The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has issued a complete revision of its handbook on the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS).

The upgrade provides the principles on which the GMDSS is based, radio communication requirements and recommendations, operational performance standards and technical specifications to be met by GMDSS equipment and procedures.

The GMDSS Manual is intended for use by ship personnel, shore operators, trainers, administrations, regulators and those concerned with ship communication. It includes the development and concepts of the GMDSS, components of the GMDSS carriage requirements and operational procedures, excerpts from the relevant Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, supporting resolutions and circulars, IMO performance standards and related ITU-R recommendations giving technical details of radio equipment among other communications matters.

The manual is available from authorised distributors of IMO publications and via IMO's Online Bookshop. For further information, please consult the IMO website at www.imo.org .