CrreprEn fVRadiocolnrrunications

Part A - General

1,

2

Application

3 Exemptions. .

4 Functional requirements .

4-1, GMDSS satellite providers

Part B - [Jndertakings by Contracting Couernments

5 Provision of radiocommunication services . ' : . .

5-1 Global maritime distress and safety system identities

Part C - Ship requirements

Terms and definitions.

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Radio installations

Radio equipment:

Radio equipment:

Radio equipment:

Radio equipment:

Radio equipment:

General

Sea area A1 . . .

Sea areas A1 and A2 . .

Sea areas AL, A2 and '\3

Sea areas A1., A2, A3 and A4 . .

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Watches

Sources ofenergy.

Performance standards

Maintenance requirements

Radio personnel

Radio records

Position-updating.

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Chap ter IV : Radio communicationsRegulation 3

.10 Polar orbiting satellite seruice means a service which is based on polar orbiting satellites whichreceive and relay distress alerts from satellite EPIRBs and which provides their position.

.11 Radio Regulations n:'eans the Radio Regulations annexed to, or regarded as being annexed to, themost recent International Telecommunication Convention which is in force at any time.

.12 Sea area A1 tneans an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast stationin which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a ContractingGovernment.*

.13 Sea area A2 nteans an area, excluding sea area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at leastone MF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by aContracting Governmcnt."

.14 Sea area A3 rneans ar1 area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsatgeostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available.

Sea area A4 lr'eans an area outside sea areas Al, A2 and A3.

Clobal maritime distress and safety system (CMDSS) identities means maritime mobile servicesidentity, the ship's call sign, Inmarsat identities and serial number identity which may betransmitted by the ship's equipment and used to identify the ship.

2 Ail other terms and abbreviations which are used in this chapter and which are defined in the RadioRegulations and in the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 7979, as ma1'bcamended, shall have the meanings as defined in those Regulations and the SAR Convention.

Regulation 3Exemptions

1 The Contracting Governments consider it highly desirable not to deviatethis chapter; nevertheless the Administration may grant partial or conditionalships from the requirements of regulations 7 to 11 provided:

from the requirementsexemptions to individu:l

such ships comply with the functional requirements of regulation 4; and

the Administration has taken into account the effect such exemptions may have upon the geefiiciency of the service for the safery of all ships.

An exemption may be granted under paragraph 1 only:

, t if the conditions a{lecting safety are such-as to render the full application of regulations 7 to I Iunreasonable or unnecessary:

.2 in exceptional circumstances, for a single voyage outside the sea area or sea areas for whichship is equipped.

3 Each Administration shall submit to the Organization, as soon as possible after theeach year, a report showing all exemptions granted under paragraphs 1 and 2 during theyear and grving the reasons for granting such exemptions.

first ofJanuan'

Regulation 4F unctional requirementsl

1 Every ship, while at sea, shall be capable:

.1 except as provided in regulations 8.1.1 andby at least Nvo separate and independentserwice;

.2 of receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;

10.1.4.3, of transmitting ship-to-shoredistressmeans, each using a diflerent radi

A.801(19) concerning provision of radio services for the global maritime distress and safery system (GM

that ships perforndng GMDSS functions should use the Guidance for avoidance of false distress alertsby resolut ion A.814(19).

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prevlous

- ll.efer to resoiution

' l t s h ( ) u l d b c n o t e d

by the Organization

230

Part A: GeneralRegulation 4-1

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of transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;

of transmitting and receiving search and rescue co-ordinating communications;

of transmitting and receivrng on-scene communications;

of transmitting and, as required by regulationYl19.2.3.2, receiving signals for locating;*

of transmitting and receivingt maritime saGry information;

of transmitting and receiving general radiocomrnunications to and from shore-based radiosystems or networks subject to regulation 15.8; and

of transmitting and rec eiving bridge-to-bridge c ommunications.

Regulation 4-7C,}4DSS satellite prouiders

Ihe Maritime SaGty Committee shall determine the criteria, procedures and arrangements for the:r'aluation, recognition, review and oversight of the provision of moiile satellite communiladon services in:he Global Maritime Distress and Safery System (GMDSS) pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.t

' Refer to resolution A.614(15) concerning cariage of radar operating in the frequency band 9,300-9,500 MHz.

' [t should be noted that ships may have a need for reception of certain maritime safety information while in port.

: ReGr to resolution A.1001(25) on Criteria for the provision of mobile satellite communication systems in the Global MaritimeI)istress and Safery System (GMDSS).

231

Chaoter IV : RadiocommunicationsI(esulatlon 5

Part B(Jndertakings by

C ontracting Couernments*

Regulation 5Prouision of radiocommunication seruices

I Each Contracting Government undertakes to make available, as it deems practical and necessary eitherindividually or in co-operation with other Contracting Govemments, appropriate shore-based facilities forspace and terrestrial radiocommunication services having due regard to the recommendations of theOrganization.t These services are:

.l a radiocommunication service utilizing geostationary satellites in the maritime mobile-satelliteservice;

a radiocommunication service utilizing polar orbiting satellites in the mobile-satellite service;

the maritime mobile service in the bands between 156 MHz and 174 MHz;

the maritime mobile service in the bands between 4,000 kHz and 27,500 kHz; and

the maritime mobile service in the bands betr,veen 41.5 kHz and 535 kHzl and berween1.605 kHz and 4.000 kHz.

2 Each Contracting Government undertakes to provide the Organization with pertinent informationconcerning the shore-based facilities in the maritime mobile service, mobile-satellite service and maritimemobile-satellite service, established for sea areas which it has designated offits coasts.$

Regulation 5-1Clobal maritime distress and safety system identities

This regulation applies to all ships on all voyages.

2 Each Contracting Government undertakes to ensure that suitable affangements are made forregistering global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) identities and for making information onthese identities available to rescue co-ordination centres on a 24-hour basis. Where appropriate.international organizations maintaining a registry of these identities shall be notified by the ContractingGovernment of these assignments.

. 1 Each Contracting Govemment is not required to provide all radiocommunication services.2 'fhe requirements should be specified for shore-based facilities to cover the vanous sea areas.

t Refer to resolution A.801 (19) concerning provision of radio services for the global maritime distress and safery system (GMDSS).1 Refe. to resolution A.617(15) concerning implementation of the NAWEX system as a compbnent of the World-WideNavigational Warning Service.$ The Master Pian of shore-based facilities for the GMDSS based on information provided bv Contractins Governments iscirculated to all concerned bv means of GMDSS circulars.

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232

Part C: Ship requirementsRegulation 7

Part CShip requirements

Regulation 6Radio installationsI Every ship shall be provided with radio installations capable of complying with the functional:rquirements prescribed by regulation 4 throughout its intended voyage and, unless exempted under:.'gulation 3, complying with the requirements of regulation 7 and, as appropriate for the r." aiea or areas:hrough which it will pass during its intended voyage, the requirements of eiaher regulation B, 9, 10 or 11.2 Every radio installation shall:

'l be so located that no harmful interference of mechanical, electrical or other origin affects itsproper use, and so as to ensure electromagnetic compatibiliry and avoidance of harmfulinteraction with other equipment and systems;be so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety and operational availability;be protected against harmful effects of water, extremes of temperature and other adverseenvironmental condidons;be provided with reliable, permanently arranged electrical lighting, independent of the main andemergency sources of electrical power, for the adequate illumination of the radio controls foroperating the radio installation; andbe clearly marked with the call sign, the ship station identiry and other codes as applicable for theuse of the radio installation.

3 Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels, required for navigational safery, shall be immediately.rvailable on the navigation bridge convenient to the conning position and, where necessary, facilities should:.c available to permit radiocommunications from the wings of the navigation bridge. Portable VHFr.luipment may be used to meet the latter provision.4 In passenger ships, a distress panel shall be installed at the conning position. This panel shall contain.'rther one single button which, when pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radiocommunicationrnstallations required on board for that purpose or one button for each individual installation. The panel.hail clearly and visually indicate whenever any button or buttons have been pressed. Means shall berrovided to prevent inadvertent activation of the button or buttons. If the satellite EPIRB is used as the.ccondary means of distress alerting and is not remotely activated, it shall be acceptable to have an additionalEPIRB installed in the wheelhouse near the conning position.

5 In passenger ships, information on the ship's position shall be continuously and automaticallyprovided to all relevant radiocommunication equipment to be included in the initial distress alert when the'br.rtton

or buttons on the distress panel is pressed.

6 In passenger ships, a distress alarm panel shall be installed at the conning position. The distress alarmp.rnel shall provide visual and aural indication of any distress alert or alerts received on board and shall alsorndicate through which radiocommunication service the distress alerts have been received.

Regulation 7Radio equipment: GeneralI Every ship shall be provided with:

.1 a VHF radio installation capable of rransmitting and receiving:

.l.f DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHL (channel 70). It shall be possible to initiate thetransmission of distress alerts on channel70 from the position from which the ship is normallynavigated;* and

' Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see regulation 9.4)

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233

Chapter IV : Radio communicationsRegulation 8

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radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 156.650 MHz (channel 13) and156.800 MHz (channel 16);

a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on VHF channel 70 whichmay be separate from, or combined with, that required by subparagraph 1.1;.

a radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 GHz band, which:

shall be so stowed that it can be easily utilized; and

may be one of those required by regulation 11116.2.2 for a survival craft;

a receiver capable of receiving international NAVTEX service broadcasts if the ship is engagedon voyages in any area in which an international NAVTEX service is provided;

a radio faciliry for reception of maritime safery information by the Inmarsat enhanced groupcalling systemt if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of Inmarsat coverage but in which aninternational NAVTEX service is not provided. However, ships engaged exclusively on voyagesin areas where an HF direct-printing telegraphy maritime safery information service is providedand .fitted w.ith equipment capable of receiving such service, may be exempt from thisrequrrement.+

subject to the provisions of regulation 8.3, a satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon(satellite EPIRB)$ which shall be:

capable of transmitting a distress alert cither through the polar orbiting satellite serviceoperating in the 406 MHz band or, if the ship is engaged only on voyages within Inmarsatcoverage, through the Inmarsat geostationary sitellite iervice operating in ihe 1.6 GHz band;'

installed in an easily accessible position;

ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;

capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat; and

capable of being activated manually.

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2 Every passenger ship shall be provided with means for two-way on-scene radiocommunications forsearch and rescue purposes using the aeronautical frequencies 121.5 MHz and 723.1 MHz from theposition from which the ship is normally navigated.

Regulation 8Radio equipment: Sea area 41

I In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7 , every ship engaged on voyages exclusively insea area ,t1 shall be provided with a radio installation capable of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shoredistress alerts from the position from which the ship is normally navigated, operating either:

.l on VHF using DSC; this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB prescribed by paragraph 3.either by installing the EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from whichthe ship is normally navigated; or

through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by thesatellite EPIRB, required by regulation7.1..6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, orby remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; orif the ship is engaged on voyages within coverage of MF coast stations equipped with DSC, onMF using DSC; or

on HF using DSC; or

* Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see regulation 9.4).

f Refer to resolution A.70I(17) concerning carriage of Inmarsat enhanced group call SaGTNET receivers under the GMDSS.I Refer to the Recommendation on promulgation of maritinre safety information adopted by the Organization by resolu-t ion 4.705(17), as amended.s Refer to resolution A.616(15) concerning search and rescue homing capabiliry.'

Subject to the availabiliry ofappropriatc rcceiving and processing ground facilities for each ocean region covered by Inmarsarsatellites.

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234

Part C: Ship requirementsRegulation 9

.b through the Inmarsar geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:

.5.1 an Inmarsat ship earth station;* or

.i.Z the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation7.1..6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close

to, or by remote activa'tion from, tlhe position from which the ship is normally navigated.

2 The VHF radio installation, required by regulation7.7.1, shall also be capable of transmitting and

receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony'

3 Ships engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 may carry, in lieu of the satellite EPIRB required by

regulation 7.1.6, an EPIRB which shall be:

.l capable of transmirting a distress alert using DSC on VHF channel 70 and providing for locating

by means of a radar tiansponder operating in the 9 GHz band;

installed in an easily accessible position;

ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;

capable of floating free if the ship sinks and being automatically activated when afloat; and

capable of being activated manually.

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Regulation 9Radio equipment: Sea areas 41 and 42

I In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation '7

, every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea

rrea A1, but remaining within sea area A2, shall be provided with:

an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety pulposes' on

the frequencies:

2,187.5 kHz using DSC; and

2,182 k}Jz using radiotelePhonY;

a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the freqlency

2,1g7 .5 kHz which -"y U. separare from, or iombined with, that required by subparagtaph -1.1;

and

means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service other than

MF operating either:

through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be.fulfilled by

the satellite EPIRB, requiied by regulation 7.1.6,'either by installing the satellite EPIRB close

to, or by remote activation from, tlhe position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

on HF using DSC; or

through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:

the equipment specified in paragraph 3.2; or

the satellite EPIRB, required by regulationT -7.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close

to. or by remore activa'tion from, iire position from which the ship is normally navigated.

2 It shall be possible to initiate rransmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in

p.."gr"phr t.t and 1.3 from the position from which the ship is normaliy navigated'

3 The ship shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications

using radioteliphony or direct-printing telegraphy by either:

.l a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands befween 1,605 kHz and

4,000 kHz or bewueen 4,00b kHz and 21,500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the

addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1; or

.2 an Inmarsat ship earth station.

. Tl", -q-r.*.nt can be met by Inmarsat ship earth stations capable.of.nvo-tv1y coTmunications, such as Inmarsat-B and Fleet-

77 (resolutions A.g0g(19) and MSC.130(75)) or Inmarsat-C lresolution A.807(19), as amended) .ship.earth. stations' (Jnless

otnJr*lr. specified, this footnote applies to ji ,.q.rir..n.r,ts for an Inmarsat ship earth station prescribed by this chapter'

235

Chap ter IV : Radio communicationsRegulation 10

4 The Administration may exempt ships constructed before 1 February 1997, whtch are engagedexclusively on voyages within sea area A2, frorn the requirements of regulations 7 .1 .1 .f and 7 .I .2 providedsuch ships maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. This watch shallbe kept at thc position from which the ship is normally navigated.

Regulation 10Radio equipment: Sea areas 41, 42 and 431 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7 , every ship engaged on voyages beyond seaareas A1 and A2, but remaining within sea area A3, shall, if it does not comply with the requirements ofparagraph 2, be provided with:

.l an Inmarsat ship earth station capable of;

.1.1 transmitting and receiving distress and safery communications using direct-printing telegraphy;

.1.2 initiating and receiving distress priority calls;

.1.3 maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alerts, including those directed to specificallydefined geographical areas;transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications, using either radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy; and

an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safery purposes, onthe frequcncies:

2,187.5 kHz using DSC; and2,182 kHz using radiotelephony; and

a radio installation capablc of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2,187 .5 kHzwhich may be separate from or combined with that required by subparagraph .2.1,; and

means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service operating either:

through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled bythe satellitc EPIRB, required by regulationT .1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB closeto, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

on HF using DSC; orthrough the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service, by an additional ship earth station or by thesatellite EPIRB required by regulationT .1..6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, orby remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

2 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7 , cvery ship engaged on voyages beyond seaareas A1 and A2, but remaining within sea area ,\3, shall, if it does not comply with the requirements ofparagraph 1, be provided with:

.1 an MF/HF radio installation capablc of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safetypurposes, on all distress and safety frequencies in the bands befween 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHzand befween 4,000 kHz and 27,500 kHz:

using DSC;using radiotelephony; andusing direct-printing telegraphy; and

equipment capablc of maintaining DSC watch on2,187 .5 kHz,8,474.5 kHz and on at least oneof the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or16,804.5 kHz; at any time, it shall be possible to select any of these DSC distress and saferyfrequencies. This equipment may be separate from, or combined with, the equipment requiredby subparagraph .1; andmeans of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radiocommunicationservice other than HF operating either:

through the polar orbiting satellite servicc on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled bythe satellite EPIRB, required by regulation7.1..6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB closeto, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

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236

Part C: Ship requirementsRegulation 12

through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:an Inmarsat ship earth station; orthe satellite EPIRts, required by regulation7.l.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB closeto, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and

in addition, ships shall be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunicationsusing radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by an MF/HF radio installation operating onworking frequencies in the bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHz and between 4,000 kHzand 27,500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in theequipment required by subparagraph .1.

3 It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified inuragraphs 1,.7, 1,.2, 7.4,2.7 and 2.3 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

4 The Administration may exempt ships constructed before 1 February 1997, and engaged exclusively.)n voyages within sea areas A2 and A3, from the requirements of regulations 7.1.7.7 andT-1..2 provided'uch ships maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. This watch shallr.c kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

Regulation 11Radio equipment: Sea areas A7, A2, 43 and A4t In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, ships engaged on voyages in all sea areas shallbe provided with the radio installations and equipment required by regulation 10.2, except that thecquipment required by regulation 70.2.3.2 shall not be accepted as an alternative to that required byrcgulation 10.2.3.1, which shall always be provided. In addition, ships engaged on voyages in all sea areasshall comply with the requirements of regulation 10.3.

2 The Administration may exempt ships constructed before 1 February 1997, and engaged exclusivelyon voyages within sea areas A2, A3 and A4, from the requirements of regulations 7.1.1.1 and 7.1.2provided such ships maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. Thisrvatch shall be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

Regulation 12Watches1 Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain a continuous watch:

.l on VHF DSC channel 70, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulationT .1.2, isfitted with a VHF radio installation;on the distress and safery DSC frequency 2,187.5 kHz, if the ship, in accordance with therequirements of regulation9.I.2 or 10.1.3, is fitted with an MF radio installation;on the distress and safety DSC frequencies2,187.5 kHz and8,414.5 kHz and also on at least oneof the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 72,577 kHz or16,804.5 kHz, appropriate to the time of day and the geographical position of the ship, if theship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 1,0.2.2 or 71..1., is fitted with an MF/HFradio installation. This watch may be kept by means of a scanning receiver;for satellite shore-to-ship distress alerts, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements ofregulation 1,0.1.1, is fitted with an Inmarsat ship earth station.

2 Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain a radio watch for broadcasts of maritime safety information onthe appropriate frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which theship is navigating.

3 Until 1 February 1999 or until such. other date as may be determined by the Maritime SaferyCommittee,* every ship while at sea shall maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHFchannel 16. This watch shall be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

- The Maritime Safety Committee decided (resolution MSC.131(75)) that all GMDSS ships, while at sea, shall continue to

maintain, when practicable, continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16.

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Chapter IV:Regulation

Radiocommunicationst 3

Regulation 13Sources of energyt There shall be available at all times, while the ship is at sea, a supply of electrical energy sufficient to

operate the radio installations and to charge any batteries used as part of a reserve source or sources of

energy for the radio installations.

2 Areserye source or sources of energy shall be provided on every ship, to supply radio installations, for

the purpose of conducting distress and safery radiocommunications, in the event of failure of the ship's

-"ltr ".rd emergency ,orrJ.s of electrical power. The reserve source or sources of energy shall be. capable.of

simultaneourly"op.i"ting the VHF radio installation required by regulationT .7;1,.and, as appropriate for the

sea area o, ,""".6", for ihich the ship is equipped, either the MF radio installation required by regulation

9.1.1, the MF/HF radio installation required by regulation 10.2.1 or 77.1,, or the Inmarsat ship earth station

requiied by regulation 10.1.1 and any of the-additional loads mentioned in paragraphs 4,5 and B for a

period ofat least:

.l t h on ships provided with an emergency source of electricalpower-, if such source of power

complies fully -ith all relevant provisioni of regulationll-1142 or 43, including the supply of

such power to the radio installations; and

.Z 6 h on ships not provided with an emergency source of electrical power complying fully.withall

relevant piovisions of regulationll-1142 or 43, including the supply of such power to the radio

installations.-

The reserve source or sources of energy need not supply independent HF and MF radio installations at the

same time.

3 The reserve source or sources of energy shall be independent of the propelling power of the ship and

the ship's electrical system.

4 Where, in addition to the VHF radio installation, t\,vo or more of the other radio installations, referred

to in paragraph2, can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy, they shall-be_capable.of

i-.rliareJ.rsiy rupplyitg, for the period specified, as appropriate, in paragraph2.l' ot 2.2, the VHF radio

installation and:

.1 all other radio installations which can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy at

the same time; or

whichever of the other radio installations will consume the most pow^er, if only one of the.other

radio installations can be connected to the r€serve source or sources of energy at the same tlme as

the VHF radio installation.

b The reserye source or sources of energy may be used to supply the electrical lighting required by

regalation 6.2.4.

6 Where a reserve source of energy consists of a rechargeable accumulator battery or batteries:

.l a means of automatically charging such batteries shall be provided which shall be capable of

recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 h; and

.Z the capaciry of the battery or batteries shall be checked, using an appropriate method,t at

intervals not exceeding 72 months, when the ship is not at sea'

7 The siting and installation of accumulator batteries which provide a reserve source of energy shall be

such as to ensure:.1 the highest degree of service;

.2 a reasonable lifetime;

.3 reasonable safew:

- F* $r"j""*, the following formula is recommended for determining the electrical load to be supplied by the reserve source.of

.rr..gf fo, each radio instal#on required for distress conditions: 1/2 of the-current consumption necessary for transmission + the

current consumptron necessary for ieception + the current consumption of any additional loads.

t One method of checking the capacity of an accumulator battery is to fully discharge and recharge the battery using. norma-

operating current a.rd peri'od (e.g. 10 (;. Arr.rr-.nt of the charge condition can be made at any time, but it should be done

without significant discharge of the battery when the ship is at sea.

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Part C: Shrp requirementsRegulation 14

that battery temperatures remain within the manufacturer's specifications whether under chargeor idle; and

that when fully charged, the batteries will provide at least the minimum required hours ofoperation under all weather conditions.

t If an uninterrupted input of information from the ship's navigational or other equipment to a radio::rstallation required by this chapter, including the navigation receiver referred to in regulation 18, is neededir) eDSUre its proper performance, means shall be provided to ensure the continuous supply of such::rtbrmation in the event of failure of the ship's main or emergency source of electrical power.

Regulation 14Pcformance standards

I All equipment to which this chapter applies shall be of a type approved by the Administration. Such-'quipment shall conform to appropriate performance standards not inferior to those adopted by ther )rganization.*

I{cfer to the following resolutions adopted by the Organization:

.1 Resolution A.525(13): Performance standards for narrow-band direct-printing telegraph equipment for the receptionof navigational and meteoroiogical warnings and urgent information to ships.

.2 Resolution A.694(17): General requirements for shipbome radio equipment forming part of the global maritimedistress and safety system (GMDSS) and for electronic navigarional aids.

Resolution A.808(19): Performance standards for ship earth stations capable of nvo-way communications andresolution A.570(14): Type approval of ship earth stations and MSC.130(75): Performance standards for Inmarsat shipearth stations capable of two-way communications.

Resolution A.803(19): Performance standards for shipbome VHF radio installations capable ofvoice communicationand digtal selective calling, as amended, and resolution MSC.68(68), annex 1 (valid for equipment installed on orafter 1 January 2000).

Resolution l\.804(19): Performance standards for shipborne MF radio installations capable of voice comrnunicationand digital selective calling, as amended, and resolution MSC.68(68), annex 2 (valid for equipment installed on orafter 1 January 2000).

.6 Resolution A.806(19): Performance standards for shipborne MF/HF radio installations capable of voicecommunication, narrow-band direct-printing and digital selective calling, as amended, and resolution MSC.68(68), annex 3 (valid for equipment installed on or after 1 January 2000).

.7 Resolution A.810(19): Performance standards for float-free satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons(EPIRB$ operating on 406 MHz and MSC.120(74): Adoption of amendments to performance standards for float-free satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBt operating on 406 MHz (resolution A.810(19))(see also Assembly resolution A.696(17): Type approval of satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons(EPIRB, operating in the COSPAS-SARSAT system).

.8 Resoiution A.802(19): Performance standards for survival craft radar transponders for use in search and rescueoperations.

.9 Resoiurion A.805(19): Performance standards for float-free VHF emergency position-indicating radio beacons.

.10 Resolution ,\.807(19): Performance standards for Inmarsat-C ship earth stations capable of transmitting and receivingdirect-printing communications, as amended, and resolution MSC.68(68), annex 3 (valid for equipment installed on orafter 1 January 2000), and resolution A.570(14): Type approval ofship earth stations.

.11 Resolution A.664(16): Performance standards for enhanced group call equipment.

.12 Resolution A.662(16): Performance standards for float-free release and activation arrangements for emergency radioequipment.

.13 Resolution L.699(17): System performance standard for the promulgation and co-ordination of maritime safetyinformation using high-frequency narrow-band direct printing.

.14 Resolution MSC.148(77): Adoption of the revised performance standards for narrow-band direct-printing telegraphequipment for the reception of navigaiional and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships(NAVTEX).

.15 Resolution A.811(19): Performance standards for a shipborne integrated radiocommunication system (IRCS) whenused in the GMDSS.

.16 Resolution MSC.80(70), annex 1: Performance standards for on-scene (aeronautical) rvvo-way portable VHFradiotelephone apparatus.

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Chapter IV : RadiocommunicationsRegulation 15

Regulation 15Maintenance requirements

I Equipment shall be so designed that the main units can be replaced readily, without elaboraterecalibration or readjustment.

2 Where applicable, equipment shall be so constructed and installed that it is readily accessible forinspection and on-board maintenance pufposes.

3 Adequate information shall be provided to enable the equipment to be properly operated andmaintained, taking into account the recommendations of the Organization.*

4 Adequate tools and spares shall be provided to enable the equipment to be maintained.

5 The Administration shall ensure that radio equipment required by this chapter is maintained toprovide the availability of the functional requirements specified in regulation 4 and to meet therecommended performance standards of such equipment.

6 On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A1 and A2, the availability shall be ensured by using suchmethods as duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance or at-sea electronic maintenance capabilin'.or a combination of these, as may be approved by the Administration.

7 On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A3 and 44, the availability shall be ensured by using acombination of at least two methods such as duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance or at-seaelectronic maintenance capability, as may be approved by the Administration, taking into account thcrecommendations of the Organization.f

8 While all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain the equipment in efficient working order toensure compliance with all the functional requirements specified in regulation 4, malfunction of theequipment for providing the general radiocommunications required by regulation 4.8 shall not beconsidered as making a ship unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying the ship in ports where repair facilitiesare not readily available, provided the ship is capable of performing all distress and safery functions.

Satellite EPIRBs shall be:

.l annually tested for all aspects of operational efiiciency, with special emphasis on checking thcemission on operational frequencies, coding and registration, at intervals as specified below:

on passenger ships, within 3 months before the expiry dateCertificate; and

on cargo ships, within 3 months before the expiry date, oranniversary date, of the Cargo Ship SaGty Radio Certificate.

The test may be conducted on board the ship or at an approved testing station; and

subject to maintenance at intervals not exceeding five years, to be performed at an approvedshore-based maintenance facility.

Regulation 16Radio personnel

1 Every ship shall carry personnel qualified for distress and safety radiocommunication pulposes to thesatisfaction of the Administration.l The personnel shall be holders of certificates specified in the RadioRegulations as appropri^te, arry one of whom shall be designated to have primary responsibility fotradiocommunications durins distress incidents.

- Refer to the Recommendation on general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forrning part of the global maritimedistress and safery system and for i:lectronic navigational aids adopted by the Organization by resolution A.694(1.7) and toresolution A.813(19) on general requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for all electrical and electronic ship'sequipment and to MSC/Circ.862: Clarifications of certain requirements in IMO performance standards for GMDSS equipment.T Refer to resolution A.702(17) concerning radio maintenance guidelines for the global maritime distress and saGty system relatedto sea areas A3 and A4.* ReGr to the STCW Code, chapter W, section B-IVI2.

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of the Passenger Ship Safen

3 months before or after the

240

Part C: Ship requirementsRegulation 18

2 In passenger ships, at least one person qualified in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be assigned to

:.crform only radiocommunication duties during distress incidents.

Regulation 17Radio records

.\ record shall be kept, to rhe satisfaction of the Administration and as required b1t the Radio Regulatio-ns,,..,iall incidents connicted with the radiocommunication service which appear to be of importance to safety

oi life at sea.

Regulation 18Position-updating

.\ll two-way comrnunication equipment carried on board a ship to which this chapter applies which is

;apable of automatically includlngihe ship's position in the distress alert shall be automatically provided

ri'ith this information from an internal or extemal navigation receiver, if either is installed. If such a receiver

rs not installed, the ship's position and the time at which the position was determined shall be manuallygpdated at intervals ,rlt ."...ding 4 h, while the ship is under way, so that it is always ready for

rrlnsmission by the equipment.

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