Explanation: The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) was developed under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and mandated by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. Its primary purpose is to create an integrated, automated international system for maritime emergency communications. **C) Automate and improve emergency communications for the world’s shipping industry.** This is correct because GMDSS replaces manual Morse code watchkeeping with modern digital and satellite communication methods. It ensures that distress alerts from ships are transmitted quickly and reliably to shore-based rescue coordination centers (RCCs) and nearby vessels, significantly improving the speed and effectiveness of search and rescue (SAR) operations worldwide. **A) Allow more effective control of SAR situations by vessels.** While GMDSS aids vessels in participating in SAR, the system's design is more about initial alerting, coordination, and ensuring shore-based authorities can take overall control and direct SAR efforts. **B) Provide additional shipboard systems for more effective company communications.** While some GMDSS equipment, like satellite terminals, can be used for general ship-to-shore communications, its fundamental design and regulatory mandate are focused exclusively on distress and safety communications, not routine company business. **D) Provide effective and inexpensive communications.** GMDSS is effective, but the required equipment, its installation, and ongoing maintenance are substantial investments. Therefore, it is not considered an inexpensive communication solution, especially compared to more basic radio systems. Its value lies in enhanced safety, not cost savings.