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GMDSS

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally mandated communication system designed to enhance maritime safety and emergency response. It ensures that ships can quickly send distress alerts and receive critical safety information using both satellite and terrestrial communication technologies. GMDSS plays a crucial role in saving lives at sea by ensuring that vessels can communicate distress situations and receive assistance efficiently, no matter where they are in the world. Compliance with GMDSS regulations is compulsory for all SOLAS-compliant (Safety of Life at Sea) vessels, including cargo ships over 300 gross tons and passenger ships.

The key components of GMDSS include satellite communication systems, digital selective calling (DSC) radios, NAVTEX (Navigational Telex), emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), and search and rescue (SAR) coordination centers. GMDSS supports distress alerts in various formats, including voice, text, and data, transmitted via radio, satellite, or other communication channels.

Top GMDSS Equipment Manufacturers

Cobham (Sailor) – Denmark

Popular Models:

SAILOR 6000 Series GMDSS Console

SAILOR 6110 Mini-C (Inmarsat-C)

SAILOR 6300 MF/HF Radio

SAILOR 6222 VHF DSC Radio


Furuno – Japan

Popular Models:

Felcom 18 / Felcom 19 (Inmarsat-C)

FS-1575/FS-2575 (MF/HF DSC radios)

FM-8900S (VHF DSC radio)

NX-700 (Navtex Receiver)


JRC (Japan Radio Company) – Japan

Popular Models:

JSS-2150 / JSS-2250 (MF/HF DSC Radio)

JHS-800S (VHF DSC radio)

JUE-87 (Inmarsat-C terminal)

NCR-333 (Navtex Receiver)


Icom – Japan ​

Popular Models:

IC-M605 (VHF DSC)

IC-M804 (MF/HF DSC)

Specialization:

Reliable VHF and MF/HF radios for GMDSS compliance


Standard Horizon – Japan ​

Popular Models:

GX6000 (VHF DSC)


Thrane & Thrane (Now part of Cobham) – Denmark ​

Popular Models:

TT-3020C / TT-3026C (Inmarsat-C terminals)


Motorola Solutions – USA ​

Popular Models:

GP340 / GP380 (Portable GMDSS radios for lifeboats)





GMDSS Equipment Categories

Each of these brands produces equipment that falls under different GMDSS categories:

red and white ship on sea under cloudy sky during daytime



  • VHF DSC Radios (Short-range communication, distress alerts)
  • MF/HF DSC Radios (Long-range distress & safety communication)
  • Inmarsat-C Terminals (Satellite distress messaging)
  • Navtex Receivers (Weather alerts and navigation warnings)
  • EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) (Automatic distress beacons)
  • SART (Search and Rescue Transponders) (Used in rescue operations)

Available Ports:

UAE

  • Jebel Ali Port (Dubai)
  • Port Rashid (Dubai)
  • Dubai Maritime City (DMC) (Dubai)
  • Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi)
  • Zayed Port (Abu Dhabi)
  • Fujairah Port (Fujairah)
  • Khor Fakkan Port (Sharjah)
  • Port of Sharjah (Khalid Port)
  • Hamriyah Port (Sharjah/Damen)
  • Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Ports / Saqr Ports

OMAN

  • Port of Salalah (Southern Oman)
  • Port Sultan Qaboos (Muscat)
  • Port of Sohar (Northern Oman)
  • Duqm Port (Central Oman)
  • Shinas Port (Northern Oman)
  • Khasab Port (Musandam Peninsula)

India

  • Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) – Maharashtra
  • Mumbai Port – Maharashtra
  • Chennai Port – Tamil Nadu
  • Visakhapatnam Port – Andhra Pradesh
  • Kolkata Port – West Bengal
  • Paradip Port – Odisha
  • Kandla Port (Deendayal Port) – Gujarat
  • Cochin Port – Kerala
  • Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar) Port – Tamil Nadu
  • Mormugao Port – Goa
  • New Mangalore Port – Karnataka
  • Ennore (Kamarajar) Port – Tamil Nadu
  • Port Blair – Andaman & Nicobar Islands
  • Mundra Port – Gujarat
  • Hazira Port – Gujarat
  • Krishnapatnam Port – Andhra Pradesh
  • Dhamra Port – Odisha
  • Kattupalli Port – Tamil Nadu