1400 E. Clement Street
Baltimore,
Maryland,
United States
410-685-5068
GMDSS provides a much more certain systems of distress alerting and response than has been available until now. GMDS relies heavily on automated terrestrial and satellite based systems to provide worldwide distress coverage. Under GMDSS, radio watchkeeping is almost entirely by silent, automatic receivers. You should not hear any thing on the radio until you need to. The human element, however, is still the key to the system. The GMDSS operator, most likely the mate on watch, will have to ensure that proper equipment and frequencies are being guarded and must be able to use them. This all new third edition of the handbook contains current rules and information about GMDSS as well as general communications procedures. Where a specific FCC rule applies. It is indicated by the appropriate rule number, e.g., (80.12345). Although titled a GMDSS handbook, this book is in face a communications handbook for ship's officers. Table of Contents: • Table of Contents..........i • Preface..........iii • Introduction..........1 • Effective Dates..........1 • Definitions..........2 • Functional Requirements..........5 • Sea Areas..........6 • Ship Equipment Requirements..........6 • Survival Craft Equipment Requirements..........7 • GMDSS Frequencies..........7 • EPIRB..........8 • SART..........9 • Maritime Safety Information (MSI)..........10 • Digital Service Calling (DSC)..........12 • Radio Communications (voice & telex)..........14 • INMARSAT Communications (phone & telex)..........20 • Distress Procedures (radio & satellite)..........22 • Watchkeeping Requirements..........28 • Operator Requirements..........29 • Maintenance Requirements..........31 • Emergency & Reserve Power Requirements ..........32 • Rules & Regulations..........33 • Emergency Communications Plan..........38 • List of Illustrations..........38 • Illustrations (figs. 1 - 19)..........F1 - F25 • Index..........I - 1 ISBN: