Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) was initiated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to take advantage of more modern means of communication to improve Maritme Radio Communication Series as it relates to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).   The new standard as agreed on by maritime states, including Jamaica, is contained in the SOLAS Convention of 1974.

GMDSS is a combination of terrestrial and satellite means of communication which allows a ship anywhere in the world to communicate with a shore station.  The JDF Coast Guard operates an international coast radio station whose primary role is to listen for maritime distress and safety signals.

The JDF Coast Guard’s involvement in developing a master plan for Jamaica started when two persons were selected for training in Norway .  The Jamaica Maritime Institute (JMI) was in the process of acquiring a simulator to conduct General Operator Certificate (GOC) courses.  Sub Lieutenant Antonette KONG (then) and Chief Petty Officer HENRY, J were selected.  They attended the course at Lofoten Radio School in October 1995.

The first conference organized by the ITU and IMO in the Caribbean Region under Programme Four of the ITU Buenos Aries Action Plan to expose Caribben maritime communication authorities to GMDSS, was attended by Commander (Cdr) Hardley Lewin, then Commanding Officer JDF Coast Guard.

The GMDSS implementation committee was formed through the instumentality of Cdr LEWIN, to develop a master plan for Jamaica.  The committee, under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport and Works, consisted of the following agencies, namely:  Telecommunications of Jamaica (then), Post and Telecom Department, Jamaica Maritime Authority, Port Authority of Jamaica and the JDF Coast Guard.   The Coast Guard representatives were Cdr H Lewin, Lieutenant (junior grade) Antonette WEMYSS-GORMAN, Petty Officer EDWARDS and Petty Officer MCFARLANE, D (deseased). 

This team was very instrumental in the preparation of the Jamaica Master plan.  This plan is an essential prerequiste by IMO for the implemnetation of GMDSS by a coastal state.  The plan identified the existing maritime communication facilities and how the country intends to improve these facilities to meet the new GMDSS standard, as set out by the SOLAS Convention.

The Unit’s involvement was invaluable in the preparation of this document. A comprehensive plan was prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Transport and Works.  It was subsequently approved by Cabinet  and tabled in the House of Parliament.

The JDF Coast Guard seconded Lt(jg) A WEMYSS-GORMAN to the Transport Ministry to support GMDSS implementation over period January 1998 to January 2000.

The ITU held a number of conferences in the Caribbean which were aimed at giving countries information on how to implement GMDSS and to initiate a regional coverage which is aimed at making the Caribbean region safe for shipping.

These conferences were held in Barbados in 1997, Trinidad and Tobago in 1998, Maritinique in 1999, and Cuba in 2000.   (CPO McFarlane attended them as a part of the Jamaican delegation except for Barbados which was attended by Cdr LEWIN).

Although Jamaica has not been able to find the funding to implement this project,  the JDF CG continues to support the Maritime Authoriy of Jamaica, which, since its inception, is now charged with the responsibility of implementing GMDSS.