In the GMDSS, which two satellite systems support EPIRB distress signaling?

In the GMDSS, which two satellite systems support EPIRB distress signaling?

• A. COSPAS-SARSAT and INMARSAT
• B. GPS and Galileo
• C. NAVSTAR and GLONASS
• D. INMARSAT and Iridium

Answer: (A)

When a beacon on an EPIRB activates, the signal is designed to reach rescue authorities through satellite systems, ensuring global reach and rapid alerting. The two satellite networks that support this distress signaling in the GMDSS are COSPAS-SARSAT and Inmarsat. COSPAS-SARSAT is a cooperative international system that detects 406 MHz distress beacons and forwards their location data to the appropriate rescue centers. Inmarsat provides its own satellite-based safety communications network, relaying distress alerts and enabling communication between ships in distress and shore stations. This dual-system setup gives redundancy and broad coverage so alerts aren’t dependent on a single network. The other options mix in navigation-only constellations (GPS/Galileo or NAVSTAR/GLONASS), which are used for determining position, not for transmitting distress alerts, and Iridium isn’t the standard pairing used for EPIRB distress signaling in the GMDSS framework.

When a beacon on an EPIRB activates, the signal is designed to reach rescue authorities through satellite systems, ensuring global reach and rapid alerting. The two satellite networks that support this distress signaling in the GMDSS are COSPAS-SARSAT and Inmarsat. COSPAS-SARSAT is a cooperative international system that detects 406 MHz distress beacons and forwards their location data to the appropriate rescue centers. Inmarsat provides its own satellite-based safety communications network, relaying distress alerts and enabling communication between ships in distress and shore stations. This dual-system setup gives redundancy and broad coverage so alerts aren’t dependent on a single network. The other options mix in navigation-only constellations (GPS/Galileo or NAVSTAR/GLONASS), which are used for determining position, not for transmitting distress alerts, and Iridium isn’t the standard pairing used for EPIRB distress signaling in the GMDSS framework.