INMARSAT-C SYSTEM

Capt. F. Louzn
INMARSAT-C
Inmarsat-C system: Based on digital technology, which means that anything that can be
encoded into digital data, whether it be text typed in, numeric data read from instruments, or other
information in digital form can be Tx & Rx by the system.
INMARSAT-C SYSTEM OPERATION
The LES act as an interface between the satellite link and the national/int., telecomm network.
The LES stores the message briefly before forwarding it. The time a ship-to-shore or shore-to-
ship message requires from being transmitted to being received at the final destination is about 3-
5 minutes. In the reverse direction, callers may send messages to a single MES or to a group.
This technique is known as store & forward messaging;
Messages are transferred to and from an Inmarsat-C terminal at an information rate of 600
bits/sec: It can handle messages up to 32 kbytes (32.768 8 bits characters).
A GMDSS requirement is that 98% of the time in any 24 period must be available to receive MSI
The message is encoded and sent in a series of data packets to an Inmarsat-C LES using TDM
technology. If the LES receives any errors in the data-packets, it signal back to the MES to re-
transmit the packets in question, and the procedure repeats itself until the LES has received the
complete message without errors.
Introduced in 1991, it lacks the ability of voice
communications, but does provide a means of
sending text messages (including fax text)
and data communications to and from ships
via the Inmarsat satellite system.
The Inmarsat-C system complies with the GMDSS & is a mandatory requirement for
passenger & merchant ships greater than 300 GT that makes international voyages
Inmarsat mini-C: was introduced in 2001, smaller terminals and less power consumption
Tx: 1626,5 - 1660,5 MHz
Rx: 1525,0 - 1559,0 MHz
Rx GPS: 1575,42 MHz
SafetyNET
y FleetNET
1 NOC & SCC in London
1 NCS per Ocean Region (4)
1 LES network per O.R.
INMARSAT-C
COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK
INMARSAT-C FUNCTIONS
Inmarsat-C is a main component of a GMDSS system as it may performs 6 of the 9
specific functions of GMSS as per SOLAS Ch.IV, R.4.
1. Transmit ship-to-shore distress alerts;
2. Receive shore to ship distress alerts;
3. Transmit and receive SAR (Search And Rescue) communications ship-to shore, shore-to-
ship & ship-to-ship for SAR coordination operations;
4. Transmit and receive on-scene communications SAR communication:
5. Reception of Maritime Safety Information (MSI); and
6. Transmit & receive general radio communications ship-to shore, shore-to-ship & ship-to-ship
INMARSAT-C EQUIPMENT
Antenna unit: omni-directional placed well above deck to provide an unobstructed view from the
horizon to the sky in all directions: Free Visibility to: -5 long, & -15 transv.
Communication Unit: Is a Transceiver where different peripherals can be connected
Printer: Compulsory for GMDSS ships as per Res. A.664(16)
Terminal unit: integrated in the Comm., unit or independent./Portable PC dedicated to comm.
Screen: Integrated or not; Keyboard; Remote Distress Key (Bridge +other place)
SSAS Alert Unit (R.6 Cap. XI-2 del SOLAS)
Alarm panel: Sounds when a Distress/Urgency message is Rx, fault, no paper, lack of position
AC/DC Power Supply Unit; Automatic change in case of no AC power (Black-out)
Distress Message Controller: Used to monitor and send Distress alerts
- DCE (Data Circuit Terminating Equipment): Is a satellite modem which provides interface
between the MES and the satellite system using a transmitter, receiver and an antenna unit.
- DTE (Data Terminal Equipment): The DTE interfaces external input/output devices to the MES
such as:
INMARSAT-C EQUIPMENT

Every terminal has a simple text program used to create,
edit, save, send, store files. Only ROM (Read Only
Memory) programs are permitted as per Inmarsat CN114
Keyboard, screen & printer for message processing. In some MES models this are built
into the DTE, while in other models are separate.
An external computer, used to format and store messages before they are sent or to run
specialized software and to receive and store data (Hard drive, USB, SD...)
1. It should be possible to initiate & make distress calls from the position from which the ship is
navigated & from at least one other position designated for distress alerting.
2. A distress alert should be activated only by means of a dedicated Distress button.
3. The dedicated button should be clearly identified & protected against inadvertent operation.
Generally the button is protected by a transparent cover, so that to initiate a distress alert
should require two independent actions.
4. The equipment should indicate the status of the distress alert transmission
5. It should be possible to interrupt and initiate distress messages at any time.
6. Provisions should be made for:
1. automatic (GPS) and manual entry of the position information; and
2. automatic and manual entry of the time at which the position was determined.
Inmarsat-C terminals installed after
November 23, 1996 must comply with
operation standards established by the OMI
Resolution A.807(19).
INMARSAT-C EQUIPMENT
POWER SUPPLY: The SES should normally be
powered from the ships main electrical energy.. In
addition it should be possible to operate the SES
and all necessary equipment from an alternative
source of energy.
Changing from one source of supply to another or any interruption of up to 60 s of the supply of
electrical energy should not require the equipment to be manually re-initialized and should not
result in loss of received messages stored in the memory
EGC Message
Processor
Transmitter Receiver
Message
Processor
EGC Receiver Transmitter Receiver
Message
Processor
EGC Message
Processor
CLASSES OF INMARSAT-C MES & EGC RECEPTION
Class-0: MES for stand-alone EGC reception only
Class-1: MES for Inmarsat-C message transfer only (Tx & Rx ). No EGC receiver
Class-2: MES can receive EGC messages when not engaged in normal non-EGC
message Tx & Rx. When the MES is engaged in normal Rx/Tx the MES receiver will be tuned
to the LES messaging channel for the duration of the message transfer . As EGC messages are
sent on the NCS Common Channel, the MES is not able to receive any of them. Once the
message Tx/Rx is complete, the receiver automatically re-tune to the NCS Common Channel
and then will be ready to receive EGC messages. Most SafetyNET MSA messages are repeated
with a six-minute echo
Class 3: MES has two receivers, one for Inmarsat-C message transfer at any time
and the other for EGC reception at any time
Class-2 MES
Class-3 MES
LOGIN: The MES when initiated will automatically scan through the list of Ocean Regions
searching for the strongest NCS Common Signaling Channel. The MES will register with the Inm-C
system to enable communications
Logging-in is necessary only in the following cases:
- The first time that the MES is switched on or after a prolonged period in logout;
- When the ship moves from one Ocean Region to a different one; or
- When signal from the selected NCS is lost.
LOG-IN Y LOG-OUT
NCS O.R.
044 AOR-W
144 AOR-E
244 POR
344 IOR
LOGOUT: If the MES will not be used for a
prolonged period you should logout. LOGOUT
informs the NCS that the MES is not longer
available for comm., & the NCS in the OR
updates its database with this information. If you
do not log out before turning off the power, some
LESs may attempt to send messages to you.
NOTE THAT AUTOMATIC SCANNING IS NOT ALLOWED ON GMDSS-COMPLIANT MESs.
This will ensure that during a DISTRESS call your MES stays in the same OR into which
you are logged, so the same RCC can communicate with you.
INMARSAT-C SERVICES
1. DISTRESS alerting & Distress priority messages
2. Store & forward messages: Telex, send fax text, Data: PSDN, X-25, X-400, e-mail, SMS
3. Data reporting & polling services: (lat, Long, Course, Speed, RPM, Cargo temp,... )
A DNID (Data Network ID) is programmed by LES: Individual and group call. Data reports may be
sent regularly, randomly or in response to a polling command from a shore-based Oper. Centre.
4. SCADA (Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition) services: Control operations / Data reports
5. Reception of EGC (Enhanced Group Call): SafetyNET y FleetNET
6. Two-digit codes SAC : Urgent or Safety priority calls: 38, 39, 41,42, 43
7. SSAS (Ship Security Alert Service) & LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking)
1. DISTRESS ALERTS & DISTRESS MESSAGES
Every Inm-C LES in connected by a telecommunications link to a RCC, know as the associated
RCC & are equipped with facilities to organize SAR activities & communicate with Ships & RCCs
You can make two different types of distress calls with an Inmarsat-C MES
A brief Distress alert which contains summarized information on your distress circumstances
A more detailed distress priority message in which you can send your distress circumstances
and ask for the assistance you require.
Either of the above types of
distress call will be automatically
routed through the Inmarsat-C
network with top priority to an
RCC, which will establish
communications with you to
organize the rescue services you
may require.

Alerts are sent through the selected LES to the associated Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
Transmission is made in NCS Common Channel in the OR where the login was made
Inm-C has the advantage that may transmit even when the ship has a big list (Inm-B or F77 No)
Pressing the dedicated distress button(s) sends a distress alert immediately via the Inmarsat
system to a RCC irrespective of whether your MES in engaged in message transfer or logged into
an Ocean Region.
1. DISTRESS ALERTS & DISTRESS MESSAGES
1. Distress alert: Pre-programmed alert containing the MES ID, date, time, position, course &
speed. When you do not have time to specify the nature of the distress do the following:
1. Open the cover of the [DISTRESS] button on the terminal unit
2. Press the [DISTRESS] button until the lamp in the button lights continuously (about 5 sec)
The nature of the distress will be undesignated as the default sep-up.
If there is time to specify nature of
distress and recipient (LES) access the
menu and choose LES & nature of
distress... When finish press DISTRESS
button until lamp lights continuously
2. Transmitting the Distress Alert with Nature of Distress Specified
Generally, acknowledgement should be
received within 1 min, if not received within 5
minutes, send alert again. When
acknowledgement is received the screen will
show Distress Acknowledgement
Received and the terminal alarm will sound
ALERTAS Y MENSAJES DE SOCORRO
Alerta de socorro: Mensaje generado automticamente que incluye ID de la MES, posicin y
hora UTC, R, v, naturaleza del socorro, fecha y hora de la alerta. No se puede incluir texto libre.
1. Mediante pulsadores de socorro: Local en el equipo, remoto o mediante el panel alarmas
Pulsadores claramente marcados y se requieren dos acciones siempre para enviar un SOS
1. Levantar tapa botn DISTRESS
2. Pulsar el botn DISTRESS y mantenerlo presionado 5 seg.
Por defecto la alerta incluir Undesignated como naturaleza del peligro
2. Men Terminal: Si hay tiempo se puede especificar la naturaleza del peligro y actualizar
campos del men de forma manual (lat. Log,..) y elegir la LES deseada. La alerta no se puede
enviar nicamente mediante el men, se prepara y se enva mediante el botn de DISTRESS
Generalmente se debe recibir el
acknowledgement antes de 1 min, si
no se recibe dentro de los 5 min, enviar
de nuevo la alerta. Al recibirlo se
muestra en pantalla Distress
Acknowledgement Received y se
indica mediante alarma.
FURUNO Felcom 15
1. Setup Distress Alert Setup
2. Actualizar campos: manual/auto
3. Seleccionar Nature of Distress lista
4. Seleccionar LES ms prxima en la RO
5. Pulsar botn DISTRESS 5 seg.
DISTRESS ALERT
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
THIS IS TANKER SIRIUS, IMN
463645610. I HIT A SUBMERGED
OBJ ECT AND HAVE A BIG LIST
TO STARBOARD. RISK OF
SINKING AND ABANDONNING
SHIP IN POSITION 4023N
02530W. REQUIRE INMEDIATE
ASSISTANCE.
22 POB
MASTER M/T SIRIUS
DISTRESS PRIORITY MESSAGE
A more detailed distress priority message in which you can send your distress
circumstances with more detailed information and ask for the assistance you require.
The distress priority message is also automatically routed by the to the associated RCC, so
you do not need to give an address to the message
1. Create the message with terminal text editor starting with word: MAYDAY.
2. Select Transmit o Send Message from the menu, depending on terminal software
3. Assign Distress priority to the message
4. Choose the same LES as when you sent the Distress alert
5. Send the message as usual selecting Send from the menu
Distress priority message example
HOW TO SEND A SHIP-TO-SHORE MESSAGE
1. Create your message either by using the MES text editor o by editing an existing message
2. Select Transmit or Send depending on your terminal
3. Select destination number and type of network (telex, fax, X-25, SAC & format: 5-bit, 7-bit)
4. Select the LES through which you want to send your message & Immediate delivery or delay
5. Select RUTINE priority. If you select DISTRESS your message will be routed only to the RCC
associated with the LES selected, regardless of the destination.
6. Select the option to Receive confirmation of delivery
7. Confirm that you have entered all the correct information and then select the command Send
8. Within few sec the MES will indicate Successful sending to LES or Sending message failed
9. If you have requested confirmation of delivery the LES will confirm it within 3 to 5 minutes. If
the LES is unable to deliver the message, it will send a Non-delivery Notification (NDN)
ROUTINE COMMUNICATIONS
1. Telex to shore: Telex country code + subscriber telex number
Telex to a ship: OR telex code + IMN (Telex Inm- B or C)
Type of network: 5-bit telex (ITA2) or 7-bit telex(ASCII)
2. Fax to shore: Telephone country code +subscriber fax number
Fax to a ship: 870 +Fax number (IMN) Inm-B, M, mini-M, Fleet, FB
3. Data: DNIC (Ocean Region) +IMN Inm-C; DNIC +subscriber X-25 address
O.R. Fax Tlx PSDN
AOR-E 870 581 1111
POR 870 582 1112
IOR 870 583 1113
AOR-W 870 584 1114
E-Mail Messages: Inm-C <32.000 bytes and mini-C <10.000 bytes
Address: IMN@domain_ISP or Ships_name@dommaino_ISP
P.e.: 463601410@inmc.eik.com solimar@inmc.eik.com
1. Select LES ID code depending which operator tou want (STRATOS, KDDI)
2. Select operator SAC (Special Access Code) (KDDI 28; STRATOS 20 or EMAIL)
2. Type TO:" followed by the e-mail address on the first line. Next leave a blank line and
continue with the message text (For example: peterblack@billblackagency.com
4. Send the message as per terminal procedures
TO:peterblack@billblackagency.com;operations@billblackagency.com<ENTER>
CC:operationsmanager@ensshipping.com;fleetcaptain@ensshipping.com<ENTER>
SU:ETA NY <ENTER>
<ENTER>
Please note my new ETA to Ambrose Pilot Station on September 11 at 16:00 LT.
<ENTER>
Regards: Master M/T SOLIMAR
SMS: Through STRATOS (LES: 012, 112, 212 y 213) use SAC 696 or SMS (select 7-bit text)
P.e.: 34630630630 Please note that due heavy weather our ETA now will be 14/0900 LT
Regards Master
1. Create your message either by using the MES text editor o by editing an existing message;
2. Select SAC (Special Access Code) o SAN (Special Access Network), depending on your
MES manufacturer, in the transmit menu
3. Insert the two-digit code that want (38, 39, 43..) in the address dialogue box;
4. Select a LES that supports that particular SAC
5. Send the message and awaits acknowledgement. If no answer, sent it again.
TWO-DIGIT ACCESS CODES
SHORE-TO-SHIP DISTRESS ALERT RELAYS
Distress alert relays can be transmitted via the Inmarsat-C SafetyNet service as:
- All ships call: Call to all ships in the OR concerned
- Variable geographical area calls: Calls to a NAVAREA area, rectangular or circular area
- Group calls to selected ships: Call to a selected group of ships: P.e. SAR units
CANCELING A DISTRESS ALERT WITH INMARSAT-C
If you accidentally send a distress alert, you should notify the appropriate RCC to cancel the alert
by sending a distress priority message via the same LES through which the false alert was sent:
NAME, CALL SIGN, IMN, POSITION
CANCEL MY INMARSAT-C DISTRESS
ALERT OF DATE, TIME UTC.
MASTER
SIRIUS, ELBE5, IMN 463645610
POSITION LAT: 4536N, LONG: 02515W
CANCEL MY INMARSAT-C DISTRESS ALERT OF
J ANUARY 12 AT 2000 UTC
MASTER
NDC (Non-delivery Notification Codes):
ABS, BUS, ERR, NC, NA, OCC..
Example of message:
SISTEMA DE ALERTA DE PROTECCIN, SSAS
Los buques dedicados a viajes internacionales: de pasaje, cargueros500 TRB y Unidades
Mviles de Perforacin Off-shore deben estar provistos de un sistema de alerta de proteccin que
una vez activado, cuando la proteccin del buque est amenazada, transmita una alerta de
proteccin buque-tierra a una autoridad competente autorizada por la Administracin, de acuerdo
a las disposiciones de la Regla XI-2/6 del SOLAS y del Cdigo ISPS.
Mnimo dos puntos de activacin ocultos y protegidos, uno situado en el puente
Activacin disimulada que alerta a la autoridad competente y puntos de contacto sin emitir
ninguna seal sonora o acstica y sin alertar a otros buques
Alimentado por la fuente de energa principal y otra alternativa
Una vez activado seguir transmitiendo la alerta hasta que se desactive o resetee
La transmisin incluye la identidad del buque, posicin, fecha y hora
Los mensajes pueden enviarse utilizando tlex, fax (PSTN). E-mail, SMS, X-25, red cerrada o
SAC dependiendo del equipo utilizado y los requerimientos de la Administracin del buque.
En Espaa el centro de recepcin de mensajes es el CNCS de SASEMAR
SOLUCIONES SSAS: Inm-C, mini-C, D+/IsatM2M, Iridium
INMARSAT-C y mini-C: Equipo GMDSS-SSAS combinado enva alerta con P3. La comunicacin
se realiza en el Canal Comn NCS y la alerta se dirige automticamente a un RCC.
Inm-C o mini-C dedicado: Equipo no GMDSS, la alerta se enva en el Canal de Mensajes y no
no tiene prioridad. Se puede enviar a la Autoridad Competente designada y a varios destinatarios
Inmarsat D+/IsatM2M: Inm-D+ es un servicio bidireccional de datos ideal para telemetra,
intercambio de pequeos mensaje, bsqueda y seguimiento. Lleva incorporado un GPS.
IsatM2M es un servicio basado en D+, con menor latencia y mensajes de mayor tamao.
IRIDIUM: Mediante su constelacin de 66 satlites y cobertura global. Equipo Sailor SC4000
Estos equipos tambin pueden utilizarse como LRIT (Sistema Identificacin y Seguimiento de
Largo Alcance). Posicin actualizada cada 6 H y hasta un mn de 15 min. Polling de posicin.
MRCC
PSDN/FAX
LES LES
mini-C
D+ LES
TRANSMISIN DEL MENSAJE SSAS
Equipo FURUNO Felcom 16 SSAS
1. Levantar la tapa del botn de la unidad de alerta SSAS
2. Pulsar el botn. Este quedar bloqueado en la posicin ON
3. 30 seg despus se transmite el informe SSAS. Se puede
desactivar si se pulsa de nuevo el botn dentro de los 30 seg.
4. La LES enviar el acuse de recibo
5. Se repiten los pasos 3 y 4 para cada uno de los destinatarios
6. El mensaje se transmite a los intervalos programados
7. Para parar la Tx se pone el equipo en modo de gestin y se
introduce la correspondiente clave
--- SSAS ALERT MESSAGE ----
Vessel Name: Solimar
MMSI: 636123456
IMN: 463601416
Texto corto del mensaje
LAT: 20:45.30N
LON: 5:35.55E
Time: 01/03/2011 11:36:15 (UTC)
COURSE: 220 deg
SPEED: 01 kt
Time: 01/03/2011 11:36:15 (UTC)
IRIDIUM
INMARSAT
Test button
Alert
buttons
Algunos buques disponen de un panel de alarmas de socorro (Distress Alarm Panel),
instalado en el puente de mando, que se utiliza para iniciar la transmisin de
alertas de socorro y para indicar, mediante una seal acstica y visual, la recepcin
de llamadas con prioridad de urgencia o socorro recibidas mediante los equipos
GMDSS instalados: VHF, MF/HF e Inmarsat-C. Este panel es obligatorio en todos
los buques de pasaje segn la Regla 6.4 y 6.6 del Captulo IV del SOLAS.
PANEL DE ALARMAS