The Icom ic-gm1600 med marine VHF handheld radio is designed explicitly for GMDSS-compliant survival craft communications. It meets rigorous environmental standards for GMDSS survival craft radios, ensuring durability in various conditions such as temperature, thermal shock, vibration, and drops. This radio is med-certified, meeting international Sola's life rafts and emergency equipment standards.

Equipped with built-in GMDSS technology and a high-capacity bp-234 lithium battery pack, the ic-gm1600 med provides up to 8 hours of operation, even in extreme temperatures as low as -20ºC. Its rugged and waterproof design includes a "Speed water removal" function that efficiently sheds water from the speaker system. The radio features a large keypad with positive button action for easy operation, even with gloves on, and a wide viewing angle LCD with high contrast and backlighting.

The Icom ic-gm1600 med is user-friendly, with operation instructions on the rear panel for easy reference. Its evident yellow-coloured body is shock-resistant and made of a brightly coloured dye-injected polymer. Additional features include optional Vox headset capability with adjustable Vox gain and delay time, an optional waterproof speaker microphone, one-touch access to channel 16 and programmable call channel, and a one-year radio and accessories warranty.