IMO circulars related to the GMDSS

Extensive information concerning the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), including description of the GMDSS components, carriage requirements, operational procedures and radiocommunication systems used in the GMDSS, is consolidated by IMO in a single publication entitled "GMDSS Manual".

This page complements the information presented in the GMDSS Manual by providing a list of related IMO circulars. 


REFERENCE
(dd/mm/yy)
WHERE APPLICABLE
TITLE
COM/Circ.105 + Corr.1
6 August 1991, 
21 August 1992 (Corr.1)		Clarification of certain provisions of the 1988 SOLAS amendments for the GMDSS
COM/Circ.125
20 February 1995Recommendations on the use of batteries for two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus
COMSAR.1-Circ.3.pdf19 April 1996Relations between NAVAREA Coordinators and rescue coordination centres
COMSAR.1/Circ.136 March 1998Shore-to-ship communications during a distress
COMSAR.1/Circ.2927 May 2002Guidance for the voluntary use of the standardized questionnaires and formats for reporting false alerts in collecting data on false alerts
COMSAR.1/Circ.32/Rev.23 July 2023Harmonization of GMDSS requirements for radio installations on board SOLAS ships
COMSAR.1/Circ.33/Rev.1
8 July 2022GMDSS Coast Station Operator's Certificate (CSOC) syllabus
COMSAR.1/Circ.35
21 May 2004Recommendations on medium frequency/high frequency (MF/HF) digital selective calling (DSC) test calls to coast stations 
COMSAR.1/Circ.37/Rev.1
28 May 2021Guidance on minimum communication needs for Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) 
COMSAR.1/Circ.50/Rev.4
28 May 2021Distress priority communications for RCCs from shore-to-ship via Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) satellite service providers
COMSAR.1/Circ.56
30 November 2012Guidance on smartphone and other computer device SAR applications 
COMSAR.1/Circ.60
30 June 2022Procedure for routeing distress alerts
MSC.1-Circ.803-Rev.1.pdf16 May 2022Participation of non-SOLAS ships in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and guidance on the development of training materials for GMDSS operators on non-SOLAS ships
MSC.1-Circ.861.pdf22 May 1998Measures to reduce the number of false distress alerts
MSC.1-Circ.862.pdf22 May 1998Clarifications of certain requirements in IMO performance standards for GMDSS equipment
MSC.1-Circ.892-Rev.1.pdf28 November 2022Guidance on alerting of search and rescue authorities
MSC.1-Circ.959.pdf20 June 2000Interim procedures for MRCCs on receipt of distress alerts
MSC.1-Circ.960.pdf20 June 2000Medical assistance at sea 
MSC.1/Circ.1039/Rev.1
18 October 2021Guidelines for shore-based maintenance of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)
MSC.1/Circ.1040/Rev.2
18 October 2021Guidelines on annual testing of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)
MSC.1/Circ.10786 June 2003Guidelines to Administrations on reporting false alerts
MSC.1/Circ.120822 May 2006Promoting and verifying continued familiarization of GMDSS operators on board ships
MSC.1/Circ.1210/Rev.121 November 2014Guidance on the Cospas-Sarsat International 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database
MSC.1/Circ.124816 October 2007Minimizing delays in search and rescue response to distress alerts
MSC.1/Circ.1310/Rev.121 November 2014Revised Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
MSC.1/Circ.1364/Rev.211 November 2020International SafetyNET Services Manual
MSC.1/Circ.136524 May 2010Commercially available locating, tracking and emergency notification devices
MSC.1/Circ.13897 December 2010Guidance on procedures for updating shipborne navigation and communication equipment
MSC.1/Circ.1403/Rev.228 November 2022NAVTEX Manual
MSC.1/Circ.141425 May 2012Guidance to prospective GMDSS satellite service providers 
MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.430 June 2023Guidance on the validity of radiocommunications equipment installed and used on ships
MSC.1/Circ.161214 June 2019Guidance for navigation and communication equipment intended for use on ships operating in polar waters
MSC.1/Circ.1613/Rev.25 July 2023Iridium SafetyCast service manual
MSC.1/Circ.163511 November 2020IMO Enhanced Group Call Coordinating Panel
MSC.1/Circ.164516 May 2022Guidance for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information as required in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
MSC.1/Circ.165628 November 2022GMDSS operating guidance for ships in distress situations
MSC.1/Circ.165728 November 2022Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships
MSC.1/Circ.165828 November 2022Guidance on distress alerts
MSC.1/Circ.165928 November 2022Guidance for the dissemination of search and rescue related information through the international enhanced group call service
MSC.1/Circ.166028 November 2022Guidance on the training on and operation of emergency personal radio devices in multiple casualty situations
MSC.1/Circ.167630 June 2023Delays affecting the availability of new GMDSS equipment compliant with the revised performance standards set out in resolutions MSC.511(105), MSC.512(105) and MSC.513(105)