A vessel is required to operate under GMDSS regulations if it is how many gross tons or more?

The requirement for a vessel to operate under Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) regulations hinges on its gross tonnage. A vessel is mandated to comply with GMDSS if it is 300 gross tons or more. This threshold aligns with international maritime safety conventions, which stipulate that vessels of this size must be equipped with specific communication systems to ensure safety at sea. These regulations are aimed at enhancing maritime safety by ensuring that adequately equipped vessels can communicate distress signals and receive emergency assistance when necessary.

Vessels under 300 gross tons are subject to different regulatory requirements and may not need to follow GMDSS standards. Thus, the fundamental reason for the GMDSS requirement at this tonnage is to create a robust framework for safety and emergency response for larger sea-going vessels, which are more likely to operate in distant and more hazardous maritime environments.