You Deserve Real Choice.
Iridium® GMDSS.
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 can sail with confidence.
The Iridium Advantage
Iridium GMDSS enhances your safety at sea,
offering reliable coverage where no other options exist.
Capability
All Iridium Connected® GMDSS terminals come standard with functionality for all satellite GMDSS services. Unlike the historic options, Iridium Connected GMDSS terminals 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 inaugural Iridium Connected GMDSS terminal from Lars Thrane supplies 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.
Equipment
Iridium GMDSS services are available through a single, small-form-factor maritime terminal.
The Iridium Connected® GMDSS device developed by Lars Thrane integrates all three satellite GMDSS services at a fraction of the cost of existing competitive options, and it is 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 Certus® maritime terminals.
Iridium GMDSS Service Providers
Connect with an Iridium GMDSS service provider to get started.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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 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
Want more information?
To learn more about how Iridium GMDSS fits your needs, please fill out the form below:
Login to access additional resources
Press Release concerning the launch of the first Iridium partner product to feature Iridium GMDSS support, dated June 4, 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions related to the Iridium GMDSS Service
Updated: October 07, 2020
Fact Sheet describing Iridium's GMDSS (Global Marine Distress and Safety Systems) Services
Get the Facts about Iridium GMDSS
Dated: October 30, 2020
The Iridium Fair Access Policy applies to all Iridium Services
Dated: August 08, 2018
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.
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).
Press Release concerning the signing of a Public Services Agreement with the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) dated April 16, 2019.
Product Sheet for the Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS System
A one and a half minute overview video explaining Iridium GMDSS in introductory terms.
Dated: December 11,2020
Format: 7MB in Mp4