14.2 Terms and definitions
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - HSC 2000 Code - International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000 – Resolution MSC.97(73) - Chapter 14 - Radiocommunications - 14.2 Terms and definitions

14.2 Terms and definitions

  14.2.1 For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings defined below:

  • .1 Bridge-to-bridge communications means safety communications between craft and ships from the position from which the craft is normally navigated.

  • .2 Continuous watch means that the radio watch concerned shall not be interrupted other than for brief intervals when the craft's receiving capability is impaired or blocked by its own communications or when the facilities are under periodical maintenance or checks.

  • .3 Digital selective calling (DSC) means a technique using digital codes which enables a radio station to establish contact with, and transfer information to, another station or group of stations, and complying with the relevant recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).

  • .4 Direct-printing telegraphy means automated telegraphy techniques which comply with the relevant recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).

  • .5 General radiocommunications means operational and public correspondence traffic other than distress, urgency and safety messages, conducted by radio.

  • .6 Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) identities means maritime mobile services identity, the craft's call sign, recognized mobile satellite service identities and serial number identity which may be transmitted by the craft's equipment and used to identify the craft.

  • .7 Inmarsat means the Organization established by the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (Inmarsat) adopted on 3 September 1976.

  • .8 International NAVTEX service means the co-ordinated broadcast and automatic reception on 518 kHz of maritime safety information by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy using the English language.footnote

  • .9 Locating means the finding of the ships, craft, aircraft, units or persons in distress.

  • .10 Maritime safety information means navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships and craft.

  • .11 Polar-orbiting satellite service means a service which is based on polar-orbiting satellites which receive and relay distress alerts from satellite EPIRBs and which provides their position.

  • .12 Radio Regulations mean the Radio Regulations annexed to, or regarded as being annexed to, the most recent International Telecommunication Convention which is in force at any time.

  • .13 Sea area A1 means an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government to the Convention.footnote

  • .14 Sea area A2 means an area, excluding sea area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government to the Convention.footnote

  • .15 Sea area A3 means an area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available.

  • .16 Sea area A4 means an area outside sea areas A1, A2 and A3.

  • .17 Recognized mobile satellite service means any service which operates through a satellite system and is recognized by the Organization, for use in the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS).

  14.2.2 All other terms and abbreviations which are used in this chapter and which are defined in the Radio Regulations and in the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979, as it may be amended, shall have the meanings as defined in those Regulations and the SAR Convention.


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