IEC 61097-4-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) - Part 4: Inmarsat‑C ship earth station and Inmarsat enhanced group call (EGC) equipment — Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results. The 2024 edition updates performance and test requirements for Inmarsat‑C ship earth stations and EGC receivers used in GMDSS and for long‑range identification and tracking (LRIT).

Abstract

IEC 61097‑4:2024 specifies minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics and the test methods with required results for Inmarsat‑C ship earth stations (SES) capable of direct‑printing message transfer and for Inmarsat enhanced group call (EGC) receivers. It defines equipment classes (including stand‑alone EGC receivers and SES classes 1–3), aligns requirements with IMO performance criteria and references Inmarsat type‑approval/test procedures and applicable IEC maritime requirements (with stated modifications). The edition is intended to support type approval, laboratory testing and regulatory compliance for GMDSS and LRIT applications.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (replaces IEC 61097‑4:2012 and earlier editions).
• Publication date: 20 February 2024.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), TC 80 — Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems.
• ICS / categories: 47.020.70 (Navigation and control equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 4.0 (2024).
• Number of pages: 67 (commented/consolidated variant metadata).

Scope

Specifies performance requirements and required test methods for Inmarsat‑C ship earth stations (SES) that transmit/receive direct‑printing communications and for Inmarsat EGC receivers for use in the GMDSS and LRIT. The document covers equipment construction and testing (not installation), describes available equipment variants (Class 0 EGC receiver; Classes 1–3 SES options) and incorporates relevant IMO performance requirements, Inmarsat technical characteristics and applicable modifications to IEC 60945. It also references Inmarsat design and installation guidelines (DIGs) and Inmarsat type‑approval/test procedures where responsibility for type approval is vested in Inmarsat.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance requirements for Inmarsat‑C ship earth stations and EGC receivers (sensitivity, selectivity, message handling and availability requirements).
• Defined equipment classes (Class 0 EGC receiver; Class 1–3 SES variants) and their functional distinctions.
• Detailed test methods and required test results for type approval and laboratory verification (including Inmarsat referenced test procedures).
• Requirements to align with IMO SOLAS/MSC resolutions and LRIT obligations; incorporation or reproduction of relevant IMO text where applicable.
• Conformance notes addressing where IEC 60945 general maritime requirements apply and where specific modifications take precedence.

Typical use and users

Used by maritime equipment manufacturers, design engineers, test laboratories and certification bodies for product design, type‑approval testing and conformity assessment. Also used by shipbuilders, ship operators, maritime authorities and surveyors to verify that Inmarsat‑C/EGC equipment installed aboard ships meets GMDSS and LRIT performance and testing requirements.

Related standards

Closely related to IEC 60945 (general requirements for maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment, with stated modifications), IMO SOLAS Convention and relevant IMO Resolutions (for example MSC.513(105), MSC.263(84), MSC.306(87)), and Inmarsat technical characteristics, RTP test schedules and Design & Installation Guidelines (DIGs). It is also part of the IEC 61097 GMDSS series (other parts address EPIRBs, DSC, VHF, etc.) and should be considered alongside other current IEC 61097 parts and maritime radiocommunication standards.

Keywords

GMDSS, Inmarsat‑C, EGC, ship earth station (SES), LRIT, Inmarsat, performance requirements, test methods, type approval, IEC 60945, IMO SOLAS.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61097‑4:2024 is the fourth‑edition international standard that defines operational and performance requirements and required test methods for Inmarsat‑C ship earth stations and Inmarsat EGC receivers used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for LRIT.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers equipment performance characteristics, required tests and test results for type approval and laboratory verification, describes equipment classes and references Inmarsat and IMO requirements. It addresses equipment construction and testing; installation guidance is found in Inmarsat DIGs and related IMO/installation documents.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Equipment manufacturers, test laboratories, certification bodies, shipbuilders, ship operators, maritime regulators and surveyors involved in GMDSS/LRIT equipment design, testing, approval and onboard compliance checks.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current as of its publication date, 20 February 2024, and supersedes the previous IEC 61097‑4 editions (including the 2012 edition and its amendments). The document's stability date is indicated by IEC as 2029 for this edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61097 is a multi‑part series covering GMDSS equipment (EPIRBs, DSC, Inmarsat parts, VHF, watchkeeping receivers, etc.). IEC 61097‑4 specifically addresses Inmarsat‑C and EGC equipment within that series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: GMDSS, Inmarsat‑C, EGC, ship earth station (SES), LRIT, type approval, performance tests, IEC 60945, IMO SOLAS.