Maritime Communications in the Philippines

National Telecommunications Commission September 9, 2013

Global Positioning System (GPS) ∗ A satellite-aided measurement system that enables a ship to

locate its position anytime, anywhere expressed in degrees and minutes of latitude and longitude.

∗ a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The system provides critical capabilities to military, civil and commercial users around the world. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.

Basic Maritime Communications Terminologies

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) ∗ an international system which uses terrestrial and satellite

technology and ship-board radio-systems to ensure rapid, automated, alerting of shore based communication and rescue authorities, in addition to ships in the immediate vicinity, in the event of a marine distress.

∗ Under the GMDSS, all ocean-going passenger ships and cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages must be equipped with radio equipment that conforms to international standards as set out in the system. The basic concept is that search and rescue authorities ashore, as well as shipping in the immediate vicinity of the ship in distress, will be rapidly alerted through satellite and terrestrial communication techniques so that they can assist in a coordinated search and rescue operation with the minimum of delay. (more info can be found at www.imo.org)

Basic Maritime Communications Terminologies

NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) ∗ an international, automated system for instantly distributing

maritime navigational warnings, weather forecasts and warnings, search and rescue notices and similar information to ships.

∗ A small, low-cost and self-contained "smart" printing radio receiver installed in the pilot house of a ship or boat checks each incoming message to see if it has been received during an earlier transmission, or if it is of a category of no interest to the ship's master. If it is a new and wanted message, it is printed on a roll of adding-machine size paper; if not, the message is ignored. A new ship coming into the area will receive many previously-broadcast messages for the first time; ships already in the area which had already received the message won't receive it again. No person needs to be present during a broadcast to receive vital information.

Basic Maritime Communications Terminologies

Satellite Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) ∗ An earth station in the mobile-satellite service, the emissions of

which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations. A radio beacon when activated transmits the geographical coordinates of the unit in distress expressed in degrees and minutes of latitude and longitude intended to be received by the COSPAS-SARSAT system.

COSPAS-SARSAT System ∗ A satellite-aided search and rescue system for locating distress

vessels by the use of low-latitude near polar-orbiting satellites and designed to locate distress satellite EPIRB beacons.

Basic Maritime Communications Terminologies

National Telecommunications Commission

∗ Sole body that exercises jurisdiction over the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country;

∗ Created under EO 546, 1979 and conferred with regulatory and quasi –judicial functions; and

∗ Adopts and promulgates guidelines, rules and regulations relative to the establishment , operation and maintenance of telecom facilities and services nationwide

National Telecommunications Commission

∗ Grant Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity/Provisional Authority to install, operate and maintain telecommunications, broadcast and CATV services.

∗ Grant licenses to install, operate and maintain radio stations ∗ Allocate/sub-allocate and assign the use of radio frequencies ∗ Type-approve/Type accept all radio communications equipment ∗ Conduct radio operator examination and issue Radio Operator’s Certificates. ∗ Monitor the operation of all telecommunication and broadcast activities. ∗ Enforce applicable domestic and international laws, rules and regulations,

prosecute violations thereof, and imposes appropriate penalties/sanctions.

∗ Issue permits/licenses to operate land, maritime, and aeronautical and safety devices.

∗ Prepare, plan and conduct studies for policy and regulatory services.

NTC Functions

Regarding NAVTEX and EPIRB ∗ MC No.01-01-02: Mandatory Installation of

NAVTEX Receiver and satellite EPIRB as additional navigational aids equipment of ship radio stations engaged in coastwise trade.

∗ MC No.13-09-02: Amendment to above MC extending date of compliance

∗ MC dated 28 October 2002: deferment in the implementation of MC No.01-01-02

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

Memorandum Circular MC No. 4-09-88

Prescribed Equipment for Ship Stations of Various Vessels Plying

Domestic Routes and Other Requirements

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

1. No passenger and/or cargo vessel registered with the Philippine Government shall attempt or wilfully leave any Philippine port without the prescribed radio installation on board.

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

LINERS (Passenger Vessel)

Prescribed Radio Installation

TYPE OF VESSEL REQUIRED RADIO EQUIPMENT

Below 350 GT and less than 5 hours of navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.3/156.6 MHz

350 GT and above, and less than 5 hours of navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.3/156.6 MHz

Below 350 GT and more than 5 hours of navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.3/156.6 MHz - SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz

350 GT and above and more than 5 hours of navigation

- Telegraphy installation with capability on 500KHz - SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz - VHF with capability on 156.8/156.3/156.6 MHz - Main and reserve receiver and reserve power

supply

LINERS (Cargo Vessel)

Prescribed Radio Installation

TYPE OF VESSEL REQUIRED RADIO EQUIPMENT

Below 350 GT and less than 5 hours of navigation

- Radio installation optional

350 GT and above, and less than 5 hours of navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz

Below 350 GT and more than 5 hours of navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz - SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz

350 GT and more than 5 hours of navigation

- Telegraphy installation with capability on 500KHz - SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz - VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz - Main and reserve receiver and reserve power

supply

SPECIALIZED CARRIERS

Prescribed Radio Installation

TYPE OF VESSEL REQUIRED RADIO EQUIPMENT

Below 350 GT and less than 60 miles of navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz

Below 350 GT and more than 60 miles of navigation

- SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz - VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz

350 GT and less than 60 miles navigation

- VHF with capability on 156.8/156.3/156.6 MHz

350 GT and above and more than 60 miles of navigation

- SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz - VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz

Prescribed Radio Installation

LIGHTERAGE VESSELS

TYPE OF VESSEL REQUIRED RADIO EQUIPMENT

Bay and River Operation VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz

Coastwise Operation SSB with capability on 2182/4125/6215.5 KHz VHF with capability on 156.8/156.6/156.3 MHz

2. It shall be the duty of the Radio Operators employed by Station licenses to operate properly the ship radio stations of vessels and to ascertain that each authorized radio equipment is in good working condition and capable of transmitting and receiving messages in the following distress channels:

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

∗ 500 KHz - MF/CW International Distress Channel ∗ 2182 KHz - HF/SSB International Distress Channel ∗ 4125 KHz - Alternate HF/SSB Int’l. Distress Channel ∗ 6215.5 KHz - Alternate HF/SSB Int’l. Distress Channel ∗ 156.8 MHz - VHF International Distress Channel ∗ 156.6 MHz - PCG Harbormaster ∗ 156.3 MHz - Intership

Distress Channels

3. Radio officers of vessels arriving in port shall make arrangement to provide access to representatives of the Commission to conduct inspection of the ship radio station at any reasonable time before the next departure of such vessels.

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

4. To promote further the safety of navigation, all ship radio stations, duly licensed by the Commission, are hereby required to maintain continuous radio watch during the entire period of navigation of vessels concerned.

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

5. Since transmitting and receiving equipment must utilize assigned maritime frequencies efficiently at all times, only those radiotelephone equipment type-approved by the Commission for maritime operation shall be accepted by the NTC for licensing purposes.

NTC Maritime Related Rules and Regulations

Thank You and God bless!