GMDSS system utilizes terrestrial radio techniques is ** VHF-MF-HF-DSC**

GMDSS is composed of subcomponents which use different radio frequency bands.

1. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on HF, MF, and VHF maritime radio.
2. INMARSAT
3. NAVTEX
4. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
5. Search and Rescue Radar Transponder

For info check Marine Insights article on GMDSS What you must know.

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What equipment utilizes satellite communications?

Inmarsat-C

Maritime mobile satellite system, the Inmarsat C can communicate on almost all navigable Earth's waters, as the are covered by Inmarsat satellites.

INMARSAT C system depends on an omni-directional antenna, which is easy and simple to install. It can transmit and receive data, emails, telex, SMS, weather information, and maritime charts.

For more info, see US Coast Guard article, MarComms - Inmarsat C SafetyNET

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What equipment is used in or near the survival craft?

EPIRB

EPIRB is a device called Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. It sends a radio signal on 121.5 MHz frequency for help. The beacon provide location for the rescue systems.

There are three types of EPIRB

• COSPAS/SARSAT using the 406.025 MHz and 121.5 MHz bands.

• INMARSAT E using the 1.6 GHz band.

• VHF CH 70 using the 156.525 MHz band on sea area A1.

What is EPIRB from Sea of Solutions

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What equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of Distress alerts and calls to individual stations?

DSC Controller

Equipment is programmed to initiate transmission of Distress alerts and calls to individual stations is the DSC Controller

DSC, or the Digital Selective Calling, a key part of GMDSS, is a way of sending preset digital distress messages, using radio frequencies in the (MF) medium-, (HF) high-, or (VHF) very-high-frequency (VHF) maritime marine ranges.

DSC controller is a stand-alone device or module in a device to program and understand DSC distress messages. It may be used to contract another ship to request a conversation with it.

See ICOM article What is a DSC Controller?

For over all GMDSS info, Wikipedia GMDSS

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What system provides accurate vessel position information to the GMDSS equipment?

GPS

Accurate vessel position information to the GMDSS equipment by GPS

IMO and ITU require that a GPS , a satellite navigation beam receiver, to be connected with MF, HF, and VHF radios as a part of the GMDSS system.

An excellent practical information about GMDSS if on Furuno site, called General Introduction to GMDSS

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Which of these can be used to receive MSI?

NAVTEX

Can be used to receive MSI.

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74) defined the MSI, Marine Safety Information system which provides meteorological forecasts and warnings, (WWNWS, world-wide navigation warning system) as well as navigational information.

Also, other safety or urgent information is provided for ships, such as ice reports, search and rescue, electronic navigational system updates. Under the SOLAS 74, each ship must have the MSI system in place.

Under SOLAS convention, all ships must carry equipment which can receive NAVTEX warning messages.

US Coast Guard article on NAVTEX Maritime Safety Broadcasts and also
GMDSS Areas and Search and Rescue Areas

See National Geospatial Safety Information article Marine Safety Information

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