Annex - Guidance for the Reception of Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue Related Information as Required in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1645 – Guidance for the Reception of Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue Related Information as Required in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) – (16 May 2022) - Annex - Guidance for the Reception of Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue Related Information as Required in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Annex - Guidance for the Reception of Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue Related Information as Required in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

 MSI and SAR related information broadcast services

1 Depending on where the ship operates, the following services can be used for the reception of maritime safety information (MSI) and search and rescue (SAR) related information as part of the GMDSS:

  • .1 International NAVTEX Service,footnote which provides the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception on 518 kHz of MSI and SAR related information by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy using the English language;

  • .2 High frequency narrow-band direct-printing (HF NBDP) using radio telegraphy as defined in Recommendation ITU-R M.688, as amended; and

  • .3 International Enhanced Group Call (EGC) service provided by a recognized mobile satellite service:

    • .1 International SafetyNET services,footnote which provides the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception of MSI and SAR related information via the Inmarsat enhanced group call system, using the English language; and

    • .2 International Iridium SafetyCast service,footnote which provides the coordinated broadcast and automatic reception of MSI and SAR related information via the enhanced group call system, using the English language.

2 The individual MSI and SAR related information broadcast services in the GMDSS are interdependent. Information that is broadcast via NAVTEX is not necessarily duplicated over an international EGC service or HF NBDP.

3 SAR authorities may broadcast SAR related information over the services described in paragraph 1, as required.

 Guidance to meet obligations of SOLAS chapter IV

4 In order to meet the requirements in SOLAS regulation IV/7.1.4, ships should be provided with equipment appropriate for the entire voyage in which the ship is engaged, as follows:

  • .1 a receiver capable of receiving international NAVTEX service broadcasts if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area in which an international NAVTEX service is provided; and

  • .2 if the ship is engaged in voyages in which an international NAVTEX service is not provided:

    • .1 a receiver capable of receiving HF NBDP service when a ship is engaged in voyages where such service is provided; or

    • .2 receiver(s) capable of receiving broadcasts from an international EGC service identified in paragraph 1.3 which provide(s) a service for the operating areas.

5 The GMDSS Master Plan module in GISIS provides necessary information to identify the coverage area and necessary details for MSI and SAR related information broadcast services related to each NAVAREA and METAREA. The GMDSS Master Plan modulefootnote is accessible to all registered Public Account holders.footnote


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.