MAYDAY on Marimsys VMS Modems

Marine Imaging Systems was both formed by, and is led by seamen.  Encountering the contradiction between the high cost of IMO approved safety devices, and the high accident rate aboard smaller fishing vessels, we have elected to add MAYDAY functionality to all VMS devices.

Larger vessels, which can be some of the safest places in the world to work are required to have various types of marine distress alert systems aboard, which are expensive, very rarely used, and on audit - may very well not be operative because of failure perform ongoing functioning tests.  Typically smaller vessels, which according to the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) Australian Department of Worker Safety, Alaska department of Workmen's Compensation, may well be the most dangerous place in the world to work; are not required to have MAYDAY emission devices aboard.  As such MARIMSYS began adding, at its own instigation and cost, MAYDAY alert systems to Marimsys VMS Modems.  In response to the highly practical view of various marine authorities, wishing to make optimum use of scarce rescue resources, these systems have been refined to block accidental emission of MAYDAY alarms, and with the VMS II Modem, it is now possible for rescuers to enter into two-way communications with the stricken vessel.

Marimsys Modem MAYDAY systems are not approved by any international organization, they however do report to the sovereign control center, which is typically linked with national marine rescue authorities.  These are "no guarantee" systems;  the MAYDAY emission may not be transmitted, it may not be received, it may not be acted upon;  however in our opinion, an additional method of transmitting vessel distress is only a plus.  Particularly in our target small vessel market - where vessels may not be maintained to "marine standards - and thus total electrical system failure may occur; the Marimsys VMS modems 48 hour internal battery can be a lifesaver in an emergency.

Considering that Marimsys experience dictates that in the smaller vessel segment of the fishing industry, approximately 1% of vessels per year will have "MAYDAY conditions", and that the Marimsys VMS Modems have been involved in the rescue of 38 seamen in 5 vessels to date;  we will continue to look to the families of those seamen for our inspiration in maintaining this functionality.