A guide to passing the operator's examination for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which will be compulsory for ships over 300 tons as from February 1999. Apart from its most important task, that of life-saving, GMDSS will provide an international maritime system of instant commmunication, that will broadcast all types of safety, weather and navigational information on the high seas.

The entry into force and implementation of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) between 1992 and 1999 was the most far-reaching development in maritime emergency assistance since the invention of the radio. The GMDSS Manual presents the principles on which the GMDSS is based, the requirements for its implementation, the standards to be met by GMDSS equipment, and the method of operation of the various radio services which make up the GMDSS. The annexes give comprehensive information on all aspects of the GMDSS, including primary texts such as: relevant texts of the 1974 SOLAS Convention relevant to the GMDSS, relevant IMO Assembly resolutions, MSC and COM circulars, articles of the Radio Regulations, resolutions of WARC and WARC-Mob-87 conferences, IMO performance standards and related ITU-R recommendations, and the Master Plan for the GMDSS.--Publisher's description.

The Global Maritime distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is becoming the all-embracing term for communication and data transfer between ship and shore, and ship and ship. It's a highly automated system of terrestrial satellite communications technology whose primary role is to maintain safety of life at sea. Within the next five years all vessels over 300 tonnes will be required to carry GMDSS equipment. The seafaring nations of the world have together established the rules and regulations for good working practices within the system, and every serving and future navigating officer will be required to hold the GMDSS General Operator's Certificate. GMDSS for Navigators brings together in one publication the knowledge required by anyone who wants to become a qualified and competent operator of GMDSS communications equipment. It should prove to be the accepted universal reference for GMDSS training.