Seychelles Maritime Academy Elevates Training with Commissioning of Upgraded GMDSS Simulator

The Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) marked a significant milestone on September 24, 2025, with the commissioning of its upgraded Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) Simulator. This pivotal event not only modernizes the academy’s training infrastructure but also reinforces Seychelles’ commitment to maritime safety and compliance with international standards.

SMA is the sole training institute in Seychelles authorized to conduct this mandatory, simulator-based training, making the upgrade crucial for the nation’s seafarers.

Importance of GMDSS Training for Seafarers

GMDSS training is critical for all seafarers, particularly deck officers, as it equips them with the necessary skills to effectively communicate in distress and routine situations at sea. The system is an internationally regulated safety protocol that uses satellite and terrestrial radio communication technologies to ensure that assistance can be dispatched quickly to any vessel in distress, regardless of its location.

The training ensures seafarers can:

• Operate all GMDSS equipment: This includes Satellite EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons), Inmarsat terminals, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios, and NAVTEX receivers.
• Handle Distress Communications: Understand and execute the correct procedures for transmitting and acknowledging distress alerts, relays, urgency, and safety messages, thereby saving lives and preventing casualties at sea.
• Maintain Equipment: Knowledge of battery maintenance and basic troubleshooting of the radio equipment is essential for continuous readiness.
• Comply with Regulations: Meet the mandatory standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), which is required for specific certificates of competency.

The proficiency gained from this training is fundamental to the global network of maritime safety, making the seafarer a responsible and reliable link in the chain of maritime assistance.

Modernizing Safety: The Simulator Upgrade

The newly commissioned GMDSS Simulator replaces an outdated hardware and software system, bringing SMA’s training facilities up to the current industry standard. This modernization effort ensures that Seychellois seafarers are trained using state-of-the-art technology, preparing them for the modern equipment they will encounter aboard vessels worldwide.

The upgrade was made possible through a crucial partnership and donation effort:

• The hardware for the advanced simulator was a generous donation from the US Embassy.
• The essential Wärtsilä software, which powers the realistic simulation scenarios, was financed under the Seychelles-EU Sustainable Fisheries Agreement.

This collaborative support underscores the international recognition of SMA’s role and the collective effort to enhance maritime safety and sustainable development in the region. The upgraded simulator will significantly enhance the quality of GMDSS certification courses, ultimately benefiting the safety of seafarers and the efficiency of the Seychelles maritime sector.