Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) and Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

• Value: £400K

NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) is a communications system that allows for the transmission of maritime safety information and navigational warnings to ships. It uses a network of ground-based transmitters to transmit messages via medium frequency (MF) to vessels within a specified area of responsibility. The messages typically include information about hazards to navigation, such as submerged wrecks or icebergs as well as weather forecasts, search and rescue alerts, and other important information. NAVTEX is designed to be a simple and cost-effective way for ships to receive important safety information while at sea. It is used by many countries around the world, including the United States and European Union member states. NAVTEX is a component of the Worldwide Navigation Warning Service, the MCA is obliged to operate this service under International Maritime Organisation Resolution and is one of HM Coastguards six functions (Maritime Safety Information). The MCA utilises three transmitting sites and six receiving sites across the UK. NAVTEX is transmitted from 3 sites, Nyton, Cullercoates and Portpatrick. The 6 receiving sites spread across the UK. The MCA seeks to procure a NAVTEX Solution application for up to 50 concurrent users, and all associated hardware or interfaces that feed into the input/output of the transmitter/receiver.

• Value: £1M

Digital Selective Calling is a component of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) and the MCA is obliged to operate this service under International Maritime Organization Resolution. The current legacy solution employs proprietary modems which interface with the proprietary output of the extant suppliers DSC application to enable the transmission and reception of signals at identified radio sites.