Section 61 097 of the IEC standard outlines the minimum operational and performance criteria, technical attributes, testing procedures, and the expected outcomes for INMARSAT F77 ship earth stations (SES). These stations are designed to facilitate the transmission and reception of distress and safety communications, to initiate and receive priority distress calls, and to conduct general radiocommunications via radiotelephony (voice), as mandated by Regulation IV/10.1 and 14.1 of the 1988 amendments to the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), and are intended for use within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
The INMARSAT F77 is designed to fulfill the voice communication needs as specified in IMO Resolution A.888(21). To comply with the GMDSS requirements for receiving SafetyNET broadcasts and direct printing telegraphy, it is mandatory to install a combined INMARSAT C/EGC transceiver alongside the INMARSAT F77 equipment. Additional information is provided in Annex B.
Although Class 1 INMARSAT A and B ship earth stations satisfy the GMDSS data requirements, they may not necessarily meet the standards set by MSC.1 30(75). Therefore, the F77 cannot be directly substituted for these ship earth stations. This standard also addresses the priority access (voice pre-emption) requirements stipulated in IMO Resolution A.888(21).
Furthermore, this standard considers the provisions of IMO Resolution A.694(17), which is associated with IEC 60945. Where there is a discrepancy between a requirement in this standard and that in IEC 60945, the requirement of this standard prevails.
The standard incorporates the performance criteria from IMO Resolution MSC.1 30(75) and the clarifications of specific requirements in the IMO performance standards for GMDSS equipment as detailed in IMO MSC Circular 862. It also includes the relevant provisions of the ITU Radio Regulations.
All text in this standard that mirrors the language found in the 1974 SOLAS Convention as amended, IMO Resolutions, and IMO MSC Circular 862 is set in italics, with the Resolution or Recommendation and paragraph number indicated within parentheses.
INMARSAT Ltd requires that all INMARSAT F77 mobile earth station models undergo type approval by INMARSAT prior to accessing the INMARSAT space segment. This approval process ensures that the tested equipment is compatible with the INMARSAT F77 system and will not interfere with other satellite users. It is advisable for approval authorities to accept testing organized and supervised by INMARSAT, leading to INMARSAT type approval, without the need for further testing beyond what is defined in this standard.
It is also recommended that equipment manufacturers align the test requirements of this standard with those of INMARSAT before initiating the approval process.
[NOTE: This standard does not encompass the INMARSAT system requirements necessary for type approval. For these, refer to the latest edition of “INMARSAT mini-M SDM Change Note No. 65”. In cases where there is a conflict between the requirements of this standard and the aforementioned INMARSAT document, the most recent applicable IMO and ITU documents should be consulted to resolve the discrepancy.]
