Maritime communication comprises communication between vessels and coast-stations, intraship communication and intership communication (internai communication when lhe vessel is berthing, casting off, leaving berth, loading and discharging).

An Urgency message indicates that there is serious danger for vessel, crew and passengers.

GMDSS will enable a vessel to communicate with coastal stations and other vessels at any time and under any circumstance.

Any message concerning maritime communications consists oi three paris: lhe announcement oi lhe message (which may be followed by lhe acknowledgement from lhe receiving station or vessel); lhe actual message and lhe ending oi lhe message ("out").

The procedure used when announcing a message is called "Address and ldentify". The transmitting party addresses lhe receiving station(s) or vessel(s), alter which he identifies his vessel.