Textbook of Maritime Medicine

The International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) is the intergovernmental organization that oversees certain public satellite safety and security communication services provided via the Inmarsat satellites, established under the provisions of the Convention on the International Mobile Satellite Organization.

These public services include:

• services for maritime safety within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

• distress alerting

• search and rescue co-ordinating communications

• maritime safety information (MSI) broadcasts

• general communications

• aeronautical safety AMS(R)S services through compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

IMSO also acts as the International LRIT Coordinator[i], appointed by IMO to coordinate the establishment and operation of the international system for the Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) worldwide.

4.10.1   MSO Working concept

IMSO works closely with IMO, ICAO, ITU and other interested international organizations, as well as Inmarsat Ltd itself, in developing recommendations, standards and operational practices that support and may improve the public services. The Organization’s special relationship with IMO is fostered and maintained by regular reports to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee on the provision and quality of satellite services for the GMDSS, and continuing detailed work on the establishment of the International LRIT System.

 

The Organization operates through:

1. the Assembly of Parties, integrated by its 93 member States, which generally meets every two years;

2. the Directorate, headed by the Director General, Capt. Esteban Pacha-Vicente of Spain, who is the Chief Executive Officer and legal representative of IMSO; and

3. an Advisory Committee, comprising a number of Member States, appointed by the Assembly, which meets regularly.

[i] LRIT = Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships