16.2 Radio Installation
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - MGN 280 - Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure, Workboats and Pilot Boats - Alternative Construction Standards - 16 Radio Equipment - 16.2 Radio Installation

16.2 Radio Installation

  16.2.1 Table 1 lists the minimum and recommended radio equipment for the Code area of operation categories, which fulfil the functional requirements specified in Section 16.1.

  16.2.2 VHF transmission and reception ranges are reliable only within the line of sight ranges (see the MCA's Marine Guidance Note MGN 22 - Proper use of VHF channels at sea).

  16.2.3 Aerials should be mounted as high as is practicable to maximise performance. When the main aerial is fitted to a mast, which is equipped to carry sails, an emergency aerial should be provided.

  16.2.4 Skippers, owners and managing agents should be aware of VHF coverage in the intended area of operation. Where the certainty of good VHF coverage in the UK coastal area is in doubt, skippers owners and managing agents should seek advice from the MCA on whether Medium Frequency (MF) or other equipment with long range transmission capability should be carried (i.e. Inmarsat Ship Earth Station, EPIRB etc).

  16.2.5 When batteries are used for the electrical supply to radio equipment, the batteries, when fully charged, should provide sufficient hours of operation to ensure effective use of the GMDSS installation bearing in mind the distance from shore that the vessel can operate. Appropriate charging facilities or a duplicate battery of capacity sufficient for the voyage shall be provided.

The battery electrical supply (reference should be made to Section 8) to the radio equipment should be protected against flooding/swamping as far as practicable and arranged so that radio communications are not interrupted in adverse conditions.

  16.2.6 A fixed radio installation should be clearly marked with the vessel's call sign, any other codes applicable to the use of the radio, and MMSI number where applicable. A card or cards giving a clear summary of the radio distress, urgency and safety procedures should be displayed in full view of the radio operating position(s)footnote. Brief and clear operating instructions should also be provided for the hand-held VHF (which is part of the vessels Life Saving Appliances) as required by Table 1.

Table 16.1 Minimum and Recommended Radio Equipment

Area of operation category 6 3, 4 & 5 2 1 0 Notes
m = nautical miles Up to 3m Up to 20m Up to 60m Up to 150m Unlimited
VHF fixed radio installationfootnote. R 1 1 1 1 See 16.1.2
Portable VHFfootnote 1 1 1 1 1 It is recommended that, where practicable, vessels carrying more than one liferaft carry one portable VHF per raft.
MF SSB radio installation with DSCfootnote. None None Rfootnote 1footnote 1footnote HM Coastguard ceased keeping a MF Distress watch (2182 kHz) at 23:59 UTC on 31 May 2002.
Inmarsat Ship Earth Stationfootnote (or an MF/HF transceiver with DSC)footnote None None None R R  
NAVTEX receiver None R R 1 1  
R = Recommendation only

1 = Number required to be fitted

Parent topic: 16 Radio Equipment
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