16 Radiocommunications Equipment

 16.1 All new vessels should comply with Section 16 – Radiocommunications Equipment in full. It is recommended that existing vessels comply with this section where practicable. For details on the standards, see Appendix 13.

16.2 The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

16.2.1 Unless otherwise stated in 16.2.2, each vessel should carry sufficient radio communications equipment^footnote to perform the following distress and safety communications functions throughout its intended voyage:

• .1 Provide for the safety of the vessel by:-

  • i) transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerting by two independent means at least one of which is primary;
  • ii) transmitting ship-to-ship distress alerting;
  • iii) transmitting and receiving on-scene communications, including appropriate search and rescue co-ordinating communications; and
  • iv) transmitting locating signals;
• .2 Assist other vessels in distress by:-

  • i) receiving shore-to-ship distress alerting; and
  • ii) receiving ship-to-ship distress alerting; and

• .3 Receive navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent safety information (Maritime Safety Information (MSI)).

16.22 Exceptions to 16.2.1 are;

• .1 Where a vessel with an area of operation category 4, 5 or 6 can reliably obtain up to date navigation and weather information by other means it does not need to be able to receive MSI by a GMDSS compatible means. See also 19.4.1.

• .2 A vessel with area of operation category 6; because of its limited safety equipment, is only anticipated to provide assistance in local distress events, regardless of Sea Area may have a reduced functionality in 16.2.1.2.ii and 16.2.1.1.iii.

• .3 A vessel with area of operation category 6, where the visual means of distress alerting or another non-GMDSS is considered effective a second means of transmitting ship to shore distress alert in Sea Area A1 is not required.

16.3 Radio Installation

16.3.1 Vessels should be fitted with the minimum radio equipment for the GMDSS Sea Area in which the vessel will operate, which fulfils the functional requirements specified in section 16.2.1. A chart of GMDSS Sea Areas around the UK can be found in Appendix 1. Where the vessels operational area changes the radio fitment should be reviewed by the Certifying Authority. The vessels Sea Area should be noted on the Workboat Certificate (see section 16.10). The GMDSS Sea Areas^footnote are defined as follows:

• .1 “GMDSS Sea Area A1” means an area within the radio telephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government;

• .2 “GMDSS Sea Area A2” means an area, excluding GMDSS 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;

• .3 “GMDSS Sea Area A3” means an area, excluding GMDSS Sea Areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available.

• .4 “GMDSS Sea Area A4” means an area outside GMDSS Sea Areas A1, A2 and A3.

16.3.2 Further information on GMDSS Sea Areas worldwide may be found in the Admiralty List of Radio Signals, Volume 5.

16.3.3 VHF transmission and reception ranges are reliable only within the line of sight ranges of the aerials (see the MCA’s Marine Guidance Note MGN 324^footnote, as amended). Owner/Operator reminded that vessel should only operate within reliable range of GMDSS VHF shore stations. For small vessels or someone using a portable radio this is likely to be much less than 60 nm from land / Coast Radio station and the area implied on Sea Area A1 coverage Map shown in Appendix 1. See section 16.7.1 and MGN324, as amended, VHF Range diagrams. Iridium satellite phones do not fulfil GMDSS requirements.

16.3.4 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.

16.3.5 Masters, 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, Masters 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. Mobile Satellite Communications Systems, etc.).

16.3.6 All radio installations should:

• .1 be so located to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety and operational availability;

• .2 be protected against the harmful effects of water, extremes of temperature and other adverse environmental conditions;

• .3 be clearly marked with the call sign, the vessel station identity, MMSI number where applicable and any other codes applicable to the use of the radio installation.

16.3.7 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 a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). 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).

16.3.8 Brief and clear operating instructions should also be provided for the portable VHF Radio required by section 13.6 and Table 13.1.

16.4 Operational Performance

16.4.1 All radio communication equipment should be of a type which is approved by the relevant authority. See footnote to section 16.2.1.

16.5 Sources of Energy

16.5.1 When the electrical supply to radio equipment is from a battery, charging facilities (which are capable of recharging batteries to minimum capacity requirements within 10 hours) or a duplicate battery of capacity sufficient for the voyage should be provided.

16.5.2 The battery electrical supply to radio equipment should be protected against flooding/swamping as far as practicable and arranged so that radio communications are not interrupted in adverse conditions. When the efficiency of the required protection against flooding/swamping cannot be guaranteed with batteries located below the freeboard deck, an efficiently protected battery electrical supply to the radio equipment should be provided above the freeboard deck.

16.5.3 When fully charged, the batteries should provide at least the minimum required hours of operation to ensure effective use of the GMDSS installation.

16.5.4 See also 8.8.2 and 8.8.4.

16.6 Test and maintenance

16.6.1 Radio equipment required under this code should be tested and confirmed as working normally before departure and on a routine basis while at sea, except for non-rechargeable portable equipment with fixed batteries; these must be tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Equipment should be maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions. A record should be kept of tests and maintenance.

16.7 Carriage Requirements by GMDSS Sea Area

For information: A vessel operating around the UK coast and more than 20 n. miles from a safe haven will generally need to carry A1 and A2 equipment.

16.7.1 Area of operation: category 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4

1 = Number required to be fitted.

Note A = This is recommended only in Sea Area A1 on category 3 and 4 operations where visual or other non-GMDSS means of alerting is considered to be ineffective.

Note B = This is recommendatory only in Sea Area A1 on category 4 operations, noting section 19.4.1 and that the vessel should be on a voyage of <12 hours, outside this duration a NAVTEX should be fitted.

Note C = Achieving satisfactory performance from an MF GMDSS radio on smaller vessels can be complex. Such matters should be considered during design and construction.

16.7.2 Area of operation: category 5

1 = Number required to be fitted.

C1= A carriage requirement where up to date navigation and weather information cannot be reliably obtained by other means as noted in 16.2.2.1. The vessel should be on a voyage of <12 hours, outside this duration a NAVTEX should be fitted.

R= Recommended for category 5 operations where visual or other non-GMDSS means of alerting is considered to be ineffective e.g. if a vessel is working in bays with high cliffs that may impede the operation of the VHF.

Note A = Achieving satisfactory performance from an MF GMDSS radio on smaller vessels can be complex. Such matters should be considered during design and construction.

16.7.3 Area of operation: category 6

1 = Number required to be fitted.

C1=Recommended where up to date navigation and weather information cannot be reliably obtained by other means as noted in 16.2.2.1. Note, if NAVTEX satisfies the requirement, then an Inmarsat terminal 6 is not required.

C2= Recommended where visual or other non-GMDSS means of alerting is considered to be ineffective.

16.8 Radio Watches^footnote

16.8.1 A vessel, while at sea, should maintain a continuous radio watch:

• .1 where practicable, on VHF Channel 16;

• .2 where practicable, on VHF Channel 13;

• .3 on VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC), on Channel 70;

• .4 if fitted with a MF/HF DSC radiotelephone, on distress and safety DSC frequency 2187.5kHz;

• .5 for satellite shore-to-ship distress alerts, if fitted with a terminal for a a recognised GMDSS satellite service^footnote; and

• .6 for broadcasts of Maritime Safety Information^footnote on the appropriate frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the vessel is navigating; normally using the international NAVTEX service or an enhanced group call over a recognised GMDSS satellite service. (Further information may be obtained from the Admiralty List of Radio Signals, Volume 5.)

16.9 Radio Personnel - Guidance

16.9.1 A vessel should carry at least one person qualified for distress and safety radio communication purposes, who should hold a certificate of competence acceptable to the relevant authority^footnote.

16.10 Small Workboat Certification limits

16.10.1 A vessel should have its Small Workboat Certificate endorsed with the GMDSS Sea Area for which it carries equipment as a limiting area of operation. This includes those vessels phasing into the requirements.

16.11 Ships’ Radio Licence - Guidance

16.11.1 Owners/managing agents should be aware that a vessel with radio communications equipment on board is required to have a Ships’ Radio Licence^footnoteissued by the relevant authority.

16.12 Ships Radio Survey

16.12.1 Owners / managing agents are recommended to undertake a survey (see MSIS 5^footnote) of the radio installation every 5 years, to ascertain that the equipment is in an effective condition, if the vessel has GMDSS radio equipment fitted. An organisation authorised by the Administration to perform a survey of code vessel radio equipment should be engaged for this. Upon successful completion of the radio survey a Statement of Compliance may be issued by the authorised organisation.