Review and modernization of GMDSS background related to the development of S-124

S-124NW CG - Yves Le Franc – France - 05/10/2014 

The Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, Communication and Search and Rescue (NCSR) at its1st session (30 June – 4 July 2014) endorsed the draft outline of the Detailed Review as presented by the correspondence group on the review and the modernization of the GMDSS (NCSR 1/13).  The § 3.2.5 of the Annex of NCSR1/13 states that “a need for machine-readable MSI, that can readily be displayed on navigational systems” must be included in the Detailed Review.  The § 8.2 of the Appendix “Revised Functional Requirements and Issues” gives 7 points for discussions for modernization of MSI. These points refer to COMSAR documents.

The § 8 of the Appendix is copied here:

“8 Receive Maritime Safety Information (MSI)

.1 Solutions now in use

.1 VHF Voice (Sea Area A1)

.2 MF Voice (Sea Areas A1 and A2)

.3 HF Voice (Sea Areas A1-A4)

.4 NAVTEX Receivers (Sea Areas A1-A4)

.2 Discussions for Modernization

.1 Role of AIS / VDES

.1 Next generation AIS

    (COMSAR 16/11 (26-33))

    (COMSAR 14/7/4)

.2 Digital system for MSI and security-related information at 500 kHz (NAVDAT)

    (COMSAR 16/4/3)

    (COMSAR 16/11(34))

.3 NBDP not needed

   (COMSAR 15/INF.3 (table row 3))

.4 Improve NAVTEX bandwidth. Provide MSI as a ship-"pull" service

    (COMSAR 15/INF.4 (17))

.5 Ship "pull" service of MSI for EGC SafetyNET service

.6 Improved presentation of MSI / Machine readable MSI readily displayed on navigational systems

(COMSAR 16/3/5)

(COMSAR 16/INF.2)

(COMSAR 15/INF.3 (table rows 3 and 7))

(NCSR 1/17, annex (57))

.7 Improve storage, sharing and distribution of MSI

    (COMSAR 15/11 (annex, 30.2))

.3 Related Work Plan Subjects

·        the role of Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP);

·        problems which might arise due to a lack of HF stations in future;

·        the usage of satellite equipment as an alternative in Sea Areas A2 currently based around MF/HF DSC; and

·        the further evolution of Maritime Safety Information broadcast systems, taking into account the ongoing work in IHO and WMO. “

The more interesting documents quoted above for the objective of the S-124 CG are posted in the S-124 CG’s pages (S-124 CG Documents for 2014) for consideration by the S-124 CG members.

They are:

-        COMSAR 15/INF.3 GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS)

Scoping exercise to establish the need for a review of the elements and procedures of the GMDSS - Shipboard User Needs - Submitted by the Nautical Institute

-        COMSAR 15/INF.4 GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) -Scoping exercise to establish the need for a review of the elements and procedures of the GMDSS - Report from the GMDSS Task Force on elements for- GMDSS modernization scoping exercise - Submitted by the United States. See 17-19 and 32.

-        COMSAR 15/11DEVELOPMENT OF AN E-NAVIGATION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - Report of the Correspondence Group on e-navigation - Submitted by Norway. See the report of the e-navigation CG, 30.2.

-        COMSAR 16/INF.2 DEVELOPMENT OF AN E-NAVIGATION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - Report from the EfficienSea Project - Submitted by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden. See in particular 16-31.

Taking into account that the detailed review was still in a very early stage, the NSCR 1 re-established the Correspondence Group on the Review of the GMDSS, under the coordination of the United States.