Iridium has introduced GMDSS capabilities to its Iridium Certus service, to offer distress alert, safety voice and Maritime Safety Information (MSI), while integrating additional regulated services like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS).
Equipment manufacturers including Cobham Satcom, Intellian, Lars Thrane, and Thales will introduce a combination of Iridium Certus 700 and 200 GMDSS systems in the near future, Iridium says.
When facing an emergency, crew members can press the red distress button and connect with a rescue coordination centre (RCC). Iridium Certus GMDSS equipped vessels will immediately receive a phone call from the responding RCC to ascertain the nature of the distress alert, allowing the vessel to provide pertinent information to assist rescue.
“Regardless of whether a ship chooses a GEO or LEO broadband provider, Iridium Certus GMDSS solutions are the ideal companion needed to support uninterrupted operations and the critical connectivity that a vessel needs,” said Wouter Deknopper, Vice President of Maritime, Iridium.
“This new and comprehensive solution consolidates and simplifies maritime communications while enhancing safety, meeting compliance requirements and supporting continuous business operations. It is simply unmatched in the industry.”
