International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974

Chapter IVRadiocommunications

.10 Maritime safety information (MS!)* means navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships .

.11 Radar SART means a search and rescue transponder operating on radar frequencies in the frequency band 9.2-9.5 GHz .

.12 Radio Regulations means the Radio Regulations complementing the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union which is in force at any given time .

.13 Recognized mobile satellite service means any service which operates through a satellite system and is recognized by the Organization, for use in GMDSS .

.14 Satellite service on 406 MHz means a service operating through a satellite system having global availability designed to detect EPIRBs transmitting in the frequency band 406.0-406.1 MHz .

.15 Sea area Al means an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one very high frequency (VHF) coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government.

.16 Sea area A2 means an area, excluding sea area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one medium frequency (MF) coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government.t

.17 Sea area A3 means an area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of a recognized mobile satellite service supported by the ship earth station carried on board, in which continuous alerting is available .

.18 Sea area A4 means an area outside of sea areas A1 , A2 and A3.

2 All other terms and abbreviations which are used in this chapter and which are defined in the Radio Regulations and in the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, as may be amended, shall have the meanings as defined in those Regulations and the SAR Convention.

Regulation 3

Exemptions

1 The Contracting Governments consider it highly desirable not to deviate from the requirements of this chapter; nevertheless, the Administration may grant partial or conditional exemptions to individual ships from the requirements of regulations 7 to 11 provided:

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

.2 the Administration has taken into account the effect such exemptions may have upon the general efficiency of the service for the safety of all ships.

2 An exemption may be granted under paragraph 1 only:

.1 if the conditions affecting safety are such as to render the full application of regulations 7 to 11 unreasonable or unnecessary; or

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

3 Each Administration shall report to the Organization on all exemptions granted under paragraphs 1 and 2 giving the reasons for granting such exemptions.+

* Refer to Joint IMO/IHOIWMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information (MS/) (MSC.1/Circ.1310, as revised). t Refer to Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (CMDSS) (resolution MSC.509(105)). * Exemptions should be reported through the Organization's Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) with reference to Issue of Exemption Certificates under the 1974 SOLAS Convention and Amendments thereto (SLS.14/Circ.115 and Add.1, Add.2 and Add.3), as amended.

Part A General

Regulation 4

Functional requirements*

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

.1 performing the GMDSS functions, which are as follows:

.1 transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least two separate and independent means, each using a different radiocommunication service;

.2 receiving shore-to-ship distress alert relays;

.3 transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;

.4 transmitting and receiving search and rescue coordinating communications;

.5 transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;

.6 transmitting and receiving signals for locating;t

.7 receiving MSl;t

.8 transmitting and receiving urgency and safety communications; and

.9 transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications; and

.2 transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications.

Regulation 4-1

GMDSS satellite providers The Maritime Safety Committee shall determine the criteria, procedures and arrangements for the evaluation, recognition, review and oversight of the provision of recognized mobile satellite services in the GMDSS pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.§

• It should be noted that ships performing GMDSS functions should use Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts (resolution MSC.514(105)). t Refer also to regulations V/19.2.3.2 and V/19.2.4, as appropriate. :J: It should be noted that ships may have a need for reception of certain maritime safety information while in port.

§ Refer to Criteria for the provision of mobile satellite communication systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) (resolution A.1001 (25)) and Guidance to prospective GMDSS satellite service providers (MSC.1/Circ.1414).

Undertakings by Contracting Governments*

Regulation 5

Provision of radiocommunication services

1 Each Contracting Government undertakes to make available, as it deems practical and necessary, either individually or in cooperation with other Contracting Governments, appropriate shore-based facilities for the mobile satellite service and maritime mobile service having due regard to the recommendations of the Organization.t These services are:

.1 recognized mobile satellite services;

.2 a satellite service on 406 MHz;

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

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

.5 the maritime mobile service in the bands between 415 kHz and 535 kHz+ and between 1 605 kHz and 4 000 kHz.

2 Each Contracting Government undertakes to provide the Organization with pertinent information concerning the shore-based facilities in the mobile satellite service and maritime mobile service, established for sea areas which it has designated off its coasts.§ Each Contracting Government also undertakes to provide the Organization with timely and adequate notice prior to the planned withdrawal of any of these services or any particular shore-based facilities.

Regulation 5-1

CM055 identities

1 This regulation applies to all ships on all voyages.

2 Each Contracting Government undertakes to ensure that suitable arrangements are made for registering GMDSS identities and for making information on these identities available to rescue coordination centres on a 24-hour basis. Where appropriate, international organizations maintaining a registry of these identities, such as the ITU Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS), shall be notified by the Contracting Government of these identity assignments.

• 1 Each Contracting Government is not required to provide all radiocommunication services.

2 Provision No. 48.1 of the Radio Regulations applies to the operation of coast stations and coast earth stations.

t Refer to Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (CMDSS) (resolution MSC.509(105)). * Refer to Implementation of the NAVTEX system as a component of the World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (resolution A.617(15)). § Information communicated by Contracting Governments is made available through GISIS.

Ship requirements

Regulation 6

Radio installations

1 Every ship shall be provided with radio installations capable of complying with the functional requirements prescribed by regulation 4 throughout its intended voyage and, unless exempted under regulation 3, complying with the requirements of regulation 7 and, as appropriate for the sea area or areas through which it will pass during its intended voyage, the requirements of either regulation 8, 9, 10 or 11.

2 Every radio installation shall be:

.1 located in such a way that no harmful interference of mechanical, electrical or other origin affects its proper use, and that electromagnetic compatibility is ensured and harmful interaction avoided with other equipment and systems;

.2 so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety and operational availability;

.3 protected against harmful effects of water, extremes of temperature and other adverse environmental conditions;

.4 provided with reliable, permanently arranged electrical lighting, independent of the main and emergency sources of electrical power, for the adequate illumination of the radio controls for operating the radio installation; and

.5 clearly marked with the GMDSS identities, as applicable, for use by the radio installation operator.

3 Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels, required for navigational safety, shall be immediately available on the navigation bridge convenient to the conning position and, where necessary, facilities should be available to permit radiocommunications from the wings of the navigation bridge. Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet the latter provision.

4 In passenger ships, a distress panel shall be installed at the conning position, which shall:

.1 contain either one single button which, when pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radio installations required on board for that purpose or one button for each individual installation;

.2 clearly and visually indicate whenever any button or buttons have been pressed; and

.3 be provided with means to prevent inadvertent activation of the button or buttons referred to in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2.

5 In passenger ships, if an EPIRB is used as the secondary means of distress alerting and is not remotely activated from the distress panel, it shall be acceptable to have an additional EPIRB installed in the wheelhouse near the conning position.

6 In passenger ships, a distress alarm panel shall be installed at the conning position, which:

.1 shall provide visual and aural indication of any distress alert or alerts received on board;

.2 shall indicate through which radiocommunication service the distress alerts have been received;

and

.3 may be combined with the distress panel referred to in paragraph 4.

Regulation 7

Radio equipment: General

1 Every ship shall be provided with:

.1 a VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes:

.1 DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70). It shall be possible to initiate the transmission of distress alerts on channel 70 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and

.2 radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 156.650 MHz (channel 13) and

156.800 MHz (channel 16);

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

.3 a radar SART or an AIS-SART, which:

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

.2 may be one of those required by paragraphs 2.1 or 3.1;

.4 a receiver or receivers capable of receiving MSI and search and rescue related information throughout the entire voyage in which the ship is engaged;*

.5 an EPIRBt which shall be:

.1 installed in an easily accessible position;

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

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

.4 capable of being activated manually; and

.6 a radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications operating on working frequencies in the band between 156 MHz and 174 MHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1.

2 Every cargo ship of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage shall be provided with at least:

.1 one radar SART or AIS-SART; and

.2 two two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatuses.

3 Every passenger ship and every cargo ship of 500 gross tonnage and upwards shall be provided with at least:

.1 one radar SART or AIS-SART on each side of the ship; and

.2 three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatuses.

4 The two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatuses required by paragraphs 2.2 and 3.2 may be portable or fitted in survival craft. The portable apparatus may be stored on the bridge.

5 The radar SARTs or AIS-SARTs required by paragraphs 2.1 or 3.1 shall be stowed in such locations that they can be rapidly placed in any survival craft other than a liferaft required by regulation 111/31.1.4. Alternatively, one radar SART or AIS-SART shall be stowed in each survival craft other than a liferaft required by regulation 111/31.1.4. On ships carrying at least two radar SARTs or AIS SARTs and equipped with free-fall

• Refer to Guidance for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information as required in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) (MSC.1/Circ.1645). t Refer to Search and rescue homing capability (resolution A.616(15)).

Part C Ship requirements

lifeboats, one of the radar SARTs or AIS-SARTs shall be stowed in a free-fall lifeboat and the other shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the navigating bridge so that it can be utilized on board and ready for transfer to any of the other survival craft, other than a liferaft required by regulation 111/31.1 .4.

6 Every passenger ship shall be provided with means for two-way on-scene radiocommunications for search and rescue purposes using the aeronautical frequencies 121.5 MHz and 123.1 MHz from the position from which the ship is normally navigated. These means may be portable.

Regulation 8

Radio equipment: Sea area A 1

1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages in sea area A1 shall be provided with a radio installation capable of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts from the position from which the ship is normally navigated, operating either:

.1 through the satellite service on 406 MHz; or

.2 if the ship is engaged on voyages within coverage of MF coast stations equipped with DSC, on MF using DSC; or

.3 on high frequency (HF) using DSC; or

.4 through a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station.

2 The requirement in paragraph 1.1 may be fulfilled by installing:

.1 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 close to the position from which the ship is normally navigated, but in a location whereby it can still float free of the ship in an emergency; or

.2 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 elsewhere on the ship, provided that this EPIRB has a means of remote activation which is installed near the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

.3 a second EPIRB near the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

Regulation 9

Radio equipment: Sea area A2

1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages within sea area A2 shall be provided with:

.1 an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes, on the frequencies:

.1 2 187.5 kHz using DSC; and

.2 2 182 kHz using radiotelephony;

.2 a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2 187.5 kHz which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by paragraph 1.1; and

.3 a secondary means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service other than MF operating either:

.1 through the satellite service on 406 MHz; or

.2 on HF using DSC; or

.3 through a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station.

2 It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.3 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

3 The requirement in paragraph 1.3.1 may be fulfilled by installing:

.1 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 close to the position from which the ship is normally navigated, but in a location whereby it can still float free of the ship in an emergency; or

.2 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 elsewhere on the ship, provided that this EPIRB has a means of remote activation which is installed near the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

.3 a second EPIRB near the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

4 The ship shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications by either:

.1 a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1 605 kHz and

4 000 kHz or between 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1; or

.2 a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station.

Regulation 10

Radio equipment: Sea area A3

1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages within sea area A3 shall be provided with:

.1 a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station capable of:

.1 transmitting and receiving distress, urgency and safety communications;

.2 initiating and receiving distress priority ca lls; and

.3 maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alert relays, including those directed to specifically defined geographical areas;

.2 an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes, on the frequencies:

.1 2 187.5 kHz using DSC; and

.2 2 182 kHz using radiotelephony;

.3 a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2 187.5 kHz which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by paragraph 1.2; and

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

.1 through the satellite service on 406 MHz; or

.2 on HF using DSC; or

.3 through any recognized mobile satellite service on an additional ship earth station.

2 It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

3 The requirement in paragraph 1.4.1 may be fulfilled by installing:

.1 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 close to the position from which the ship is normally navigated, but in a location whereby it can still float free of the ship in an emergency; or

.2 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 elsewhere on the ship, provided that this EPIRB has a means of remote activation which is installed near the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

.3 a second EPIRB near the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

4 The ship shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications by either:

.1 a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station; or

.2 a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1 605 kHz and

4 000 kHz or between 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz.

5 The requirements in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1 or 1.2, respectively.

Regulation 11

Radio equipment: Sea area A4

1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages within sea area A4 shall be provided with:

.1 an MF/HF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes, on all distress, urgency and safety frequencies in the bands between

1 605 kHz and 4 000 kHz and between 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz:

.1 using DSC; and

.2 using radiotelephony;

.2 equipment capable of maintaining DSC watch on 2 187.5 kHz, 8 414.5 kHz and on at least one of the DSC frequencies 4 207.5 kHz, 6 312 kHz, 12 577 kHz or 16 804.5 kHz; it shall be possible at any time to select any of these DSC frequencies for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes. This equipment may be separate from, or combined with, the equipment required by paragraph 1.1; and

.3 a secondary means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts through the satellite service on 406 MHz.

2 The ship shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications by a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1 605 kHz and 4 000 kHz and between 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1.

3 It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.3 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

4 The requirement in paragraph 1.3 may be fulfilled by installing:

.1 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 close to the position from which the ship is normally navigated, but in a location whereby it can still float free of the ship in an emergency; or

.2 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 elsewhere on the ship, provided that this EPIRB has a means of remote activation which is installed near the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

.3 a second EPIRB near the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

Regulation 12

Watches

1 Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain a continuous radio watch for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes:

.1 on VHF DSC channel 70;

.2 on DSC frequency 2 187.5 kHz, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 9.1.1 or 10.1.2, is fitted with an MF radio installation;

.3 on DSC frequencies 2 187.5 kHz and 8 414.5 kHz and also on at least one of the DSC frequencies

4 207.5 kHz, 6 312 kHz, 12 577 kHz or 16 804.5 kHz, appropriate to the time of day and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 11.1.2, is fitted with an MF/HF radio installation. This watch may be kept by means of a scanning receiver; and

.4 for satellite shore-to-ship distress alert relays, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 10.1.1, is fitted with a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station.

2 Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain a radio watch for broadcasts of MSI and search and rescue related information on the appropriate frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the ship is navigating.

3 Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch, which shall be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated, on:

.1 VHF channel 16; and

.2 other appropriate frequencies for urgency and safety communications for the area in which the ship is navigating.

Regulation 13

Sources of energy

1 While the ship is at sea, a supply of electrical energy shall be available at all times 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 A reserve source or sources of energy shall be provided on every ship, to supply radio installations, for the purpose of conducting distress, urgency and safety communications, in the event of failure of the ship's main and emergency sources of electrical power. The reserve source or sources of energy shall be capable of simultaneously operating the VHF radio installation required by regulation 7.1.1 and, as appropriate for the sea area or sea areas for which the ship is equipped, either the MF radio installation required by regulation 9.1.1 or 10.1.2, the MF/ HF radio installation required by regulation 11.1.1 , or the ship earth station required by regulation 10.1.1 and any of the additional loads mentioned in paragraphs 4, 5 and 8 for a period of at least:

.1 one hour on ships provided with an emergency source of electrical power, if such source of power complies fully with all relevant provisions of regulation 11-1/42 or 43, including the supply of such power to the radio installations; and

.2 six hours on ships not provided with an emergency source of electrical power complying fully with all relevant provisions of regulation 11-1/42 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, two or more of the other radio installations referred to in paragraph 2 can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy, they shall be capable of

* For guidance, the following formula is recommended for determining the electrical load to be supplied by the reserve source of energy for each radio installation required for distress conditions: 1/2 of the current consumption necessary for transmission + the current consumption necessary for reception + the current consumption of any additional loads.

simultaneously supplying, for the period specified, as appropriate, in paragraph 2.1 or 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

.2 whichever of the other radio installations will consume the most power, if only one of the other radio installations can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy at the same time as the VHF radio installation.

5 The reserve source or sources of energy may be used to supply the electrical lighting required by regulation 6.2.4.

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

.1 a means of automatically charging such batteries shall be provided which shall be capable of recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 hours; and

.2 the capacity of the battery or batteries shall be checked, using an appropriate method,* at intervals not exceeding 12 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 safety;

.4 that battery temperatures remain within the manufacturer's specifications whether under charge or idle; and

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

8 If an uninterrupted input of information from the ship's navigational or other equipment to a radio installation required by this chapter, including the navigation receiver referred to in regulation 18, is needed to ensure its proper performance, means shall be provided to ensure the continuous supply of such information in the event of failure of the ship's main or emergency source of electrical power.

• One method of checking the capacity of an accumulator battery is to fully discharge and recharge the battery, using normal operating current and period. Assessment 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.

Regulation 14

Performance standards All equipment to which this chapter applies shall be of a type approved by the Administration. Such equipment shall conform to appropriate performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the Organization.*

Regulation 15

Maintenance requirements

1 Equipment shall be so designed that the main units can be replaced readily, without elaborate recalibration or readjustment.

2 Where applicable, equipment shall be so constructed and installed that it is readily accessible for inspection and onboard maintenance purposes.

* Refer to the following resolutions adopted by the Organization: General requirements

.1 General requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Globa l Maritime Distress and Safety System (CMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids (resolution A.694 (17));

.2 Performance standards for the presentation of navigation-related information on shipborne navigational displays (resolution MSC.191 (79), as amended);

.3 Performance standards for bridge alert management (resolution MSC.302 (87));

VHF equipment

.4 Performance standards for shipborne VHF radio installations capable of voice communication and digital selective calling (resolution MSC.511(105));

.5 Performance standards for surviva l craft portable two-wa y VHF radiotelephone apparatus (resolution MSC.515(105));

.6 Recommendation on Performance standards for on-scene (aeronautical) portable two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus (annex 1 to resolution MSC.80(70), as amended); MF and HF equipment

.7 System performance standard for the promulgation and coordination of maritime safety information using high-frequency narrow-band direct-printing (resolution MSC.507(105));

.8 Performance standards for shipborne MF and MF/HF radio installations capable of voice communication, digital selective calling and reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information (resolution MSC.512(105));

.9 Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF (NAVTEX) and HF (resolution MSC.508(105)); Ship earth stations and enhanced group call (EGC) equipment

.10 Performance standards for lnmarsat-C ship earth stations capable of transmitting and receiving direct-printing communications (resolution MSC.513(105));

.11 Revised performance standards for enhanced group call (£CC) equipment (resolution MSC.306(87), as amended);

.12 Performance standards for a ship earth station for use in the CMDSS (resolution MSC.434(98));

Integrated radiocommunication systems

.13 Performance standards for a shipborne integrated communication system (/CS) when used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) (resolution MSC.517(105)); Emergency position-indicating radio beacons

.14 Performance standards for float-free release and activation arrangements for emergency radio equipment (resolution A.662(16));

.15 Performance standards for float-free emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) operating on 406 MHz (resolution MSC.471(101)); Search and rescue transmitters and transponders

.16 Performance standards for search and rescue radar transponders (resolution MSC.510(105)); and

.17 Performance standards for survival craftAJS search and rescue transmitters (AJS-SART) for use in search and rescue operations (resolution MSC.246(83)).

3 Adequate information shall be provided to enable the equipment to be properly operated and maintained, 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 to provide the availability of the functional requirements specified in regulation 4 and to meet the recommended performance standards of such equipment.

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

7 On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A3 or A4, the availability shall be ensured by using a combination of at least two methods such as duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance or at-sea electronic maintenance capability, as may be approved by the Administration.

8 While all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain the equipment in efficient working order to ensure compliance with all the functional requirements specified in regulation 4, malfunction of the equipment for providing the general radiocommunications required by regulation 4.1.2 shall not be considered as making a ship unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying the ship in ports where repair facilities are not readily available, provided the ship is capable of performing all distress, urgency and safety functions.

9 EPIRBs shall be:

.1 annually tested, either on board the shipt or at an approved testing station, for all aspects of operational efficiency, with special emphasis on checking the emission on operational frequencies, coding and registration, at intervals as specified below:

.1 on passenger ships, within three months before the expiry date of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate; and

.2 on cargo ships, within three months before the expiry date, or within three months before or after the anniversary date, of the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate; and

.2 subject to maintenance at intervals not exceeding five years, to be performed at an approved shore-based maintenance facility.+ SEE INTERPRETATION 1

Regulation 16

Radio personnel

1 Every ship shall carry personnel qualified for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes to the satisfaction of the Administration.§ The personnel shall be holders of the appropriate certificates specified in the Radio Regulations; one of the personnel shall be designated as having primary responsibility for communications during distress incidents.

2 In passenger ships, at least one person qualified in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be assigned to perform only communications duties during distress incidents.

• Refer to General requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids (resolution A.694(17)), General requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for all electrical and electronic ship's equipment (resolution A.813(19)), and Clarifications of certain requirements in /MO performance standards for GMDSS equipment (MSC/Circ.862). t Refer to Guidelines on annual testing of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) (MSC.1/Circ.1040, as revised) and Guidelines for the avoidance of false distress alerts (resolution MSC.514(105)). :J: Referto Guidelines for shore-based maintenance of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) (MSC.1/Circ.1039, as revised). § Refer to the STCW Code, chapter IV, section B-IV/2.

Regulation 17

Radio records A record shall be kept on board, to the satisfaction of the Administration and as required by the Radio Regulations, of all incidents connected with the radiocommunication services which appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea.

Regulation 18

Position-updating

1 All two-way communication equipment carried on board a ship to which this chapter applies which is capable of automatically including the ship's position in the distress alert shall be automatically provided with this information from an internal or external navigation receiver.*

2 In case of malfunction of the internal or external navigation receiver, the ship's position and the time at which the position was determined shall be manually updated at intervals not exceeding four hours, while the ship is under way, so that it is always ready for transmission by the equipment.

• Requirements for automatic update of the ship's position are given in resolutions MSC.511 (105), MSC.512(105) and MSC.513(1 OS).

UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS

Unified interpretation for chapter IV

1 Annual test of EPIRB (Source: MSC.1/Circ.1576)

Reg.15.9 The annual test of the EPIRBs shall be carried out within the "time window" of the prescribed survey, but not later than the date of completion of the survey for endorsement/renewal of the relevant Certificate.

Safety of navigation

Safety of navigation

Regulation 1 Application

Regulation 2 Definitions

Regulation 3 Exemptions and equivalents

Regulation 4 Navigational warnings

Regulation 5 Meteorological services and warnings

Regulation 6 Ice Patrol Service

Regulation 7 Search and rescue services

Regulation 8 Life-saving signals

Regulation 9 Hydrographic services

Regulation 10 Ships' routeing

Regulation 11 Ship reporting systems

Regulation 12 Vessel traffic services

Regulation 13 Establishment and operation of aids to navigation

Regulation 14 Ships' manning

Regulation 15 Principles relating to bridge design, design and arrangement of navigational systems and equipment and bridge procedures

Regulation 16 Maintenance of equipment

Regulation 17 Electromagnetic compatibility

Regulation 18 Approval, surveys and performance standards of navigational systems and equipment and voyage data recorder

Regulation 19 Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems and equipment

Regulation 19-1 Long-range identification and tracking of ships

Regulation 20 Voyage data recorders

Regulation 21 International Code of Signals and IAMSAR Manual

Regulation 22 Navigation bridge visibility

Regulation 23 Pilot transfer arrangements

Regulation 24 Use of heading and/or track control systems

Regulation 25 Operation of steering gear

Regulation 26 Steering gear: testing and drills

Regulation 27 Nautical charts and nautical publications

Regulation 28 Records of navigational activities and daily reporting

Regulation 29 Life-saving signals to be used by ships, aircraft or persons in distress