This came after its performance was subjected to an intensive review by a group of IMO-appointed experts.
The recognition was confirmed at an IMO sub-committee meeting on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) on 23rd February, where delegates acknowledged an International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO) experts technical review finding that Fleet Safety surpasses the requirements of resolution A.1001(25), initially for the MEAS region.
NCSR will now recommend that MSC’s May, 2018 meeting approves Fleet Safety as a recognised service to support the public service on which seafarers rely.
“We are delighted that Inmarsat’s proposal regarding the future development of its GMDSS solution has received a positive response from NCSR,” said Ronald Spithout, Inmarsat Maritime president. “This is an important step-forward for our maritime safety strategy encompassing both our current constellation of I-4 satellites and our I-6 constellation and has been designed for both existing FleetBroadband services and the next-generation. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Inmarsat’s Maritime safety & security and engineering teams, and to the on-going support of IMSO.”
Operating on L-band, via Inmarsat’s fleet of four I-4 satellites, FleetBroadband terminals are equipped with the same GMDSS functionality as Inmarsat C. Today, around 160,000 Inmarsat C terminals are installed on ships operating worldwide.
“For almost 40 years, Inmarsat has been focused on the safety of mariners throughout the world and, following the recommendation to include Fleet Safety in GMDSS, we can proudly restate our commitment to both maintaining and improving the safety services we offer to the maritime industry,” Spithout added.
IMO is reviewing GMDSS under a wide-ranging modernisation plan, to take advantage of changing satellite infrastructure and advances in maritime software and hardware to enhance the system.
Spithout also said that Inmarsat would liaise closely with IMSO and its network of technology and channel partners over the coming months to finalise and implement the proposal recognised by NCSR and which will be put in front of the MSC in May.
All vessels of 300 grt and above are required to be fitted-out with GMDSS compliant equipment. To be compliant, GMDSS must meet performance standards set out by IMO in A.1001(25).