Moving goalposts

According to the Colombian navy, emergencies off the Caribbean coast will be covered by cellular telephone communication, as planning continues on how to comply with IMO GMDSS agreements. While this was not part of the original intention of GMDSS – the advances made in cellular phone technology have made it possible. Vladimir Lebedev, who was part of the IMO team visiting Colombia, advises that; the GMDSS system (regulations in SOLAS chapter IV) does not include the use of cellular phones. However this doesn?t preclude the use of cellular phones where administrations wish to implement such a system, in particular for coastal waters and domestic vessels. He explains that the GMDSS is above all aimed at ships on international voyages. Under the GMDSS, all ocean-going passenger ships and cargo ships of 300g and upwards engaged on international voyages must be equipped with equipment that conforms to international standards as set out in the system. The maritime community has been advised to dial 146 from any cellular if within 14 miles of the Colombian coast to connect with the Maritime Directorate Traffic Control offices in Barranquilla or Cartagena for emergency reporting and rescue co-ordination. Lebedev says that implementation of the 146 system in Colombia is intended as an interim measure pending completion of facilities complying with GMDSS. And it may continue to be used for smaller coastal vessels after GMDSS is implemented. SOLAS (and other IMO Conventions) are implemented by the countries that ratify it – and interpretation of any regulations is up to the administration.