Trimble - Galaxy Sentinel GMDSS

The Galaxy Sentinel — for Safety and Confidence at Sea

To ensure vessel safety at sea, reliable communications are essential. To this end, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved the use of the robust Inmarsat-C technology for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). With the introduction of the Galaxy Sentinel™, Trimble now offers a complete Inmarsat-C GMDSS solution that enhances confidence on board by combining Trimble GPS with Inmarsat-C and a messaging computer, all in a single, easy to install enclosure.

So what is GMDSS?
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System has been adopted by the IMO to improve the safety of life at sea.

sentinel_morea Provisions of the GMDSS include distress alerting, search and rescue coordination, and dissemination of maritime safety information, which includes weather reports and rescue coordination communications. All passenger ships and commercial vessels greater than 300 gross tons engaged in international voyages must comply with the GMDSS requirements.

The innovative Galaxy Sentinel is an integrated safety and communications package that takes advantage of Trimble's world-class engineering, system integration, and satellite technology. The Galaxy Sentinel solution has also been fully type-approved to the stringent Inmarsat CN114 requirements.

What is Inmarsat CN114?
Inmarsat Change Notice 114 (CN114) represents the IMO's latest requirements for Inmarsat-C GMDSS equipment. Many of the requirements are derived from IEC 945 and IEC 1097-4, which were driven by GMDSS regulations. These specifications require Inmarsat-C GMDSS equipment to meet stringent environmental and operational requirements designed to ensure the highest degree of system integrity.

Inmarsat-C, the choice for GMDSS

sentinel_moreb Inmarsat-C is a global satellite communications system supporting mobile messaging services for maritime and land mobile users. The IMO specified Inmarsat-C as a requisite GMDSS technology because of its global coverage, reliability, versatility, and low cost.

Through a worldwide network of 44 Land Earth Stations (LESs), Inmarsat-C users may access the network from nearly anywhere in the world. Messages may be sent from the ship to TELEX, e-mail, computer (PSDN), and fax destinations. Vessel-to-vessel and shore-to-ship communications are also supported. Inmarsat-C also supports SafetyNET services, which enable users to receive world-wide safety and weather broadcasts at no cost.

Integrating GPS and Inmarsat-C
The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides continuous, all-weather navigation and time data to mariners throughout the world. GPS consists of a 24-satellite constellation operated by the U.S. Department of Defense at no charge to users. Shipboard receivers accept data from the GPS satellites to determine vessel position, course, speed, and time.

The integration of GPS and Inmarsat-C enables shipping managers to monitor their fleets no matter where they are operating, using the Inmarsat-C position reporting capability. Position and time stamps may also be appended to Inmarsat-C messages. Trimble is the world leader in GPS technology, which has been incorporated as a standard feature in every Trimble Galaxy Inmarsat-C product shipped.

Unique product design and easy-to-use software.
An incredibly compact, rugged enclosure, and intuitive user interface software are key advantages of the Galaxy Sentinel. The highly integrated Communications Unit consists of Trimble's NMEA award-winning Galaxy Inmarsat-C/GPS™ transceiver, and a computer that supports powerful, yet simple-to-use messaging software.

Trimble also offers a full range of GMDSS type-approved peripherals and accessories, including printers, a remote alarm panel, and an AC/DC power supply to address all your safety and messaging needs at sea. The Galaxy Sentinel offers users plug-and-play operation, through its pre-loaded messaging software. Once installed users need only switch on the power to begin using the system. The Galaxy QuickSend user interface is easy to learn and use, with only one screen needed for sending and reviewing new messages. Simple commands enable users to efficiently perform communications operations with ease.

The advantage of Trimble GPS at sea.
Trimble GPS adds critical safety and convenience features to the Galaxy Sentinel. GPS automatically updates the ship's position and time in compliance with the IMO recommendations, which ultimately improves vessel safety and workload. Don't wait another day. It's time to bring Inmarsat-C GMDSS on board now.