The GMDSS
is a 'global' system in name only. Many areas of the world
are not yet equipped with GMDSS shore infrastructure, principally
because of the apparent high cost of establishing GMDSS-compliant coast
radio stations.
Traditional GMDSS stations can be complex to design and implement, and this complexity often translates to high cost for the purchaser.
However, this need not be the case. Developments in technology have brought about significant reductions in radio and equipment cost, whilst enhancing performance and reliability.
One of the traditionally most expensive parts of a GMDSS Coast Station was the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system.
A new DSC and NBDP system for shore stations has been developed by the US Company TransOceana. TransOceana are the designers of the DSC systems installed at the Australian and New Zealand GMDSS Coast Stations. Their new system is simple to use, reliable, offers excellent performance and (most importantly) is reasonably priced.
The system operates on a PC network running the Windows XP operating system. The TransOceana product is easily scalable, so that it can be designed for a simple single A1 VHF system used in a limited coast station, or a complete A1, A2 and A3 network using duplicated servers and workstations.
Traditional GMDSS stations can be complex to design and implement, and this complexity often translates to high cost for the purchaser.
However, this need not be the case. Developments in technology have brought about significant reductions in radio and equipment cost, whilst enhancing performance and reliability.
One of the traditionally most expensive parts of a GMDSS Coast Station was the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system.
A new DSC and NBDP system for shore stations has been developed by the US Company TransOceana. TransOceana are the designers of the DSC systems installed at the Australian and New Zealand GMDSS Coast Stations. Their new system is simple to use, reliable, offers excellent performance and (most importantly) is reasonably priced.
The system operates on a PC network running the Windows XP operating system. The TransOceana product is easily scalable, so that it can be designed for a simple single A1 VHF system used in a limited coast station, or a complete A1, A2 and A3 network using duplicated servers and workstations.
A screen shot of the DSC operator console is reproduced below.
The system also allows complete automated position polling via DSC.
The received position information is output from the system as a
NMEA data string or as an AIS formatted message for feeding into
electronic chart plotting programs. This will enable users to automatically track vessels via DSC and display their position on an electronic chart.
One of the stand out features of the product is its ability to allow unlimited remote control of the system from anywhere in the world over the Internet. A remote user simply installs the operator console software on their Windows PC, and enables an Internet connection to the desired coast station. All functionality of that station can be available to the remote user.
This application offers significant advantages for users with large networks, or even SAR agencies who wish to monitor DSC activity directly at the Rescue Coordination Center.