Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

Optional Coverage Area

Main Coverage Area

Figure 8.72

Thuraya coverage map (extract from website http://www.T7zuraya.com

courtesy of Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company)

Services like Iridium, Globalstar and Thuraya and other similar services
will normally be fitted onboard vessels in addition to their GMDSS
equipment fit. They are not likely to take over any of the distress and
safety functions already available on GMDSS systems but will offer
alternatives for public correspondence traffic for the forseeable
future. From-mobile calls may be possible from virtually anywhere
within the satellite footprint or spot-beam - but you should check and
confirm that calls to-mobile, from different countries, will be possible
before choosing one system against another.

MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 179