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 on-board
maintenance purposes.
3 Adequate information shall be provided to enable
the equipment to be properly operated and maintained, taking into
account the recommendations of the Organization.footnote
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
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.footnote
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 4.8 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 and safety functions.
9 Satellite EPIRBs shall be:
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.1 annually tested for all aspects of operational
efficiency, with special emphasis on checking the emission on operational
frequencies, coding and registration, at intervals as specified below:
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.1.1 on passenger ships, within 3 months before
the expiry date of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate;
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.1.2 on cargo ships, within 3 months before the
expiry date, or 3 months before or after the anniversary date, of
the Cargo Ship Safety Radio certificate.
The test
may be conducted on board the ship or at an approved testing station;
and
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.2 subject to maintenance at intervals not exceeding
five years, to be performed at an approved shore-based maintenance
facility.