Please refer to the below list of GMDSS equipment to be arranged according to the ships' operating areas.
All Ships Irrespective Sea AreaNAVTEX
- 2-way VHF Radiotelephone Apparatus.
- 2 sets required for cargo ships 300-500gt.
3 sets required for all passenger ships and cargo ships over 500gt.
- SART (Search and Rescue Transponder)
- 1 set required for cargo ships 300-500gt.
2 sets required for all passenger ships and cargo ships over 500gt.
- 406 MHz EPIRB
- (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
- NAVTEX receiver NX-700
- Required, if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area where a NAVTEX service is provided.
Availability of Communications by Duplication of Equipment
Also, a VHF radiotelephone capable of transmitting DSC on channel 70, and radiotelephony on channels 16, 13 and 6 is required irrespective of the sea areas.
In order to ensure the availability of GMDSS communication, SOLAS Convention defines the following 3 methods:
- At sea electronic maintenance, requiring the carriage of a qualified radio/electronic officer (holding a GMDSS First or Second class Radio-Electronics Certificate) and adequate spares and manuals;
- Duplication of certain equipment; or
- Shore based maintenance
Ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A1 and A2 are required to arrange at least one of the three methods described above, or a combination as may be approved by their flag administration. Ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A3 and A4 are required to arrange at least two of the three methods. If availability is ensured by using a combination of the methods including duplication of equipment, the following equipment should be made available in addition to the shore-based maintenance requirements:
- Sea Area
- A VHF radiotelephone (VHF plus DSC) and either MF/HF radiotelephone (MF/HF, DSC, plus NBDP) or Inmarsat Maritime MES.
- Sea Area
- A VHF radiotelephone (VHF plus DSC) and a MF/HF radiotelephone (MF/HF, DSC, plus NBDP). For ships in A4 only occasionally but mostly in A3, the additional MF/HF radiotelephone may be substituted by an Inmarsat Maritime MES.
