16 May 2002

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

**USE OF GMDSS EQUIPMENT FOR NON-SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS**

**The Problem**

It has come to the attention of the Task Force that the Masters of some
ships equipped for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) have instructed watchstanders not to use GMDSS radio
transmitting equipment except for Distress and Safety communications.
This is contrary to the philosophy adopted by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) while formulating GMDSS principles. The purpose of
this Information Bulletin is to remind masters and others that GMDSS
operators can and should use the GMDSS equipment suite for routine,
non-safety ship\'s communications.

**GMDSS Functional Requirements**

GMDSS was designed to carry out nine separate functional requirements
identified by the IMO as listed below. A properly chosen suite of GMDSS
equipment can comply with all safety and distress requirements and also
meet the ship\'s needs for routine operational and business
communications. The GMDSS functional requirements dictate that ships at
sea be capable of:

1\. Transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least two separate
and independent

means, each using a different radiocommunication service;

2\. Receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;

3\. Transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;

4\. Transmitting and receiving search and rescue coordinating
instructions;

5\. Transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;

6\. Transmitting and receiving signals for locating;

7\. Transmitting and receiving marine safety information;

8\. Transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications to and from
shore-based

radio systems or networks; and

9\. Transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications.

**Regular Use of GMDSS Equipment Assures Operator Competence**

When operators use the GMDSS equipment on a regular basis, they develop
familiarity with its operation in order to become competent operators.
Competency becomes especially important when distress and safety
communications are required. Increased operator competency through
regular use of GMDSS equipment will also help to reduce false alerts,
which have often been transmitted inadvertently by inexperienced
operators.

**Regular Use of GMDSS Equipment Assures Availability**

One of the principal reasons for making GMDSS equipment available for
routine ship\'s business communications is to assure that the equipment
is maintained in proper working order. There are relatively few
occasions for a ship to utilize GMDSS transmitting equipment for safety
and distress purposes and regular use for routine communications helps
to ensure that it will be in proper working order when needed. This
applies to Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on VHF, MF, and HF systems
and to the Inmarsat A, B, C, Mini-C, and the new Fleet 77 systems.
Participation in the NOAA/Coast Guard free reporting services for
weather observations and Amver reports via Inmarsat-C is an excellent
way to ensure proper operation of that system.

**Duplicated Equipment Provided as a Maintenance Option**

A ship operating on the high seas may elect \"duplicated\" equipment as
one of the two required

means of maintaining GMDSS equipment (the others being shore based
maintenance and use of an

on-board maintainer). The \"duplicated\" equipment concept requires an
additional VHF-DSC

transceiver and an additional long-range system such as HF-DSC or one of
the Inmarsat systems.

This duplicated equipment must be installed with it\'s own antennas and
ready for use. This

duplicated equipment should also be exercised routinely for ship\'s
normal communications or test

calls to assure that it is in proper working order.

**Testing of GMDSS Equipment on Ships Having Other Systems**

Many ships with a high volume of business communications carry
alternative voluntary systems in

order to meet these specialized needs in the most efficient and cost
effective manner. While these

special systems effectively meet business needs and in some cases can
even be used to transmit

distress alerts, use of the GMDSS systems is the preferred method for
reliable and timely alerting of

the rescue network and is essential for interaction with other GMDSS
ships. It is therefore

recommended that these ships arrange to transmit selected regular
messages or test messages via the

GMDSS systems for operator training and to assure equipment
availability.

**The GMDSS Task Force**

This Information Bulletin was approved on 14 October 1997 and updated on
16 May 2002 by the National GMDSS Implementation Task Force, a U.S.
Coast Guard sponsored group established to coordinate implementation
problems, recommend their resolution, and disseminate 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 Director, 1600 North Oak Street, #427,
Arlington, VA 22209; phone 703-5270484; or email:
[gmdss@comcast.net](mailto:gmdss@comcast.com). See also the GMDSS
section of the Coast Guard website at
[www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms](http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms)
(click on GMDSS, then on GMDSS Task Force). Note that this information
Bulletin prompted issuance by the IMO of COMSAR/Circ.17 of 9 May 1998.
Reproduction and wide dissemination of this document is encouraged.

File: gmdssib-2.doc