Thales Systems Canada (Thales Systems), Ottawa, Ontario, today announced the inauguration of a new maritime communications system that it is providing to Argentina’s coast guard, the Prefectura Naval Argentina. The system will establish emergency radio communication infrastructure for the Coast Station at Rio Gallegos, serving the maritime traffic to and from the Straights of Magellan. This project will establish digital communications on the VHF and MF frequency ranges for Argentina’s southern coastal waters. When completed the system will consist of a regional control centre at Rio Gallegos and three remote radio sites. These facilities will provide an emergency communications link to ships operating 150 nautical miles offshore in waters that are regarded to be amongst the most treacherous in the world. This system demonstrates Argentina’s commitment to complying with international agreements regarding the worldwide implementation of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).

"Thales Systems is a world leader in GMDSS and maritime communications systems. I am pleased our capability is recognised by many leading international customers including the Prefectura Naval Argentina," noted Norman Smyth, President of Thales Systems. " We have supplied communications technology to the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Navy, and many overseas customers. This project in Argentina reaffirms our competitiveness in the international market and underscores our intention to be a supplier of communications technology throughout Latin America."

The Coast Station of Rio Gallegos is one of several stations that are being upgraded by the Prefectura Naval Argentina. Thales Systems is also upgrading two existing systems located at Mar del Plata, and Comodoro Rivadavia. The new and upgraded GMDSS communications systems will rapidly alert rescue authorities to maritime distress situations and assist them in the co-ordination of a rescue response. The company is, therefore, contributing toward a significant improvement in the safety of ships operating in Argentina’s coastal waters.

GMDSS is the new international standard for maritime communications; it provides "911 for ships". It relies on advanced digital communications technology and satellites to automatically warn of emergencies at sea. GMDSS was recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency with responsibility for ship safety. Individual countries and ship owners are required to install GMDSS systems in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Thales Systems is an engineering and systems integration company that designs, develops, and delivers turnkey radio communications systems for the world market. The company is also an integrator of mission systems and C3 systems for ships, and a supplier of custom real-time software. Thales Systems is a subsidiary of Thales, Paris, France. Thales had revenues of 8 billion Euros in 1999, employs 65,000 people, and has facilities in 50 countries. It is a global leader in advanced electronics technology for the government and professional markets. This contract in Argentina demonstrates the success of Thales multi-domestic business strategy that combines a global network of operating companies that are close to their customers with geographic diversity in its centres of excellence.