Marine Radio Communication

Transcription

1 Sixth edition The very latest technological advances in terrestrial and satellite communications Changes to the international VHF channel allocation and channel spacing The major overhaul of the organisational structure of the UK Coastguard service Substantial enhancements to the eloran services The changing complexities of voyage planning Large diagrams, an extensive index and fully-updated appendices This is a definitive guide for today s maritime communications industry, including ship owners, ship managers, coast guards, seafarers, students of maritime communications, as well as the recreational sector. Cover image: Martin Florin Emmanuel / Alamy Routledge titles are available as ebook editions in a range of digital formats G. D. LEES & W. G. WILLIAMSON LAW / MARITIME LAW Handbook for This sixth edition has been fully updated to take into account major developments over the last five years, in particular the revised regulations introduced by the International Telecommunication Union in The authors deliver an authoritative guide to the complicated and changing world of radio communications, including: Marine Radio Communication This bestselling book provides an incomparable reference source for all vessels using maritime radio communication systems, which are now a legislative requirement. It includes exhaustive coverage of all UK and international regulations relating to modern maritime communications, such as the crucial GMDSS, all contained within one singular volume. G. D. LEES & W. G. WILLIAMSON Handbook for Marine Radio Communication Sixth edition

2 Sixth edition p ublished 2015 by Informa Law from Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Informa Law from Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY Informa Law from Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Graham D. Lees and William G. Williamson 2015 The rights of Graham D. Lees and William G. Williamson to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Every attempt has been made to obtain permission to reproduce copyright material. If any proper acknowledgement has not been made, we would invite copyright holders to inform us of the oversight. First edition published 1993 by Informa Law Fifth edition published 2009 by Informa Law British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Lees, Graham D., 1947 author. Handbook for marine radio communication / By G D Lees and W G Williamson. Sixth edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN (ebook) 1. Radio in navigation Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Radio Installation on ships Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Artificial satellites in navigation Handbooks, manuals, etc. 4. Navigation Safety measures Handbooks, manuals, etc. 5. Distress signals Handbooks, manuals, etc. 6. Marine radio stations Handbooks, manuals, etc. 7. Marine radio stations Law and legislation. I. Williamson, William G., 1943 author. II. Title. VK155.L dc ISBN eisbn Typeset in New Century Schoolbook by RefineCatch Limited, Bungay, Suffolk

3 Contents Preface to the sixth edition About the authors List of figures List of abbreviations and acronyms Glossary of terms and definitions List of useful websites v vii xxi xxiii xxxi xxxv CHAPTER 1 GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) GMDSS: Overview Search and rescue regions (SRRs) IAMSAR Manual GMDSS Sea Areas GMDSS Terminology GMDSS Implementation Shipboard Equipment for GMDSS Port state control Position updating Implementation of SOLAS for passenger ships EPIRBs on fishing vessels Recommended GMDSS equipment for small craft Minimum GMDSS Personnel Requirements for Ships Stations and MESs Role of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) SARNET Registration database for GMDSS GMDSS Master Plan Availability and Maintenance of GMDSS Equipment: Terminology Availability and Serviceability of GMDSS Equipment MCA requirements for companies offering SBM of radio equipment under the GMDSS Availability of GMDSS Equipment: Further Requirements False Distress Alerts Action to be taken by owners, masters and skippers False Distress Alerts: Reporting Procedures Other problems: misuse of DSC acknowledgement GMDSS equipment and operator competency 19 CHAPTER 2 DISTRESS, URGENCY AND SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS 21 Part I Operational Procedures for Distress, Urgency and Safety Communications in GMDSS General Operational Procedures Authority of the master Distress Alerting Radiotelephony distress call Radiotelephony distress message Radiotelex distress message Shore-To-Ship Distress Alert Relay Distress Alert by a Station Not Itself in Distress Radiotelephony distress relay Acknowledgement of Receipt of Distress Alerts General information Satellite service DSC Ships reactions on receipt of a distress alert 25 ix

4 Contents 2.6 Acknowledgement by Radiotelephony and Radio Telex Radiotelephony Radiotelex Acknowledging Receipt of Distress Alerts by Coast Station or LES Satellite service DSC Acknowledging Receipt of Distress Alerts by Ship Station or MES Preparations for Handling Distress Traffic Distress Traffic Satellite service avoiding interference to distress traffic Imposing Silence Resumption of Normal Working False Distress Alert Sent by DSC On-scene Communications On-scene Co-ordinator Search and Rescue Situation Reports (SITREPs) Shore-To-Ship Distress Communications with MRCC Locating and Homing Signals Charging for Distress Communication Operational Procedures for Urgency Messages Under the GMDSS Operational Procedures for Safety Messages in the GMDSS Medical Transports Inter-ship Safety of Navigation Communication Medical Advice: General Information Request for additional information from shore medical authorities MEDEVAC: General Information MEDEVAC: Information to be furnished to MRCC Radiocommunication with helicopters Medical Advice via Inmarsat Medical Assistance via Inmarsat Medical Advice via UK Coastguard Stations Medical Assistance via UK Coastguard Stations Identification of Neutral Ships or Aircraft in War Zones Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea: Use of Radio Automatic Identification System (AIS) Piracy Reporting Centre Message format for piracy alert reports Reporting incidents Location of advice Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) 46 Part II Use of Frequencies for Distress, Urgency and Safety GMDSS: General Provisions Distress Frequencies Aeronautical Frequencies GMDSS: VHF Channel Usage Satellite Service Survival Craft and GMDSS Distress and Safety Communications: Protection of Frequencies GMDSS General Watchkeeping Arrangements Maritime Service Information Registration 51 CHAPTER 3 DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) Digital Selective Calling: Introduction DSC Digital Coding Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) 54 x

5 Contents Part I DSC Distress, Urgency and Safety Alerting Distress Alerting by DSC: General Information DSC Distress Alerts Format of DSC Distress Alert Acknowledgement by Coast Stations Acknowledgement of Received DSC Distress Alert by Ship Stations Distress Traffic Re-broadcast of Distress Information by Coast Stations HF Distress Alerting DSC Urgency Alerts Urgency Messages and DSC Reception of urgency alert by DSC DSC Safety Alerts Reception of safety alerts by DSC DSC Watchkeeping Arrangements DSC Scanning Receivers UK Distress and Safety Watchkeeping Arrangements HF DSC Watchkeeping Arrangements Distress Procedure using DSC and RT on VHF By ship in distress in GMDSS area A By ship receiving a VHF DSC distress alert in GMDSS area A Distress Procedure Using DSC and RT on MF By ship in distress in GMDSS area A By ship receiving a distress alert in GMDSS area A Distress Procedure Using DSC and RT on HF By ship in distress in GMDSS areas A3 or A By ship receiving an HF DSC distress alert in GMDSS areas A3 or A Ship-To-Ship Distress Alerting in Sea Areas A3 or A By distress ship By ship receiving a ship-to-ship distress alert 65 Part II Routine DSC Procedure Conditions Relating to DSC Equipment DSC: Use of Frequencies MF DSC: Bands Between 415 KHz and khz Call and acknowledgement Watch Bands between 1,606.5 KHz and 4,000 KHz Call and acknowledgement Watch HF DSC: Bands Between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz Call and acknowledgement Watch VHF DSC: Bands Between 156 MHz and 174 MHz Call and acknowledgement Watch DSC Regulations: Method of Calling Format of routine DSC calls DSC Regulations: Acknowledgement of Routine Calls National calling DSC Shore-To-Ship Calls Ship Receives DSC Call from a Coast Station Routine Ship-To-Shore DSC Calls Routine DSC ship-to-ship calls DSC Watchkeeping: Routine Calls DSC Routine Calls for Automatic Connection DSC Testing DSC: European Testing Arrangements 74 xi

6 Contents CHAPTER 4 SAFETY-RELATED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB): Introduction Cospas-Sarsat: Introduction Cospas-Sarsat: Coverage Mode Cospas-Sarsat: 406 MHz Beacons Cospas-Sarsat: General Information Future MEOSAR enhancement of the Cospas-Sarsat system Cospas-Sarsat: MCCs Ship security alert Cospas-Sarsat: Satellite Information Cospas-Sarsat: Termination of Satellite Alerting Service on MHz EPIRBs: Routine Maintenance and Checks EPIRBs: Beacon test facilities EPIRBs: Further Maintenance Requirements EPIRBs: MSC Guidelines for Shore-based Maintenance Providers for Satellite EPIRBS EPIRBs: MSC Guidelines on Annual Testing of 406 MHz Satellite EPIRBs Clarification on EPIRB maintenance and testing EPIRB Registration UK EPIRB registration Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTS) SART signals at close range Factors that increase the visibility of a SART Automatic Identification System (AIS) SARTS Reception of AIS SART signals SARTS: Tests and Checks Maritime Safety Information (MSI) NAVTEX Abbreviations used in NAVTEX messages Enhanced Group Call (EGC) Setting up the EGC receiver MSI in UK Waters World Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) METAREAs Portable Hand-held Survival Craft VHF Transceivers 100 CHAPTER 5 SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS 101 General Master s Authority Inmarsat PLC International Maritime Satellite Organization (IMSO) Satellite Frequencies Land Earth Stations Antenna Alignment Inmarsat Mobile Numbers (IMN) Multiple Identity of a Single MES 103 Part I Satellite Systems Currently Compliant with the GMDSS Inmarsat Space Segment for GMDSS Inmarsat Priority Indicators Inmarsat-F (Fleet) System Fleet 77 Services Fleet LES Access Codes Fleet F77 Distress Procedure Inmarsat-B System Inmarsat-B Services Inmarsat-B LES Access Codes (also Used by Inmarsat-M) 108 xii

7 Contents 5.18 Inmarsat-B Telex Distress Message Generator (DMG) Inmarsat-B Distress Transmission Procedure Telephony Telex Inmarsat-C System Inmarsat-C Services Inmarsat-C LES Access Codes Inmarsat-C Distress Alerting Using the remote distress button(s) on the MES Using the edit facilities on the MES terminal Inmarsat-C Distress Priority Message Inmarsat-C Special Access Codes Inmarsat-C Logging On/Off Inmarsat-C Communications Inmarsat-C Message Addresses Inmarsat-C Non-Delivery Notification Codes Inmarsat Mini-C System 116 Part II Inmarsat Satellite Systems Not Currently Compliant with the GMDSS Fleet 55 (F55) System and Services Fleet 33 (F33) System and Services Fleet Broadband System and Services Fleet Broadband 505 Safety Service Fleetphone System and Services Inmarsat-M System and Services Inmarsat-M Distress Urgency and Safety Alerting Inmarsat Mini-M System and Services 120 Part III Using Inmarsat Equipment Inmarsat Urgency and Safety Procedures Inmarsat Telephony Two-Digit Codes Telephone Calls via Inmarsat Telephone Calls to Another MES Single Network Access Code (SNAC) Telephone Calls to Ships Fitted with VHF/MF/HF RT Equipment Charges for Inmarsat Telephone Calls Automatically connected calls Operator-connected calls Data Communications via Inmarsat Data Network Identification Codes (DNIC) Facsimile via Inmarsat Telex via Inmarsat Inmarsat Telex Two-Digit Codes Telex Answerbacks Telex Calls Via Inmarsat-B Telex Dialling Format of Radiotelegrams, AMVER and Medical Messages Telex and Greetings Telex Letters Terminating Inmarsat Telex Calls Inmarsat Telex Calls to Another MES Inmarsat Telex Ocean Region Codes Inmarsat Telex Calls to Ships Fitted with MF/HF Equipment Inmarsat Telex Service Fault Codes 131 Part IV Future of Maritime Satellite Communication Systems Prospective GMDSS Satellite Service Provision Iridium Satellite System Iridium Services Iridium Openport and Pilot 133 xiii

8 Contents CHAPTER 6 RADIO TELEX AND RADIO DATA SERVICES 135 General Avoidance of Interference Telex Modes of Emission Bands between 415 KHz and 535 KHz Bands between 1,605 KHz 4,000 KHz and 4,000 KHz 27,500 KHz Telex Communication Between Two Stations Telex Broadcasts to More Than One Receiving Station Telex Public Correspondence Selcall Numbers Manual Telex Calling Procedures Ship-to-shore telex calling Shore-to-ship telex calling Telex inter-ship communications Automatic Telex Calling Procedures Ship-to-shore automatic calling Shore-to-ship automatic calling Telex Transmission Format Telex Message Format FEC Operation Mode Acknowledgement of FEC Messages Telex Frequencies Telex Distress Frequencies Protection of Frequencies Test Transmissions Telex Answerback Modes of Telex Operation ARQ FEC SELFEC Direct Procedure for Initiating a Radio Telex Circuit to a Coast Station Traffic Lists on Telex Telex Commands, as Used in the Automatic Radio Telex System Telex Advice Codes, as Used in the Automatic Radio Telex System Charges for Telex Calls Current Status of Marine Radio Telex Radio Data Services 144 CHAPTER 7 RADIOTELEPHONY (RT) 147 Part I General Radiotelephony (RT) Procedure in the Maritime Mobile Service General Procedures Use of VHF at Sea RT: Station Identification Simplex and Duplex Ship-To-Shore RT Procedures Preliminary RT Operations RT Calls from Ships RT Calls from Coast Stations RT Traffic Lists Order of Working Repetition of Calls RT Call and Reply Frequency to Be Used for Call and Reply Bands between 1,605 KHz and 4,000 KHz Bands between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz VHF band ( MHz) 154 xiv

9 Contents 7.14 Indication of the Frequency to Be Used for Traffic Bands between 1,605 KHz and 4,000 KHz Bands between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz VHF band ( MHz) Agreeing the Frequency to Be Used for Traffic Reception Difficulties Sending Traffic Establishment of RT Calls Transmission of Radiotelegrams by RT Procedural Words Acknowledgement of Receipt Duration and Control of Working RT Tests Establishing RT Calls Using DSC On-Board Communications Pilot Service: Calling Procedure Port Operations and Ship Movement Services Port operations Ship movement service Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP) 159 Part II Maritime RT Bands: Use of Frequencies RT: Introduction Nomenclature of frequency bands used in radiocommunication SSB designation Bands Between 1,606.5 KHz and 4,000 KHz Mode of emission of stations Use of 2,182 KHz MF RT Working Frequencies in Region MF ship-to-shore and inter-ship working frequencies MF inter-ship working frequencies Bands Between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz Mode of emission of stations Call and reply Traffic HF transmission frequencies for Simplex Operation VHF Bands between 156 MHz And 174 MHz Call and reply Watch VHF Ch. 13 watch 163 CHAPTER 8 GENERAL REGULATIONS Radio Regulations Breach of Radio Regulations Infringements of the Radio Regulations OFCOM Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Avoidance of Interference Master s Authority Radio Secrecy Ship Radio Licences and Portable Radio Licences Inspection and Survey of Ship Radio and Ship Earth Stations Radio Documentation Documents to Be Carried on UK Ships Admiralty Lists of Radio Signals (ALRS) ALRS, Volume 1: Maritime Radio Stations Np281 (Parts 1 and 2) ALRS, Volume 2: Radio Aids to Navigational, Satellite Navigation Systems, Legal Time, Radio Time Signals and Electronic Position Fixing Systems NP xv

10 Contents ALRS, Volume 3: Maritime Safety Information Services NP283 (Parts 1 and 2) ALRS, Volume 4: Meteorological Observation Stations NP ALRS, Volume 5: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) NP ALRS, Volume 6: PILOT Services, Vessel Traffic Services and Port Operations NP286 (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7 and 8) Marine Notices (M-Notices) ITU Documents and Voyage Planning Documentation Voyage planning using documentation Radio Watch Radio Logbooks Keeping the log Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and Dates Used for Radiocommunications Radio Time Signals Test Transmissions Routine Testing of GMDSS Equipment Control of Working Order of Priority of Communications Closure of Ship Radio Stations Identification of Stations Telex Selective Call (SELCALL) Numbers Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Classes of Emission Radio Transmissions by Ships on UK Inland Waterways and in UK Harbours Broadcasting from Mobile Stations Amateur Radio Stations Aboard UK Ships Hours of Service of Coast Stations and Land Earth Stations Technical Requirements of Radio Apparatus Sources of Energy for Radio Equipment Radio Battery Capacity Uninterruptible Power Supplies Automatic Battery Chargers Electrical Interference Tools and Spare Parts General Requirements for Radio Installations Emergency Lighting for Radio Equipment Voluntary Radio Equipment Servicing Radio and Associated Electronic Equipment 191 CHAPTER 9 RADIO TRAFFIC 193 General Radiotelephone Traffic Telephone Credit Card Calls Priority of Radiotelephone Calls Charges for Radiocommunications Using the Terrestrial Services Special Charging Arrangements Radiotelegrams relating to medical advice Meteorological radiotelegrams Charges for Radiotelephone Calls Operator-connected calls Special charges Refunds for Calls Radiotelegrams Radiomaritime letters 196 xvi

11 Contents Radiotelephone and radiotelex calls Radiotelexograms Radiotelegram Service Radiotelegram Characters Classes of Radiotelegram Admitted Radiotelegram Addresses Urgent Radiotelegrams Poste Restante or Telegraphe Restant Address Paid Service Indicators Word Count in Radiotelegrams Radiotelegram Format Maritime Radio Accounting Accounting Authority Identification Code (AAIC) Providing AAIC information to coast stations Service Messages Non-Delivery of Telegrams Cancelling a Telegram at Sender s Request Service Advices Meteorological (OBS) Messages Radiomaritime Letters Radiotelexogram Radiotelexogram: information supplied to the land station by the calling party Radiotelex Service Telex Message Layout General Telex message format Sending fractions Sending percentages Repetition of important groups Starting a new line Correction of errors Cancelling a telex message Precautions to be observed when preparing perforated tape Non-standardised telex characters Radiotelex Letters (RTL) TR Information Supplied to Shore Stations Monetary Unit Ship Reporting Systems AMVER Messages Vessel Monitoring System for Fishing Vessels Radiocommunication between British Merchant Ships and HM Warships 208 CHAPTER 10 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES Introduction NAVTEX NAVTEX service for NAVAREA 1: transmission schedule on 518 KHz Weather Information via Enhanced Group Call (EGC) North Atlantic: METAREA 1 Broadcasts Meteorological Information from HM Coastguard Stations MF MSI broadcasts from MRCCs Gale Warnings Winter Forecasts for Fishing Fleets Other Met Office services Weather Routeing Services Reporting Weather Information Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Programme 214 xvii

12 Contents CHAPTER 11 ELECTRONIC POSITION FIXING SYSTEMS 215 General Updating Position in GMDSS Radio Equipment Global Positioning System (GPS) Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) Future Global Navigation Satellite Systems Galileo Compass IRNSS Integrated GNSS GNSS Augmentation Systems Differential GPS (DGPS) Satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) Loran-C E-Loran and Eurofix Integrated Loran-C and Satellite Navigation Systems Radar Beacons (Racons and Ramarks) Automatic Identification System (AIS) General Operation of AIS on board Guidelines on annual testing of the AIS UK Automatic Ship Identification and Reporting System Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) LRIT in the European Union 227 CHAPTER 12 CERTIFICATION Certification for Personnel of Ship Stations and Mobile Earth Stations Categories of Certificate for Ship Station and MES Operators on GMDSS Ships Condition for the Issue of Operator s Certificates Certificates of Competency and Service Qualifications of Radio Personnel Additional Knowledge/Training Requirements for RT Operators and Radio Officers Minimum Certification Requirements According to Vessel Type Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges (AMERC) Examination co-ordination centres (ECCS) Approved examination venues (AEVS) CEPT GMDSS General Operator s Certificate (GOC) Examination appeals procedure Outline examination syllabus Detailed examination syllabus CEPT GMDSS Restricted Operator s Certificate (ROC) Examination appeals procedure Outline examination syllabus Detailed examination syllabus Radio Certification for Non-SOLAS Vessels LRC SRC CEPT Long Range Certificate (LRC) Examination appeals procedure Outline examination syllabus Detailed examination syllabus ROC/LRC Satellite Module Syllabus CEPT Short Range Certificate (SRC) Outline examination syllabus Detailed examination syllabus 249 xviii

13 Contents UK Operator s Certificates and Authorities to Operate List of AMERC ECCs MNTB Electro Technical Officer (ETO) Certificate ETO Certificate of Competence 255 APPENDICES 1 IMO Guidelines for the Avoidance of False Distress Alerts GMDSS Distress, Urgency and Safety Frequencies United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Irish Rescue Centres Allocation of Maritime Identification Digit (MID) Series List of ITU International Telephone Dialling Codes List of International Telex Dialling Codes Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary International Morse Code Signals and Phonetic Alphabet Proposed 12.5 KHz Spacing of VHF Channels ITU MF RT Ship-To-Shore Working Channels ITU HF RT Duplex Working Channels List of MCA Authorised Persons for the Survey of Radio Installations on Passenger Ships, Fishing Vessels and Unclassed Cargo Vessels International Call Sign Series Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen (COSWP) 353 Index 357 xix

14 CHAPTER 1 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 1.1 GMDSS: OVERVIEW In 1988, the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1974 (SOLAS) was amended to include a new Chapter IV. This introduced the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which is now a well-established communication system. This new system introduced automatic distress alerting techniques utilising both terrestrial and satellite communications. In the GMDSS, greater emphasis is placed on ship-to-shore distress alerting while retaining the traditional ship-to-ship distress alerting method of former times. Under existing international agreements, ships are still obliged to assist vessels known to be in distress. However, within the GMDSS, rescue authorities ashore now assume the primary role of co-ordinating rescue operations at sea. The advantage of using automatic communication systems for alerting shore authorities during emergencies is that it dispenses with the need for manual aural watchkeeping. Within the GMDSS, a comprehensive communication system is provided for use during distress and search and rescue (SAR) operations globally. The world s maritime states installed the necessary shore-based infrastructure establishing maritime rescue co-ordination centres (MRCCs), which can respond to vessels in distress and co-ordinate SAR operations. Such centres are equipped with sophisticated communication capabilities that include digital selective calling (DSC) and satellite equipment to deal with any maritime contingency. GMDSS lays down nine specific functions that all ships need to be able to perform irrespective of in which sea area they will be operating. These functions are: (a) transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts (by at least two separate and independent means, each using a different radiocommunication service); (b) transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts; (c) receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts; (d) transmitting and receiving SAR co-ordinating communications; (e) transmitting and receiving on-scene communications; (f) transmission and receipt of locating signals; (g) receipt of maritime safety information (MSI); (h) transmitting and receiving general radio communications to and from shore-based radio systems or networks and to other ships; (i) transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications. It is mandatory for ships to be fitted with appropriate automated radiocommunication equipment in order that they can carry out these functions Search and rescue regions (SRRs) The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue of 1979 established an agreed international planned approach toward SAR, while SOLAS required signatories to provide rescue services and coast-watching services along their shorelines. Consequently, the world s ocean areas have been divided into search and rescue regions (SRRs). Each SRR has an MRCC that has primary responsibility for co-ordinating and controlling all maritime SAR activities. Extensive interconnecting communication links between MRCCs allow for the rapid and efficient dissemination of information between these centres. Such links take full advantage of the globally integrated satellite and terrestrial communications. The 1979 SAR Convention came into force in 1985 and provides for the co-ordination of SAR assistance to anyone in distress at sea, irrespective of their location, nationality or circumstances. 1

15 1.1 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) IAMSAR Manual The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have published a joint SAR manual, entitled the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (the IAMSAR Manual ). The IAMSAR Manual offers guidelines, rather than provisions, for a common maritime SAR policy, encouraging all coastal States to develop their organisations along similar lines, and enabling adjacent States to co-operate and provide mutual assistance. This Manual also takes into account that maritime and aeronautical SAR organisations are complementary, and the Manual has been aligned as closely as possible to ensure common policy in administrative and operational matters. It is published by the IMO and is available in four languages. The Manual consists of three volumes, as follows. Volume I: Organisation and Management discusses the concept of a global SAR system, the establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems, and co-operation with neighbouring States to provide effective and economical SAR services. Volume II: Mission Co-ordination assists personnel who plan and co-ordinate SAR operations and exercises. Volume III: Mobile Facilities is intended to be carried on board SAR rescue units, aircraft and vessels to help with performance of a search, rescue, or on-scene co-ordination function, and with aspects of SAR that pertain to their own emergencies. SOLAS, Chapter V ( Safety of Navigation ), Regulation 21, states: International Code of Signals and IAMSAR Manual 1. All ships which, in accordance with the present Convention, are required to carry a radio installation shall carry the International Code of Signals as may be amended by the Organization. The code shall also be carried by any other ship which, in the opinion of the Administration, has a need to use it. 2. All ships shall carry an up-to-date copy of Volume III of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual. The ICAO and the IMO s joint Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meets on a regular basis to update SAR procedures. The latest IAMSAR Manual (the 2013 edition) contains some draft amendments approved by these organisations that became applicable on the 1st June GMDSS SEA AREAS With GMDSS, it is the vessel s area of operation or trading pattern that determines the type of radiocommunication equipment fitted on board. To this end, four distinct sea areas have been designated based on the transmission range of the frequency band used for a particular communication system. Area A1 An area within radiotelephone coverage range of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous digital selective calling (DSC) alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government. Area A2 Excluding area A1, within radiotelephone coverage range of at least one shore-based MF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government. Area A3 This excludes areas A1 and A2. It is the area within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available (approximately 76 North to 76 South). Area A4 The remaining sea area outside areas A1, A2 and A3. Note: Although satellite communication is a major communication medium under the GMDSS, it is not the exclusive medium. Other automatic means are available, such as DSC, radiotelephone and radiotelex services. These three services all use the conventional terrestrial maritime frequency bands. 2

16 GMDSS Implementation GMDSS TERMINOLOGY Some examples of the terminology used in the GMDSS are as follows. Distress alert transmission This infers that a mobile unit, or a person, is in distress or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. In the terrestrial radiocommunication bands, a distress alert may be defined as a digital selective call using the distress call format. In the satellite service, a distress alert may be defined as a message using the distress format for relay through space stations. A Land Earth Station (LES) automatically detects a satellite distress alert and a satellite communication channel is immediately assigned. Therefore an end-to-end communication link from ship to rescue centre is established. The minimum information contained in a distress alert is the identification of the station in distress and its position. A mobile unit may be a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle. SAR co-ordinating communication This relates to communication between the ship in distress and the maritime rescue co-ordination centres (MRCCs), and ships and aircraft, taking part in SAR activities. It also includes communications to and from MRCCs by the on-scene co-ordinator in the distress area. Such communications may make use of satellite or terrestrial radiotelephony (RT) or radiotelex (narrow band direct printing, or NBDP) systems depending on equipment fitted and the sea area in which the incident occurs. The worldwide interconnection of MRCCs using SARNET is also included in the category of communication (see section 1.7.1). On-scene communications This type of communication generally relates to short-range communication between the distress ship and assisting units, and to communications associated with SAR activities. Normally, RT is used on the designated safety frequencies in the MF and VHF bands. However, radiotelex (NBDP) using forward error correction (FEC) may also be used on the designated safety frequency in the MF band. Locating signals These signals are sent from Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs) to greatly improve the chances of rescue. Also used are search and rescue transponders (SARTs), that act as homing devices to locate a distressed vessel and/ or survivors by transmitting signals that can be received as distinctive signals on the searching ship or aircraft s radar (see Chapter 4). Maritime safety information (MSI) GMDSS provides for dissemination of important navigational, meteorological information to shipping by automatic means on different frequency bands to ensure maximum coverage. It also includes shore-to-ship distress/ safety alerts. (For further details, see sections ) General radiocommunication This is designed to cope with what will be by far the most widely used of the nine functions listed in section 1.1 namely, general commercial radio traffic, either ship to shore, shore to ship, or inter-ship. This may be in the form of telephone, radiotelex, , data exchange, etc., on all of the necessary frequencies to provide a goodquality service. Bridge-to-bridge communications This is a VHF radiotelephone service available for intership communication on a worldwide basis, which must include Ch. 13 for safety of navigation. Channel 13 is the only channel that can be used within the GMDSS without transmitting a preceding DSC call on Ch. 70, and GMDSS ships should, where practicable, maintain a watch on this channel. This channel may also be used for ship movement and port operations communications, subject to national regulations of the relevant administration. 1.4 GMDSS IMPLEMENTATION The full implementation of GMDSS regulations occurred on 1 February 1999, applying to all ships over 300 gross tonnage and all passenger ships on international voyages subject to SOLAS. The objective of the system is for all ships to have compulsory communication equipment appropriate to their area of operations. The new GMDSS equipment permits rapid automatic alerting of shore authorities of distress situations at sea. 3

17 1.4 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Under the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998, reg. 3: (1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, these Regulations apply to (a) sea-going United Kingdom ships wherever they may be except while they are within the Great Lakes of North America and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as the lower exit of the St Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada; and (b) other seagoing ships while they are within United Kingdom waters. (2) These Regulations shall not apply to (a) troopships not registered in the United Kingdom; (b) ships not propelled by mechanical means; (c) pleasure vessels; (d) fishing vessels; (e) cargo ships of less than 300 tons; and (f) craft to which the Merchant Shipping (High-Speed Craft) Regulations 1996 apply. (3) Every ship the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction before 1st February 1995 shall (a) subject to paragraph (6) below, until the 1st February 1999 comply with either (i) the requirements of Part II of these Regulations, or (ii) the requirements of Part III of these Regulations, regulations 11(1)(d) (NAVTEX) and 11(1)(f) (satellite EPIRB), and the requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1980 or the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1986 (as appropriate) relating to the carriage of radar transponders, and (b) on or after 1st February 1999 comply with the requirements of Part II of these Regulations. (4) Subject to paragraph (6) below, every ship the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction on or after 1st February 1995 shall comply with the requirements of Part II of these Regulations. (5) Subject to paragraph (6) below, regulations 10, 11(4) and 19(2)(a) below shall apply to only United Kingdom passenger ships of Classes I, II and II(A) within the meaning of the 1984 Regulations wherever they may be and other passenger ships of those Classes while they are within United Kingdom waters. (6) Any passenger ship the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction before 1st July 1997 to which regulations 10 or 11(4) apply need not comply with the requirements of those regulations (as applicable) until the date of the first periodical survey after the date these Regulations come into force in respect of the ship. 1.5 SHIPBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR GMDSS Part C of the SOLAS Amendments of 1988 and Part II of the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998 provide information on the equipment required by GMDSS ships and the alternative arrangements permitted in the various sea areas. The following list is a general guide only, to allow operators to understand the range of equipment that they may encounter on board ship. Area A1 Area A2 4 (a) VHF radiotelephone (b) VHF DSC on Ch. 70 (c) VHF DSC watch receiver (d) SART (One) (e) NAVTEX receiver (f) Enhanced Group Call (EGC) equipment, required if outside NAVTEX coverage (g) Satellite EPIRB float free (h) Two-way VHF RT equipment for survival craft (a) VHF radiotelephone (b) VHF DSC on Ch. 70 (c) VHF DSC watch receiver (d) SART (One) (e) NAVTEX receiver (f) Enhanced Group Call (EGC) and printer equipment, required if outside NAVTEX coverage

18 Shipboard Equipment for GMDSS 1.5 (g) Satellite EPIRB float free (h) Two-way VHF RT equipment for survival craft (i) MF radiotelephone with DSC (j) MF watch receiver dedicated to 2,187.5 khz (k) MF DSC encoder/decoder (this may be combined with items (i) and (j) above) Area A3 (a) VHF radiotelephone (b) VHF DSC on Ch. 70 (c) VHF DSC watch receiver (d) SART (One) (e) NAVTEX receiver (f) Enhanced Group Call (EGC) and printer, required if outside NAVTEX coverage (g) Satellite EPIRB float free (h) Two-way VHF RT equipment for survival craft (i) MF radiotelephone with DSC (j) MF watch receiver dedicated to 2,187.5 khz on item (m) below (k) MF DSC encoder/decoder (this may be combined with items (i) and (j) above) (l) Inmarsat MES OR instead of (l) above: (m) MF/HF plus DSC (scanning watch) receiver plus narrow band direct printing (NBDP) Area A4 (a) VHF radiotelephone (b) VHF DSC on Ch. 70 (c) VHF DSC watch receiver (d) SART (One) (e) NAVTEX receiver (f) Satellite EPIRB float free (g) Two-way VHF RT equipment for survival craft (h) MF/HF radiotelephone with DSC (i) MF/HF radiotelex (NBDP) (j) MF/HF scanning DSC watch receiver Notes on equipment 1. VHF radiotelephones must be capable of transmitting and receiving DSC on Ch. 70 and RT on Chs 6, 13 and The DSC Ch. 70 VHF watchkeeping equipment may be separate or combined with item 1. above. 3. MF radio installation must be capable of transmitting and receiving DSC on 2,187.5 khz and RT on 2,182 khz for distress purposes. 4. The dedicated 2,187.5 khz DSC watchkeeping receiver may be separate or combined with DSC equipment in item 4 above. 5. MF/HF installations must be capable of transmitting and receiving on all distress and safety frequencies in the 1,605 27,500 khz range using DSC, RT. 6. MF/HF DSC watchkeeping receivers must be capable of receiving on the frequencies of 2,187.5 khz and 8,414.5 khz and at least one of the other HF DSC frequencies (4,207.5, 6,312, 12,577 or 16,804.5 khz). The receiver may be separate or combined with DSC equipment in item 6 above. 7. Ships constructed before 1 February 1997 and exclusively engaged on voyages within Areas A2, A3 and A4 may be granted exemptions from carrying DSC Ch. 70 VHF, provided that such ships maintain, where practicable, a continuous listening watch on Ch. 16 VHF. This watch shall be kept from the position at which the ship is normally navigated. 5

19 1.5 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 8. An amendment to SOLAS 1974 came into force on 1 February 1995 for new and existing ships: Provision of 9 GHz Search and Rescue Radar Transponder(s) (SART) All passenger ships and all cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and above must be provided with at least two 9 GHz radar transponders. At least one transponder must be provided for cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and above but less than 500 gross tonnage. Such transponders must conform to performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the IMO. Attention is drawn to the need to provide a means of mounting the transponder at least one metre above sea-level in all survival craft. (MSA, Radio and Radio Navigational Equipment: Amendments to SOLAS 74 Coming into Force on 1 February 1995 and 1 February 1999, Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1617) 9. The two-way VHF RT equipment for survival craft referred to above relate to VHF (waterproofed) walkie-talkies. Requirement for ships of gross tonnage is a minimum of two. For ships over 500 gross tonnage, the minimum requirement is three. Additional notes From 1 February 1995, all two-way VHF RT apparatus provided on all passenger ships and all cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and above, for use in survival craft, and which do not already conform to the performance standards adopted by the IMO, must at least be compatible with equipment conforming to those standards. As a minimum, therefore, all such apparatus must operate on the VHF distress and safety frequency MHz (Ch. 16) and two other channels (usually Chs 6 and 12) and be provided with a battery capable of operating for 8 hours at its highest rated output, with a duty cycle defined as a 6 sec. transmission, 6 sec. reception above squelch opening level, and 48 sec. reception below squelch opening level, or must be provided with one or more batteries of the same capacity. Any new equipment supplied to fulfil this requirement must conform to the IMO performance standards. All radio equipment and radar transponders installed on UK ships must be of a type that is approved by Ofcom to a specification that incorporates the relevant IMO requirements. Similarly, all radar equipment must conform to a standard incorporating the IMO requirements and be approved by the MSA. The MCA s Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.1714 (M) gives further details Port state control After 1 February 1999, foreign vessels not suitably equipped for GMDSS or which do not possess a valid exemption provided under SOLAS, Chapter IV, Regulation 3, will be liable to detention in UK ports. A copy of the exemption should be carried on board and made available during inspection. UK ships will be liable to similar sanctions when inspected abroad Position updating From 1 July 2002, an amendment to SOLAS was adopted and a new Regulation 18 added after existing Regulation 17: All two-way communication equipment carried on board a ship to which this chapter applies which is capable of automatically including the ship s position in the distress alert shall be automatically provided with this information from an internal or external navigation receiver, if either is installed. If such a receiver is not installed, the ship s position and the time at which the position was determined shall be manually updated at intervals not exceeding 4 h, while the ship is under way, so that it is always ready for transmission by the equipment Implementation of SOLAS for passenger ships With effect from 1 July 1997, a number of amendments to SOLAS 1974 came into force relating to the enhancement of safety on passenger ships. These included certain amendments to those provisions of SOLAS relating to radio installations. These amendments will be applied to all United Kingdom passenger ships of Class I, II and II(A) by means, generally speaking, of incorporation into or amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations

20 SOLAS, Chapter IV, Regulation 6(4) Shipboard Equipment for GMDSS In passenger ships, a distress panel shall be installed at the conning position. This panel shall contain either one single button which, when pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radiocommunications installations required on board for that purpose or one button for each individual installation. The panel shall clearly and visually indicate whenever any button or buttons have been pressed. Means shall be provided to prevent inadvertent activation of the button or buttons. If the satellite EPIRB is used as the secondary means of distress alerting and is not remotely activated, it shall be acceptable to have an additional EPIRB installed in the wheelhouse near the conning position. UK interpretation Existing equipment provided with distinct alerting facilities (that is, buttons on the front panel), which will transmit a distress alert on pressing without further action from the operator (that is, without requiring the manual tuning of the relevant VHF transmitter), will be acceptable. Electronic switching to enable or disable particular radio installations to be used for distress alerting time from a single button is acceptable provided that there is means to indicate which installations are enabled or disabled at any point of time. Where multiple buttons are provided, each must be clearly marked with details of the installations to which they refer. Multiple panels are acceptable provided that they are co-located. Existing arrangements to prevent inadvertent activation of the distress alert facilities remain acceptable, as do the indications of activation, unless equipment is subsequently replaced. For existing ships not provided with a distinct conning position (that is, a position in which the ships navigating staff would normally sit during any passage), this panel, panels or equipment must be: (a) located within the area used for the navigation of the ship that is, not in a separate cabin (unless access doors are removed) or upstairs/downstairs; and (b) illuminated by the electrical lighting required by regulation 9(1)(d) of the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations This states: 9. (1) Every radio installation shall (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... All new ships and existing ships provided with a distinct conning position are to be provided with dedicated distress alerting panels located within the main navigation console(s); the conning position is understood to be the location in which the officer of the watch is likely to perform his or her duties. For all ships, an additional satellite EPIRB is to be provided in the wheelhouse if used to fulfil the requirements for a secondary means of distress alerting, unless the existing EPIRB is remotely activated. Alternatively, if fitted, an alternative radio communications system may be selected, for example, Inmarsat or, if certified for operations only in sea area A1, VHF DSC. SOLAS, Chapter IV, Regulation 6(5): Provision of ship s position information 5 In passenger ships, information on the ship s position shall be continuously and automatically provided to all relevant radiocommunication equipment to be included in the initial distress alert when the button or buttons on the distress panel is pressed. UK interpretation With the sole exception of satellite EPIRBs, all radio installations to be used for generating distress alerts are to be provided with facilities to continuously and automatically update the ship s position for inclusion in any distress alert. This position information may be derived from any source suitable for use throughout all intended voyages. Existing equipment unable to support this facility is to be replaced. SOLAS, Chapter IV, Regulation 6(6): Distress alarm panel 6 In passenger ships, a distress alarm panel shall be installed at the conning position. The distress alarm panel shall provide visual and aural indication of any distress alerts transmitted or received on board and shall also indicate through which radiocommunication service the distress alerts have been made. 7