1.1 The IRCS is a system in which individual radiocommunication
equipment and installations are used as sensors, i.e. without the
need for their own control units, providing outputs to and accepting
inputs from the operator's position, called workstations.
1.2 Such workstations are called "GMDSS workstations"
if they include control and monitoring of all equipment and installations
provided on a ship for the GMDSS which are also suitable for general
radiocommunications.
1.3 The IRCS, in addition to meeting the general
requirements set out in Resolution A.694(17),
should comply with the following performance standards.
2.1 The IRCS should comply with the applicable
functional requirements of the GMDSS. All functional requirements
of the item of radiocommunication equipment and installations integrated
into the IRCS should be available. The functional requirements for
a specific item of radiocommunication equipment or installation should
not impair the availability of any other functional requirement for
any other item of radiocommunication equipment or installation integrated
into the IRCS.
2.2 All functional requirements of the equipment
integrated into the IRCS should conform to the appropriate provisions
of the performance standards for that equipment.
2.3 No single fault should impair the operation
of more than one radiocommunication sensor or more than one workstation
at any time.
2.4 The IRCS should:
-
.1 comprise at least two GMDSS workstations each
connected to each GMDSS radiocommunication sensor over a network or
connecting system;
-
.2 comprise at least two printers;
-
.3 have facilities for automatically updating
ship's position and time data in addition to the provision for manual
input of this data;
-
.4 have a power supply arrangement which ensures
that it is not possible inadvertently to switch off any part of the
IRCS;
-
.5 include detecting facilities such that failure
of any part of the IRCS activates an alarm; and
-
.6 be protected against the effects of computer
viruses.
2.5 The GMDSS workstations should:
-
.1 have an identical user interface and an identical
access to each function for different sensors;
-
.2 be capable of being operated independently
of each other;
-
.3 be capable of allowing simultaneous operation
of at least two GMDSS radiocommunication sensors; and
-
.4 be capable of transmitting distress alerts.
The distress alert should only be initiated by means of a dedicated
button for each GMDSS sensor; the button should not be used for any
other purpose. Each button should be clearly identified, protected
against inadvertent operation, require two independent actions to
initiate the distress alert and produce an indication that the distress
alert has been activated. Each distress alerting button should be
electrically separate from the IRCS network or connecting system.
It should be possible to interrupt or initiate the distress alert
at any time.
2.6 Integration of the VHF radiotelephone required
for navigational safety should only be permitted if it does not prevent
compliance with SOLAS Regulation IV/6.3.
2.7 Additional workstations intended only for
general radiocommunications should not have access to the distress
alerting functions; neither should they impair or slow down the distress
alerting and alarm functions. The GMDSS workstations should have priority
access over additional workstations.
2.8 Additional sensors not required for the GMDSS
should neither impair nor slow down the distress alerting and alarm
functions.