Iridium CEO Matt Desch receives the Letter of Compliance for Iridium to provide GMDSS services from Captain Moin Ahmed, director general of the International Mobile Satellite Organization
Iridium Communications has announced that a Letter of Compliance was signed by the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), stating it has positively verified the operational and technical requirements as requested by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for Iridium to provide Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service.
The Letter of Compliance was formally presented to Iridium CEO Matt Desch by the director general of IMSO, Captain Moin Ahmed, during a ceremony at Iridium’s headquarters on the morning of January 13, 2020. The issuance of the letter formally authorises Iridium to now provide satellite GMDSS service, bringing truly global coverage and a choice of both network and equipment to this critical emergency service for the first time.
GMDSS is a safety of life system that helps rescue mariners in emergency situations while at sea. IMSO serves as regulator for the system, which is partially comprised of satellite networks that transmit distress information to rescue coordination centres around the world, in addition to the dissemination of navigational and meteorological data to vessels at sea.
“This is a historic moment for public safety in the maritime community globally. The addition of new providers, such as Iridium, for GMDSS services can help to create safer seas for all mariners,” said Captain Moin Ahmed, director general of IMSO.
“Since the inception of GMDSS by the IMO in 1999, a new mobile satellite system, the Iridium network, has now completed a thorough evaluation to become a recognised mobile satellite system in the GMDSS. Recognition of Iridium marks the start of a new era in GMDSS and enhances the integrity and global coverage of safety services for seafarers across the world, including in the polar regions. The evaluation of Iridium took more than four years, and at various stages the Company successfully demonstrated its capability to comply with the requirements for satellite communication services for maritime safety.
“I am pleased to issue Iridium the ‘Letter of Compliance’ that officially makes the company the second recognised mobile satellite system in the GMDSS. My organisation and I take this opportunity to congratulate Iridium management and everyone in the company for their commitment and contribution to the safety of mariners and their passengers at sea. We look forward to continuing to work with Iridium.”
Iridium’s GMDSS service is bringing many new capabilities to the maritime industry, including extending this critical service to the growing number of ships in the waters of the Arctic and Antarctica, otherwise known as Sea Area A4. The new Iridium GMDSS terminals will combine the key three GMDSS services – distress alert, distress voice and Maritime Safety Information – all in one truly global compact terminal. These terminals can provide both normal and emergency communications, including Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), Anti-Piracy/Citadel Communications, and Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT).
The services will be provided in a cost-effective way, making the terminals more affordable for all sizes of vessels, including those that are not required to be GMDSS equipped, such as smaller fishing boats and yachts, but want to take advantage of this invaluable service.
“This is a monumental achievement for Iridium, and one that took years of hard work and dedication. The maritime industry is recognising that our network possesses the unique ability to make GMDSS an even more robust system and extend its coverage to the entire planet,” said Iridium CEO, Matt Desch. “We are dedicated to keep finding innovative new ways to facilitate safer marine travel.”
Iridium formally began the process to become a recognised GMDSS satellite service provider in 2013, with recognition of the Iridium network meeting all criteria required by the IMO’s MSC in May of 2018. Iridium now continues to work with its partners around the world towards rolling out its truly global GMDSS service throughout the first half of 2020.
Source: The Digital Ship