■ EGC Setting (FURUNO, Inmarsat C)

What is the EGC (Enhanced Group Call) service?

The EGC service enables EGC information providers to send SafetyNET,
FleetNET and System messages via an LES to a specific groups of ships, or
to all ships within a defined geographical area.

Each type of EGC service is sent as follows:
1) The information provider prepares the message, and then accesses the
    appropriate Country of the international telex network to send the message to an LES.
2) The LES processes and forwards it to the NCS for the ocean region designated by the provider.

3) Then, the NCS broadcasts the message throughout the ocean region. (The operator may choose

    the EGC messages to receive by position (one position) and geographical position (nine areas)

 

 

The EGC system

Three EGC services are available:
1) SafetyNET
    This provides a means for information providers to distribute Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
    from shore-to-ship. Authorized information providers include:
    a) Hydrographic Offices, for navigational warnings
    b) National Weather Services, for meteorological warnings and forecasts
    c) Rescue Co-ordination Center, for shore-to-ship distress alerts and other urgent information
    d) International Ice Patrol, for North Atlantic ice hazards

2) FleetNET
    This service allows authorized information providers such as commercial subscription services,
    shipping companies and governments, which have registered with a LES that supports FleetNET,
    to broadcast messages to selected group of MESs. Typical applications of FleetNET are
    a) Fleet or company broadcasts
    b) News broadcasts
    c) Commercial weather services
    d) Market quotations
    e) Government broadcasts to all vessels on a country’s registration

3) System
    EGC system-related is sent by Inmarsat to certain ship groups and geographical areas.