Bringing crews truly global safety-at-sea services

Iridium^® GMDSS enhances crew safety and wellbeing, offering reliable coverage where no other options exist.

This page includes the latest details on various product and service approvals from regulatory bodies around the world. Please check back as we continue to update this page with information about Iridium GMDSS.

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Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC)

RCC Map

This map shows the initial geographic areas of responsibility for the RCCs that have them. The dark blue represents the area for RCC Atlantic Area Command, the lighter blue is for RCC Pacific Area Command.

About RCC

Iridium regularly provides updates to mariners regarding the status of the RCCs connected to Iridium GMDSS. It is important to know that the addition of new RCCs and Iridium Connected^® GMDSS terminals to the system will be completed automatically as they come online.

Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal users should regularly check with their equipment supplier and this page to ensure they are up to date on any additions.

RCC Locations

Legend:

• RCC = Rescue Coordination Center
• JRCC = Joint Rescue Coordination Center
• MRCC = Maritime Rescue Coordination Center

NOTE: RCCs throughout the world are all connected and routinely communicate to support and assist one another in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. For example, emergency communications from around the world are routinely dealt with by the U.S. Coast Guard RCCs, who then work with a local RCC to deploy SAR assets, regardless of the distressed vessel’s location.

Automatic Mode – Iridium GMDSS equipment has the ability to select an RCC (for emergency communications) either automatically or manually. When in automatic mode, the terminal will automatically select an RCC based on their geographic area of responsibility for the RCCs in the system.

Manual Mode – Some RCCs do not have a geographic area of responsibility. However, the terminal user can select any specific RCC (in the Iridium GMDSS) for the terminal to always communicate with (regardless of location of the terminal). Manual mode will override the terminal’s Automatic features and send emergency communications to the selected RCC by default.

With a valid connection, a mariner’s Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal receives information for new areas once the associated MSI providers commence broadcasting. Below is the status of the connection for each provider (by NAVAREA or METAREA) to Iridium GMDSS.

*The Iridium network is capable of broadcasting MSI through Iridium SafetyCast anywhere in the world. For METAREAS/NAVAREAS that have not yet opted into sharing data with Iridium, information may not be available at this time.

METAREAs

NAVAREAs