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Iridium Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

The tide has turned.

Iridium is bringing reliable, truly global GMDSS services to the market for the first time ever, giving you real choice and making critical safety services available anywhere on the globe. With Iridium GMDSS, mariners will be able to sail with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Iridium Advantage

Iridium GMDSS will enhance your safety at sea,
offering reliable coverage where no other options exist.

Capability

All Iridium Connected® GMDSS terminals will come standard with functionality for all satellite GMDSS services. Unlike existing competitive options, Iridium Connected GMDSS terminals will initiate both Distress Alert and Safety Voice quickly with the press of just one button.

Coverage

The Iridium network is designed to work in extreme conditions at sea. Our unique constellation of 66 cross-linked satellites in Low-Earth Orbit provides reliable coverage, even in adverse weather, around the entire globe, including over the Arctic and Antarctic waters in Sea Area A4.

Cost

The initial Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal from Lars Thrane is expected to supply all three satellite GMDSS services at about 25 percent of the cost of the current equipment required to do the same, allowing more vessels to access these life-saving services.

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Equipment

Iridium GMDSS services will be available through a single, small-form-factor maritime terminal.

The Iridium Connected GMDSS device developed by Lars Thrane will integrate all three satellite GMDSS services at what is expected to be a fraction of the existing cost of competitive options, and it will be the first solution to offer truly global GMDSS services.

Iridium Certus® GMDSS solutions are expected to become available following the initial Iridium GMDSS launch via below-deck hardware supplements for existing Iridium CertusTM maritime terminals.

Find a Service Provider

Connect with an Iridium GMDSS service provider to get started.

Planned Iridium GMDSS Services

Distress Alert

Activated by the press of a button, distress alerting sends basic, but critical data to a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC).

  • ID
  • Status
  • Position

Safety Voice

Connect to an RCC and other maritime authorities through a call to share additional details about the distress situation.

  • High Priority Calling
  • Hydrographic Reporting (Navigational Dangers)
  • Medical Advice and Assistance

Maritime Safety Information (MSI)

MSI is transmitted through an Enhanced Group Call (EGC) service called Iridium SafetyCastSM.

  • Navigational
  • Meteorological
  • Safety-Related

Additional Features

  • Distress Alert Relay
  • Shore-to-Ship Distress Calling
  • Maritime Assistance
  • Standard Maritime Calling & Messaging

 

Today, Iridium equipment is already used on 50,000 vessels around the world.

Twenty percent of these ships are SOLAS vessels using Iridium for non-GMDSS safety and security purposes. The Iridium network is resilient, robust, and already a trusted provider of safety and security services in the maritime market, and the addition of Iridium GMDSS services will allow mariners to feel truly safer anywhere at sea.

Dedicated to Safety & Security

Over the past 15 years, Iridium and its Value Added Manufacturers have built an impressive track record providing global safety and security to mariners everywhere.

  • Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)
  • Long-Range Identification Tracking (LRIT)
  • Search & Rescue (SAR)
  • Fisheries VMS & Catch Reporting
  • Emissions Monitoring (MRV)
  • E-Navigation
  • Anti-Piracy & Citadel Solutions
  • Ice Navigation
Learn More
Iridium GMDSS Launch Updates

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To learn more about how Iridium's GMDSS fits your organization’s needs, fill out the form below:

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Fact SheetLast UpdatedSize
Iridium GMDSS - FAQs
Oct 07, 20202.2 MB
Size: 2.2 MB
File Name: FAQ_Iridium+GMDSS_FAQs_100720.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Frequently Asked Questions related to the Iridium GMDSS Service
Updated: October 07, 2020

Products: Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System
Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Maritime
Iridium GMDSS - Fact Sheet
Mar 30, 2020755.9 KB
Size: 755.9 KB
File Name: FS_Iridium+GMDSS_Fact+Sheet_033020.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Fact Sheet describing Iridium's GMDSS (Global Marine Distress and Safety Systems) Services

Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Maritime
Applications: Safety Services, Safety Services
Iridium GMDSS - Get the Facts - Fact Sheet
Nov 03, 2020698.97 KB
Size: 698.97 KB
File Name: FS_Iridium+GMDSS_Get+the+Facts_Fact+Sheet_103120.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Get the Facts about Iridium GMDSS
Dated: October 30, 2020

Products: Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System
Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Maritime
Legal Notice
Iridium - Fair Access Policy
Aug 22, 2018122.32 KB
Size: 122.32 KB
File Name: LGL_Iridium+Fair+Access+Policy_Block+1_v.22_082218.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

The Iridium Fair Access Policy applies to all Iridium Services
Dated: August 08, 2018

Services: Circuit Switched Data (CSD), Iridium Burst®, Iridium CloudConnect, Iridium Direct Internet, Iridium GMDSS, Iridium GoChat Crew Calling, Iridium Location-Based Services (LBS), Iridium LRIT, Iridium OpenPort®, Iridium Postpaid Calling, Iridium Prepaid Calling, Iridium Push-to-Talk, Iridium RUDICS, Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD), Iridium SMS, Iridium Web Services (IWS), Local Number Dialing Services, Netted Iridium®, Postpaid Calling
Verticals: Corporate
Press Release
Press Release: Iridium Continues GMDSS Readiness with Announcement of Launch Partners
Jan 27, 2020276 KB
Size: 276 KB
File Name: PR_Iridium+Continues+GMDSS+Readiness+with+Announcment+of+Launch+Partners_121119.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Title: Iridium Continues GMDSS Readiness with Announcement of Launch Partners
Distribution Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Distribution Time: 08:01 AM EST

Press release formally announcing Iridium’s GMDSS service providers. These companies will be the first in the industry to provide truly global satellite Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service to mariners and include: Arion Communications, AST, Marlink, Marsat, NSSLGlobal, Satcom Global and Speedcast.

Products: Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System
Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Corporate, Maritime
Press Release: Iridium is Now Formally Authorized to Provide GMDSS Service
Jan 13, 2020159.92 KB
Size: 159.92 KB
File Name: PR_+Iridium+is+Now+Formally+Authorized+to+Provide+GMDSS+Service_011320.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Title: Iridium is Now Formally Authorized to Provide GMDSS Service
Distribution Date: Monday, January 13, 2020
Distribution Time: 13:32 PM EST

  • On January 13, 2020, Iridium received the Letter of Compliance formally authorizing the Company to provide Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Service (GMDSS).
Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Corporate, Maritime
Press Release: New Era for Safety at Sea as First-ever Iridium® GMDSS Terminal is Unveiled
Jun 05, 2019197.05 KB
Size: 197.05 KB
File Name: PR_New+Era+Safety+At+Sea_GMDSS+Service_Lars+Thrane_060419.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Press Release concerning the launch of the first Iridium partner product to feature Iridium GMDSS support, dated June 4, 2019.

Products: Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System
Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Corporate, Maritime
Press Release: Public Services Agreement Signed as Iridium Continues Readying GMDSS Services
Apr 16, 2019199.54 KB
Size: 199.54 KB
File Name: PR_Historic+PSA+Signed+GMDSS_041619.pdf
Vendor: Iridium
File Type: PDF
Description:

Press Release concerning the signing of a Public Services Agreement with the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) dated April 16, 2019.

Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Corporate, Maritime
Product Details
Lars Thrane - LT-3100S GMDSS System - Product Sheet
Jan 10, 20202.09 MB
Size: 2.09 MB
File Name: PP_Lars+Thrane_LT-3100S+GMDSS+System_Product+Sheet_Rev.1.01.pdf
Vendor: Lars Thrane A/S
File Type: PDF
Description:

Product Sheet for the Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System

Products: Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System
Services: Iridium GMDSS
Verticals: Maritime
Applications: Safety Services, Safety Services