IMO Approves Revised GMDSS Operating Guidance Effective January 2024

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Mfame Editor
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  • New Advisory Highlights Use of GMDSS Equipment in Line with SOLAS Chapter IV.
  • Masters Urged to Broadcast Distress Alerts via All Radiocommunication Systems.
  • ISM Managers Directed to Update Safety Management Systems for GMDSS Compliance.

The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee approved MSC.1/Circ.1656: Revised GMDSS Operating Guidance for Ships in Distress Situations during its 106th session in November 2022. The new guidance takes effect on 1 January 2024, reports MPA.

Key Reminders for Singapore-Registered Ships

Ship Masters, Officers of the Watch (OOW), and GMDSS duty personnel aboard Singapore-registered ships are reminded to:

  1. Use Appropriate Radiocommunication Equipment: Follow Chapter IV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, for distress situations.
  2. Monitor Relevant Coast Stations: Be aware of coast stations that maintain MF, HF, and VHF watches using digital selective calling (DSC).
  3. Incorporate Coast Station Data in Voyage Planning: Include DSC equipment and operating frequencies of relevant coast stations in voyage preparations.
  4. Train GMDSS Duty Personnel: Ensure all personnel are familiar with preferred methods for transmitting distress alerts from the bridge to prompt Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance.

Broadcasting Distress Alerts

Master should broadcast distress alerts using all available radiocommunication systems on the bridge during distress situations to alert all possible coastal stations against non-reception resulting from equipment-specific watch gaps.

Updates to SMS

ISMs of the ships need to update the procedures in the Safety Management System with the “Revised GMDSS Operating Guidance for Ships in Distress Situations”. A flow chart published in MSC.1/Circ.1656 shall be displayed in the ship’s bridges in a readily visible A4 size poster.

Revised GMDSS Operating Guidelines

The revised guidelines adopted by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee during its 106th session (2-11 November 2022), were prepared by the NCSR Sub-Committee in its ninth session (21-30 June 2022).

Main Recommendations

Show the Guidance: It shall be posted on the bridge of the ship as an A4-sized poster.
In Distress Situations: The guidance indicates best practice for the use of radiocommunication equipment, as provided for in Chapter IV of SOLAS, 1974.

Replacement of Previous Circular

This guidance supersedes COM/Circ.108 on 1 January 2024. Member Governments are requested to inform seafarers and other stakeholders about the new guidance. The new guidelines stress the need for effective and efficient communication in distress situations. Ship operators and crew members must be aware of the new GMDSS operating procedures to improve maritime safety and prompt SAR assistance.

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Source: MPA