Inmarsat C

Inmarsat C is a store-and-forward L-band data service that meets GMDSS requirements in Sea Areas A1, A2, and A3 for ships outside VHF/MF DSC range needing satellite distress alerting. It carries distress and safety messages, position reporting, and Enhanced Group Call (EGC), which delivers SafetyNET Maritime Safety Information and FleetNET commercial messages. The terminal uses a small omnidirectional antenna and low-rate data only, so it handles telex-style messaging rather than voice or broadband. SOLAS Chapter IV recognizes Inmarsat C as a GMDSS satellite installation.