Ships will have a choice of emergency communications systems following a historic agreement at IMO. Iridium gained recognition on 21 May by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee as a future provider of satellite communications as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
After this important decision, Iridium can progress with its plans to gain approvals for its service and maritime terminals from the International Mobile Satellite Organisation, the inter-governmental organisation appointed by IMO to manage oversight of satellite GMDSS providers.
Iridium’s case was presented at IMO on 17 May by the US Coast Guard and a delegation from the US Administration. Global coverage for safety communications will come from Iridium’s Next constellation of low Earth orbit satellites which cover the entire maritime areas including polar regions.
Iridium has worked with Lars Thrane to develop… (Read More) Source; http://www.marinemec.com/news/view,iridium-gains-gmdss-recognition_51875.htm