Inmarsat – A safe pair of hands

Everyone relies on technology nowadays to keep them safe. “Drive-by-wire” technology has already moved from aircraft to the humble family car, where other electronic systems combine to ensure we travel safely.

Most of the time, we don’t give supporting technology a thought as we go about our daily lives. We just accept that it will work when we need it.

Seafarers have had the same confidence in the distress and safety systems on board their ships ever since the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) was introduced in stages from 1 February 1992. The GMDSS means that ships have totally reliable and immediate delivery of satellite distress alerts and distress priority communications via Inmarsat.

In the unlikely event of a ship getting into difficulty at sea, immediate contact with a rescue coordination centre is guaranteed via Inmarsat at the press of a button. Reliability comes as standard.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requires a minimum 99.9% availability of the Inmarsat satellites and network at all times – and Inmarsat has consistently provided better than that since the dawn of the GMDSS.

Distress and safety communications via Inmarsat have certainly not stood still since the GMDSS was introduced. Older analogue systems have been replaced by more modern, digital technology. Equipment has become smaller, lighter, more reliable and less costly.

The Inmarsat network for distress and safety is constantly under review and is independently audited by an intergovernmental body, the International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO), which reports annually to the IMO on Inmarsat’s delivery of its public service obligation.

Inmarsat C has been described as the cornerstone of the GMDSS, since this small terminal delivers key functions for distress alerting, communications and the receipt of key maritime safety information.

Because of the importance of Inmarsat C to the GMDSS, Inmarsat developed a smaller and more technically advanced version, known as mini-C, which requires very low power indeed whilst delivering the same reliable functionality.

IMO developed in 1999 new requirements for the GMDSS through its Resolution A.888(21) – now itself updated to Resolution A.1001(25).

Within two years, to meet the new regulations, Inmarsat developed and launched Inmarsat Fleet 77, which is still the only maritime terminal available that meets the requirements of the latest IMO Resolutions for new systems in the GMDSS.

And what of the future?

Inmarsat successfully launched in August the third of its Inmarsat-4 satellites. These new-generation satellites also provide full GMDSS functionality.

A new series of maritime terminals has also been launched, known as FleetBroadband. Although FleetBroadband does not yet provide GMDSS services, Inmarsat is actively considering what changes would be required for the future.

In a changing world, the need for safety does not change. Through innovation and investment, Inmarsat continues to evolve its distress and safety systems; making sure at all times that innovation really does equal improvement.

Search and rescue professionals know that any delay in receiving a distress alert can make the difference between rescuing survivors and recovering bodies. Distress alerts via Inmarsat are delivered reliably and automatically to a rescue coordination centre in less than two minutes

Seafarers trust Inmarsat as “a safe pair of hands” – with their lives!