Inmarsat A, Band C
(7(J' N to 7(J' S)
Inmarsat EPIRB
(7(J' N to 7(J' S)
Cospas-Sarsat EPIRB
(Global)
SART (9GHz/3cm)
(uP to 10 miles)
Hand-held VHF
(up to 10 miles)
Distress, Urgency and Safety,
ship-shore/ shore-ship
(includes receiving MSI)- Public correspondence
Distress Alerts, to-shore
Distress Alerts, to-shoresending locating signal, by radaronboard communications
radiO)- Iiferaft/ SAR communications
(none)
(none)
Mobile Satellite Services
(none)(none)(none)(hand-held UHF(none)Sea area of operation
GMDSS vessels should be fitted with a range of radio/satellite
communications equipment to match the shore-based (distress and safety)
facilities covering their 'Sea Area of Operation'. The four GMDSS Sea
Areas (AI, A2, A3 and A4) are determined by the shore-based radio
facilities/Inmarsat system coverage for receiving distress alerts/relaying
those alerts to a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). The
Sea Areas, with an abridged defmition/ explanation, are:
SEA AREA Al
within radiotelephone range (normally limited to 20-30 miles) of a
VHF DSC coast station keeping a GMDSS distress watch.
SEAAREAA
within radiotelephone range (to around 150 miles) of a MF DSC
coast station keeping a GMDSS distress watch (but outside area AI).
Author's explanation: DSC alerts on VHFIMF will activate the alarms on
receiving equipment beyond the range at which two-way voice (radiotelephone)
communications can be established - hence 'radiotelephone'range.Al and A2 Coast Stations for the GMDSS, and diagrams showing the
limits of A 1 and A2 Sea Areas around the world, are contained in
Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 5 (ALRS Vol. 5 and figure 1.1)SEAAREAA
within the 'global footprint' of the Inmarsat satellite system (see
figure 1.2) where continuous alerting is available (but not including
those Al and A2 areas which also fall within that footprint).
MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 5