GMDSS stands for which term?

• A. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
• B. General Maritime Distress and Safety Service
• C. Global Message Distribution and Safety System
• D. Geostationary Maritime Data and Safety System

Answer: (A)

GMDSS stands for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. This name reflects a worldwide, integrated framework of procedures, equipment, and communications designed to quickly alert and coordinate help for ships in distress and to share safety information. The word Global emphasizes worldwide coverage, Distress and Safety identifies the purpose—distress signaling and safety communications—and System points to an coordinated set of tools and protocols, not just a single device. The other options change one or more elements (Global vs General, Distress and Safety vs Distress and Safety Service or Message Distribution, or Geostationary vs the actual system concept), which would alter the meaning away from the internationally standardized framework.