WHAT ABOUT GMDSS?

While Iridium, Connexions by Boeing and a number of other alternatives are giving Inmarsat growing competition, since February 1999, compliance with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) has become mandatory for most vessels over 300 gt.

That means that whatever communications set up the owner opts for, the ship must meet GMDSS requirements--and, in practical terms, unless your trading pattern keeps you in terrestrial radio range of shore stations, that means fitting one of the Inmarsat systems that meet GMDSS requirements: Inmarsat-A, Inmarsat-B, Inmarsat-C and Inmarsat Fleet F77.

One indication that some owners may be taking GMDSS requirements too lightly is that this month, the maritime authorities of the 22 countries that are signatories to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (the Paris MOU) are to mount a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) to ensure that ships' radio stations comply with GMDSS requirements. The 22 port state control authorities--the EU Members plus Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation--will also verify that radio operators are able to demonstrate that the station is in a satisfactory working condition and used for its intended purpose. The campaign will conclude on November 30, 2005. During every port state control inspection the ship's GMDSS, its equipment, operation and correct recording of communications and maintenance will be verified in more detail for compliance with SOLAS, the STCW Code and the ISM Code.

When there are clear grounds for believing that the requirements are not being met, a more detailed inspection may be carried out.

Deficiencies will be recorded and the master will be instructed to rectify these either before departure, at the next port, or within 14 days.

Serious deficiencies may lead to the detention of the ship until they have been rectified. It is expected that approximately 4,000 inspections will be carried out during the CIC. Meantime, the Tokyo MOU, which covers the Asia Pacific region will also be carrying out a CIC in the same period that will concentrate on operational (rather than solely hardware) aspects of ships' compliance with SOLAS and MARPOL requirements, its scope will include maintenance and operation arrangements of GMDSS.