6 According to section 1.3 of resolution A.1001(25), the Coverage Area
of the satellite system is the geographical area within which the
satellite system provides an availability in accordance with the criteria
stated in section 3.5 in the ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship directions,
and within which continuous alerting is available. Section 3.5, dealing
with availability, states among others that the satellite system should
provide continuous availability for maritime distress and safety communications
in the ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship directions.
If the system(s) which a ship is licensed to use does not
offer full global coverage, Administrations will need to devise a
means of matching the ship's distress and safety radio capabilities
with the regions of the world in which she is permitted to operate.
In this context, it is important to note that satellite
systems forming part of the GMDSS should provide capabilities for
all the nine maritime distress and safety communications functions
specified by chapter IV, regulation 4.