GMDSS installation, annual testing and radio survey preparation in Busan
NAVION installs, services and annually verifies GMDSS radio stations on fishing vessels and commercial ships calling at Busan. We cover MF/HF and VHF DSC, Inmarsat-C and FleetBroadband, EPIRB, SART, NAVTEX, two-way portables, antennas, earth and reserve batteries. Work is planned around the port-call window and finished alongside wherever the parts allow.
GMDSS work in a port call is mostly verification, not installation. A vessel arriving in Busan with a radio survey due needs the station tested, the defects found, the parts fitted and the records in order before the pilot is ordered. We board with test equipment, spare hydrostatic release units, EPIRB and SART battery packs, coaxial connectors and the usual consumables, so the first visit finds the faults and, where the parts allow, closes them the same day instead of handing you a defect list for the next port.
The annual test covers the whole station. On MF/HF we measure output into a dummy load and into the antenna, forward and reflected power, tuner matching across the distress and working frequencies, and DSC transmission and reception on 2187.5 kHz and the HF distress frequencies, with a test call to a coast station where the berth permits it. On VHF we check high and low power output, modulation, receiver sensitivity, channel 70 DSC and MMSI programming on every set. Inmarsat-C and FleetBroadband get signal strength, ocean region login, EGC reception, antenna alignment and distress-alert routing through the terminal test facility.
EPIRBs are checked for battery and hydrostatic release expiry, bracket and lanyard condition, and self-tested for beacon output. Coding is verified against the ship's MMSI or hex ID and against the registration papers, since a mis-coded or unregistered beacon is one of the most common findings and one of the easiest to correct alongside. Expired batteries and HRUs are replaced and the new expiry dates recorded. SARTs are tested against a radar and checked for battery expiry and bracket security. Two-way VHF portables are checked for set count, primary battery expiry, charger operation and channel programming; NAVTEX for reception and correct station and message selection.
Antennas and earth are where quiet degradation lives. We inspect insulators, whip mounts and trunk entries for salt tracking and cracked feedthroughs, measure VSWR and feeder loss, re-terminate corroded coaxial connectors, and check earth bonding from the tuner to the hull. Reserve power is tested properly rather than assumed: batteries load-tested against the required one or six hour capacity, terminals cleaned, charge voltage and charger output checked, and automatic changeover from main to reserve proved with the radios transmitting. Charger alarm functions are exercised at the same time.
Survey preparation is separate from the test itself. Before the surveyor attends we go through the radio log, the station licence, the equipment list against what is actually fitted, the battery and antenna records, and the required spares, manuals and card of instructions. Defects found are cleared in advance so the survey is an inspection rather than a negotiation, and anything that cannot be closed alongside is reported in writing with part numbers and lead times. Most of this work happens in Gamcheon fishing port and the Yeongdo repair yards, with attendance at Busan New Port and travel to other yards on request. Vessels of the Russian Far East fleet are our largest single source of work: we operate in English and Russian, coordinate gangway access and transmission restrictions with the agent, and report clearly to the superintendent ashore.
What the job includes
- Annual GMDSS station test — Full functional test of MF/HF, VHF, DSC, satellite terminals, EPIRB, SART, NAVTEX, portables, antennas and reserve power, with a written report of readings and results.
- MF/HF DSC transmitter and tuner service — Output into dummy load and antenna, forward and reflected power, tuner matching across distress and working frequencies, DSC test call and six-frequency watch receiver check.
- VHF DSC set service and MMSI verification — High and low power output, modulation, receiver sensitivity, channel 70 DSC operation, and MMSI programming checked against the ship's station licence on every set.
- Inmarsat-C and FleetBroadband service — Signal strength and ocean region login, EGC reception, distress alert routing through the terminal test facility, antenna alignment and firmware check.
- EPIRB battery and hydrostatic release replacement — Expiry check, self-test, coding verified against MMSI or hex ID, bracket and lanyard inspection, battery pack and HRU replaced with new expiry dates recorded.
- SART and two-way VHF portable checks — SART radar response test, battery expiry and bracket security; portables checked for set count, primary battery expiry, charger operation and channel programming.
- NAVTEX receiver check and reprogramming — Reception on 518 kHz and national frequencies, station and message category selection set for the intended trading area, printer or display and paper supply checked.
- Antenna, feeder and earth inspection — Insulator and whip mount condition, salt tracking at trunk entries, VSWR and feeder loss measurement, corroded coax re-terminated, tuner-to-hull earth bonding checked.
- Reserve battery capacity and changeover test — Load test against the required one or six hour capacity, terminal cleaning, charge voltage and charger output check, and automatic changeover proved under transmit load.
- Radio survey preparation and defect rectification — Station, records, licence and equipment list checked against what is fitted; defects cleared in advance, with part numbers and lead times issued for anything left open.
Timing
Ranges below are typical for a station in normal condition and are not a guarantee. Battery capacity testing, antenna work at height and parts that are not on the shelf are what usually stretch a job beyond one visit. Send the equipment list and ETA in advance and we will tell you what realistically closes in your window.
- Annual GMDSS test, station in good order
- typically 4-8 hours alongside
- EPIRB or SART battery and HRU replacement
- typically 1-2 hours
- Reserve battery capacity and changeover test
- typically a full working day
- MF/HF or VHF DSC set replacement
- typically 1 day
- Survey preparation and defect list
- typically half a day
What we need from the vessel
- Gangway access and agent contact, with the vessel's berth area confirmed
- Ship's power available, and confirmation of whether live transmission on distress frequencies is permitted at the berth
- A radio operator or officer available to witness distress-alert and DSC function tests
- Equipment list with makes, models and serial numbers, plus MMSI, call sign and station licence
- Previous radio survey report and any outstanding defect list
- Access to the battery locker, antenna deck and radio room trunking, and a permit where work at height or hot work is needed
Documents issued
- Radio test report listing every item tested, readings taken and results
- Defect list with part numbers and lead times for anything not closed alongside
- Record of replaced batteries and hydrostatic release units with new expiry dates
- Entries prepared for the radio log and equipment records ahead of survey
Photographs of this work are being prepared.
Frequently asked
Can you do the annual GMDSS test during a normal port call?
Usually yes. A test on a station with no significant defects typically takes 4-8 hours alongside. What extends it is battery capacity testing, which needs a full discharge and recharge cycle, and antenna or feeder work that requires access at height or a hot-work permit. Send the equipment list and arrival time and we will say honestly what fits in your window.
Do you replace EPIRB batteries and hydrostatic release units?
Yes. We check the beacon's battery and HRU expiry dates, self-test the unit, verify the coding against the vessel's MMSI or hex ID, and replace the battery pack and HRU where they are expired or due. Give us the beacon make and model in advance so the correct parts are on the shelf before the vessel arrives.
Can you prepare the vessel for a radio survey and attend with the surveyor?
Yes. We go through the station, records and equipment list beforehand, rectify what we can, and list anything that cannot be closed alongside with part numbers and lead times. We can attend during the survey and clear findings raised on the day where parts and time allow.
What do you need from the vessel before you come aboard?
Makes and models of every GMDSS item, the MMSI and call sign, the station licence and previous survey report, agent details for gangway access, and confirmation of whether transmission on distress frequencies is permitted at the berth. That last point matters — some berths restrict live transmission and we plan test calls accordingly.
Do you work on radio equipment outside GMDSS scope?
Yes. Non-mandatory VHF sets, intercom and talkback, UHF portables, AIS transponders and NAVTEX receivers are normal work for us, as are satellite communication terminals and the antennas and cabling feeding them.
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Read moreAnnual checks and documentation
GMDSS annual test, EPIRB and SART checks, VDR test support and bridge equipment verification, with a written check report before the surveyor attends.
Read moreBook a GMDSS test or radio survey preparation in Busan
Send the vessel name, ETA, equipment makes and models and what is due — annual test, survey preparation or a defect. We reply with what closes alongside and what needs parts ordered ahead.