The GMDSS Manual provides in a single comprehensive publication an explanation of the principles upon which the GMDSS is based including the radiocommunication requirements and recommendations for its implementation the operational performance standards and technical specifications to be met by GMDSS equipment and the procedures for and method of operation of the various radio services that form the GMDSS and the Master Plan for the GMDSS.

The 2024 edition contains the latest information emanating from the IMO project on the modernization of the GMDSS which was completed in 2022 and led to the overall revision of relevant SOLAS regulations and many other mandatory and non-mandatory IMO instruments related to the GMDSS. This edition also includes:

• An introduction to the GMDSS including a description of the GMDSS concept;
• A description of the components of the GMDSS carriage requirements and operational procedures;
• Detailed information regarding terrestrial and satellite-based radiocommunication systems used in the GMDSS;
• Information concerning ongoing work at IMO related to future radiocommunication systems and services;
• Information on promulgation of Maritime safety information and Search and rescue related information including NAVTEX and enhanced group call services;
• Excerpts from the relevant SOLAS regulations for the GMDSS;
• Supporting IMO resolutions relevant to the GMDSS;
• The current GMDSS Master Plan giving the details of the coastal infrastructure and services provided by Member States; and
• Extracts from the ITU-R Radio Regulations giving the radio regulatory background.

The Manual is intended for use by ship personnel shore operators trainers administrations regulators and anyone concerned with ship radiocommunications.

This model course is practical and theoretical and consists of a series of exercises performed on a ship handling simulator. Classroom lectures to provide the necessary theoretical background for the exercises are included. Particular items dealt with in these lectures are illustrated either by including them as part of an exercise or by a separate simulator demonstration. Bridge teamwork is dealt with either as interactive Computer Based Training (CBT) or lecture.

Le service NAVTEX est un service automatique d’impression directe destiné à être utilisé dans le monde entier pour l’émission d’avertissements concernant la navigation et la météorologie et d’informations urgentes à l’intention des navires. Il s’agit de la principale méthode utilisée pour la diffusion des renseignements sur la sécurité maritime et d’alertes de recherche et de sauvetage en cas d’incident conformément aux dispositions de la Convention internationale de 1974 pour la sauvegarde de la vie humaine en mer. II a été mis au point pour que les navires puissent disposer d’un moyen simple peu coûteux et automatique leur permettant de recevoir à bord lorsqu’ils naviguent en mer et dans les eaux côtières des renseignements sur la sécurité maritime.

La présente édition comprend notamment la procédure de retrait des stations NAVTEX existantes si un État côtier en décide ainsi.

Le présent Manuel a été établi essentiellement à l’intention des Administrations maritimes des gens de mer des armateurs et d’autres parties s’occupant de la mise au point de la diffusion et de la réception de renseignements sur la sécurité maritime.

L’édition de 2023 du Manuel est entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2023 et comprend le texte révisé des Normes de fonctionnement pour la réception de renseignements sur la sécurité maritime et de renseignements relatifs à la recherche et au sauvetage sur ondes hectométriques (NAVTEX) et sur ondes décamétriques (résolution MSC.508(105)) ainsi que le texte révisé des Critères à appliquer pour assurer un service NAVTEX (résolution MSC.509(105) annexe 4).

Des codes de signaux ont été publiés depuis le début du XIXe siècle afin de fournir aux marins un système commun de communication en mer accepté au niveau international. Chaque signal du Code international de signaux a une signification complète ce qui garantit que les situations spécifiques liées à la sécurité peuvent être clairement communiquées par divers moyens même en cas de difficultés linguistiques.

Depuis sa première édition publiée en 1965 des amendements au Code ont été adoptés par le Comité de la sécurité maritime (MSC) de l’Organisation maritime internationale (OMI) donnant lieu à quatre éditions ultérieures. La quatrième édition du Code (édition de 2005) a incorporé tous les amendements jusqu’à la soixante-treizième session du MSC tenue en décembre 2000. Le Code international de signaux n’a pas été modifié depuis sa quatrième édition et la présente édition ne comporte que des améliorations d’ordre rédactionnel d’importance mineure et une nouvelle couverture. Par conséquent l’édition de 2005 et la présente édition du Code sont considérées toutes deux valides.

Codes of signals have been published since the beginning of the 19th century to provide mariners with an internationally accepted common system for communication at sea. Each signal within the International Code of Signals has a complete meaning which ensures that specific situations related to safety can be clearly communicated through various means even when language difficulties arise.

Since its first edition published in 1965 amendments to the Code have been adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) resulting in four subsequent editions. The fourth edition of the Code (2005 edition) incorporated all amendments up to MSC 73 in December 2000. The International Code of Signals has not been amended since its fourth edition and this current edition comprises only minor editorial improvements and a new cover. Therefore both the 2005 edition and this edition of the Code are considered equally valid.

SafetyNET is an international automatic direct-printing satellite-based service for the promulgation of maritime safety information including navigational warnings and meteorological information and other urgent safety-related messages to ships as well as search and rescue-related information and fulfils an integral role in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

This edition of the Manual renamed the International SafetyNET Services Manual incorporates changes introduced to the Inmarsat satellite network and services including the Inmarsat Fleet Safety service which has been recognized as a mobile satellite service for use in the GMDSS by adoption of resolution.

Both the safety of shipping and the cleanliness of oceans are promoted in many ways one of which is the continuing development of routeing measures to control the navigation of vessels and to monitor their progress.

The measures that are described or defined in parts A and H of this publication are individually described in parts B (traffic separation schemes and inshore traffic zones) C (deepwater routes) D (areas to be avoided) E (other routeing measures such as recommended tracks two-way routes and recommended directions of traffic flow) F (the rules and recommendations on navigation that are associated with particular traffic areas and straits) G (mandatory ship reporting systems mandatory routeing systems and mandatory no anchoring areas) and H (archipelagic sea lanes).

This edition incorporates routeing measures that have been adopted before July 2019.

The course includes the theory necessary to understand the system configuration principles performance of shipborne marine radar and ARPA the factors affecting radar performances how radar information is obtained displayed and analysed the limitations and accuracy of that information the correct use of operational controls to obtain an optimal display and use radar information to maintain safety of navigation.

El presente manual es una guía práctica para todas las personas interesadas en elaborar radioavisos náuticos o en transmitir pronósticos y avisos meteorológicos en el marco del Sistema mundial de socorro y seguridad marítima (SMSSM).

There are two sections in the revised IMO model course on Maritime English: Core section 1: General Maritime English (GME) and Core section 2: Specialized Maritime English (SME) both of which contain a number of detailed teaching syllabi. GME means that the first stage of Maritime English instruction could be general. SME means that the second stage of Maritime English instruction could be maritime-specific.