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GMDSS Radio Survey in India 2026: The Complete Guide for Ship Owners & Officers

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System is the backbone of maritime emergency communication. Every SOLAS vessel carries a suite of GMDSS equipment — EPIRBs, SARTs, VHF DSC radios, MF/HF sets, NAVTEX receivers, and more — and every piece of that equipment must be surveyed annually by an authorised radio surveyor. Without a current, valid radio survey certificate, a vessel calling at any Indian port is exposed to a deficiency finding from the first PSC officer who checks the Safety Radio Certificate.

This guide covers everything ship managers and officers need to know about GMDSS radio surveys in India in 2026 — what SOLAS requires, what the survey covers, how the SRT survey fits in, how to verify your surveyor is genuinely authorised, and where Marinetech provides certified radio survey services across India's major ports.

What Is a GMDSS Radio Survey?

A GMDSS radio survey is the annual inspection and testing of all radio communication equipment required on a SOLAS vessel under Chapter IV of the Convention. The survey verifies that every piece of GMDSS equipment fitted on the vessel is operational, maintained to the manufacturer's specification, correctly programmed with the vessel's current identification data, and compliant with the requirements of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and SOLAS.

The survey results in the endorsement of the vessel's Safety Radio Certificate — the statutory certificate that confirms the vessel's radio equipment meets SOLAS requirements. Without this endorsement, the Safety Radio Certificate lapses, and a vessel operating with a lapsed radio certificate is non-compliant under SOLAS in any port in the world.

The survey must be conducted by an authorised radio surveyor — a person recognised by the flag state administration or an authorised classification society to conduct radio surveys on their behalf. In India, radio surveys on Indian-flag vessels must be authorised by the DGS. Foreign-flag vessels are surveyed by authorisers from the relevant flag state's recognised organisation, which in most cases is one of the major classification societies operating in India.

What SOLAS Requires for GMDSS Equipment

SOLAS Chapter IV sets out the GMDSS equipment requirements based on the sea area in which the vessel operates. The four sea areas — A1, A2, A3, and A4 — define the communication coverage available and therefore the minimum equipment the vessel must carry to maintain distress and safety communication capability anywhere in its trading area.

Sea Area A1 covers coastal waters within range of a VHF DSC shore station — typically up to 50 nautical miles offshore. Vessels operating exclusively in Sea Area A1 carry a reduced GMDSS equipment fit, centred on VHF DSC communication.

Sea Area A2 extends beyond A1 to the range of MF DSC shore stations — typically 50 to 400 nautical miles offshore. Vessels in A2 must additionally carry MF DSC equipment capable of distress alerting on 2187.5 kHz.

Sea Area A3 covers the area served by geostationary INMARSAT satellites — broadly between 70°N and 70°S. Vessels in A3 must carry either INMARSAT terminal capability or HF DSC equipment in addition to VHF and MF requirements.

Sea Area A4 covers the polar regions beyond INMARSAT satellite coverage. Vessels trading in A4 must carry HF DSC equipment capable of distress alerting on all international HF distress frequencies.

The vessel's Safety Radio Certificate specifies which sea areas it is certificated for. If a vessel intends to trade in a sea area not currently covered by its certificate, additional equipment must be fitted and the certificate updated before the voyage.

What the Annual GMDSS Radio Survey Covers

The annual radio survey is a systematic check of every GMDSS item listed on the vessel's Safety Radio Certificate and its Record of Equipment. Here is what Marinetech's authorised radio surveyors cover during every annual GMDSS survey.

VHF Equipment: Every fixed VHF set and every portable VHF set is tested. The DSC controller is checked for correct MMSI programming, correct vessel identification data, and ability to generate a DSC distress alert. Channel 70 watch is verified. Battery backup is tested. Portable VHF sets are tested for operation and battery charge. The number of portable sets is verified against the Record of Equipment.

MF/HF Equipment: Where fitted, MF and HF transceivers are tested on distress frequencies including 2182 kHz (MF voice), 2187.5 kHz (MF DSC), and all required HF DSC frequencies. The DSC controller programming and distress alert capability are verified. Antenna connections and antenna system integrity are checked.

INMARSAT Terminal: Where fitted, the INMARSAT terminal is tested for connectivity, correct vessel identification, and distress alerting capability. The terminal's enhanced group call (EGC) receiving capability for maritime safety information is verified.

NAVTEX Receiver: The NAVTEX receiver is tested for correct operation and confirmed to be receiving maritime safety information for the current trading area on 518 kHz (international) and 490 kHz (national) as applicable.

EPIRB: The EPIRB is one of the most closely inspected GMDSS items at every survey. The surveyor checks the COSPAS-SARSAT registration — confirming the EPIRB is registered in the current vessel name, current flag state, and current owner details. Battery expiry is verified against the manufacturer's certificate. The hydrostatic release unit on the EPIRB bracket is checked against its 2-year replacement date. The self-test function is performed. The type approval certificate is verified. An EPIRB with an incorrect or outdated COSPAS-SARSAT registration is a common PSC deficiency finding — PSC officers specifically check the online COSPAS-SARSAT database against the vessel name.

SART: Every SART on board is tested for correct operation. Battery expiry is verified. The required number of SARTs is confirmed against the Safety Equipment Certificate. Where AIS-SARTs are carried instead of or in addition to radar SARTs, their operation and registration are verified.

Two-Way VHF Radiotelephone: The required number of two-way VHF sets for survival craft is verified and each set is tested for operation and battery condition.

Radio Log: The radio log is reviewed for completeness. SOLAS requires daily entries of position and test results for GMDSS equipment. Gaps in the radio log are a common PSC deficiency finding, particularly for the DSC watch log entries that must be maintained continuously.

Battery Systems: All GMDSS battery systems — the main GMDSS battery, the emergency battery, and individual equipment batteries — are tested for capacity and charge. Battery replacement records are reviewed against manufacturer-specified replacement intervals.

What Is an SRT Survey?

The Short Range Certificate (SRC) or Short Range Radio survey — commonly referred to in the Indian maritime market as the SRT survey — is a related but distinct inspection that addresses the GMDSS equipment required for short-range communication. It is most commonly conducted alongside or as part of the annual GMDSS radio survey and covers VHF equipment, DSC controllers, and portable radio sets in detail.

For vessels operating exclusively in coastal Indian waters or on near-coastal routes, the SRT survey is the primary radio compliance requirement. PSC officers at Indian ports check for evidence of a current SRT survey alongside the full GMDSS annual radio survey certificate, and the absence of a current SRT survey record is a deficiency finding in its own right.

Marinetech's authorised radio surveyors conduct both the full GMDSS annual radio survey and the SRT survey together where applicable, producing separate certificates for each to ensure complete compliance documentation.

EPIRB Registration: The Most Commonly Missed Compliance Requirement

Of all the GMDSS compliance requirements, EPIRB registration is the one that most consistently catches ship operators out during PSC inspections — not because the physical equipment is deficient, but because the registration data in the COSPAS-SARSAT database is out of date.

Every EPIRB must be registered in the COSPAS-SARSAT international distress beacon registration database. The registration must accurately reflect the vessel's current name, current flag state, current owner or operator, and current emergency contact information. When a vessel changes name, flag, or owner, the EPIRB registration must be updated immediately — not at the next annual survey.

PSC officers can check EPIRB registration status in real time through the COSPAS-SARSAT public database during an inspection. A vessel whose EPIRB is registered to a previous owner, a previous name, or a previous flag state will receive a deficiency code even if the physical equipment is in perfect condition. In a genuine distress situation, an incorrectly registered EPIRB sends search and rescue authorities to the wrong vessel — which is precisely why PSC enforcement on this point is strict.

Marinetech's radio surveyors check EPIRB registration against the current COSPAS-SARSAT database at every annual survey and advise the ship's manager on any updates required. Read our complete guide to GMDSS sea areas and equipment requirements.

Common GMDSS Deficiency Findings at Indian Ports

Based on PSC inspection data from Indian Ocean MOU ports, the most consistently cited GMDSS deficiencies at Indian ports fall into a predictable pattern.

The most common is an EPIRB with an incorrect or outdated COSPAS-SARSAT registration — typically after a vessel name change or ownership transfer where the registration was not updated. The second most common is gaps in the radio log — specifically missing daily DSC test entries that are required under SOLAS Chapter IV. The third is portable VHF sets with discharged or expired batteries. The fourth is an EPIRB HRU that has passed its 2-year replacement date. The fifth — increasingly common as radio survey enforcement tightens — is a radio survey certificate issued by a surveyor whose authorisation from the flag state or class society cannot be verified.

Read our full guide to the top PSC deficiencies that lead to ship detention.

Ports Where Marinetech Provides GMDSS Radio Surveys in India

Marinetech Safety & Shipping Corporation provides certified GMDSS radio survey services through authorised radio surveyors across all major Indian ports.

On the west coast we cover Mumbai and JNPT for the container and general cargo sector, Kandla and Mundra in Gujarat, Hazira and Dahej for the petrochemical and LNG sector, Cochin on the Kerala coast, and Goa. On the east coast we cover Chennai and Ennore for South India trade, Visakhapatnam (Vizag) for the eastern bulk sector, Kolkata and Haldia for Bay of Bengal operations, and Paradip for the Odisha coast. For vessels calling at ports not listed here, contact us with advance notice and we will arrange survey coverage.

Scheduling GMDSS Surveys Alongside Other Marine Services

GMDSS radio surveys can typically be conducted at the same port call as annual lifeboat inspection, liferaft servicing, and fire fighting appliances service. Scheduling multiple compliance services in a single port call with Marinetech reduces the total time engineers are on board, produces consolidated documentation for PSC review, and eliminates the coordination overhead of managing multiple service providers.

When booking, advise us of all services required and we will assign the appropriate team to complete all work within your vessel's port window. Contact us to discuss a combined service plan for your next Indian port call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must the GMDSS annual radio survey be conducted?
Annually. The survey endorses the vessel's Safety Radio Certificate for a further 12 months. Where the vessel is on a 5-year certificate cycle, an annual endorsement survey must be conducted every 12 months between the full renewal surveys.

Who is authorised to conduct GMDSS radio surveys in India?
The surveyor must be authorised by the flag state administration or a recognised organisation acting on behalf of the flag state — typically one of the major classification societies. For Indian-flag vessels, DGS authorisation is required. For foreign-flag vessels, the surveyor must hold recognition from the relevant class society. Marinetech's radio surveyors hold the necessary authorisations for all major flag states operating vessels at Indian ports.

What happens if our Safety Radio Certificate lapses between surveys?
A lapsed Safety Radio Certificate is a serious statutory deficiency. The vessel is non-compliant under SOLAS and will receive an immediate deficiency code at any PSC inspection. Do not allow the certificate to lapse — schedule the annual survey before the current endorsement expires.

Does Marinetech conduct GMDSS surveys for all flag states?
Marinetech's radio surveyors hold recognition from the class societies that act as recognised organisations for the major flag states operating in India — including Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Bahamas, Malta, Singapore, and others. Contact us with your vessel's flag state and we will confirm survey authorisation coverage.

Can the GMDSS survey be done while the vessel is at anchor or underway?
The survey must be conducted when the vessel is accessible to the surveyor. For most vessels at Indian ports this means at the berth or at anchor in port. Underway surveys are not standard practice. Plan the survey to coincide with your port call and provide sufficient notice for the surveyor to be arranged.

Can Marinetech also supply replacement GMDSS equipment found deficient during the survey?
Yes. Marinetech supplies EPIRBs, SARTs, portable VHF sets, and other GMDSS equipment from our stock at major Indian ports. Where a deficiency found during the survey requires equipment replacement, we can supply and fit the replacement item during the same port call in most cases. View our navcom and GMDSS equipment supply.

Book a GMDSS Radio Survey in India

Contact Marinetech Safety & Shipping Corporation to schedule your annual GMDSS radio survey at any major Indian port. Provide your vessel name, flag state, the sea areas your certificate must cover, and your expected arrival date and port and we will confirm surveyor availability and timing within 24 hours.

Services email: info@marinetechss.com
Phone: +91-8866475732 | +91-72270 38216

Get a Free Quote for GMDSS Radio Survey

Related reading: How to Prepare for a PSC Inspection: Checklist 2026 | Top 10 PSC Deficiencies That Lead to Ship Detention | Certified Lifeboat Servicing in India 2026 | Fire Fighting Appliances Service in India 2026