Amendments to SOLAS chapter IV adopted by resolution MSC.496(105) and other related instruments emanating from the modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), approved COMSAR.1/Circ.32/Rev.1 on Harmonization of GMDSS requirements for radio installations on board SOLAS ships, superseding COMSAR/Circ.32, COMSAR/Circ.17, COM/Circ.110, COM/Circ.110/Corr.1 and COM/Circ.117 as from 1 January 2024.

The key amendments include:

1. Replacement of references to “INMARSAT” with “Recognized Mobile Satellite Service” (RMSS).
2. Redefinition of Sea Area A3, now covered by a RMSS supported by a SHIP EARTH STATION (SES) providing “continuous alerting.”
3. Safety Radio Certificates for ships operating in Sea Area A3 must specify the recognized mobile satellite service (e.g., INMARSAT/IRIDIUM).
4. Elimination of the requirement for narrow band direct printing (NBDP) for GMDSS emergency/safety communications, both for transmission and reception.
5. Mandated use of SART/AIS-SART and two VHF devices, replacing the previous SOLAS Chapter III requirements.
6. Exclusion of VHF-EPIRB as a substitute for EPIRB in Sea Area A1.
7. Variability in Sea Area A3, determined by the type of RMSS SES installed, with reduced coverage specifying a specific A3 coverage for a particular ship.
8. Amendments to the Safety Radio Certificate.

Read more: Download