Amendments to Chapter IV- Radiocommunications under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), and Its applicability

w HE :.r 'qlrfl {16|r / GOVERNMENT OF tNDtA G2@ L qtr{, rird qP-{6q 3iR {dqt{ dilmq dfrs****,, MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS B--3'^"^ q5ffiqTrtrq, :F Ardf,{ DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI F.No. 25-25/2/2023-NT-DGS(26464) Date:2211212023 DGS Order: 24 of 2023 subiect: Amendments to chapte. Iv - Radiocommunications under the International Convention for the Safetv of Life at Sea. 1974 (SOLAS). and its anplicabilitv* ree. Whereas, the Govemment of India has ratified to the Intemational Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (soLAS), and the convention entered into force on 25s May, l9g0 through accession. The convention as modified by the protocol of lggg entered into force on 22d November,2000 through accession. Article I of the Convention mandates general obligation of the Govemment to undertake all measures which may be necessary to give effect to the Convention. whereas, the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, as amended, incorporates the convention and is defined at Section 3 (37) as "Safety Convention", which means the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea signed in London on the lst day of November, 1974, as amended from time to time. Further, the mandatory Codes as indicaled in the Convention and its amendments from time to time are in effect applicable to Indian vessels and foreign vessels sailing within Indian jurisdiction. whereas, the Merchant Shipping Act, Section 291 to 296, provides legislative provisions and powers for the implementation of various requirements under the SOLAS Convention on all Indian and foreign vessels plying in Indian waters. The Merchant Shipping Act, section 301 provides cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate and Qualified Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate for the purpose of compliance with the convention; and Section 436 clauses (l) and (2) provides enforcement provisions. whereas, the Government has issued Merchant Shipping (Distress and safety Radio communication) Rules, 1995; Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules, 1983; Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules 1983-Corrigendum; Merchant Shipping (Radio) Amendment Rules, 1992; Merchant Shipping (Radio Direction Finder) Rules, 1968; & Merchant Shipping (Radio Direction Finders) Rules, 1968- Corrigendum as a measure to give effect to the Convention. In compliance with the modemization of GMDSS as amended through MSC Resolutions 496(t05), 5t4(105), 471(l0l), MSC.l/circ.l039/Rev.l, MSC.I/circ.l040/Rev.2, Resolution 349(wRC-19), the Govemment has issued various executive orders, notices and circulars from time to time providing guidelines and instructions on the Radiocommunication service. These include but are not limited to, MS Notice 02 of 2023 daled 23.01.2023 on Operational of lridium Safety Cast Service for NAVAREA VIII under world-wide Navigational warnings Service (wwNWS); MS Notice ll of 2022 cated 07.11.2022 on Guidelines for Shore-Based Maintenance and Annual Testing of Emergency Position Indicating efi {f.{d, fi-a At*n, 3{ri Ria 2mit *q(, 6ig(.fts ts, 6ig{qr.f ($) je{- +ooo+z . gth Floor, BETA Building, l-Think Techno Campus, Kanjur Village Road, Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai-400042 st{rret No., +g1'22-2575 2o4ot1t2l3 fffi/Fax.: +91-22 -2575 2o2gt35 {-td/Email: dgship{g"6nii.n ffirw"bsits: wwwdgshipping.govinRadio Beacons (EPIRBs); MS Notice 13 of 2022 dated 20.12.2022 on Guidelines for avoidance of false distress alerts; MS Notice 4 of 2023 daled 15.02.2023 on Registration and De-registration of EPIRBs, DGS order 9 of 2023 dated 12.07.2023 on Usages of rhuraya, Iridium and other such satellite communication in Indian waters, DGS Circular l0 of 2023 dated 16.03.2023 on Testing and maintenance of EPIRB and testing ofother GMDSS radio equipment by approved service stations or shore based maintenance facilities, MS Notice t9 of 2010 dated lg.ll.20l0 on Radio communication chapter IV of SoLAS 1974 as amended - reg. and MS Notice g of 2010 dated 03.09.2010 on Promulgation of Navigational wamings for Specialized operations in NAVAREA - MII under World Wide Navigational Waming System (WWNWS). Furthec Guidance on .To the Satisfaction of Administration' in IMo conventions is issued vide MS Notice 15 of 2023 on 09.1t.2023. Whereas, the Recognised Organizations (RO) were notified vide notification dated 26t December 2014, and as indicated, an agreement is entered into with each Ro to carryout surveys and certification as per the Convention. Noting that, IMo has issued various amendments to chapter IV of SoLAS from time to time which is annexed to this order at "Annexure - 1". As defined in the Merchant Shipping Act, such amendments to the SOLAS Convention are already in effect and applicable to Indian vessels and foreign vessels sailing within Indian jurisdiction. Furthermore, chapter IV has hereby been replaced by the IMo Resolution Amendment 2022 to SoLAS adopted on 286 April 2022 and notified vide Resolution MSC.496 (105); the same has been annexed to this order at "Annexure - 2". Additionally, the 'sea areas Al, A2, A3 & A4' are defined in the revised chapter Iv Regulation 2 - Terms and definitions. As there are no existing DSC facilitated Coast Radio Stations within Indian waters for Sea Areas Al and A2, the entire Indian Sea region falls under Sea Area A3 and is covered under Recognized Mobile Satellite Service (RMSS) through INMARSAT and Iridium service. The stakeholders are therefore required to be guided by this Order towards compliance with the provisions to give full effect to the Intemational Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the mandatory codes. ,anr","rk'S Director General of Shipping To, All Stakeholders through DGS WebsiteAnnexurc - I Chapter IV ofthe International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as modified by the protocol of 1988 relating thereto Adopted Amendnrents to the Chapter f,lfective Amendments By Date Date I\T Appentlix 4-1. 7. 8. 1981 l0(g.h,l.m). Res.MSC.l(45) 20.Nov. l98l 0l.Sep.1984 Amendments l6(b,c;), 17. le(c.d) 1983 2(i\. t4-t- t4- Res.MSC 6(48) l7.Jun. 1983 0l.Jul.1986 Amendmenls 3(nerv) Cenificates 1988 1--2t GMDSS/CONFi (PS. SC. SE. Amendmenls 09.Nov. 1988 0l.Feb.t992 (Completeh' 9 SR. EX- GMDSS re lised ) SOLAS) 1989 Res.MSC.l3(57) I1.Apr.1989 0l Feb 1992 13,14 Amendments 1992 Res.MSC.27(61) I LDec.l992 01.Oct.1994 13. 14 Amendments 1995 SOLAS/CONF. 29.Nor'. 1995 0l Jul 1997 1.6.7. 16 Amendments 3/46 1998 1.r,2,5-1.13, Res.MSC 69(69) 20.May. 1998 0l.JuI.2002 Amendments 15, t8 2002 Certif,rcates Res.MSC.l23(7 1.3. 4.7 . t2. Amendments 24.May".2OO2 01.Jan.200.1 (Form P. s) 14 to 74 SOLAS Form R) 2004 Res.MSC.l52(7 20 Ma1'.2004 0l Jul 2006 15 Amendments 8) 2006 Res.MSC.20l(8 18.Mav.2006 0l.Jul.20l0 7. 9. l0 Amendments r) Certificates 2007 Res.MSC.239(8 12.Oc|.2007 01.JuI.2009 4-l (PS.PNUC.C Amendments 3) NUC) Certificates (Form P. Form E. 2008 Res.MSC.256(8 l6.Mar'.2(X)8 0l.Jan.20l0 1 Form R Amendments 4) Form PNUC. Form CNUC)20l8 Res.MSC.436(9 1 7 8 9 I0. Certificate 2,1. Mav.20l 8 01.Jan.2020 ) Amendments e) I I3 (PS,SR,CSS) Certificate l0ll Res.MSC.496(l Revised (PS,SE,SRC 28.4pr.2022 01.Jan.2024 Amendments+ 0s) completely SS,PNUC,C NUC) x All amendments mentioned above before the 2022 Amendments vide Res.MSC.496 (l0S) are to be considered null and void after the effective date, i.e. 01.Jan.2021, as Chapter IV is revised completely under the said Resolution.Annexurc - 2 Revised Chapter IV- Radiocommunications ofthe International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974as notified vide Resolution MSC.496(f05) The text of chapter IV is replaced by the follorving Paft A - General Regulation I - Application I Unless expressly provided otherwise, this chapter applies to all ships to whrch the present regulations apply and to cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and uprvards. 2 This chapter does not apply to ships to which the present regulatrons would otheru,ise apph' whrle such ships are being navigated within the Great Lakes of North America and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as the lower exit ofthe St Lambe( Lock al Montreal t in the Province ofQuebec, Canada- 3 No provision in this chapter shall prevent the use by any ship, survival craft or person in distress, of any means aI their disposal to attract attention, make known their position and obtain help. Regulation 2 - Tenns and definitions I For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings defined belou,: .1 AIS-SART means an automatic identification system search and rescue transmitter capable of operating on frequencies dedicated for AIS (161.975 MHz (AISI) and 162.025 MHz (AIS2)). .2 Bridge+o-bridge communications means safetl. radiocommumcations betu,een ships from the position from which the ships are normalll navigated. .3 Continuous radio lvatch means that the radio and listening satch concerned shall not be intemrpted other than for brief intervals when the ship's receiving capabilir,"- is impaired or blocked by its own communications or when the facilities are under periodical maintenance or checks. 4 Digrtal selective calling (DSC) means a technique using digital codes u'hich enables a radio station to establish contact with. and transfer rnformation to. another slation or gtoup of stations, and complying with the relevanl recommendations of the International Telecommurucation Union Radiocommurucation Sector (ITU-R). .5 Emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) means a transmitler operating in the fiequency band 406.0-406.1 MtIz capable of transmitting a distress alert via satellite to a rescue coordination centre and transmitting signals for on-scene locating. I Such ships are subject to special requirements relative to radio for safety purposes, as contained in the relclanl ageement between Canada and the United States ofAmerica..6 General radiocommunications means communications other than distress, urgency and safetv communications. .7 Global Maritime Distress and Safery System (GMDSS) means a system that performs the functions set ou1 in regulation 4. t . l. .8 GMDSS identities means informatron which may be transmitted to uniquely identify the ship or its associated rescue boats and survival craft. These identities are the ship's calt sigr, Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), EPIRB hexadecimal identity, recognized mobile salellite service identities and equipment serial numbers. .9 Locating means the finding ofships, aircraft, survival craft or persons in distress. .10 Maritime safety information (MSI)z means navigational and meteorologrcal wamings, meteorologrcal forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships. I .l 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 lhe Radio Regulations complementing the Constitution and Convention ofthe International Telecommunication Union which is in force at any given time. .13 Recognrzed mobile satellite servlce means any service which operates through a satellite s)'stem and is recognized by the Organizatiorl for use in GMDSS. l4 . Salellite serlice on 406 MHz means a service operating through a satellite system having global availabilitl, designed to detect EPIRBs transmiuing in the frequency band 406.0- 406. I MHz. .15 Al Sea area means an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one very high frequency (VFIF) coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Govemment.3 l6 . Sea area A2 means an are4 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 Govemment. .17 Sea area 43 means an area, excluding sea areas A1 and 42, within the coverage of a recognized mobile satellite service supported by the ship earth station carried on board, in u,hich continuous alerting is available. .18 Sea area A4 means an area outside of sea areas A1, A2 and A3. 2 All other lerms and abbreviations rvhich are used in this chapter and which are defined in the Radio Regulatrons and in the Intemational convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979. as ma1'be amended, shall have the meanings as defined in those Regulations and the SAR Convention. Regulation 3 - Exemptions I The Contracting Governments consider it highly desirable not to deviate from the requirements of this chapter: nevertheless, the Administration may grant partial or conditronal exemptions to individual ships from the requirements of regulations 7 to l l provided: r 3RR ee fetl rr toto PJ ro oin \.t i sI iM ono o/I f H rao d/ iw o M seo nr icM esa n fou ra l t ho en cM loa br ait tim Me a s xa itt i' mety ; DInf "o tr mati ,o "n a ( iM uS rI ") i y(M ifS .C "..1 / tc cir rc r.1 r3 o1 s0, l ia Gs r Jev ri "s "ed J) MSC.509(l0s). "s.I such ships comply with the functional requiremorts of regulation 4: and .2 lhe Administration has taken into account the effect such exemptions may have upon the general efficiency ofthe service for the safety of all ships. 2 An exemption may be granted under paragraph I only: .1 ifthe conditions affecting safety are such as to render the full application ofregulations 7 to l1 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 granled under paragaphs I and 2 giving the reasons lor granting such oiemptions.a Regulation 4 - Functional requirementss Every ship, while at sea, shall be capable of: .1 I performing the GMDSS functions. u,hich are as follorvs: . transmitting ship-lo-shore distress aleff bl at least t$'o separate and independent means. each usrng a different radiommmunication serv ice: .2 receiving shore-to-ship distress alert relays; .3 transmitting and receiving shrp-to-ship distress alerts; .4 trarumitting and receiving search and rescue coordinaling communications. .5 trarsmitting and receiving on-scene communicalions: .6 trammitting and receiving sigrals for locating;6 .7 receiving MSI;7 .8 transmitting and receiving urgency and safety communications. and .9 transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communicationst and 2 transmitting ard receiving general radiocommunications. Regulation 4-l - GMDSS satellite provideIs The Mantime Safety Committee shall determine the criteria. procedures and arrangements lor the evaluation. recognition. review and oversight of the provision ol recognized mobile salellile sert rces in the GMDSS pursuant to the provisions of thrs chapter.s a Exemptions should be reponed tbrough the Organization's Global Integrated Shipping lnformation Svstem (clSlS) rvith rcfercnce to Issue of Exemption Certificates uuder the 1974 SOLAS Convention and Amendments thercto (SLS. I 4/Circ. I I 5, as amended). ' It should be noted that ships performing GMDSS fimctions should use Guidelines lor the avoidance of talse distress alerls (resolution MSC.5 I 4(l 05)). 6 Refer also to regulations V/19.2.3.2 and V/19.2.4, as apFopriate ' h shoutd b€ noted thst ships may have a need for reception ofcertairl maritime safety information while in fx)rt. 8 Refer to Crileria for the provision of mobile satellite commrmication systems in the Global Maritinre l)istress and Safety System (GMDSS) (resolution A.l00l(25) and Guidance to plospective GMDSS satellite sen ice providers (MSC.l/Ctc.l4l4).Paft B -Undertakings by Contracting Governmentse Regulation 5 - Provision of radiocommunication serwices Each Contracting Government unde(akes to make available, as it deems practical and necessary'. either individually or in cooperation with other Contracting Governrnents, appropnate shore-based facilities for the mobile satellite service and maritime mobile service having due regard to the recommendations ofthe Organizalion.r0 These services are: I 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 Wz and 27 500 kHz; and .5 the maritime mobile service in the bands between 415 kHz and 535 kHzrr and between I 605 kHz and 4 (XX) kHz. Each Contracting Goremmenl undertalies to provide the Organizalion u,rth pertinent inlormation conceming the shore-based facilities in the mobile satellite service and maritime mobile service. eslablished for sea areas which it has designared off its coasts.r2 Each contracting Governmenl also r.rndertakes to provide the organization with timely and adequate norice prior to the planned withdrawal of any of these services or any particular shore-based lacilities. Regulation 5-l - GMDSS identities I This regulation applies to all ships on all voyages. 2 Each Contracting Govemment 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 appropriatg intemalional organizations maintaining a registrv of these identities, such as the ITU Maritime Mobile Access and Retrielal S1'stem (MARS), shall be notified by the contracting Govemment of these identity assignments. ! I Each Contacting Goverrunent is not required to provi<te alt radiocommunication services. r02 R P er fo ev ri s ti oo n P N roo v. is4 i8 o. nI o ol f th rae dR ioa d si eo r vR ice egu s la ft oio rn ts h ea -pGpllioebs stlo Mth ae ro itp imer eat i Don s to ref sc so s as nt dst a Sti ao ft ers t ya n Sd y sc to ea mst (e C€rt Mh Ds Sta Sti )o D (s le. solution MSC.509( t05). " Refer to Implementation of the NAVTEX system as a compoDent of the World-Wide Navigational waming servic& (resolution A.617(15)). 12 Inl-ormation communicated by Contacting Govemments is made available through GISIS.Part C- Ship rtquirrcments Regulation 6 - Radio installations I Every ship shall be provided with radio installations capable of complying with the functional requirements prescribed by regulation 4 thoughout its intended voyage and, unless exempted under regulation 3, complying with the requirements ofregulation 7 and, as appropriate for the sea area or areas tkough which it will pass during its intended vovage. the requirements of either regulation 8, 9, l0 or I l. 2 Every radio installation shall be: .l located in such a way that no harm-ftrl interference of mechanical. electrical or other ongrn affects its proper use. and that electromagnelic compatibilit) is ensured and harmful interaction avoided with other equipment and systems: .2 so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree ofsafetl' and operational availabilitr': .3 protected against harmful effects of water. extremes of lemperature and other adverse environmenta.l conditions: .4 provided with reliable, permanently arranged electrical lighting. independent of the main and emergency sources of electncal power. for the adequate illumination ol the radio controls for operating the radio installation: and .5 clearly marked with the GMDSS identities, as applicable. for use br,the radio installatron operator. 3 Control of the VFIF radiotelephone channels, required for navigational safetl'. shall be immediately available on the navigation bridge convenient to the conning positron and. rvhere necessary, facilities should be available to permrt radiocommunications from the rvings of the navigation bridge. Portable VFIF equipment may be used to meet the latter provision. 1 In passanger ships, a distress panel shall be installed al the conning position which shall: .l contain either one single button which, when pressed. initiates a distress alert usrng all radio installatrons required on board for that purpose or one button for each individual installalion; .2 clearly and visually indicate whenever any button or buttons have been pressed: and .3 be provided with means to prevent inadvertent activation ofthe button or buttons relerred 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 rs not remotely activared from the distress panel. it shall be acceptable lo have an additional EPIRB installed in the *'heelhouse 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 ofany distress alert or alerts received on board: .2 shall indicate tfuough 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 equipnrent: General Ever-r' ship shall be provided with: I . a VFIF radio installation capable of tarsmrtting and receiving, for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes: .I DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (charmel 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 rudio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on VFIF channel 70 rvhich may be separate from, or combined with that required by paragraph I . l, .3 a radar SART or an AIS-SART, which: .l shall be so stowed that it can be easily utilized; and 2 ma1, be one ofthose 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:r3 .5 an EPIRBT{ which shall be: .l installed in an easill' accessible position; .2 readl, to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft; .3 capable offloating free ifthe ship sinks and of being automatically activaled when afloatt and .4 capable ofbeing activated manually; and .6 a radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunicalions operating on worliing fiequencies in the band between 156 MtIz and 174 MHz. This requirement may be fi.rlfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1 . 2 Every cargo ship of300 goss tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage shall be provided with at least: .l one radar SART or AIS-SART; and .2 two two-way VHF radiotelephone appzuatuses. J Every passenger ship and every cargo ship of500 gross tonnage and upwards shall be provided uith at leasl: .l one radar SART or AIS-SART on each side ofthe ship; and .2 three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatuses. l The two-way VHF radiotelephone appamtuses required by paragraphs 2.2 and 3.2 may be portable or fitted in survival craft. The portable apparatus may be stored on the bndge. 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 llv3l.l.4. Altemarively, one radar SART or AIS-SART shall be stowed in each rr Rel'er lo Guidance tbr the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue rclated infc,rmation as r lie quted in the clobal Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) (MSC.l/Circ.l645). Refer to Search and rewue homing capabihry lresotution a.OtOltSjy.'sunival craft olher than a liferaft required b).- regulation IIU31.1.4. On ships carn lng at least two radar SARTs or AIS-SARTs and equipped with free-fall 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 readv for transfer to any of the other survival craft, other than a liferaft required by regulation llll3 ]..1.4. (r Every passenger ship shall be provided with means for trvo-l\,a] on-scene radiocommunications for search and rescue puposes using the aeronautical frequencies I21.5 MFIz and 123.1 MHz from the position from which the ship is normalll navigated. These means may be portable. Regulation 8 - Radio equipment: Sea area Al I In addition to meeting the requiremorts of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages in sea area Al shall be provided rvith a radio installation capable of initiating the lransmission o[ ship+o-shore distress alerts from the position lrom u,hich the ship is normalh, navigated. operating either: .1 through lhe satellite service on 406 MHz: or .2 if the ship is engaged on voyages within coverage of MF coasl stalions equipped $ith DSC, on MF using DSC; or .3 on high frequorcy (HF) using DSC; or .4 through a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth stalion. 2 The requtement in paragraph 1.I may be fulfilled by installing: .1 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 close to the position from which the ship is normally navigated, but in a location whereby it can still float free ol the ship in an emergency; or .2 the EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.5 elsewhere on the ship, provided that this EPIRB has a means of remote activation which is installed near the position from rvhrch the ship is normally navigated; or .3 a second EPIRB near the position from which the ship is normally navigated. Regulation 9 - Radio equipment: Sea area A2 I In additron to meeting the requirements ofregulation 7. every ship engaged on volages rrithin sea area A2 shall be provided with: .1 an MF radio installalion capable of transmitting and receiving. lor distress. urgeno.and safety communications purposes, on the frequencies: .l 2 187 .5 kHz using DSC; and .2 2182 kHz using radiotelephony: .2 a rudio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequenc) 2 187.5 kHz which may be separate from, or combined with, that required bl paragraph 1. l; and .3 a secondary means of initiating the transmission ofship-to-shore distress alerts b), a radio service other than MF opoating eilher: .1 through the satellite service on 406 MHz; or.2 on HF using DSC; or .3 through a recogrized mobile satellite service ship earth station. 11 shall be possible to initiate tra$mission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs I . I and 1.3 fiom the position from which the ship is normally navigated. 3 The requirement in paragraph 1.3.1 may be fulfilled by installing: .l 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. -l The ship shall. in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications b1- either: .l a radio inslallation operating on rvorking frequencies in the bands between I 605 kHz and 4 000 kHz or betrveen 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz. This requirement mav be fi.rlfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph l.l; or .2 a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station. Regulation l0 - Radio equipment: Sea ar ea A3 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages within sea area 43 shall be provided rvith: .I a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station capable of: .l transmitting and receiving distress, urgency and safety communications; .2 initiating and receiving distress priority calls; and .3 maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alert relays, including those directed to specifi cally defined geographical areas; .2 an MF radio installaion capable of ransmitting and receiving, for distress, urgency and safetl, communications purposes, on the frequencies: .l 2 187 .5 kHz using DSC; and .2 2182 kHz using radiotelephony; .3 a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2 187.5 kHz which may be separale from, or combined \Mith, thal required by paragraph I .2: and .4 a secondary means of irutiating the transmission ofshrp-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service operating either: I . through the satellite service on 406 MHz; or .2 on HF using DSC; or .3 through any recogrized 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 l. l, L2 and I .4 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.3 The requirement in paragraph 1.4. I may be lulfilled b1- 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 wherebl, it can still float free of lhe 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. 'l The ship shall, in addition, be capable of trarsmitting and receiving general radiommmunications by either: .1 a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station: or .2 a radio installation opoating on working frequencies in the bands between I 605 kHz and 4 000 kHz or between 4 000 kHz and 27 500 kHz. 5 The requirements in paragraphs 4.1 utd 4.2 may be fulfilled bv the addition of this capabilitr in the equipment required by paragraph l. I or L2. respectivel). Regulation I I - Radio equipment: Sea area A4 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7. every shrp engaged on vovages uithin sea area A4 shall be provided with: .l an MF/Ftr radio installation capable of transmiuing and receiving. for distress. urgencl' and safety commtmications purposes. on all distress urgencl- and safery' frequencies in the bands between I 605 kHz and 4 000 kHz and between 4 000 kHz and 27 5OO kHz. .l using DSC; and .2 usingradiotelephony; .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 4207.5 VJlz,6 312 kHz. 12577 l}lz or 16804.5 kHz: it shall be possible at any time to select any of these DSC frequurcies for dislress. urgency and safety communications purposes. This equipmant may be separate frorn or combined wit[ the equipment required by paragraph l. I : and .3 a secondary means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts through the satellite service on 406 M[Iz. 1 2 The ship shall, in addition be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications b1 a radio installation operating on rvorking lrequencies in the bands between I 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 L L 3 It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress ale(s bv the radio installations specified in paragraphs I . I and 1.3 from the position from rvhich the ship is normalll navigated l 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 *,hich lhe ship is normally navigated, but in a location whereby it can still float free of the ship in an emergency, orl the EPIRB required bv 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 J a second EPIRB near the position fiom which the ship is normally navigated. Regulation l2 - Watches Every ship, while at se4 shall maintain a continuous radio watch for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes: .l on VHF DSC channel 70; .2 on DSC frequency 2 '187.5 kHz. if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 9. L I or 10. L2, is fitted with an MF radio inslallation: .3 on DSC frequencies 2 187 .5 k}lz and 8 414.5 kHz and also on at least one of the DSC lrequencies 4 207.5 lflz. 6 312 klla 12 577 Wlz or 16 804.5 kFIz, appropnate to the time ofdal'and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation I I .l .2. is fitted uith an MF/HF radio imtauation. This watch mal be kept bl means ofa scanning receiver, and ..1 for satellite shore-to-ship distress alert relays, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 10.1. I , is htted with a recogrized mobile satellite service ship earth station. E'ery ship. while at se4 shall maintain a radio wdch for broadcasts of MSI and search and rescue related information on the appropriate frequency or fiequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the ship is navigating. J Every ship, while at seq shall maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watc[ which shall be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated, on: .l VIIF channet 16: and .2 other appropriare frequencies for urgency and safety communications for the area in rvhich the ship is navigating. Regulation l3 - Sources ofenergy While the ship is al sea. a supply' of electrical energy shall be avaitable at all times su-mcient to operale the radio installations and to charge any batteries used as part of a reserve source or sources of energv for the radio installations. 1 A reserve source or sources of energl shall be provided on every ship. to supply radio inslallations, for the purpose of conducling distress, urgency and safety communications, in the event of farlure 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 vt{F radio installation required bl regulation 7.1.1 and, as appropriate for the sea area or sea areas for rvhich the ship is equipped, either the MF radio installation required by regulation 9.1.1 or 10.1.2, the MF/FIF radio installation required by regulation ll.l.l, or the ship earth station required by regulation 10. L I and any ofthe additional loads mentioned in paragraphs 4, 5 and tl lor a penod ol at least:.1 one hour on ships provided with an emergency source of electrical power. if such source ofpower complies fully wilh all relevant provisions ofregulation Il-1142 or 43. including the supply of such power to the radio installations: and .2 six hours on ships not provided rvith an emergency source ofelectrical porver complling fully with all relevant provisions of regulation ll-1142 or 43- including the supplv ofsuch power to the radio installations. 15 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 independenl of the propelling pos,er of the ship and the ship's electrical system. 1 Where, in addition to the VIIF radio installatiorl two or more of the other radio installations referred to in paragraph 2 can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energr'- thev shall be capable of simultaneously supplying for the period specified. as appropriale. in paragraph2.l or 2.2, the VHF radio installation and: .l all other radio installations which can be connecled to the reserve sowce or sources of energy at the same time: or .2 whichever ofthe other radio rnstallations will consume the most power. ifonll'one olthe other radio installations can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energJ al the same time as the VFIF radio installation. 5 The reserve source or sources of energy mal be used to suppl) lhe eleclrical 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 hows: and .2 the capacity ofthe battery or batteries shall be checked, using an appropriate method.r6 a1 rntervals not exceeding 12 months, when the ship is not at sea. 7 The siting and installation of accumulator batteries which provide a reserve source ol energl shall be such as to ensure: 'l the highest degree of service; . .2 a reasonable lifetimet .3 reasonable safety; .4 that battery temperatures remain withrn the manufacturer's specifications lvhether under charge or idle; and .5 that when fully charged, the batteries r.vill provide at least the minimum required hours of operation under all weather conditions. 8 If an unintemrpted mput of information fiom 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. mealrs shall be provided to ensure 15 For guidance, the following formula is recommended for determining the electrical load to be supplicd bY the rcscrlc source of energy for each mdio installation requted for distress conditions: 1/2 of thc current consumption necessrr\ tirr tansmission + the current consumption necessary for reception + the current consunption of any additional loads 16 One method of checking the capacity of an accumulator batteq/ is to fulty dischargc and rechargc thc battcr\. usrng normal operating current and period. Assessment of the charge condition can bc made at an],time. bul il should bc don0 without significant discharge ofthe battery when the ship is at sea.the continuous suppl-v of such information in the event of farlure of the ship's main or emergencv source of electrical power. Regulation l4 - Performance standards All equipment to whrch thrs chapter applies shall be ofa type approved by the Administration. Such equipmenl shall conform to appropriate performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the Organization.rT '' Ret'er to the following resolutions adopted by the Organization General requiremetrts .l General requircments for shipbome radio equipment forming palt of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for electronic navigatioDal aids (resolution A.694(17)); .2 Performance standards for the presentation of navigation-related information on shipbome navigational displays lresolution MSC. 191(79), as amended); 3 Perlbrmanc€ standards tbr bridge alert managernent (resolution MSC.302(87)); YHF equipmetrt .4 Pcdonnance standards for shipbome VHF mdio installations capable ofvoice courmunication and digital selective calling (resolution MSC.5l l( 105)); '5 Perfornurce standards for survival craft portable two-way VIIF radiotelephone apparatus (resolution MSC.sls(105)); .6 Recornmendation on Performance standards for on-sc€ne (aeronautical) portable two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus (aryr€x I 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- tiequency nanow-band direct-pnnting (resotution MSC.507(lO5)); .8 Perfonnance standards for shipbome MF and MF/IIF radio instatlations capabte of voic€ commmication, digltal selective calling and rcception of maritime safety idormation and search and rescue related information (resolution MSC.5 l2(105)); .9 Performance standards for the rcception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF (NAVTEX) and HF (rcsolution MSC.508(105)); Ship earth stations and enhanced group call (EGC) equipmert 10 ' Pertirrmance standards tbr fnTgsat C ship earth stations capable of tansmitting and receiving dtect-printing communications (resolution MSC.5 I 3(l 05))l I . .1 1 2 Revised performance standards tbr enhanced group call @GC) equipment (resolution MSC.306(87), as amended); Perfonnance standards for a ship earth station for use in ftre GMDss (rcsolution MSC.434(98));' Irtegrated radiocommunication systems 3 ' I Pertbrmance standards for a shipbome integated communication system (ICs) when used in the Gtobal Maritrme Di stress and Safety Sysrem ( cMD S S) (resolution MSC. 5 I 7( I 05)); Emergency position-itdicating radio beacons '14 Performance standards for float-free release and activation arangements for emergency radio equipment (resolution A.662(16)); 15 ' Pertbnnance standards for tloat-free emergency position-indicating mdio beacons (EpIRBs) operating on 406 MHz (resolution MSC.471 (10 1 )); Search atrd rescue traDrmitters and transponderr 16 . Performance standards for search and rescue radar txansponders (resolution MSC.510(105)); and '17 Performance standards for survival craft AIs s€arch and rescue transmitters (AIs-s'ARij for use in search and rescue operations (lesolution MSC.246(83)).Regulation l5 - Maintenance requirements I Equipment shall be so designed that the main uruts can be replaced readily. sithout elaborale recalibration or readj ustment. 2 Where applicable. equipment shall be so constructed and installed that it is readilv accessible for inspection and onboard maintenanc€ purposes. 3 Adequate information shall be provided to enable the equipment to be properl,v- operated and maintained, taking into account the recommendations olthe Organization.18 4 Adequate tools and spares shall be provided to enable the equipmenl to be marntained. 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 meel the recommended performance standards of such equipmart. 6 On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas Al or A2, the availabilitl' shall be ensured bl using such methods as duplication of equipment, shore-based mainlenance or al-sea electronrc maintenance capability. or a combination of these. as mal be approled bv the Administration 7 On ships engaged on vot'ages in sea areas A3 or 44. the arailabilin shall be ensured br using a combination of d least two methods such as duplication of equipment. shore-based maintenance or at-sea electronic maintenance capability. as may be approred b1- the Administration. 8 While all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintarn the equipment in efficient uorking order to ensure compliance rvith all the functional requirements speclfied in regulalion 4. malfunction of the equipment for providing the general radiocommunications required bv regulation 4.1.2 shall not be considered as maliing a ship unsearvorthv or as a reason lor delaying the ship in ports where repair facilities are nol readily available, provided the ship rs capable of performing all distress, urgency and safety functions. 9 EPIRBs shall be: .1 annually tested, either on board the shiple 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 inten,als as specified below: .l on passenger ships. within three months before the expin date of the Passenger Ship Safet_v Certificate: and .2 on cargo ships, within three months before the expirv date, or wthin three monlhs before or after the anniversan date, of the Cargo Ship Safet' Radio Certificate: and .2 subject to maintenance al inten,als not exceeding fire \.ears. to be perlormed at an approved shore-based maintenance faci i5'. 20 I r8 Refsr to Gensral requtemsnts for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global Mantime l)islress and Sat'et\ System (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids (resolution A.694(17)), General requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for alt electsical and elecEonia ship's equipment (resolution 4'.813(19), and Claritications of cstain requirements in IMO performance standards for GMDSS equipment (MSC/Circ.862). '' Refer to Guidetines on amual testing of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBS) (MSC.I/Circ.l040/Rev.2) and Guidelines for the avoidancc of false distress alerts (resolution MSC.5l4( 105)). 'o Refer to Guidelines for shore-based maintenance of emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBS) (MSC. l/Circ. 1039/Rev. l)Regulation 16 - Radio personnel Every ship shall carry personnel qualified for distress, urgency and safety communications purposes to the satisfaction of the Admimstration.2l The personnel shall be holders of the appropriate certificates specified in the Radio Regulations; one of the personnel shall be designated as having primary responsibilitv for communications during distress incidents. 1 In passenger shrps, at least one person qualified in accordance with paragraph I shall be assigned to perform only communications duties during distress incidents. Regulation l7 - Radio records A record shall be kept on board, to the satisfaction of the Administralion and as required bv the Radio Regulations. of all incidents connected with the radiocommunrcation services which appear to be of importance to saleq ollife at sea" Regulation l8 - Position-updating All two-way communication equipment carried on board a ship to which this chapter applies uiich is capable of automatically including the ship's position in the distress alert shall be automatically provided with this information from an intemal or exlemal navigation receiver.22 1 In case of malfunction of the internal or extemal navigation receiver, the ship's position and the time at which the posilion rvas determined shall be manually updated at intervals not exceeding four hours, whrle the ship is under way, so that it is always ready for transmission by the equipment. :r Rcl'er to the SI CW Code, chaprer lV, secrion BtV/2 '' Requirements t'or automatic udate of tbe ship's position are given in resolltrions MSC.5I l(105), MSC.512(IO5) and MSC.5r3(105).