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GMDSS

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio equipment as required by SOLAS Chapter IV.

19types 62manufacturers 686models
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Types in this category.

Every equipment type in GMDSS links to full manufacturer and model data, specifications and service notes.

VHF Radio
VHF Radio
VHF radio is the short-range, line-of-sight backbone of GMDSS, covering bridge-to-bridge, port and rescue coordination communication out to roughly 20-30 nautical miles, which is why it remains mandatory even on ships fitted with satellite systems that cover far greater distances.
215 models
Inmarsat Terminal
Inmarsat Terminal
An Inmarsat terminal provides GMDSS-approved satellite distress alerting and two-way communication through Inmarsat's geostationary satellite network, giving near-global coverage except at the high latitudes the satellites cannot see, which is why polar-trading vessels still need an Iridium or HF alternative.
150 models
MF/HF Radio
MF/HF Radio
MF/HF radio is the GMDSS sea area A3/A4 fallback: DSC alerting and voice or NBDP traffic on 2 MHz and 4-27 MHz bands when a vessel is beyond VHF range or satellite coverage is unreliable at high latitude.
115 models
Inmarsat-C
Inmarsat-C is a store-and-forward satellite terminal that sends and receives short text and data messages, not voice, over the Inmarsat geostationary network; it is the GMDSS component that automatically transmits distress alerts with position when a ship needs help.
51 models
VSAT
VSAT gives the ship broadband data and voice traffic over satellite, but it carries no GMDSS obligation of its own — the dedicated distress and safety equipment stays fitted and tested whether or not the VSAT link is working.
30 models
MF/HF SSB Radio (GMDSS)
MF/HF SSB Radio (GMDSS)
MF/HF SSB radio is the GMDSS component that reaches beyond line-of-sight and beyond satellite footprint gaps, using digital selective calling on 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz to alert other ships and coast stations without a working satellite link.
28 models
VHF DSC Radio
VHF DSC Radio
A VHF DSC radio is the GMDSS Sea Area A1 backbone - it distinguishes itself from a plain VHF set by the ability to trigger and receive a digital distress alert automatically, not just carry voice traffic on Channel 16.
25 models
AIS Transponder
An AIS transponder broadcasts a vessel's identity, position, course and speed over VHF at set intervals so other ships and shore stations can track it automatically, supplementing radar and closing the gap radar alone leaves at close range and in clutter.
20 models
Inmarsat-C Terminal
Inmarsat-C Terminal
Inmarsat-C is the narrowband, store-and-forward satellite terminal that forms the core GMDSS data link for Sea Area A3. It sends and receives short text messages and distress alerts, not voice, and that narrow scope is exactly what makes it reliable.
14 models
GMDSS Console
GMDSS Console
The GMDSS console is the bridge workstation that brings together a ship's distress alerting and safety communication equipment - DSC radios, NAVTEX, Inmarsat-C and the distress alarm panel - into one position the officer of the watch can operate under pressure.
9 models
Inmarsat Fleet Broadband
Fleet Broadband delivers high-bandwidth satellite data and voice for crew welfare, remote diagnostics and fleet management, but it is not a GMDSS-approved terminal and carries no distress alerting function of its own.
9 models
Inmarsat FleetBroadband
Inmarsat FleetBroadband
FleetBroadband is Inmarsat's IP data and voice terminal running on the I-4 satellites, giving simultaneous voice and broadband data rather than the narrowband, store-and-forward messaging of Inmarsat-C, and that difference decides which terminal a ship actually needs.
7 models
All 19 types
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By manufacturer

Manufacturers.

All 62 manufacturers with models in GMDSS. Every name opens a search across the full library.

Search by manufacturer AFRISOWISKASwagelokAlfa Laval S.p.A.MAN Energy SolutionsWärtsiläEndress+HauserABB MarineAlfa LavalMacGregorNovenco MarineCarrier MarineseimiSiemens MarineHeinen & Hopman
Knowledge

What a GMDSS engineer checks first.

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a self-contained satellite distress beacon, carried as required GMDSS and SOLAS life-saving equipment, that transmits on 406 MHz to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system when activated. It differs from a Search and Rescue Transponder (SART), which is a radar-reflecting device used to guide a rescue unit to a liferaft once search has already narrowed the area, and from an AIS-SART, which broadcasts a position on AIS rather than through satellite. The EPIRB's role is the first alert: getting the vessel's identity and position…

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Frequently asked

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Is GMDSS data free?

Yes. Every model page, every guide and every datasheet in this category is readable without an account. An account adds saved searches and requests, nothing is taken away.

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