Maritime safety

Mariners around the world rely on Inmarsat

Ships in distress need to know their call for help will be heard, no matter how bad the conditions. Our safety services are dependable - they are unaffected by the weather and operate over the world's most reliable satellite network. That's why mariners have trusted their lives to Inmarsat for more than 30 years.

GMDSS

Inmarsat plays a crucial role in maritime safety. Our satellites are the mainstay of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). 

At the touch of a button, GMDSS-compliant vessels are able to send an alert – automatically given priority access – to a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) on shore, as well as ships in the immediate vicinity, using our Inmarsat C or Fleet 77 services.

Fleet 77

Provides full support for GMDSS, including advanced features such as emergency call prioritisation, as stipulated by IMO resolution A888 (21). Also provides global voice and high-speed data up to 128kbps.

Inmarsat C and Mini C

Offer two-way, store-and-forward packet data communications via a small, low-cost terminal. Handles operational and personal messages, including email, telex and fax, just as easily as distress and safety communications.

Voice distress service on FleetBroadband

Small and medium-size vessels not requiring GMDSS compliance still need access to reliable safety services.

Inmarsat's voice distress service utilises FleetBroadband to provide priority call access, interrupting all non-distress calls – either ship-to-shore or shore-to-ship – as soon as the "red distress button" on the alarm panel is pressed.

The caller will then be connected to an operator at one of three Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) strategically located around the globe. This service is enabled by fitting an equipment upgrade to a Thrane & Thrane Sailor FleetBroadband terminal.

505 Emergency Calling with FleetBroadband

Vessels can also make distress calls using the 505 Emergency Calling facility,  which comes as standard with all FleetBroadband terminals.