GMDSS requirements for area A3

C25038 | 21 July 2025

Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors / Auditors : 

The revised SOLAS Chapter IV, (IMO Resolution MSC.496(105)). contains requirements for radiocommunications that apply to new and existing ships on or after 1 January 2024.

COMSAR, the IMO Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue, has revised their Circular titled Harmonization of GMDSS Requirements for Radio Installations on board SOLAS Ships. The revised circular COMSAR.1/Circ.32/Rev.3 supersedes COMSAR.1/Circ.32/Rev.2.

The Circular contains, in Annex, Guidelines for the Harmonization of GMDSS Requirements for Radio Installations on board SOLAS Ships, which took effect from 01 January 2024.

COMSAR plays a crucial role in developing and updating international regulations and guidelines related to:

• Radiocommunications: This includes aspects of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which is a globally integrated communications system for maritime distress and safety.
• Search and Rescue (SAR): This involves establishing procedures, developing manuals (like the IAMSAR Manual, jointly published with ICAO), and ensuring effective coordination for maritime search and rescue operations worldwide.

Points to Note:

The GMDSS equipment requirements for all ships trading in areas A1 – A3 and to which SOLAS Chapter IV applies are:

SOLAS Requirements  before and after 2024:

Act now

Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors / Auditors should note the contents of COMSAR.1-Circ.32-Rev.3 and be guided accordingly.