Task Force Background

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is the new international radio safety system for ships mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Specialized Agency responsible for maritime safety. The GMDSS has been implemented on international shipping since 1999 through a change to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. The new equipment and procedural requirements constitute the most sweeping changes since the original SOLAS Convention was enacted following the sinking of the SS TITANIC. Although the Convention applies only to international shipping over 300 tons, most governments have specified use of selected GMDSS systems for their regulated domestic vessels and all non-regulated vessels are permitted to use any of the GMDSS systems.

The U. S. Coast Guard, with the support of other government maritime organizations, chartered the GMDSS Task Force in 1993 to assist the private sector in implementing the GMDSS. In 2005, the Coast Guard passed direct sponsorship of the Task Force to the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM), a non-profit public interest group which provides secretarial support and hosts Task Force meetings. The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) a non-profit Trade Organization representing Marine Electronic manufacturers and service agents, also hosts a Task Force meeting annually.

Captain Jack Fuechsel, Executive Director
E -mail gmdss@comcast.net,
Phone 703-527-0484
Mail: 1600 N. Oak Street, #427; Arlington VA 22209