Nautical Term: GMDSS
Definition of GMDSS
The Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols. GMDSS is designed to increase safety and facilitate the rescue of distressed ships, boats, and aircraft.
GMDSS consists of several interconnected systems, including alerting (position determination), search and rescue coordination, locating (homing), maritime safety information broadcasts, general communications, and bridge-to-bridge communications. Specific radio carriage requirements depend upon the ship’s area of operation, rather than its tonnage.
GMDSS also provides redundant means of distress alerting and emergency sources of power. The system is intended to perform several key functions: alerting (including position determination of the unit in distress), search and rescue coordination, locating (homing), maritime safety information broadcasts, general communications, and bridge-to-bridge communications.
Example usage of GMDSS in a single paragraph: During a routine voyage in the North Atlantic, the cargo ship ‘Marine Star’ suddenly encountered heavy winds and towering waves. The crew issued a distress alert via their ship’s Global Maritime Dist
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