14.15.1 Equipment shall be so designed that the
main units can be replaced readily without elaborate recalibration
or readjustment.
14.15.2 Where applicable, equipment shall be so
constructed and installed that it is readily accessible for inspection
and on-board maintenance purposes.
14.15.3 Adequate information shall be provided
to enable the equipment to be properly operated and maintained, taking
into account the recommendations of the Organization.footnote
14.15.4 Adequate tools and spares shall be provided
to enable equipment to be maintained.
14.15.5 The Administration shall ensure that radio
equipment required by this chapter is maintained to provide the availability
of the functional requirements specified in 14.5 and to meet the recommended performance standards of such
equipment.
14.15.6 On craft engaged on voyages in sea areas
Al and A2, the availability shall be ensured by using such methods
as duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance or at-sea electronic
maintenance capability, or a combination of these, as may be approved
by the Administration.
14.15.7 On craft engaged on voyages in sea areas
A3 and A4, the availability shall be ensured by using a combination
of at least two methods, such as duplication of equipment, shore-based
maintenance or at-sea electronic maintenance capability, as may be
approved by the Administration, taking into account the recommendations
of the Organization.footnote
14.15.8 However, for craft operating solely between
ports where adequate facilities for shore-based maintenance of the
radio installations are available and provided no journey between
two such ports exceeds six hours, then the Administration may exempt
such craft from the requirement to use at least two maintenance methods.
For such craft at least one maintenance method shall be used.
14.15.9 While all reasonable steps shall be taken
to maintain the equipment in efficient working order to ensure compliance
with all the functional requirements specified in 14.5, malfunction of the equipment for
providing the general radiocommunications, required by 14.8, shall not be considered as making
a craft unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying the craft in ports
where repair facilities are not readily available, provided the craft
is capable of performing all distress and safety functions.
14.15.10 Satellite EPIRBs on all craft shall be:
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.1 annually tested for all aspects of operational
efficiency, with special emphasis on checking the emission on operational
frequencies, coding and registration, at intervals within 3 months
before the expiry date, or 3 months before or after the anniversary
date, of the High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate;
The test may be conducted on board the craft or at an approved
testing station; and"
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.1 on passenger craft, within 3 months before
the expiry date of the High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate; and
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.2 on cargo craft, within 3 months before the
expiry date, or 3 months before or after the anniversary date, of
the High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate;
The test
may be conducted on board the craft or at an approved testing station;
and
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.2 subject to maintenance at intervals not exceeding
five years, to be performed at an approved shore-based maintenance
facility.