Eost ls ..tM2\4 MiniM:a!lservic:esl
- Indian Oce<~n Region lntnil'~·•t !l (,lil
J.,mJM"t M ~<>11
lnmarsatC\allw"Vices)
~Nvic( s)
~o:;rvio..'S/ ')))
lnmarsatDJ.( .. i!saNi~as)
inmarsat.com inmarsat
I
··;
Chapter 10
INMARSAT-FLEET F77
1 0.1 Introduction
For over 25 years, Inmarsat has supplied global, mobile communications
to the maritime sector, and today the company is very well established,
providing over 99% ofall maritime communications .
In response to the ever increasing need for computer-based, cost-effective
and secure communications systems at sea, lnmarsat has developed a
completely new service: INMARSAT Fleet. The Inmarsat Fleet system
is designed to provide satellite-based telephony and data communication
to maritime users.
The increasing complexity of the shipping industry, together with
mounting demands on crew and passenger welfare, has led to an increas-
ing need for secure, cost-effective communications systems at sea. In
order to meet these ever increasing needs, lnmarsat has developed advan-
ced computer solutions (Fleet F77, Fleet F55 and Fleet F33) that deliver
content-rich data and communications solutions to ships of all sizes.
lnternetllntranet
MAYDAY
THIS IS
SHIPS NAME /CALLSIGNIINMARSAT MOBILE NUMBER
POSITION (LATITUDE/LONGITUDE)
NATURE OF DISTRESS
ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
ANY OTHER INFORMATION
(EXAMPLE PERSONS ON BOARD)
Do not abort the call, maintain connection with the RCC as long as
possible.
Tl T2 XI X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7
The number 60 identifies the following service: 56/64 or 128 kbps data
communication.
The number 76 identifies the following services: telephony and 9.6 kbps
fax, and data communication.
6. You have a sick person onboard. How will you seek medical advice
using telephony with the help of the terminal?
·\
CHAPTER 11
INMARSAT-C
11.1 Introduction
To complement the Inmarssat-A system, the Inmarsat-C system was
introduced in 1991. This system provides low-cost global communica-
tion, using a small lightweight terminal. The system also provides a wide
range of communication services, including two-way store and forward
messaging, distress alerting, BGC broadcasting and data reporting, poll-
ing and SCADA.
The Inmarsat-C system also complies with the GMDSS , and has be-
come a mandatory requirement for passenger ships and merchant ships
greater than 300 gross tonnes that makes international voyages. The
total number of maritime lnmarsat-C terminals in the world today is in
excess of 60,000 units.
The basic technique used for sending a message via Inmarsat-C is called
store-and-forward messaging. This means that the messages to or from
ships are received and stored at the CBS before being automatically
transmitted to a ship or to a telex/datapak/facsimile subscriber. There is
no direct connection between the ship and the called subscriber.
i
I
I
-I
·I
.I
lnmarsat -C Ship Earth Station
Personal 1
Digital
Computer I data
lnmarsat-C
CES Telephone
landllnes
-
Output devices
:
DTE DCE
Private
landlines
Leased or
public
land lines
Private
networks
RCC
(controlled
valves/gates)
You may send a distress alert to an RCC either using by theSES ter-
minal menus, or by pressing the remote distress button(s), if fitted on
your SES. Sending a distress alert using your terminal menus is recom-
mended because it allows you to provide up-to-date information on your
circumstances.
When you make a distress call, the Inmarsat-C system uses the NCS
Common Signalling Channel for the Ocean Region you are currently
logged-in to, to establish a communication channel from an RCC to
your SES.
To ensure that your SES remains tuned to this channel, set the automatic
scan facility_ on your SES to scan only the Ocean Region you are logged-
in to, by making it the preferred Ocean Region. So doing ensures that the
RCC can continue to communicate with you (so long as you remains
in the Ocean Region)
.._.
~._.
·
...--......_.
............... ~
.._..._.,...._...._,,.. International
~,...._Telecommunications
Network
1
RCCs
Other value-added services are fax bureau services and two-digit code
services. The two-digit code service is undergoing continual development
at several CESs, and is not yet fully available for public use.
Mobile (fax message) Telephone Ocean Region Access Code 5-bit, 7-bit or 8-bit
Inm-B Fax terminal +IMN
Inm-M Fax terminal
PSDN (X.25) DNIC +Subscriber's X.25 (data) address 5-bit, 7-bit or 8-bit
(data message)
Fax Telephone Country Code+ Subscriber's 5-bit, 7-bit or 8-bit
Fax Number
PSTN PC+modem Telephone Country Code+ Subscriber's 5-bit, 7-bit or 8-bit
PS1N modem+print. Modem address or number of the mailbox
PSTN mailbox
X.400 Address information to be included in message 7-bit or 8-bit
1\vo-digit code Special access Codes (SAC) 5-bit or 7-bit
Telex service
NOTE. All CESs support 7-bit (ASCII) code, but not all CESs supports 5-bit and/or 8-bit codes.
a)POR
b) lOR
c)AORE
d)AORW
(
-~
CHAPTER 11
INMARSAT-M/B
12.1 Introduction
Inmarsat-B
Inmarsat-B was introduced in 1994 and is intended to be the successor
of Inmarsat-A.
The system uses digital technology to provide high quality telephone,
fax, telex and data communications at generally lower charges than
Inrnarsat-A.
The antenna size and weight are approximately the same as those of
Inrnarsat-A.
Single-channel and multi-channel Inmarsat-B models are available.
Inrnarsat-B is also capable of transmitting high-speed data (up to 64
kilobits/second).
Inmarsat-M
Inrnarsat-M was introduced in 1992 to complement the existing services.
This system uses digital technology and provides global telephone com-
munications on an SES, which is inexpensive and compact in size.
The services possible on an Inrnarsat-M SES includes two-way telephone,
fax and (computer) data communications.
Inrnarsat-M SESs can be delivered as either single-channel or multi-
channel models.
A multi-channel SES requires greater transmission power than a single-
..·l:
channel SES, so that the antenna and power supply for a multi-channel I
SES would be larger and of higher gain than those of a single-channel '
SES.
to
~ r Sip-~ed- r --lnmasat-M
- -or- - )>
equipment lnmarsat-B SES en
I
... ----··-- 3
I_ -TEjjex - II 1 sefVIces I I "'0
I ~
~.- CD ~~
.:-... ~ ~ I ..... ..................
a. ('1) ('1)
------. ....
""t:$
,,Iii. . I {1: I
-. I
en
(")
:::J"'
g
('1)
)>
:::s
l - - -· i7~~e1l I CD
I"T~~s)ll NCS
ur. tor ~ I 3 [ 3"
II~ II s:u
~
g-
= I ~ T~ephone I (")
S"'
;;.< o
' I~: I
- - ;:J <PSlNl
••v~~ I--- I 0 Q.
a ......... ~ c:
ll - - -1 t~I"•• il'/...1
-;.- •. §. ---I I -:::J"' Q.
- - .. I 1 1 Fcx Tetmird CD [
II Fax Teanrd -. I I (') -·0
::::l 0 ~
@
""C 3
I 1~1 I ~
~ s:u (')
m
II~ I I I _ - _ I ...... 0
5 en
_!i? ~~---1 1 r~ean";fter I s:u §'
......... CZl
~ I
!=>
1.-~~11 ~,--\\11 I I s
c s:
II d~ I ~ I §
.,. .,__.. , ~0
0 I s:u 1/J
::::l
~ I a. tii ~
1/J
-g. I
'~
OJ
8
::~:: ;: .~ : l.aJ!op ~
teanp.Jter I I en
~· '< ::s
cc en ;a.
Q II ~ II I -
-- I .........
~ L ~c~_. I' ,. . ,....y.~, I .. - - CD §."
g_ 3
0. I - - - ;,a - ::aJI!_ - - - .a
~ --- , I~~~I
;, " . ...., I I en
~r
""0 l'b.igo1io'l cXllai I
a
:::T
0'
~
= I~~~~~~
.... -- ... I
~
i
~l
,. ~
An Introduction to GMDSS
The Inmarsat B and M systems ~ransmit only digital data over the satel-
lite link.
All communications, including telephone calls, must therefore be con-
verted into digital form.
When converting telephone calls into digital form, the system uses a spe-
cial voice coder/decoder at theSES and at the CES. At the transmitting
end, a voice coder samples the human voice, analyses it and breaks it
down into its component parts, representing them as digital Information
for transmission over the satellite link. At the receiving end, a voice
decoder decodes the received digital information, and forms it back into
a representation of the human voice.
Telep-.ooe 2
OM'll)
FCDC 1
OlvNl)
Data 1
0~)
lnmasat-MS
Telex
OM'IS)
CES
Telep-.ooe 3
OM\16)
Telep-.ooe 4
OM'Il)
lnmasat-M or B
SES
Oato.2
OMW)
Telex
OM'-110)
Inmarsat-B 3MIDXXXZZ
Inmarsat-M 6MIDXXXZZ
As part ofthe IMN numbering system, the two last digits are used to create
a decimal number ranging from 10 to 99, which is used to discriminate,
on the same ship, between:
• Different SES s
• Channels of a multi-channel SES
• Services such as telephony, fax, data and telex
1. Press and hold down the Distress push-button for at least 6 seconds.
2. Wait for automatic connection to the RCC.
3. Type the distress message using the following format:
• Mayday
• Ship 's name and callsign or other identification of the vessel
• Inmarsat Mobile Number and Ocean Region satellite
• The position in latitude and longitude
• The nature ofdistress
• Type of assistance required
• Other information which might help the rescue authorities.
4. Send the message to the RCC.
• Mayday
• This is Ship's name and callsign
• Inmarsat Mobile Number and Ocean Region satellite
• The positioning latitude and longitude
• Nature ofdistress
• Type of assistance required
• Other information which might help the rescue authorities
1. Enter the 3-digit access code for the CES through which you want
to communicate.
2. Lift the handset and wait for the dialling tone.
3. When the dialling tone is heard, type in the following:
1. Select the 3-digit CES access code for aCES that supports the fax
service.
2. Prepare the fax terminal to send a fax as instructed in the manu-
facturers instructions , and key the following.
I
·~
10. Is the Inmarsat-M system approved for use in the GMDSS system?
State the reason for your answer.
CHAPTER 13
TX
PC
'---------------'
H Modem
STATION I STATION II
The modem is also fitted with LED's (light emitting diodes) indicating
the different stages of the radio telex communication.
On/off Power Over Break Lock Connect Send Repeat Thrane & Thrane Afs
0 0 DO 0 0 0 0 TT-3210A Radlotclcx Modem
Control switches/LED's
On/off Power supply switch. If loss of mains, an internal battery will
ensure that stored messages in memory are not lost.
Indicating lamps/LED's
·Lock: The modem is locked to another station.
The modem can be locked for the following reasons:
- The modem has established a connection on ARQ.
-The modem is receiving an FEC (Forward Error Correction).
- The modem is receiving a "Free Signal". ·
Send: Data transmission is in progress. The LED will start flashing when
transmission has finished.
13.4 Modulation
In maritime communications the upper side band (USB) is used for all
kinds of communication.
A voice channel (telephony) is modulated in the frequency range from
300Hz up to 3000Hz.
On a telex channel, the centre frequency is placed in the middle of the
upper side band at 1500Hz.
Carrier
frequency
Assigned
frequency
Modulation on radiotelex
1585Hz M'!._R K
..... I I 1
...... I I ....I
....
......
1500Hz ....
....
SPACE
1415Hz 170Hz ...._I
..... 1 ......
... ,
""' I"" 85Hz 85Hz
Frequency __....
I I 1
I I I ...
Fe F1 Fa F2
When studying the figure above, one can see that the frequencies F 1
and F2 are equally spaced from the Fa frequency, which is known as the
"ASSIGNED FREQUENCY".
The assigned frequency is normally located 1500Hz over the carrier
frequency (Fe).
In some equipment the assigned frequency can be 1700 Hz, or 1900 Hz
over the carrier frequency.
13.5 ARQ
Ordinary land telex uses an "alphabet" consisting of 5 characters.
ARQ-systems designed for radio telex use an "alphabet" consisting of
7 characters.
ARQ (AUTOMATIC RETRANSMISSION REQUEST) is used in two-
way communication.
The ARQ unit is able to ensure that every character received has the
correct proportion of 4 to 3.
The ARQ unit ensures that all characters received, have the proportion
of 4 to 3 between Space and Mark. If the proportion is wrong, the ARQ
will request a repetition.
On radio telex, blocks consisting of 3 characters are transmitted in a
An Introduction to GMDSS
sequence, and, in order to be recognize~, all blocks must have the pro-
portion of 4 to 3 between Space and Mark. If the block is approved (3
characters), the ARQ will transmit a recognition to the transmitting sta-
tion, and the next block will be transmitted. When an error is received,
the ARQ will ask for repetition.
Onradio telex it is possible to repeat a block up to 32 times.
I
I
I
I rn
I
I
I
E:~ 5~ I \ I I \
u"" Ul I Transmission 1 t t I
0 1 1Control 1 1
'E o:::a> Ul.l!l !f 1 delay
1 1
signal1 1 1
- ~ 11-1•---or
_ _---:..:_ __ J __ _ _ _ _ _ _\ _______ \L__J[S :Vi B'y! Yi B! Bl/,___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____.\
Baud - Bits per second, 50 baud =400 characters/min.
13.6 FEC
Broadcasting is another way of transmitting radio telex communica-
tions.
This system is used for distress communication, NAVTEX, traffic lists,
news bulletins etc. Error correction is achieved by using FEC, which
stands for "FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION". Every character is
transmitted twice, with an interval of 280 milliseconds between the di-
rect and the repeated transmission. If the character is received garbled,
it will be printed out as a star, or only a space, at the receiving station.
In selective-FEe, the transmitted signals are coded, thus allowing only
the called station to receive the signals correctly.
zczc GA89
wz 1187
DOVER STRA *IT. CABLE LAYING OPERATIONS
BY CABL*SHIP GUlLO VERNE
CROSSING TRA *FIC SEPARATION SCHEME
BETWEEN 51-15N 02-32E AND ST.
MARGARETS BAY (51-09N Ol-32E).
2. GUARDSHIP IN ATTENDANCE.
3. DETAILS FROM CHANN*L NAVIGATION
INFORMATION SERVICE
13.7 SELFEC
SELFEC, Selective Forward Error Correction, is another radio telex
broadcasting method. When using SELFEC, the transmitted signal is
coded so that only the station being called can receive the signal correctly.
The operator uses the selcall number of the receiving station, and this
activates the modem and allowing it to receive the SELFEC message.
13.8.1 Introduction
Over the past 10-15 years, we have witnessed rapid developments within
the field of communications between ship and shore. Technical devel-
opments, together with the shipping industry's increasing demands for
cost-effective IT solutions, has resulted in the use of completely different
communications solutions on board and ashore.
13.9 EXERCISES
CHAPTER 14
I
radio telephony channels. t
.v
Initially, we will concentrate on the international Navtex service that
broadcasts maritime safety information to ships via telex.
MSI messages can be transmitted by the Navtex system via the Inmarsat
EGC system, or via short wave (HF) telex narrow band direct printing
(NBDP).
14.4 Navareas
The figure below shows the different Navareas worldwide. There are 16
ofthem altogether. The Navtex stations are geographically separated (A-
Z), and the stations have their own "hours of duty". Within the different
N avareas, every N avtex station has its own identification character. This
character is always a part of the preamble to the message.
areas:
14.5 Navarea I
The Navtex system started as early as 1980. The Barents Sea, the Nor-
wegian Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the English Channel and the
Bay of Biscay are covered by Navarea I stations.
The table on page 136 shows all Na,vtex stations in Navarea I. Every
station has its own characters for identification purposes. Which Navtex
stations cover which particular areas is shown in the "List of Radio-
determination and Special Service Stations".
Coastguard
Buoyage authority
Electronic Navaids
Offshore operators. Ice monitoring
Government departments meteorological
Ship reports offices
NAVAREA co-ordinator
National co-ordinators
/
/
//
---·· -,
I
An Introduction to GMDSS
+
ZCZC TA43 ._--Serial number
L...f-----Identificaion character
coast station (Oostende)
ZCZC GL67
wz 1253
RIGMOVE. SOUTHERN NORTH SEA."CHARLES
· ROWAN" AT 54-19N 02-07.7E
CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 121030 Z OCT 91
NNNN
ZCZCPB68
NETHERLANDSCOASTGUARD
GALE WARNING NR.55 280630Z OCT
DOVER THAMES - SOUTH 8
OTHER DISTRICTS -NO WARNINGS
NNNN
This example shows a gale warning from Scheveningen Radio numbered
as 55.
Technical specifications:
NAVTEX receiver
14.10 EGC - Enhanced Group Call
The EGC (Enhanced Group Call) services were developed by Inmarsat
to achieve access to a unique global automatic service, capable of ad-
dressing traffic to predetermined groups of ships, or ships in both fixed
and variable geographical areas.
tion to covering mid-ocean areas, rhe EGC system can offer automatic
services in coastal waters where it may not be possible to establish the
NAVTEX service.
• METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE
• RESCUE CO-ORDINATION
;.
I.•• Iii
..
16 AREAl
F~
CENTRE
• SHIPPING COMPANIES
• NEWS SERVICES
,. IIi' ,.
di
It di
¥· rt
~I
,.
•· ,.
IIi•
ti· ALL SHIPSI
i
'\
Notes:
1: The SafetyNET coastal warning broadcast facility is made available
for transmissions of coastal information to areas where NAVTEX
MSI is not provided
--- ____y______
~ARSAT NETWORK CO-ORDINATION STATION ]
SHIPS
-~r·
/toCEAN REGIONsAiHLITE
~llitl~
Position comparison
OPERATOR INPUT OPTIONS EGG-RECEIVER Assess data error rate
------- ~---1 Reject inadequate I irrelevant
Ocean region selection RECEPTION message
NAVAREA I METAREA DECODING Supress already received
Ship's position DECISION messages
MSI Message type PRINTING
METAREA SCHEDULES
2009
r t T T1 telecommunication
National/international SES Ship Earth Station
landlines
''
'
'
XII
XIV
lnm~C .Antenna
Class 2
aass 3
CLASS3:
TheSES has two independent receivers, one capable oflnmarsat-C mes-
sage transfer at any time, and the other for EGC reception at any time.
So operation of both modes without interruption is possible using this
terminal configuration on board.
To obtain optimum results from the SafetyNET service, the operator must
carefully read the manufacturers instructions for specific information
about the following items: ·~
Note: If the EGC receiver has not been updated with the ships position
for 12/24 hours (depending on model) the receiver will print/store all
geographically addressed messages within the entire Ocean Region.
The position can be updated in two ways:
Note: Currently produced EGC receiver models are supplied with soft-
ware which automatically selects the mandatory message types shown
above. With some earlier models, however, the software does not select
these mandatory message types automatically, consequently the operator
must programme the EGC receiver manually.
An Introduction to GMDSS
Missed messages
If, for example, you have missed a scheduled broadcast, try the follow-
mg:
- · Switch the terminal off and on again. This action will clear the internal
memory of all stored messages, IDs. If the message is re-broadcast,
your EGC receiver will not reject it as a repeated message, and will
print/store it.
- Check if the CES that broadcast the message offers a re-broadcast
facility. (This service is chargeable from some CESs).
.,
(
N0.1
N0.2
NNNN
N0.3
message ................. .
CHAPTER 15
During the programme's first years of existence, ships were only fitted
with VHF EPIRBs. But now a large amount of technically approved
equipment is available, and both the aeronautical distress frequency 121.5 ·
MHz and the 406 MHz distress frequency are monitored.
IMO has decided that the COSPAS/SARSAT (406 MHz) float free EPIRB
is mandatory on all ships covered by the SOLAS convention.
The EPIRBs use different frequency bands, and can be grouped as follows:
1. The 406 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT EPIRB, using polar and geosta-
tionary satellites.
SAR
© POSEIDON, 2010. Unauthorised photocopying or reproduction prohibited.
156
An Introduction to GMDSS
The testing and evaluation of th's new system was concluded in 1998,
and the decision was made to concentrate on its further development
with a view to improving availability with regard to the reception of
emergency alerts within the Cospas/Sarsat satellite systems.
The carrier wave that is transmitted on 406 MHz is extremely stable (its
frequency does not vary), and its position can thus be accurately calcu-
lated to within a radius of approximately 2 km. The frequencies used
are the aeronautical frequency 121.5 MHz, and the 406 MHz frequency.
One of the advantages of using a 406 MHz emergency beacon, is that you
can include the digital ID (MMSI) of the ship in the signal that is sent
to the satellite. In order to maximize Doppler positioning, the satellites
LUTs:
13 ~~~~.~;~.fa
El Palomar, Argentina
4 Rio Grande, Argentina
5 Albany, Australia
~ ~~1~t'lf;!lstralia
8 Manaus, Brazil
9 Recife, Brazil
10 Churchill, Canada
11 Edmonton, Canada
g ~~:'n~~~~~an2'~e
14 Punta Arenas, Chile
15 Santiago, Chile
16 Beijinfi. China*
30 . :~ ~~~fous~~~~~~i::•
19 Penteli, Greece
Jr> i? Jakarta,
22
f~~o':.'1~d'J~a
Indonesia
23 Bari,Italy
24 Keelung, ITDC*
~~ ~=':;J~~ea
~~ ~IJ~;~~~~~w Zealand
29 Tromsoe, Norway
j? ~!~hf~:&~t~ay
32 Callao, Peru
33 Nakhodka, Russia
34 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia*
j~ ~,J:,"lf~~. South Africa
37 Maspalomas, Spain
38 Bangkok, Tailand*
39 Ankara, Turkey*
40 Combe Martin, UK
41 Alaska, USA*
42 California, USA •
43 Florida, USA •
44 Guam*
45 Hawaii, USA •
46 Haiphong, Vietnam
I
I Doppler effect: The COSPAS/SARSAT- satellites are able to measure the frequency variation that occurs as a result of the relative \
movement between satellite and emergency beacon.
employ low polar orbits that result in short up-links to the satellite, a
clear Doppler shift and short intervals between satellite passings.
The 406 MHz emergency beacon is the only one with global cover-
age. The reason for this is that the data transmission received from the
emergency beacon is stored in the satellite and forwarded to LEOLUT
(the Local User Terminal in the LEOSAR system) when it attains direct
visibility with LEOLUT.
satellites. This rules out the possibility of calculating position with the
help of the Doppler effect. In order to fully exploit the GEOSAR system,
406 MHz EPIRBs will be fitted with built-in navigation receivers, GPS,
that provide continuously updated position data transmitted on the 406
MHz frequency as a digital signal. Another possibility is to connect the
406 MHz EPIRB to the ship's on-board navigational instruments. Then,
as the EPIRB is released, the last updated position will be transm~tted to
the system. GEOSAR operative status also includes 20 GEOLUT (Local
User Terminals in the GEOSAR system) stations in 15 different countries
SARSAT
MSG
that are linked up to the Cospas/Sarsat MCC network and that take care
of the distribution of GEOSAR alerts.
System operations:
From 1982 to December 2008, Cospas/Sarsat provided assistance in the
rescue of 26,779 persons in 7,268 SAR operations.
The signals transmitted are digital messages containing the ship's identity
and nationality. As internationally agreed, the message from the beacon
must be given as a certain number of figures. This number is known as
the MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE IDENTITY, or the MMSI number.
You can find more information about MMSI numbers in item 7.5 of the
DSC chapter of this book.
EPIRBs
.I
·;
the beacon will float free, and start to transmit. because of conduc-
tion between the seawater contacts.
3. Remote activation.
Some beacons are fitted with a remote activation switch, which allows
the beacon to start transmission even when the release mechanism has
not been activated.
TRON-1K
And finally, read the instruction manual for your type of equipment.
Hl&H2•H£ATJNC
£L£l'I£NT
1-=
20VAC/OC (
[)
~
[Xl[ANAl
TH[AI'IASTAT£ BOX
The EPIRB will transmit a standard DSC call with the following infor-
mation/exceptions:
CHAPTER 16
On board the survival craft, the survivors will receive an audible and
visual signal from the SART, indicating that their SART signals have
been received by an approaching vessel.
165
An Introduction to GMDSS
16.5 Specifications
The SART must be designed to conform to all applicable regulations and
standards including IMO performance standards, Radio Regulations,
CCIR Recommendations and IEC standards.
'\
\\
ii: ···-·••• ''· E
I
//
/
,~""/
s
N
Nearby SART
....
~
~
'£
;::
:z:
.:>
0
::I
- ID
IIHHliUiBUUUJ ~ .........
·-
I JD[
q ~
f--
....
....
Requirements:
Ships between 300 and 500 gross tons: 2 pieces.
Ships of 500 gross tons and upwards: 3 pieces.
The obligatory portable VHF's shall, when not in use for on-board com-
munication, be kept in charging brackets on the navigating bridge, and
be kept fully charged at all times.
If the equipment is used for on-board communication, an additional set
of emergency batteries (i.e. Lithium batteries) must be kept fully charged
on the bridge.
The ship's call sign must be water resistantly marked on the trans-
ceiver.
Also all channel numbers must be indicated on the equipment.
Technical specifications:
Power output: 0.25 - 1.0 watt.
Channels: channel 16 and international simplex channels.
Battery capacity: Approximately 8 hours.
SAILOR SP311 0
-portable VHF transceiver
Technical specifications:
Output: 50-200 mW
Frequencies: 121.5- 123.1 MHz
Battery capacity: Approx. 8 hours with the following ratio 1:1:8,
which means 1 part transmitting, 1 part receiving
and 8 parts standing by.
~~~
~
___
_ ...
._. _.AIR
· Tron
......
......,._.
·::.-::--
·--··---
.t:~::.--
··-·--
---
--·
·-·----.
·--··----
~-·-
·----·
·--·-
~=---·... -
·-··---
·--···-
--·-·-
----
·--·-·-·
CHAPTER 17
POWER SUPPLIES
17.1 Radio batteries
Batteries for use in radio installations on board ships must be of suf-
ficient quality to sustain environmental Stress such as vibrations and
temperature changes.
'1[,1:
Lead battery charges are measured by means of an acid meter. In fully :~:.
charged condition, the specific gravity is normally 1.26 - 1.28 at a tem-
perature of 20 degrees Celsius. However, the specific gravity varies 'i,,lii'
The following table shows the relationship between specific gravity and
capacity (Ah), calculated as a percentage:
Lead batteries and Ni-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) batteries must not be kept
in the same room as the acid/air gases may mutually neutralize the active
element of the individual battery, thus reducing the capacity and lifetime
of the batteries.
Battery capacity
Batteries of different sizes have different capacities. Large batteries have
larger capacity than smaller batteries. The capacity is indicated by the
numbers of Ampere hours (Ah).
Example:
If we have a battery with a total capacity of 200 Ah, and the radio sta-
tion consumes 20 amperes (A), this means that the station can run for
10 hours.
Batteries coupled in series will increase their total voltage, but their
capacity will remain the same.
Example:
When two 12 volt batteries with an individual capacity of 100 Ah are
coupled in series, the result will be a battery with a total voltage of 24
volts, and a total capacity of 100 Ah.
Parallel coupled batteries will keep voltage at the same level, but capac-
ity will increase.
Example:
When two 12·volt batteries with an individual capacity of 100 Ah are
coupled in parallel, the result will be a total voltage of 12 volt, and a
total capacity of 200 Ah.
17.4.1 Charging
A fully charged Ni-Cd battery relies on the charging current conforming
to the capacity of the battery, and that the charger can supply at least
32 volts for a 24 volt installation (20 cells), and 64 volts for a 48 volt
installation (40 cells).
! !
Normally a fully charged Ni-Cd battery has a cell voltage of 1.6 - 1.7
volts. In the course of 10 - 15 minutes, a clear "whistling sound" should
be heard, indicating that gassing is taking place. If this does not occur,
the charging should continue. When the charging is turned off, the cell
voltage will decrease to 1.36 volts after an hour or two.
When the battery is coupled or in use, the voltage drops to 1.2 volts per
cell. The voltage remains constant unti180% ofthe battery capacity has
been used. In order to accurately check a Ni-Cd battery, it is necessary
to use a reliable voltmeter with a measuring range of 2.5 volts at full
deflection.
MAINS
220VAC - - ,
AC/DC
RECTIFIER r---
I DC
-· I
I HF DC/DC
CONVERTER
I DC DC/AC
RECTIFIER
~-r~ARGI:
I RECTIFIER
. OC 1! MmRY
SUPPLY
I
I
I
J I
I
L---------------- J
"-._;~
-··§...;.. '
~~:~~~~
'\
CHAPTER 18
- between two ship stations directly, or via one or more coast stations.
The coast charges differ with regard to the type of radio communication
equipment in use, such as VHF, MF and HF.
In the following passage, we will study some examples to find out how
the different charges are calculated:
Example 1:
A radio telephone call from the Berge Master/LAN02, to a subscriber
in Antwerpen, Belgium, lasting 6 minutes. The call has taken place on
VHF via Oostende Radio, Belgium.
Charges:
You will fmd the charge for VHF radiotelephone calls in the Part IV of
the "List of Coast Stations":
Calculations:
Land stations charge = 1.20 SDR/min x 6 min = 7.20 SDR
Land line charge = no charge = 0.00 SDR
TOTAL = 7.20 SDR
·\
18.3 Radiotelegrams
Radiotelegrams are handed in at, or addressed to, a ship station, and are
fully or partly sent via maritime mobile service radio communications.
Radiotelegrams can be transmitted by telephony, telegraphy or by radio
telex.
Radiotelegram charges are composed of:
a) Basic charge (fixed charge) per telegram.
b) Coast charge - the charge for the coast station involved.
c) Land line charge -the charge from coast station to destination.
The charges can be found in the "List of Coast Stations", and are nor-
mally quoted in SDR.
A radiotelegram is charged per word, counted from the addressee to the
signature. Words not exceeding ten characters are counted as one charge-
able word, while words exceeding ten characters are counted at a rate of
one chargeable word for each ten characters or part thereof.
Example II:
Aradiotelegram from the "Berge Master"/LAN02, to "PETROX, ROT-
TERDAM", sent via Oostende Radio Belgium, by telephony.
Remember that charge rates are arrived at by counting each word
from the addressee to the signature, regardless of whether the radio-
telegram is sent by VHF, MF or HF telephony, telegraphy or radio-
telex.
Calculation:
You will find the charges for the radiotelegram in the "List of Coast
Stations"
Coast Station charge = 12 words x 0.37 SDR = 4.44 SDR
Land line charge = per telegram = 8.70 SDR
Land line charge = 12 words x 0.27 SDR = 3.24 SDR
Total =16.38 SDR
Radiotelegram
Form
Berge Master
This is
Oostende Radio
Your telegram number 1 is received
Telenor Satellite Services AS (Ltd.) serves all ocean regions in the Inmar-
sat system. All ocean regions (AORE/W, lOR, POR) are covered with
the help of a global network of coast earth stations (CES) that Telenor
Satellite Services owns either in full or in part.
Example III:
A telephone conversation from the "Berge Master"/LAN02 transmitted
via Telenor Airtime - MARLINK to a subscriber in London, with the
help of Inmarsat-B, duration 5 minutes.
Calculation:
$ - US dollars
3.59/min x 5 = $ 17.95
Example IV:
A telex message from the same vessel transmitted via the Tel enor Airtime
- MARLINK system with the help of Inmarsat-B to a telex subscriber
in London, duration 5 minutes.
Calculation:
2.99/min x 5 = $ 14.95
The LES (land earth stations) generally adds a service charge for a store
and forward telex per kilobit, or quarter of a kilobit.
On board the ship, the size of the message is given on the Inmarsat-C
screen as a number of bits or as a number of characters/bytes.
Example V:
A standard 7 bits telex message store-and-forward to Norway via Eik
LES, consisting of 400 characters.
Charges for trafic via Telenor Airtime- ,MARLINK- (per March 2008)
$ 0,029
$ 0,019
<
\
Conversionformula:
Charging blocks= number of characters x bits per char.
256
NB The number of blocks must be rounded off to the next whole number.
Calculation:
'ljl1~1
An Introduction to GMDSS II!.
1111
f
II~
BELGIUM
B Radiotelegrams
1. Land station charge: 0.37 SDR per word. .
This charge is reduced to 0.28 SDR per word for each message exchanged with ship of II,
1:!
the Belgian navy or with a Belgian fishing, towage; pilotage or police boat.
1
1· 1111
2. Landline charge (binary system): Per radio Per word
~I
telegram
~~
l11
~r
3.20 SDR/min. (for call payable by a telephone subscriber outside Belgium)
VHF: 1.20 SDR/min*
1\!! 1~
* This charge is reduced to:
MF: 1:60 SDRimin.
:ll!l
HF: 2.40 SDR!min.
3.. - SDR/min. (for a call payable by a telephone I
1~/
subscriber outside Belgium).
VHF:1.00 SDR!min.
For each telephone message exchanged with a Belgian fishing, towage, pilotage or police boat.
'I II
,I,
ji
,;I
:I
!1
1
':!11/
',jII
·\ !i
~ il
©POSEIDON, 2010. Unauthorised photocopying or reproduction prohibited.
185
An Introduction to GMDSS
18.7 EXERCISES
- MARITIME MOBILE TRAFFIC CHARGES
4. Calculate the cost of a radiotelephone call via ElK CES, using In-
marsat B, to a subscriber in Denmark. The duration of the call is 6
minutes. Ship's time is 2300 UTC.
CHAPTER 19
19.2 INMARSAT-C
When operating an Inmarsat-C terminal' it is very easy to send a distress
alert by means of the software resident on some terminals.
Activating the "DISTRESS MENU" for such an elementary task as to
familiarize oneself with the equipment/software, can actually activate i
an inadvertent distress alert if the operator does not exit this particular
menu in the correct manner.
The alarm will then be sent automatically.
Another cause of false alarms may occur when an operator is distracted
or called away during a PVT (Performance Verification Test).
Towards the end of the PVT, the operator is asked by the CES to manu-
ally "Activate distress as part of PVT test".
This alert~ activated during a PVT, is recognized by the CES as a test
call and not passed through to the MRCC/RCC.
In such cases, the operator must send the distress signal within a certain
period of time, if not, the equipment itself will automatically send this
distress alert and finish the test.
When the operator returns to the terminal he will find a message on the
printer asking him to press the distress alert as part of the PVT test. Ifhe
does this, a real distress alert will then be transmitted and the CES will
pass the message through to the MRCC/RCC, whereupon the appropriate
distress alert action will be initiated by the shore based facilities.
19.3 EPIRB:
The simple fact that an EPIRB needs cleaning from time to time can
cause a false or inadvertent distress alert.
The mariner removes the EPIRB from the housing to clean it with soapy
water, holding the EPIRB with the "heavy" end down. A distress alert
will now be generated as the seawater contacts are armed.
The alarm will be passed through the appropriate satellite system and
finally acted upon by the MRCC/RCC.
19.4 DSC:
In one incident, a DSC call located in the North Sea, generated over 100
subsequent DSC calls from other ships.
Most of these subsequent DSC transmissions came from ships relaying
the received DSC distress message. The ship that transmitted the original
DSC alert message ended up relaying its own message a few minutes
later. Incredible!
According to standard procedure, only coast stations shall give acknowl-
edgements by DSC (main rule).
Ships shall prepare for subsequent communication on the appropri-
ate communication channel/frequency assigned for distress and safety
. purposes, and give acknowledgement of receipt of the distress alert on
these frequencies.
A GMDSS radio operator must be made aware of the fact that he can
trigger off a false or inadvertent distress alert.
IMO has begun work on reducing the level of false alarms from GMDSS
equipment.
In May 1995, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved a draft
1. Administrations should:
.1 inform shipowners and seafarers about the implications of
the rising number of false distress aierts;
.12 ensure that, if possible, after emergency use, the pPIRB is re-
trieved and deactivated; and
I .
I
-I
DSC
1. VHF I •
.1 switch off transmitter immediately (1)
EXAMPLE
I. MF
.1 switch off equipment immediately (1)
I
(1) This applies when the false alert is detected during transmission.
3. HF
Procedure as with MF, except that the alert must be cancelled on all the
frequency bands on which it was transmitted. Hence, in stage 2.2 the
transmitter should be tuned consecutively to the radiotelephony distress
frequencies (4125/6215/8291/12290/16420) on the bands as necessary.
4. INMARSAT-C
Notify the appropriate RCC to cancel the alert by sending a distress prior-
ity message via the same CES through which the false alert was sent.
I
-~
EXAMPLE
NAME OF SHIP, CALL SIGN, IDENTITY NUMBER,
POSITION
Cancel my INMARSAT-C distress alert of DATE,TIME(UTC)
=Master+
5. EPIRB
If, for any reason, an EPIRB is activated accidentally, the ship should
contact the nearest coast station or an appropriate coast earth station
or RCC and cancel the distress alert.
6. GENERAL INFORMATION
.1 Notwithstanding the above, a ship may use any means avail-
able to them to inform the appropriate authorities that a false
distress alert has been transmitted and should be cancelled.
CHAPTER 20
A 1 - Coastal areas covered by VHF coast stations with the new DSC
(Digital Selective Calling) signal System.
Continuous alerting on VHF DSC is available.
195
An Introduction to GMDSS
IMO has developed a SAR (Search and Rescue) Convention that requires
countries to provide rescue services as well as a coast watching service
along coastlines within their national jurisdiction.
The purpose of the SAR Convention is to ensure that SAR services are
available to mariners.
The basic idea ofthe convention is that all ocean areas should be divided
into national Search and Rescue Regions(SRR).
Furthermore, one or more MRCC's should control/co-ordinate all mari-
time SAR activities within a certain SRR.
The object is to achieve a global SAR system that fully complies with the
GMDSS. As of January 8, 2006, 85 countries have ratified the IMO SAR
Convention, thus providing the SAR services that are specified therein.
The MRCC will co-operate with coast radio stations, coast earth stations
and MCC's (Cospas Sarsat Mission Control Centres).
Assuming co-ordination of the SAR operation, the MRCC will make use
of dedicated SAR units, ships and aircraft.
. I
Outside SRR boundaries, a distress call will be routed via coast radio
stations, coast earth stations and MCC 's to an associated MRCC, which
may be located thousands of miles away from the scene of distress.
When the MRCC has received the distress call, its next step is to try and
locate another MRCC or shore authority in the vicinity, or any ship that
will take over responsibility and co-ordinate the assistance required.
In effect we are back to the "old system" where sailor helped sailor
without any support from shore-based rescue authorities.
In situations which reflect the first two phases, the MRCC will begin
running communication checks, and at the same time make any enquir-
ies it can in order to provide the best possible background information
about the ship.
Further action taken by the MRCC will be based on all the information
at hand, and at this point, the MRCC will also alert the appropriate SAR
resources to prepare them for action.
When the distress phase occurs, the MRCC has no time to lose.
The MRCC will start working as soon as possible, and its first task will be
to determine the position of distressed vessel as accurately as possible. ·
Information on the position of the distressed vessel is very important in
enabling the MRCC to calculate the extent of an area to be searched in
by SAR units.
At this stage the MRCC will request assistance from services not gener-
ally included in the SAR organization, such as aircraft, ve~sels or other
services.
The relaying of a distress alert from an MRCC to the vessels in the vi-
cinity of a distress incident, will be carried out via satellite communica-
tion to SES 's (Ship Earth Stations) and by terrestrial communication
systems on dedicated frequencies.
To avoid alerting all ships in a large sea area, a distress call will be ad-
dressed to a specific ship, a selected group of ships or to ships within
a specified geographical area.
--- '
~-- CO-OR~~ATE--·
,------~
! WHERE
ADVISE
PRACTICABLE ASSISTANCE
SHIPS IN THE
COMMUNICATE TO SHIP IN
VICINITY BY
WITH SHIP IN DISTRESS
BROADCASTS
DISTRESS
YES
IS INCIDENT IN
CONTINUE TO COMMUI)IICATE
OWN SEARCH WITH SHIP IN DISTRESS UNTIL
AND RESCUE OTHER RCC IN DIRECT TOUCH
--REGION?
IS INCIDENT IN
IS THE OTHER RCC PREPARED TRANSFER CO-ORDINATION
ANOTHER ..:n;;;r"''-'''• YES RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER
AND RESCUE 1-...;.;..--~
TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE INCIDENT? RCC
REGION?
Towards the end of 1994, the value of the GMDSS as a saver of lives
was proven when the cruise vessel "Achille Lauro" had caught fire in
position around the Hom of Africa en route to the Seychelles.
About 1,000 people were saved thanks to co-operation between MRCC 's
and the use of communication systems within the GMDSS.
The first action taken by MRCC Stavanger was to notify all vessels in
the area of the incident by way of an EGC SafetyNet broadcast using
all Inmarsat systems.
Falmouth MRCC UK was rebroadcasting all Inmarsat-A messages using
the Inmarsat-C system.
In this way, MRCC Falmouth UK assisted MRCC Stavanger so that the
ships on the scene were fully informed about the distress situation.
Several vessels in the area responded immediately.
MRCC Stavanger appointed the Shell tanker "Lima" as Surface Search
Coordinator, as this ship had the best "all round" communication system
in the area of the incident.
Due to the absence ofMRCC facilities on the east coast ofAfrica, MRCC
Stavanger assumed responsibility for operations and began coordinating
the SAR operation.
MRCC Stavanger plotted the positions, course and speed of the vessels
in the area (the rescue fleet).
The first ship to arrive on the scene, the tanker "Hawaiian King", pro-
ceeded to establish VHF communication with "Achille Lauro". She
reported that most of the passengers and crew from "Achille Lauro" had
abandoned ship and boarded the lifeboats and life rafts. 1,
The evacuees were in no imminent danger as several ships were steaming
for the "Achille Lauro's" position.
The weather in the area was characterised by a calm wind a~d a rather
low cloud base which reduced visibility to approximately 1 to 2 nauti-
cal miles.
MRCC Stavanger did not want to risk a collision in the distress area due
to the abundance of vessels there, so all but eight were asked to stand
down.
The "Hawaiian King" rescued most of the people from the boats and the
bulk carrier "Bardu" rescued the rest of the evacuees from the stricken
ship.
because calls from the media and other authorities occupied Inmarsat
lines. To solve this problem, a dedicated telex link was set up with the
"Lima" and the "Hawaiian King" via Eik CES, Norway.
Nearly 1,000 people were evacuated from the "Achille Lauro" and only
2 lives were lost.
MRCC Stavanger dealt with all the parties involved, including ship-
owners, insurers, the authorities in the survivor's home countries and
the US Navy.
APPENDIX 1
Elementary Fault Localisation and Repairs
APPENDIX 2
DISTRESS ALERT PROCEDURE FOR VHF AND MF TELEFONY/PHONETIC
ALPHABET
-,
(
An Introduction to GMDSS
• MAYDAY (once)
• This is
• MMSI-number and the call sign or other ID of the ship
• The ship's position in latitude and longitude or other
reference to a known geographical location
• The nature of the distress and assistance wanted
• Any other information which might facilitate the rescue
If time permits, write down the distress message
Speak slowly and distinctly
APPENDIX3
ABBREVIATIONS
APPENDIX4
LIST OF GMDSS FREQUENCIES
DISTRESS - URGENCY - SAFETY
SYSTEM FREKVENS
HF-MSI 4210.0kHz 6314.0 kHz
8416.5 kHz 12579.0 kHz
16806.5 kHz 19680.5 kHz
22376.0 kHz 26100.5 kHz
ON SCENE COMMUNCATION
EPIRB- SART
2
< l The 2177.0 frequency is also used for normal DSC ship-ship calls.
APPENDIXS
DSC CALLING FREQUENCIES
Frequency Used for Ship's transmission Coast station transmis-
Band frequency (kHz) sian frequency (kHz)
MFI International 458.5 455.5
calls
MFII Distress 2187.5 2187.5
21n.o ·--------
lntership calls
International 2189.5 21n.o
calls
HF 4 MHz Distress 4207.5 4207.5
4208.0* 4219.5*
International
4208.5 4220.0
calls 4209.0 4220.5
HF6MHz 6312.0 6312.0
Distress
6312.5* 6331.0*
International 6313.0 6331.5
calls 6313.5 6332.0
HF8 MHz 8414.5 8414.5
Distress 8415.0* 8436.5*
International 8415.5 8437.0
calls 8416.0 8437.5
HF 12 MHz Distress 125n.o 12577.0
12577.5* 12657.0*
International 12578.0 12657.5
calls 12578.5 12658.0
HF 16 MHZ Distress 16804.5 16804.5
16805.0* 16903.0*
International 16805.5 16903.5
.calls 16806.0 16904.0
HF 18 MHz International 18898.5* 19703.5*
18899.0 19704.0
calls
18899.5 19704.5
HF 22 MHz International 22374.5* 22444.0*
calls 22375.0 22444.5
22375.5 22445.0
HF 25 MHz International 25208.5* 26121.0*
25209.0 26121.5
calls
25209.5 26122.0
VHF Distress and Channel Channel
International 70 70
calls
*Indicates frequencies for ship/shore that are first priority regarding intemaitonal
frequencies for DSC calls
The List of Coast Stations specifies the frequencies that are to be used by each
individual coast station. See Valparaiso Playa Ancha Radio, for instance.
REFERENCES
1. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System: IMO 1987.
CORPORATE PROFILE
Our products and services are developed in compliance with the inter-
·national standards set forth in the Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping - the STCW'95 Code, as specified by The Interna-
tional Maritime Organization - IMO.
ISBN 9788292035245
II 111111
9 788292 035245
II
.
.