Iridium GMDSS: World's First Truly Global, Real-Time Maritime Emergency Service Launched by Iridium
Posted By Adam S On Tuesday, 15 December 2020
Iridium has announced the launch of the world's first, truly global maritime emergency service. The Iridium GMDSS service gives seafarers a real-time emergency response and rescue service that works everywhere in the world. No other maritime emergency response system matches the coverage and real-time communications capability of the Iridium GMDSS service.
Iridium's GMDSS service functions much like an international SOS button and also includes a real-time emergency voice calling service, SOS button, and maritime safety information with Iridium's unmatched truly global coverage.
Built on Iridium's newly upgraded satellite network that covers 100% of the globe, Iridium GMDSS serves as a weather-resilient complement to other satellite broadband capabilities on ships, aircrafts. and vehicles. No other maritime emergency response system matches the coverage and real-time communications capability of the Iridium GMDSS service.
"This is a historic moment in both the satellite and maritime industries," said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium. "It is not every day that you get to announce the launch of a service that will most certainly save lives and is bringing innovation to this important maritime service."
How It Works
Once a vessel holds down the red 'distress' button, indicating that it needs assistance, a signal is immediately routed through the Iridium satellite network and delivered in moments to a designated Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). Unique to the Iridium system, this is then followed automatically by a distress phone call, allowing the vessel to immediately speak with the RCC. The RCC then can quickly understand the nature of the emergency, while also alerting nearby vessels and local search and rescue authorities to provide the required immediate assistance.
LT-3100 Terminal
Designed with partner Lars Thrane, the LT-3100S terminal is designed to operate on the Iridium network for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) vessel carriage requirements.This is the first terminal designed to provide truly global GMDSS services and is the first to be offered after the International Maritime Organization's decision to recognize Iridium as just the second-ever satellite provider for this critical service. The addition of Iridium as a GMDSS provider will extend the coverage of this service to 100 percent of the planet's waterways, including the dangerous A4 regions (Arctic and Antarctic) for the first time.
With voice and data capabilities with 100% global coverage, the LT-3100S GMDSS system consists of a control unit, handset, and antenna unit. A single cable solution connects the control unit with the antenna unit. The LT-3100S GMDSS system is not only designed for GMDSS services,t also offers SSAS and LRIT functionalities and can be used as the primary satellite communication on vessels, covering the basic communication needs in terms of connectivity between the ship and shore. The LT-3100S GMDSS system also provides voice, SMS, data, vessel tracking, and other Iridium services with competitive airtime rates, making it the perfect satellite communication product on board any vessel.