1.
PREAPARED BY: GROUP 4
CHAPTER 1 (CONT’N)
1.3 SAFETY SOLAS –
RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS
(AMENDED CHAPTER
IV) [MODULE 9]

2.
1. List the radio equipment to be carried by all ships
2. Describe the requirements regarding the installation and
operation of the satellite EPIRB
3. List the additional equipment required by ships engaged
on voyages exclusively within sea area A1
4. List the additional equipment required by ships engaged
on voyages within sea areas A1 and A2
5. List the additional equipment required by ships engaged
on voyages within sea areas A1, A2, and A3
6. State that equipment using the INMARSAT geostationary
satellite service is not an acceptable alternative for ships
engaged on voyages which include sea area A4
7. State the requirements for maintaining watch on distress
frequencies
The students
shall be able to:

3.
8. State that every ship, while at sea, must maintain a
watch for broadcasts of maritime safety information
9. Describe how the availability of radio equipment
required by the regulations is to be ensured
10. State that every ship must carry personnel qualified
for distress and safety radio communications purposes
who
hold certificates specified in the Radio Regulations
11. State that one person is designated to have primary
responsibility for radio communications during distress
incidents
12. State that a record must be kept of all incidents
connected with the radio communication service which
appear to be of importance to the safety of life at sea
The students
shall be able to:

4.
ENGAGE
The main purpose of GMDSS is to provide a
comprehensive communication system for search and
rescue operations e.g. to enable vessels in distress to
transmit alerting signals to indicate that they require
assistance.
In your own opinion, how would the assistance can reach
the vessel in distress?
ENGAGE

5.
EXPLORE
Week 9 Video presentation
• GMDSS Equipment
Week 9 Video
presentation - Global
Maritime Distress
and Safety System
Trailer.mp4
https://youtu.be/osD
CFc65f80
EXPLORE

6.
EXPLORE
Week 9 Video presentation
Question:
In the image above of GMDSS equipment, how could we
know what are the equipment required for each vessel?
 GMDSS sea areas Week 9 Video
presentation - Global
Maritime Distress and
Safety System
Trailer.mp4
https://youtu.be/osD
CFc65f80
EXPLORE

7.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
Chapter 1 (Cont’n)
1.3 Safety SOLAS – Radio Communications (amended chapter IV)
List of the radio equipment to be carried by all ships
Part C -Ship requirements
Regulation 7
Radio Equipment-General
1 Every ship shall be provided with:
.1 a VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving;
.1.1 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
*Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see
regulation 9.4)
.1.2 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 subparagraph .1.1; *
*Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see
regulation 9.4)
.3 a search and rescue locating device capable of operating either
in the 9 GHz band or on frequencies dedicated for
AIS, which: (Added by Res.MSC.256(84))

8.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
.4 a receiver capable of receiving International NAVTEX service broad-
casts if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area in which an
International NAVTEX service is provided;
 .5 a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by a
recognized mobile satellite service enhanced group calling system if
the ship is engaged in voyages in sea area A1, or A2 or A3 but in which
an international NAVTEX service is not provided. However, ships
engaged exclusively in voyages in areas where an HF direct-
printingtelegraphy maritime safety information service is provided
and fitted with equipment capable of receiving such service, may be
exempt from this requirement.
*(Amended by Res.MSC.436(99))
. * Refer to the Recommendation on promulgation of maritime safety
information adopted by the Organization by
resolution A.705(17), as amended
.6 subject to the provisions of regulation 8.3, a satellite emergency
position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) *
which shall be: *

9.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
Refer to resolution A.616(15) concerning search and rescue homing
capability, adopted by the Organization
.6.1 capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar orbiting
satellite service operating in the 406 MHz band; (Replaced by
Res.MSC.201(81))
 .6.2 installed in an easily accessible position;
 .6.3 ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one
person into a survival craft;
 .6.4 capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically
activated when afloat; and
 .6.5 capable of being activated manually.

10.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
2 Every passenger ship shall be provided with means for two-way on-
scene radio communications for search and rescue purposes using the
aeronautical frequencies 121.5MHz and 123.1MHz from the position from
which the ship is normally navigated.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device to alert
search and rescue services (SAR) in case of an emergency out at sea. It is
tracking equipment that transmits a signal on a specified band to locate a
lifeboat, life raft, ship or people in distress.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device to alert
search and rescue services (SAR) in case of an emergency out at sea. It is
tracking equipment that transmits a signal on a specified band to locate a
lifeboat, life raft,ship or people in distress.
AN EPIRB is a SECONDARY means of DISTRESS alerting which is to
say that it comes later in the hierarchy of alerting SAR authorities in case
of distress. It is mandatory to carry one EPIRB on every ship and two
EPIRBS for all Registered ships (and other types of vessels).

11.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device to alert search and rescue services (SAR) in case of an
emergency out at sea. It is tracking equipment that transmits a signal on a specified band to locate a lifeboat, life raft,
ship or people in distress.
AN EPIRB is a SECONDARY means of DISTRESS alerting which is to say that it comes later in the hierarchy of alerting
SAR authorities in case of distress. It is mandatory to carry one EPIRB on every ship and two EPIRBS for all Registered
ships (and other types of vessels).
Types of EPIRB
1. COSPAS-SARSAT– EPIRBS under the COSPAS-SARSAT system work on the 406.025 MHz and 121.5 MHz band
and are applicable for all sea areas
2. INMARSAT E– 1.6 GHz band is the one which this EPIRB works on. These are applicable for sea areas A1, A2 and A3
3. VHF CH 70– This works on the 156.525 MHz band and are applicable for sea area A1 only

12.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
How Does an EPIRB Work?
The device contains two radio transmitters, a 5-watt one, and a 0.25-watt one, each operating at 406 MHz, the standard
international frequency typically signaling distress, 406MHz. The 5-watt radio transmitter is synchronized with a GOES
(Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) weather satellite going around the earth in a geosynchronous orbit.
An EPIRB transmits signals to the satellite. The signal consists of an encrypted identification number (all in digital code)
which holds information such as the ship’s identification, date of the event, the nature of distress and chiefly, the position.
A UIN is a Unique Identifier Number that is programmed into each beacon at the factory. The UIN number consists of
15-digit series of letters and numbers that make up the unique identity of the beacon. The UIN is on a white label on the
exterior of the beacon. The UIN is also referred to as the Hex ID.
The Local User Terminal (satellite receiving units or ground stations) calculates the position of the casualty using
Doppler Shift (is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave (or other periodic events) for an observer moving
relative to its source).
The LUT passes on the message to the MRCC (Mission Rescue Co-Ordination Centre). Furthermore, the MRCC is
responsible for the SAR ops and oversees the execution of the rescue mission.
In case the EPIRB is not compatible with a GPS receiver, the geosynchronous satellite orbiting the earth can pick only
the radio signals emitted by the radio. The location of the transmitter or the identity of the owner cannot be deduced in
this case.

13.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
These satellites can only pick up trace elements of such signals and they can only give a rough idea of the location of
the EPIRB. A signal of 406MHz is treated as an emergency signal as per international standards.
The signal could help you in locating the transmitter even if it is 3 miles away. The vessel or the individual in
distress could be identified if the EPIRB is registered. If an emitter transmits signals of 121.5 MHz, the rescuer or
concerned
party can reach the lost person even if they are at a distance of 15 miles. The accuracy of reaching the target could
be magnified if an EPIRB also contains a GPS receiver.
Using an EPIRB
The EPIRB needs to be activated to emit signals. This could be done by pushing a button on the unit, or it could
happen automatically if and when it comes in contact with water. The latter variety is known as hydrostatic EPIRB;
the quality makes hydrostatic EPIRBs the best choice for sailors because they could be automatically activated in
case the ship or vessel meets an accident and finds itself in deep waters.
The point to be kept in mind is that EPIRB needs activation to be operative, and this could happen only when it
emerges from the bracket it is placed in. This could be done manually or it could happen automatically, as said
earlier. The device is essentially battery-operated. This helps because power is the first entity to be affected in case
of a calamity.
Battery
12 Volt battery
48 hours of transmitting capacity
Normally replaced every 2 to 5 years

14.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
False Alerting
 It is possible that the EPIRB might get activated by mistake by an individual onboard. In order to prevent a chain of
SAR operations in motion it is imperative that the EPIRB false transmission is cancelled. In case the EPIRB is falsely
activated, the nearest coast station or RCC (Rescue Co-Ordination Center) must be informed immediately of this event
and as mentioned, cancel it.
 The cancellation intimation must also be sent to the appropriate authority (for example, DG Shipping for Indian
Registered Ships or for ships plying in India waters when the false alert is transmitted). The ship owner and/or the
agent must also be informed.
 Radio equipment - Sea Area A1
 1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages exclusively 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 on VHF using DSC; this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB prescribed by paragraph 3, either by installing
the EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or
.2 through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB,
required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position
from which the ship is normally navigated; or

15.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
* This requirement can be met by recognized mobile satellite service ship earth stations capable of two-way
communications, such as Fleet-77 (resolutions A.808(19) and MSC.130(75)) or Inmarsat-C (resolution A.807(19), as
amended) ship earth stations. Unless otherwise specified, this footnote applies to all requirements for a recognized
mobile satellite service ship earth station prescribed by this chapter.“
.5.2 the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote
activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated.
2 The VHF radio installation, required by regulation 7.1.1, shall also be capable of transmitting and receiving general
radio communications using radiotelephony.
3 Ships engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 may carry, in lieu of the satellite EPIRB required by regulation
7.1.6, an EPIRB which shall be:
.1 capable of transmitting a distress alert using DSC on VHF channel 70 and providing for locating by means of a radar
transponder operating in the 9GHz band;
.2 installed in an easily accessible position;
.3 ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;
.4 capable of floating free if the ship sinks and being automatically activated when afloat; and
.5 capable of being activated manually.

16.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
Regulation 9
Radio equipment - Sea Areas A1 and A2
1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea area A1, but
remaining within sea area A2, shall be provided with:
.1 an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:
.1.1 2,187.5kHz using DSC; and
.1.2 2,182kHz using radiotelephony;
.2 a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2,187.5kHz which may be
separate from, or combined with, that required by subparagraph .1.1; and
.3 means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service other than MF operating
either:
.3.1 through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB,
required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the
position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

17.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
.3.2 on HF using DSC; or
.3.3 through a recognized mobile satellite service by a ship earth station. (Amended by Res.MSC.436(99))
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 ship shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radio communications using
radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by either:
.1 a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1,605kHz and 4,000kHz or between
4,000kHz and 27,500kHz. 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. (Amended by Res.MSC.436(99))
4 The Administration may exempt ships constructed before 1 February 1997, which are engaged exclusively on
voyages within sea area A2, from the requirements of regulations 7.1.1.1 and 7.1.2 provided such ships maintain,
when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. This watch shall be kept at the position from
which the ship is normally navigated.

18.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
1 In addition to meeting the requirements of regulation 7, every
ship engaged on voyages beyond sea areas A1 and
A2, but remaining within sea area A3, shall, if it does not
comply with the requirements of paragraph 2, be provided
with:
.1 a recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station
capable of:( Amended by Res.MSC.436(99))
.1.1 transmitting and receiving distress and safety
communications using direct-printing
.1.2 initiating and receiving distress priority calls;
.1.3 maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alerts,
including those directed to specifically defined
geographical areas;
.1.4 transmitting and receiving general radio
communications, using either radiotelephony or direct-
printing telegraphy; and
.2 an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and
receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the
frequencies:
.2.1 2,187.5kHz using DSC; and
.2.2 2,182kHz using radiotelephony; and
.3 a radio installation capable of maintaining a
continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2,187.5kHz
which may be separate from or combined with that
required by subparagraph .2.1; and

19.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
.2 equipment capable of maintaining DSC watch on 2,187.5kHz, 8,414.5kHz and on at least one of the distress and
safety
DSC frequencies 4,207.5kHz, 6312kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5kHz; at any time, it shall be possible to select any
of these DSC distress and safety frequencies. This equipment may be separate from, or combined with the equipment
required by subparagraph .1; and
3 means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio communication service other than
HF operating either:
.3.1 through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB,
required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the
position from which the ship is normally navigated; or
.3.2 through a recognized mobile satellite service by a ship earth station; and (Amended by Res.MSC.436(99))

20.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. .4 in addition, ships shall be capable of transmitting and receiving general radio communications using
radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by an MF/HF radio installation operating on working frequencies in the
bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000kHz and between 4,000kHz and 27,500kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by
the addition of this capability in the equipment required by subparagraph .1
3 It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in subparagraphs
1.1,
1.2, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.3 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.
4 The Administration may exempt ships constructed before 1 February 1997, and engaged exclusively on voyages
within sea areas A2 and A3, from the requirements of regulations 7.1.1.1 and 7.1.2 provided such ships maintain,
when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. This watch shall be kept at the position from
which the ship is normally navigated.

21.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. . Functional Requirements
4 The GMDSS therefore provides that every ship, while at sea, shall be able to perform the following nine basic
communication functions:
transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts (by at least two separate and independent methods);
receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;
transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;
transmitting and receiving search and rescue coordinating communications;
transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;
transmitting and receiving signals for locating;
transmitting and receiving maritime safety information;
transmitting and receiving general communications; and
transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications

22.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. . Ship Requirements
5 Area of Operations Concept
The SOLAS Convention provides that “… every ship shall be provided with radio installations capable of complying
with the functional requirements … throughout the intended voyage …”. Thus every ship has to carry a core
installation of basic equipment that is applicable to all waters, supplemented by additional equipment that extends
the ships communications capabilities according to the specific waters in which she will sail. These supplementary
requirements are defined by the distance offshore the ship will travel:
Sea Area A1: the area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC
(Digital Selective Calling) alerting is available;
Sea Area A2: the area, excluding Sea Area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in
which continuous DSC (Digital Selective Calling) alerting is available;
Sea Area A3: the area, excluding Sea Areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite in
which continuous alerting is available; and
Sea Area A4: an area outside sea areas A1, A2 and A3.

23.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. . Ship Requirements
6 In practical terms, this means that ships operating exclusively within about 35 miles from the shore may be able to
carry only equipment for VHF-DSC communications; those which go beyond this distance, up to about 150 to 400 miles
from shore, should carry both VHF-DSC and MF-DSC equipment; while those operating further from the shore but within
the footprints of the Inmarsat satellites should additionally carry approved Inmarsat terminal(s).
Sea Area A4 cannot, by definition, be covered by the Inmarsat satellites and so ships operating in those waters –
essentially the northern waters of the Arctic region – need to make provision for using HF communications.
7 In addition to the general communications equipment they are required to fit, ships also have to carry equipment
for primary distress alerting – an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and for the receipt of MSI.
EPIRBs are small floating (some can automatically float free from a sinking ship) buoys and work through the
COSPASSARSAT
406MHz satellite system. They can send a distress alert to the shore automatically to alert a Rescue Coordination
Centre (RCC) that a ship is in distress in a particular location, but they cannot be used for two-way voice or
data communications.

24.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. . Ship Requirements
8 MSI is a broadcast of essential safety-related information (navigational warnings, meteorological warnings and forecasts,
and other vital information) from the shore to all ships. The shore authorities co-operate to structure this broadcast in such a
way that intelligent receivers can discriminate between information that is relevant to a particular ship and other
information that is not, automatically discarding those messages that are not relevant to the ship in which the particular
receiver is carried. This, of course, requires some specific user choices to be applied in the software before the equipment can
operate in this way. There are two systems a ship can use to receive MSI:
NAVTEX and SafetyNET:
NAVTEX is a terrestrial MF system, used to make broadcasts up to around 450 miles from the transmitter. Broadcasts are
co-ordinated in time, coverage and content so that ships can limit what they receive to only the specific information relevant
to the waters in which they are operating. NAVTEX transmissions are provided for most of the highly populated coastal
waters of the globe;
SafetyNET is a satellite-based system that is used to broadcast MSI to all other waters of the globe, except Sea
Area A4. SafetyNET is a service provided via the Inmarsat C system, and is used to address MSI to the 23 NAV/MET
Areas of the world. A ship’s terminal will normally select automatically the area in which she is currently located,
and the ship’s staff have the option to receive also information addressed to the area in to which she is next
heading.
Information broadcast on NAVTEX is not normally also broadcast via SafetyNET.

25.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. . Ship Requirements
8 MSI is a broadcast of essential safety-related information (navigational warnings, meteorological warnings and forecasts,
and other vital information) from the shore to all ships. The shore authorities co-operate to structure this broadcast in such a
way that intelligent receivers can discriminate between information that is relevant to a particular ship and other
information that is not, automatically discarding those messages that are not relevant to the ship in which the particular
receiver is carried. This, of course, requires some specific user choices to be applied in the software before the equipment can
operate in this way. There are two systems a ship can use to receive MSI:
NAVTEX and SafetyNET:
NAVTEX is a terrestrial MF system, used to make broadcasts up to around 450 miles from the transmitter. Broadcasts are
co-ordinated in time, coverage and content so that ships can limit what they receive to only the specific information relevant
to the waters in which they are operating. NAVTEX transmissions are provided for most of the highly populated coastal
waters of the globe;
SafetyNET is a satellite-based system that is used to broadcast MSI to all other waters of the globe, except Sea
Area A4. SafetyNET is a service provided via the Inmarsat C system, and is used to address MSI to the 23 NAV/MET
Areas of the world. A ship’s terminal will normally select automatically the area in which she is currently located,
and the ship’s staff have the option to receive also information addressed to the area in to which she is next
heading.
Information broadcast on NAVTEX is not normally also broadcast via SafetyNET.

26.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 10
Radio equipment - Sea areas A1, A2 and A3
. . Ship Requirements
9 The SOLAS Convention also places responsibilities on ships to maintain watches on specific frequencies for distress
and safety communications, so some element of ship-to-ship alerting is retained in the new system; and specifies in
general terms to means to be employed to preserve the operation of the radio equipment through reserve sources of
electrical supply. It deals also with the IMO Performance Standards – IMO’s series of operational criteria that each
type of equipment must meet; plus how the equipment shall be maintained and the basic qualifications needed to
operate the equipment safely and reliably.

27.
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EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 12
Watches
2 Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain a radio watch for broadcasts of maritime safety information on the
appropriate frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the ship is navigating
.
3 Until 1 February 1999 or until such other date as may be determined by the Maritime Safety Committee*, every
ship while at sea shall maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. This watch shall
be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated.
* Refer to Maintenance of a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16 by SOLAS ships whilst at sea after 1
February 1999 and installation of VHF facilities on non-SOLAS ships (resolution MSC.131(75))
.
. 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.

28.
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EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 15
electrical and electronic ship's equipment and to MSC/Circ. 862: Clarifications of certain requirements in IMO
performance standards for GMDSS equipment.
4 Adequate tools and spare 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 and 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 and 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, taking into account the recommendations of the Organization..

29.
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EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 16
Radio personnel
1 Every ship shall carry personnel qualified for distress and safety radio communication purposes to the satisfaction of
the Administration. * The personnel shall be holders of certificates specified in the Radio Regulations as appropriate,
any one of whom shall be designated to have primary responsibility for radio communications during distress
incidents.
* Refer to the STCW Code, chapter IV, section B-IV/2.
2 In passenger ships, at least one person qualified in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be assigned to perform only
Radio communication duties during distress incidents.
One person is designated to have primary responsibility for radio communications during distress incidents.
47 CFR § 80.1073 - Radio operator requirements for ship stations
80.1073 Radio operator requirements for ship stations.
(a) Ships must carry at least two persons holding GMDSS Radio Operator's Licenses as specified in § 13.7 of this chapter for
distress and safety radiocommunications purposes. The GMDSS Radio Operator's License qualifies personnel as a GMDSS
radio operator for the purposes of operating a GMDSS radio installation, including basic equipment adjustments as denoted
in the knowledge requirements specified in § 13.203 of this chapter.

30.
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EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
. Regulation 16
Radio personnel
. (1) A qualified GMDSS radio operator must be designated to have primary responsibility for radiocommunications
during distress incidents, except if the vessel operates exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore, in which case
a qualified restricted radio operator may be so designated.
(2) A second qualified GMDSS radio operator must be designated as backup for distress and safety
radiocommunications, except if the vessel operates exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore, in which case a
qualified restricted GMDSS radio operator may be so designated.
(b) A qualified GMDSS radio operator, and a qualified backup, as specified in paragraph (a) of this section must be:
(1) Available to act as the dedicated radio operator in cases of distress as described in § 80.1109(a);
(2) Designated to perform as part of normal routine each of the applicable communications described in §
80.1109(b);
(3) Responsible for selecting HF DSC guard channels and receiving scheduled maritime safety information broadcasts;
.

31.
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. Regulation 16
Radio personnel
(4) Designated to perform communications described in § 80.1109(c);
(5) Responsible for ensuring that the watches required by § 80.1123 are properly maintained; and
(6) Responsible for ensuring that the ship's navigation position is entered into all installed DSC equipment, either
automatically through a connected or integral navigation receiver, or manually at least every four hours when the ship is underway.

32.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
A record shall be kept, to the satisfaction of the Administration and as required by the Radio Regulations, of all
incidents connected with the radio communication service which appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea.
20.1 RADIO RECORDS
20.1.1 Radio log books
Every ship which is compulsorily fitted with a radio installation must carry a radio log book. The radio log book must
be retained onboard for a period of at least two years from the last entry. The log must be available for inspection by
an officer appointed under the Navigation Act 2012, or an authorized official in a country other than Australia who is
carrying out an inspection in accordance with Article X of the STCW Convention.
The radio services of ship station are under the authority of the Master or of the person responsible for the ship, and
shall require that each operator complies with the ITU Radio Regulations.
20.1.2 Completion of radio log book
Section A — Particulars of ship, which must also include method used to ensure availability of service.
Section B — Qualified personnel, complete with full details of type(s) of certification and date(s) of issue.
Section C — GMDSS radio log. This part of the log forms a record of the operation of the ship’s radio station and must
be completed in duplicate. The following entries must be made in chronological order:
Regulation 17
Radio records

33.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
• summary of distress, urgency or safety traffic received either by radio telephone or DSC
• records for distress, urgency or safety traffic received by Inmarsat satellite systems, NAVTEX and/or NBDP. These should be
noted in, and kept with, the log
• electronic records of communications relating to distress, urgency, safety and receipts of weather reports, and navigation
warnings, form part of the log, and must be retained and not overwritten
• any incident connected with the radio service which appears to be of importance to the safety of life at sea
• tests of the GMDSS equipment (as carried to comply with Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment) 2016)
as detailed in the GMDSS Radio Log Book
• if the ship’s rules permit, the position of the ship at least once a day. In addition, the Master must inspect and sign each day’s
entries in the GMDSS Radio Log.
 Section D — Details the radio equipment and battery tests to be carried out by operators. Section D also contains Annexes 1 and 2.
 Annex 1 — Particulars of batteries on board and their purpose.
 Annex 2 — Monthly report on batteries (and records the specific gravity readings of each individual cell before and after full charge
along with comments, if applicable).
Regulation 17
Radio records

34.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
Both sections C and D are to be completed in duplicate. The duplicates of sections C and D Annex 1 and Annex 2 must
be detached and kept in correct order to form a record of the operation of the radio installation, and be retained in
board for a minimum of two years. These records are to be available for the information of surveyors and shore
maintenance staff and should be filed in the radio room or with the radio equipment.
Regulation 17
Radio records

35.
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE
20.1.3 Retention of logs
Once completed, the original Log(s) must be retained
onboard for a period of not less than two years from the
date
of the last entry in section C. Details of commercial
communications passed via maritime mobile-satellite
systems
may be maintained, as described for section C above,
sufficient for the settlement of accounts. If not recorded in
section C other means shall be provided by the ship’s
operator to record details of commercial traffic for a period
sufficient for the settlement of accounts. An example of a
GMDSS Radio Log book format is shown in Figure 34 on
page 118 and includes an example of a completed page. A
copy of the AMSA Radio Log book can be found in
Appendix 9 of this handbook.
Regulation 17
Radio records

36.
SHORT RECAP

37.
SHORT RECAP
 the radio equipment to be carried by all ships
 the additional equipment required by ships engaged
on voyages exclusively within sea area A1
 the additional equipment required by ships engaged
on voyages within sea areas A1, A2, and A3
 the availability of radio equipment required by the
regulations is to be ensured
 every ship must carry personnel qualified for distress
and safety radio communications purposes who hold
certificates specified in the Radio Regulations
 one person is designated to have primary
responsibility for radio communications during
distress incidents
 a record must be kept of all incidents connected with
the radio communication service which appear to be
of importance to the safety of life at sea

38.
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39.
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