Iridium SafetyCast Implementation Status
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announce the establishment of the Iridium SafetyCast Service, as a recognized mobile satellite service in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Effective 11 December 2020, Iridium declared the Iridium SafetyCast Service operational for broadcasting navigational warnings, meteorological warnings and forecasts, and Search and Rescue (SAR) related information.
NAVAREAs and METAREAs will have a phased implementation process indicated by following status: planned, on trial, and operational. Each NAVAREA and METAREA will have different timeframes for when they are ready to implement services. The graphics below provide detail for the most current implementation status for each NAVAREA and METAREA.
During the "trial" period, NAVAREAs and METAREAs will provide navigational warnings and meteorological warnings and forecasts in accordance with the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (MSI) on an intermittent and test basis and therefore they should not be relied on for planning or voyages. The "trial" period is a test and evaluation stage, which is necessary to ensure messages are processed and promulgated in a timely and appropriate manner.
Determination when each NAVAREA and METAREA is ready to enter the "operational" stage will come at a later date and will be announced via the Iridium SafetyCast Service. Mariners should ensure that they are compliant with EGC carriage requirements for the areas in which they operate by accessing MSI via the declared fully operational systems.
NAVAREAs
METAREAs
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