1. Provide a forum for interested parties to consider
all aspects of GMDSS implementation and recommend action
to appropriate authorities. This includes considering modernization
of GMDSS systems and procedures and participation in the
U.S. SOLAS Communications, Search and Rescue (COMSAR) Working
Group which formulates U.S. positions on IMO/COMSAR issues.
2. Maintain a Public Relations program to inform all
sectors of the maritime community on the benefits of GMDSS
participation and to solicit feedback on GMDSS problems.
3. Maintain an overview of GMDSS training to encourage
well trained GMDSS operators on compulsory vessels, indoctrinate
operators of non-compulsory vessels with an appropriate
level of voluntary GMDSS training, and advocate programs
to minimize false alerts in order to improve the effectiveness
of Search and Rescue operations.
4. Maintain liaison with equipment manufacturers and
service agents to facilitate proper equipping of compulsory
vessels and providing advice to non-compulsory vessels
which use GMDSS systems on a voluntary basis.
5. Maintain liaison with the recreational vessel community
as by far the largest group in the U.S. maritime sector,
to which very little regulation applies and for which
there is significant demand for manuals and voluntary
training aids.
6. Monitor progress of government and private sector
shore radio system modernization to support the GMDSS
and offer new services.
7. Monitor developments and promulgate information concerning
non-GMDSS radio systems of interest to the maritime community
such at the Automatic Identification System (AIS), the
Ship Security and Alerting System (SSAS); Voyage Data
Recorders (VDR), Long Range Identification and Tracking
systems (LRIT), Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) used by
fising vessels, and developments in E-Navigation.
