Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Manual (GMDSS Manual), 2011 edition

book summary

The GMDSS Manual, provides, in a single comprehensive publication, an explanation of the principles upon which the GMDSS is based, the radiocommunication requirements and recommendations for its implementation, the operational performance standards and technical specificacions to be met by GMDSS equipment, and the procedures for and method of operation of the various radio services which form the GMDSS and the Master Plan for the GMDSS.
The 2011 edition is fully updated and includes:
Description of the development and the concepts of the GMDSS
Description of the components of the GMDSS, the carriage requirements and the operational procedures
Excerpts from the relevant SOLAS regulations for the GMDSS
Supporting resolutions and circulars relevant to the GMDSS
The IMO perforamance standards and related ITU-R Recommendations giving the technical detail of the radio equipment
The Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (2010)
The NAVTEX Manual (2005)
The NAVTEX Manual (2012)
The International SafetyNET Manual (2011)
The current GMDSS Master Plan giving the details of the coastal infrastructure and services provided by member administrations
Extracts from the ITU-R Radio Regulations giving the radio regulatory background.
The Manual is intended for use by ship personnel, shore operators, trainers, administrations, regulators and anyone else concerned with ship communication
CONTENTS:
Abbreviations
Part 1: Introduction:
- History
- The old system and the need for improvement
- Early implementation of GMDSS provisions
- Implemetation 1992-1999
- Developments since 1999
- Developments in the ITU
Part 2: Basic concept of the GMDSS:
- General
- Communications functions in the GMDSS
- Search and rescue
- Radio personnel
- Station identities
Part 3: Communications systems in the GMDSS:
- General
- Inmarsat System
- Cospas-Sarsat system
- Digital slective calling (DSC) system
- Search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs)
- Equipment performance standards
- Maritime safety information (MSI) system
- Automatic identification system (AIS)
- Ship security alert system (SSAS)
- Long-range identification and tracking (LRIT)
Part 4: GMDSS equipment carriage requirements
Part 5: Operational procedures for the GMDSS
Part 6: Shore-based SAR communication network and operation
Part 7: Master Plan for the GMDSS
Part 8: Maintenance of equipment in the GMDSS
Annex 1 Regulations of the 1974 SOLAS Covention, as amended, relevant to the GMDSS
Annex 2 IMO Assembly and MSC resolutions relevant to the GMDSS
Annex 3 Radio equipment (IMO performance standards and related ITU-R Recommendations)
Annex 4: Maritime safety information (MSI)
Annex 5: GMDSS Master Plan (GMDSS.1/Cir. 9)
Annex 6: MSC Circulars relevant to the GMDSS
Annex 7: COM and COMSAR Circulars relevant to the GMDSS
Annex 8: Articles and appendices of the Radio Regulations relevant to the GMDSS