The 8th session of IMO’s Communications and Search and Rescue Subcommittee (NCSR) took place on April 19-23, 2021. The meeting concluded work on modernizing the global marine hazard and safety system (GMDSS) requirements.
The GMDSS was adopted as part of the 1988 SOLAS amendments and was fully implemented in 1999 to provide communication between ships and shore and search and rescue (SAR) at sea. The proposal for the revision of GMDSS was first brought to IMO in 2009 and aimed to eliminate the old while enabling the use of modern communication systems.
Therefore, NCSR 8 has completed draft changes to SOLAS Sections III and IV to modernize GMDSS requirements, as well as draft changes to High Speed Hull (HSC), Special Purpose Ships (SPS) and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU). .
In addition, communications equipment provisions for life-saving devices and regulations in SOLAS Chapter III have already been moved to Chapter IV on radio communications.
GMDSS modernization imposes, among others, more general requirements regardless of specific service providers or technologies. For example, the reference to the sole service provider Inmarsat in the definition of A3 sea area has been replaced by a reference to a recognized mobile satellite service.
The changes will be submitted to MSC 104 for approval and are expected to take effect on January 1, 2024, subject to the subsequent adoption of MSC 105.
Other items on the agenda include the dissemination of maritime safety information and SAR-related information over a large number of mobile satellite services recognized by GMDSS and being in contact with the International Telecommunication Union.
The Subcommittee announced that it will also consider the report of a correspondence group on the revision of the guidelines on shelters for ships in need of assistance.
The Subcommittee was opened by IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim and is chaired by Ringo Lakeman.
