On 1 October 2009 a new safety service will be launched by Inmarsat. The service - 505 Emergency Calling - means that Inmarsat FleetBroadband customers who dial 505 will be connected automatically to a coast guard rescue centre, wherever they are in the world.
After dialling 505 voice calls will be connected via Inmarsat directly to one of the selected RCCs located strategically around the globe. These centres are manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are charged with giving advice and providing assistance to vessels in distress. There is no subscription or call charge for the 505 emergency service and it can be activated immediately by dialling 505.
Commenting, Inmarsat's head of maritime safety, Peter Blackhurst said: "505 Emergency Calling is a short code dialling service for people who use FleetBroadband services and terminals. It puts them straight through to a 24-hour operational coast guard Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) so they can speak to the right person if they have an emergency onboard, such as their boat being in difficulties or a medical emergency."
Mr Blackhurst continued, “We are not trying in any way to circumvent the GMDSS [the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System] and any SOLAS vessel should still use this as their first means of contact. But for smaller fishing or leisure vessels out of range of shore-based VHF, 505 is a quick and simple means of calling for assistance if they are equipped with FleetBroadband. The 505 service is all about trying to ensure and enhance the safety of all seafarers, whatever type of mariner they might be."
