16 May 2002

**U.S. NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE GMDSS INFORMATION BULLETIN**

**SMALL COMMERCIAL VESSELS LESS THAN 300 TONS**

**Scope of this Information Bulletin**

This information bulletin provides a brief overview of the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) mandated by the Safety of
Life at Sea (SOLAS) Treaty which applies to cargo vessels over 300 tons
and to passenger vessels carrying more than 12 passengers. The bulletin
will also summarize the effect of GMDSS on smaller commercial vessels
(non-SOLAS vessels).

**Mandatory Safety Radio Equipment on Commercial Vessels**

Small United States commercial vessels including passenger vessels
carrying less than 12 passengers, cargo ships, tow boats and fishing
vessels less than 300 gross tons are not required to carry radio
equipment necessary to comply with the GMDSS. Such vessels may, however,
be subject to other laws including the Bridge-to-Bridge Act, the
Communications Act or Coast Guard and FCC regulations, which mandate
carriage of radio equipment for safety purposes. GMDSS was fully
implemented by SOLAS vessels on February 1, 1999, but the supporting
coastal radio networks have not yet been fully upgraded in the U.S. It
is important for safety that SOLAS vessels and non-SOLAS vessels are
able to intercommunicate. Recent changes to Part 80 of the FCC Rules
require small commercial vessels mandatorily equipped with radio to
upgrade VHF and MF radio systems to DSC within a year after the Coast
Guard declares Sea Areas A1 (VHF-DSC coverage from shore) and A2 (MF-DSC
coverage from shore) operational, so as to be compatible with those of
SOLAS Vessels and with the Coast Guard's upgraded shore networks.

**GMDSS Background**

Since 1 February 1999, SOLAS vessels have used new highly reliable
communications technology for distress alerting. GMDSS automates systems
that previously required continuous live listening watches, and
generally improves the reliability and effectiveness of the distress and
safety system. One feature of the GMDSS replaces the traditional voice
calling method of establishing communications with an automated method
called Digital Selective Calling (DSC), applicable to Medium Frequency
(MF), High Frequency (HF), and Very High Frequency (VHF) radios. Other
GMDSS systems include Inmarsat satellite systems, Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), Search and Rescue Transponders
(SARTs), and Navtex and SafetyNET broadcast systems for disseminating
Marine Safety Information (MSI). Training and licensing are also
mandated for operators on SOLAS vessels.

**Digital Selective Calling (DSC)**

DSC uses digital radio techniques to send distress calls to establish
routine communications between ships, ship to shore and shore to ship.
Once contact has been established on the digital calling channel,
communications continue on normal analog channels by voice or
teleprinter. All DSC systems require a unique identifier, the Maritime
Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), assigned by national authorities.
Distress calls in all DSC systems (except the EPIRB which uses its
factory serial number) transmit the MMSI number. The FCC Rules permit
voluntary vessels to use VHF-DSC radios built to the RTCM SC-101 minimum
standard. The GMDSS Task Force notes that the SC-101 VHF radio can send
distress alerts adequately but has very few practical features for other
communication functions. The Task Force therefore recommends the
International Class 'D' VHF-DSC standard as more suitable for general
use.

**VHF-DSC**

SOLAS ships guard channel 70 for VHF-DSC distress and calling but are
also required to maintain a continuous voice watch on Channel 16 for an
indefinite period to enable interoperability with non-SOLAS vessels. The
Coast Guard will maintain the channel 16 watch ashore indefinitely to
support those vessels not required to upgrade to DSC. The Coast Guard
expects to complete upgrade of its shore VHF network with DSC by about
2006.

**MF-DSC**

SOLAS ships also watch the MF-DSC distress and calling channel, 2187.5
kHz, but international rules no longer require them to watch 2182 kHz.
The FCC, however, continues to require a 2182 watch by U.S. vessels. The
Coast Guard plans to maintain the guard on 2182 kHz ashore indefinitely
and is upgrading its coastal watch to include the MF-DSC calling channel
but a projected date for completion of this upgrade is not yet
available. MF operations are in a simplex (single frequency) mode except
with the marine operator.

**HF-DSC**

SOLAS ships electing the HF option for long-range communications also
watch 8414.5 kHz and one other DSC distress channel in the HF bands. The
Coast Guard watches the distress and calling channels in all of the HF
frequency bands and this service has been available for several years.
The Coast Guard also watches selected voice frequency channels in the HF
bands for calls from shipping. For more details refer to the Coast Guard
maritime communications website at www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms.

**Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Numbers**

The DSC calling identity is the nine digit Maritime Mobile Service
Identity (MMSI) that is

assigned by the FCC to vessels desiring or required to use DSC in the
VHF, MF, and HF maritime radio bands. The MMSI number must be embedded
in the DSC equipment and is analogous to a ship radiotelephone number.
The way to get an MMSI number assigned is to apply to the FCC for
upgrade of an existing radio station license. If a station license was
not required for your vessel and you use VHF only, you can apply to one
of the authorized organizations that have been permitted by the FCC to
make MMSI assignments. These organizations can make MMSI assignments on
line or by calling the toll free number and there is no fee for the
service:

BoatU.S. www.boatus.com 1-800-395-2628

Sea Tow Service Int. www.seatow.com 1-800-4-SEATOW

**Satellite Communications**

SOLAS vessels may use either Inmarsat Ship Earth Stations (SES) or
HF-DSC as their primary long-range communications system. The Inmarsat
A, B, C, Mini-C and the new Fleet 77 systems are GMDSS qualified. The
Inmarsat M, Mini-M, Fleet 33, and Fleet 55 SES are not approved for
GMDSS. Non-SOLAS commercial vessels are not required to use long-range
systems unless they operate on the high seas.

**Satellite EPIRBs and SARTs**

Satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) used for
distress alerting and locating are required on SOLAS vessels and highly
recommended for other vessels that operate offshore. Satellite EPIRBs
operate on either 406 MHz or 121.5 MHz but the 406 system is far
superior and the 121.5 EPIRBs will be phased out in a few years. There
is also an Inmarsat EPIRB that is authorized for use by U.S. vessels.
Unlike the 406 and 121.5 EPIRBs that can be located by the COSPAS-SARSAT
satellites, the Inmarsat EPIRB must have an integral navigation receiver
to provide position. SOLAS vessel satellite EPIRBs are rigged to float
free and self activate in the event of a sudden sinking. Simplified
EPIRBs known as Personal Locater Beacons operating on 406 MHz are also
available and may be used by vessels not subject to GMDSS. All EPIRBs
approved for use on U.S. vessels must also have a 121.5 MHz local homing
signal. Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs) are also required on
SOLAS vessels. SARTs are used for close-in location of survivors by
rescue vessels and are recommended to be stowed in the survival craft.

# Watchkeeping on Marine Radios

All vessels over 20 meters are required to stand watch for voice calls
on VHF channel 13 or 67, the Bridge to Bridge safety channels which are
restricted to low power safety of navigation communications, when
operating within the 12 mile limit. New FCC Rule changes require that
all users of marine radios, including voluntary users, keep the radio
turned on and watching the appropriate emergency channel at all times
when underway and not working on another channel. In the case of regular
VHF, the watch is maintained on channel 16, for VHF-DSC equipped
vessels, the watch is maintained on channel 70. For MF Radios the watch
is maintained on 2182 kHz and for MF-DSC radios on 2187.5 kHz. There are
similar requirements that voluntary vessels with HF-DSC radios and
Inmarsat Satellite terminals cruise with the radios turned on and
watching the emergency channels. The recent Rules changes also require
that all compulsory vessels with a GPS or Loran receiver connect it to
DSC and Inmarsat equipment so that an accurate position will
automatically be sent with distress calls. The Task Force strongly
recommends that voluntary vessels also connect a navigation receiver to
their GMDSS alerting systems.

**Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Broadcast Systems**

MSI includes distress alerts seeking assistance for vessels in distress,
urgent warnings affecting safety of navigation, and weather warnings and
forecasts. The coastal Navtex system broadcasts on 518 kHz to a coverage
zone about 200 miles offshore. Navtex MSI notices are broadcast to the
coastal areas affected by the subject matter. Small commercial vessels
may wish to use one of the new paperless Navtex receivers. The high seas
SafetyNET system broadcasts MSI via the Inmarsat C system with Enhanced
Group Calling (EGC) capability. SafetyNET MSI notices are directed to
one of 16 global Nav/Met areas. Both Navtex and SafetyNET receivers have
processors which block printing of MSI messages already received. The
coastal NOAA Weather Radio is not a GMDSS system but is a valuable VHF
continuous voice broadcast along the coasts of the U.S. At the present
time, reception of MSI broadcasts is a GMDSS requirement but is optional
for non-SOLAS vessels. All prudent mariners should monitor MSI
broadcasts, however.

**Training, Licensing and Certification**

The Master and all Mates on SOLAS vessels are now required to hold the
FCC GMDSS Radio Operator's License (GOC) for Sea Areas A2, A3 (Inmarsat
coverage), and A4 (polar regions) or the Restricted GMDSS Radio
Operator's License (ROC) for operations in Sea Area A1. They must also
hold a Coast Guard STCW 95 GMDSS endorsement. The STCW endorsement
requires mandatory training and demonstrated ability to operate all
GMDSS systems. Most small commercial vessels are not required to be STCW
compliant, however, and are permitted to use any GMDSS equipment without
mandated GMDSS training. Small commercial vessels mandated to carry
radio for safety reasons are required to hold a radio station license
and the appropriate operator permits. Vessels subject to the
Bridge-to-Bridge act are also required to hold a radio station license.

**The GMDSS Task Force**

This Information Bulletin was approved on 8 October 1996 and updated on
16 May 2002 by the National GMDSS Implementation Task Force, a U.S.
Coast Guard sponsored group established to resolve implementation
problems and assist in disseminating GMDSS information. The Task Force
is soliciting feedback on problems encountered and invites responses
from all concerned. Address responses to Captain Jack Fuechsel, Task
Force Executive Director1600 North Oak Street, #427, Arlington VA 22209;
phone 703-527-0484; or email gmdss@comcast.net. See also the Task Force
GMDSS web site at
[www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms](http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms)
(Click on GMDSS, then on GMDSS Task Force). Reproduction and wide
distribution of this document is encouraged.

File: cvib-2.doc