The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Bureau of Meteorology have partnered with Iridium Communications Inc., to commence Iridium SafetyCast services from 1 July 2023.
Iridium SafetyCast is a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)-compliant satellite communication system for distress alerting, maritime safety information (MSI) and general radiocommunication around the entire globe.
The Iridium SafetyCast service complements existing GMDSS systems, providing pole-to pole coverage.
AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said the introduction of Iridium SafetyCast services strengthens Australia's commitment to delivering communication capabilities that enhance safety at sea.
"Every year, thousands of internationally trading vessels navigate through the waters surrounding Australia and countless commercial and recreational vessels navigate the Australian coastline.
"These vessels rely on the critical maritime safety information broadcast by AMSA and the Bureau of Meteorology to keep them safe, including weather forecasts and information on hazards to safe navigation."
"These vessels also rely on their distress alerting systems to get them help if they need it."
AMSA, as Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Australia, is responsible for search and rescue services within Australia's vast search and rescue region and operates a 24-hour search and rescue service to anyone in distress.
AMSA and the Bureau of Meteorology provide vessels with Bureau of Meteorology websites.
