(1) Every vessel 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 6 and, as appropriate
for the sea area or areas through which it will pass during its intended
voyage, the requirements of either regulation
7,
8, 9 or 10.
(2) Every radio installation shall:
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(a) be so located that no harmful interference
of mechanical, electrical or other origin affects its proper use,
and so as to ensure electromagnetic compatibility and avoidance of
harmful interaction with other equipment and systems;
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(b) be so located as to ensure the greatest possible
degree of safety and operational availability;
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(c) be protected against harmful effects of water,
extremes of temperature and other adverse environmental conditions;
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(d) be 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
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(e) be clearly marked with the call sign, the
ship station identity and other codes as applicable for the use of
the radio installation.
(3) Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels
required for navigational safety, shall be immediately available on
the navigating bridge convenient to the conning position and, where
necessary, facilities should be available to permit radiocommunications
from the wings of the navigating bridge. Portable VHF equipment may
be used to meet the latter provision.