Marine Radio Communication

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 www.routledge.com/informalaw 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 2012. 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

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 10017 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 1988. 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 978-1-138-78753-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-315-76639-3 (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.L38 2015 384.53 dc23 2014025819 ISBN 978-1-138-78753-7 eisbn 978-1-31576-639-3 Typeset in New Century Schoolbook by RefineCatch Limited, Bungay, Suffolk

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) 1 1.1 GMDSS: Overview 1 1.1.1 Search and rescue regions (SRRs) 1 1.1.2 IAMSAR Manual 2 1.2 GMDSS Sea Areas 2 1.3 GMDSS Terminology 3 1.4 GMDSS Implementation 3 1.5 Shipboard Equipment for GMDSS 4 1.5.1 Port state control 6 1.5.2 Position updating 6 1.5.3 Implementation of SOLAS for passenger ships 6 1.5.4 EPIRBs on fishing vessels 8 1.5.5 Recommended GMDSS equipment for small craft 8 1.6 Minimum GMDSS Personnel Requirements for Ships Stations and MESs 9 1.7 Role of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) 10 1.7.1 SARNET 10 1.7.2 Registration database for GMDSS 11 1.8 GMDSS Master Plan 12 1.9 Availability and Maintenance of GMDSS Equipment: Terminology 12 1.10 Availability and Serviceability of GMDSS Equipment 13 1.10.1 MCA requirements for companies offering SBM of radio equipment under the GMDSS 14 1.11 Availability of GMDSS Equipment: Further Requirements 16 1.12 False Distress Alerts 16 1.12.1 Action to be taken by owners, masters and skippers 17 1.13 False Distress Alerts: Reporting Procedures 17 1.13.1 Other problems: misuse of DSC acknowledgement 18 1.13.2 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 21 2.1 General Operational Procedures 21 2.1.1 Authority of the master 21 2.2 Distress Alerting 21 2.2.1 Radiotelephony distress call 22 2.2.2 Radiotelephony distress message 22 2.2.3 Radiotelex distress message 23 2.3 Shore-To-Ship Distress Alert Relay 23 2.4 Distress Alert by a Station Not Itself in Distress 23 2.4.1 Radiotelephony distress relay 24 2.5 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Distress Alerts 24 2.5.1 General information 24 2.5.2 Satellite service 25 2.5.3 DSC 25 2.5.4 Ships reactions on receipt of a distress alert 25 ix

Contents 2.6 Acknowledgement by Radiotelephony and Radio Telex 25 2.6.1 Radiotelephony 25 2.6.2 Radiotelex 26 2.7 Acknowledging Receipt of Distress Alerts by Coast Station or LES 26 2.7.1 Satellite service 26 2.7.2 DSC 26 2.8 Acknowledging Receipt of Distress Alerts by Ship Station or MES 26 2.9 Preparations for Handling Distress Traffic 27 2.10 Distress Traffic 27 2.10.1 Satellite service avoiding interference to distress traffic 28 2.11 Imposing Silence 28 2.12 Resumption of Normal Working 28 2.13 False Distress Alert Sent by DSC 29 2.14 On-scene Communications 29 2.15 On-scene Co-ordinator 30 2.16 Search and Rescue Situation Reports (SITREPs) 30 2.17 Shore-To-Ship Distress Communications with MRCC 31 2.18 Locating and Homing Signals 31 2.19 Charging for Distress Communication 31 2.20 Operational Procedures for Urgency Messages Under the GMDSS 32 2.21 Operational Procedures for Safety Messages in the GMDSS 34 2.22 Medical Transports 36 2.23 Inter-ship Safety of Navigation Communication 37 2.24 Medical Advice: General Information 37 2.24.1 Request for additional information from shore medical authorities 38 2.25 MEDEVAC: General Information 38 2.25.1 MEDEVAC: Information to be furnished to MRCC 38 2.25.2 Radiocommunication with helicopters 39 2.26 Medical Advice via Inmarsat 40 2.27 Medical Assistance via Inmarsat 40 2.28 Medical Advice via UK Coastguard Stations 40 2.29 Medical Assistance via UK Coastguard Stations 41 2.30 Identification of Neutral Ships or Aircraft in War Zones 41 2.31 Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea: Use of Radio 42 2.31.1 Automatic Identification System (AIS) 44 2.31.2 Piracy Reporting Centre 44 2.31.3 Message format for piracy alert reports 44 2.31.4 Reporting incidents 45 2.31.5 Location of advice 46 2.32 Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) 46 Part II Use of Frequencies for Distress, Urgency and Safety 47 2.33 GMDSS: General Provisions 47 2.34 Distress Frequencies 47 2.35 Aeronautical Frequencies 48 2.36 GMDSS: VHF Channel Usage 49 2.37 Satellite Service 49 2.38 Survival Craft and GMDSS 50 2.39 Distress and Safety Communications: Protection of Frequencies 50 2.40 GMDSS General Watchkeeping Arrangements 50 2.41 Maritime Service Information Registration 51 CHAPTER 3 DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) 53 3.1 Digital Selective Calling: Introduction 53 3.2 DSC Digital Coding 54 3.2.1 Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) 54 x

Contents Part I DSC Distress, Urgency and Safety Alerting 54 3.3 Distress Alerting by DSC: General Information 54 3.4 DSC Distress Alerts 56 3.5 Format of DSC Distress Alert Acknowledgement by Coast Stations 56 3.6 Acknowledgement of Received DSC Distress Alert by Ship Stations 57 3.7 Distress Traffic 58 3.8 Re-broadcast of Distress Information by Coast Stations 58 3.9 HF Distress Alerting 58 3.10 DSC Urgency Alerts 58 3.11 Urgency Messages and DSC 59 3.11.1 Reception of urgency alert by DSC 59 3.12 DSC Safety Alerts 59 3.12.1 Reception of safety alerts by DSC 60 3.13 DSC Watchkeeping Arrangements 60 3.14 DSC Scanning Receivers 60 3.15 UK Distress and Safety Watchkeeping Arrangements 60 3.15.1 HF DSC Watchkeeping Arrangements 62 3.16 Distress Procedure using DSC and RT on VHF 62 3.16.1 By ship in distress in GMDSS area A1 62 3.16.2 By ship receiving a VHF DSC distress alert in GMDSS area A1 62 3.17 Distress Procedure Using DSC and RT on MF 62 3.17.1 By ship in distress in GMDSS area A2 63 3.17.2 By ship receiving a distress alert in GMDSS area A2 63 3.18 Distress Procedure Using DSC and RT on HF 63 3.18.1 By ship in distress in GMDSS areas A3 or A4 63 3.18.2 By ship receiving an HF DSC distress alert in GMDSS areas A3 or A4 64 3.19 Ship-To-Ship Distress Alerting in Sea Areas A3 or A4 64 3.19.1 By distress ship 65 3.19.2 By ship receiving a ship-to-ship distress alert 65 Part II Routine DSC Procedure 65 3.20 Conditions Relating to DSC Equipment 65 3.21 DSC: Use of Frequencies 65 3.22 MF DSC: Bands Between 415 KHz and 526.5 khz 66 3.22.1 Call and acknowledgement 66 3.22.2 Watch 66 3.23 Bands between 1,606.5 KHz and 4,000 KHz 66 3.23.1 Call and acknowledgement 66 3.23.2 Watch 67 3.24 HF DSC: Bands Between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz 67 3.24.1 Call and acknowledgement 67 3.24.2 Watch 67 3.25 VHF DSC: Bands Between 156 MHz and 174 MHz 69 3.25.1 Call and acknowledgement 69 3.25.2 Watch 69 3.26 DSC Regulations: Method of Calling 69 3.26.1 Format of routine DSC calls 69 3.27 DSC Regulations: Acknowledgement of Routine Calls 70 3.27.1 National calling 70 3.28 DSC Shore-To-Ship Calls 70 3.29 Ship Receives DSC Call from a Coast Station 71 3.30 Routine Ship-To-Shore DSC Calls 72 3.30.1 Routine DSC ship-to-ship calls 73 3.31 DSC Watchkeeping: Routine Calls 73 3.32 DSC Routine Calls for Automatic Connection 73 3.33 DSC Testing 73 3.34 DSC: European Testing Arrangements 74 xi

Contents CHAPTER 4 SAFETY-RELATED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES 75 4.1 Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB): Introduction 75 4.2 Cospas-Sarsat: Introduction 75 4.3 Cospas-Sarsat: Coverage Mode 77 4.4 Cospas-Sarsat: 406 MHz Beacons 77 4.5 Cospas-Sarsat: General Information 80 4.5.1 Future MEOSAR enhancement of the Cospas-Sarsat system 80 4.6 Cospas-Sarsat: MCCs 81 4.6.1 Ship security alert 82 4.7 Cospas-Sarsat: Satellite Information 82 4.8 Cospas-Sarsat: Termination of Satellite Alerting Service on 121.5 MHz 82 4.9 EPIRBs: Routine Maintenance and Checks 82 4.9.1 EPIRBs: Beacon test facilities 82 4.10 EPIRBs: Further Maintenance Requirements 83 4.10.1 EPIRBs: MSC Guidelines for Shore-based Maintenance Providers for Satellite EPIRBS 83 4.10.2 EPIRBs: MSC Guidelines on Annual Testing of 406 MHz Satellite EPIRBs 85 4.10.3 Clarification on EPIRB maintenance and testing 85 4.11 EPIRB Registration 86 4.11.1 UK EPIRB registration 87 4.12 Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTS) 88 4.12.1 SART signals at close range 88 4.12.2 Factors that increase the visibility of a SART 89 4.13 Automatic Identification System (AIS) SARTS 89 4.13.1 Reception of AIS SART signals 90 4.14 SARTS: Tests and Checks 91 4.15 Maritime Safety Information (MSI) 91 4.16 NAVTEX 92 4.16.1 Abbreviations used in NAVTEX messages 94 4.17 Enhanced Group Call (EGC) 95 4.17.1 Setting up the EGC receiver 97 4.18 MSI in UK Waters 97 4.19 World Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) 98 4.19.1 METAREAs 98 4.20 Portable Hand-held Survival Craft VHF Transceivers 100 CHAPTER 5 SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS 101 General 101 5.1 Master s Authority 101 5.2 Inmarsat PLC 101 5.3 International Maritime Satellite Organization (IMSO) 101 5.4 Satellite Frequencies 102 5.5 Land Earth Stations 102 5.6 Antenna Alignment 102 5.7 Inmarsat Mobile Numbers (IMN) 103 5.8 Multiple Identity of a Single MES 103 Part I Satellite Systems Currently Compliant with the GMDSS 103 5.9 Inmarsat Space Segment for GMDSS 103 5.10 Inmarsat Priority Indicators 105 5.11 Inmarsat-F (Fleet) System 105 5.12 Fleet 77 Services 105 5.13 Fleet LES Access Codes 106 5.14 Fleet F77 Distress Procedure 107 5.15 Inmarsat-B System 107 5.16 Inmarsat-B Services 108 5.17 Inmarsat-B LES Access Codes (also Used by Inmarsat-M) 108 xii

Contents 5.18 Inmarsat-B Telex Distress Message Generator (DMG) 109 5.19 Inmarsat-B Distress Transmission Procedure 109 5.19.1 Telephony 109 5.19.2 Telex 109 5.20 Inmarsat-C System 110 5.21 Inmarsat-C Services 111 5.22 Inmarsat-C LES Access Codes 111 5.23 Inmarsat-C Distress Alerting 111 5.23.1 Using the remote distress button(s) on the MES 112 5.23.2 Using the edit facilities on the MES terminal 112 5.24 Inmarsat-C Distress Priority Message 113 5.25 Inmarsat-C Special Access Codes 113 5.26 Inmarsat-C Logging On/Off 113 5.27 Inmarsat-C Communications 114 5.28 Inmarsat-C Message Addresses 114 5.29 Inmarsat-C Non-Delivery Notification Codes 114 5.30 Inmarsat Mini-C System 116 Part II Inmarsat Satellite Systems Not Currently Compliant with the GMDSS 116 5.31 Fleet 55 (F55) System and Services 116 5.32 Fleet 33 (F33) System and Services 116 5.33 Fleet Broadband System and Services 118 5.34 Fleet Broadband 505 Safety Service 119 5.35 Fleetphone System and Services 119 5.36 Inmarsat-M System and Services 119 5.37 Inmarsat-M Distress Urgency and Safety Alerting 120 5.38 Inmarsat Mini-M System and Services 120 Part III Using Inmarsat Equipment 120 5.39 Inmarsat Urgency and Safety Procedures 120 5.40 Inmarsat Telephony Two-Digit Codes 121 5.41 Telephone Calls via Inmarsat 123 5.42 Telephone Calls to Another MES 123 5.43 Single Network Access Code (SNAC) 124 5.44 Telephone Calls to Ships Fitted with VHF/MF/HF RT Equipment 124 5.45 Charges for Inmarsat Telephone Calls 124 5.45.1 Automatically connected calls 124 5.45.2 Operator-connected calls 124 5.46 Data Communications via Inmarsat 124 5.47 Data Network Identification Codes (DNIC) 124 5.48 Facsimile via Inmarsat 124 5.49 Telex via Inmarsat 125 5.50 Inmarsat Telex Two-Digit Codes 125 5.51 Telex Answerbacks 127 5.52 Telex Calls Via Inmarsat-B 127 5.53 Telex Dialling 128 5.54 Format of Radiotelegrams, AMVER and Medical Messages 128 5.55 Telex and Greetings Telex Letters 129 5.56 Terminating Inmarsat Telex Calls 130 5.57 Inmarsat Telex Calls to Another MES 130 5.58 Inmarsat Telex Ocean Region Codes 130 5.59 Inmarsat Telex Calls to Ships Fitted with MF/HF Equipment 130 5.60 Inmarsat Telex Service Fault Codes 131 Part IV Future of Maritime Satellite Communication Systems 131 5.61 Prospective GMDSS Satellite Service Provision 131 5.62 Iridium Satellite System 131 5.63 Iridium Services 133 5.64 Iridium Openport and Pilot 133 xiii

Contents CHAPTER 6 RADIO TELEX AND RADIO DATA SERVICES 135 General 135 6.1 Avoidance of Interference 135 6.2 Telex Modes of Emission 135 6.2.1 Bands between 415 KHz and 535 KHz 135 6.2.2 Bands between 1,605 KHz 4,000 KHz and 4,000 KHz 27,500 KHz 135 6.3 Telex Communication Between Two Stations 135 6.4 Telex Broadcasts to More Than One Receiving Station 135 6.5 Telex Public Correspondence 136 6.6 Selcall Numbers 136 6.7 Manual Telex Calling Procedures 136 6.7.1 Ship-to-shore telex calling 136 6.7.2 Shore-to-ship telex calling 136 6.7.3 Telex inter-ship communications 136 6.8 Automatic Telex Calling Procedures 137 6.8.1 Ship-to-shore automatic calling 137 6.8.2 Shore-to-ship automatic calling 137 6.9 Telex Transmission Format 137 6.10 Telex Message Format 137 6.11 FEC Operation Mode 137 6.12 Acknowledgement of FEC Messages 137 6.13 Telex Frequencies 138 6.14 Telex Distress Frequencies 138 6.15 Protection of Frequencies 138 6.16 Test Transmissions 138 6.17 Telex Answerback 139 6.18 Modes of Telex Operation 139 6.18.1 ARQ 139 6.18.2 FEC 139 6.18.3 SELFEC 140 6.18.4 Direct 140 6.19 Procedure for Initiating a Radio Telex Circuit to a Coast Station 140 6.20 Traffic Lists on Telex 140 6.21 Telex Commands, as Used in the Automatic Radio Telex System 140 6.22 Telex Advice Codes, as Used in the Automatic Radio Telex System 142 6.23 Charges for Telex Calls 144 6.24 Current Status of Marine Radio Telex 144 6.25 Radio Data Services 144 CHAPTER 7 RADIOTELEPHONY (RT) 147 Part I General Radiotelephony (RT) Procedure in the Maritime Mobile Service 147 7.1 General Procedures 147 7.2 Use of VHF at Sea 147 7.3 RT: Station Identification 150 7.4 Simplex and Duplex 150 7.5 Ship-To-Shore RT Procedures 150 7.6 Preliminary RT Operations 150 7.7 RT Calls from Ships 151 7.8 RT Calls from Coast Stations 151 7.9 RT Traffic Lists 151 7.10 Order of Working 152 7.11 Repetition of Calls 152 7.12 RT Call and Reply 152 7.13 Frequency to Be Used for Call and Reply 153 7.13.1 Bands between 1,605 KHz and 4,000 KHz 153 7.13.2 Bands between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz 153 7.13.3 VHF band (156 174 MHz) 154 xiv

Contents 7.14 Indication of the Frequency to Be Used for Traffic 154 7.14.1 Bands between 1,605 KHz and 4,000 KHz 154 7.14.2 Bands between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz 154 7.14.3 VHF band (156 174 MHz) 154 7.15 Agreeing the Frequency to Be Used for Traffic 155 7.16 Reception Difficulties 155 7.17 Sending Traffic 155 7.18 Establishment of RT Calls 156 7.19 Transmission of Radiotelegrams by RT 156 7.20 Procedural Words 156 7.21 Acknowledgement of Receipt 157 7.22 Duration and Control of Working 157 7.23 RT Tests 157 7.24 Establishing RT Calls Using DSC 158 7.25 On-Board Communications 158 7.26 Pilot Service: Calling Procedure 158 7.27 Port Operations and Ship Movement Services 158 7.27.1 Port operations 158 7.27.2 Ship movement service 159 7.28 Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP) 159 Part II Maritime RT Bands: Use of Frequencies 159 7.29 RT: Introduction 159 7.29.1 Nomenclature of frequency bands used in radiocommunication 159 7.29.2 SSB designation 160 7.30 Bands Between 1,606.5 KHz and 4,000 KHz 160 7.30.1 Mode of emission of stations 160 7.30.2 Use of 2,182 KHz 160 7.31 MF RT Working Frequencies in Region 1 161 7.31.1 MF ship-to-shore and inter-ship working frequencies 161 7.31.2 MF inter-ship working frequencies 161 7.32 Bands Between 4,000 KHz and 27,500 KHz 161 7.32.1 Mode of emission of stations 161 7.32.2 Call and reply 162 7.32.3 Traffic 162 7.32.4 HF transmission frequencies for Simplex Operation 162 7.33 VHF Bands between 156 MHz And 174 MHz 163 7.33.1 Call and reply 163 7.33.2 Watch 163 7.33.3 VHF Ch. 13 watch 163 CHAPTER 8 GENERAL REGULATIONS 165 8.1 Radio Regulations 165 8.2 Breach of Radio Regulations 165 8.3 Infringements of the Radio Regulations 165 8.4 OFCOM 165 8.5 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) 166 8.6 Avoidance of Interference 166 8.7 Master s Authority 167 8.8 Radio Secrecy 167 8.9 Ship Radio Licences and Portable Radio Licences 167 8.10 Inspection and Survey of Ship Radio and Ship Earth Stations 168 8.11 Radio Documentation 171 8.12 Documents to Be Carried on UK Ships 171 8.13 Admiralty Lists of Radio Signals (ALRS) 172 8.13.1 ALRS, Volume 1: Maritime Radio Stations Np281 (Parts 1 and 2) 172 8.13.2 ALRS, Volume 2: Radio Aids to Navigational, Satellite Navigation Systems, Legal Time, Radio Time Signals and Electronic Position Fixing Systems NP282 172 xv

Contents 8.13.3 ALRS, Volume 3: Maritime Safety Information Services NP283 (Parts 1 and 2) 172 8.13.4 ALRS, Volume 4: Meteorological Observation Stations NP284 172 8.13.5 ALRS, Volume 5: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) NP285 172 8.13.6 ALRS, Volume 6: PILOT Services, Vessel Traffic Services and Port Operations NP286 (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7 and 8) 173 8.14 Marine Notices (M-Notices) 173 8.15 ITU Documents and Voyage Planning 173 8.15.1 Documentation 173 8.15.2 Voyage planning using documentation 174 8.16 Radio Watch 175 8.17 Radio Logbooks 176 8.17.1 Keeping the log 178 8.18 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and Dates Used for Radiocommunications 178 8.19 Radio Time Signals 178 8.20 Test Transmissions 178 8.21 Routine Testing of GMDSS Equipment 179 8.22 Control of Working 179 8.23 Order of Priority of Communications 180 8.24 Closure of Ship Radio Stations 180 8.25 Identification of Stations 180 8.26 Telex Selective Call (SELCALL) Numbers 182 8.27 Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) 182 8.28 Classes of Emission 185 8.29 Radio Transmissions by Ships on UK Inland Waterways and in UK Harbours 186 8.30 Broadcasting from Mobile Stations 186 8.31 Amateur Radio Stations Aboard UK Ships 186 8.32 Hours of Service of Coast Stations and Land Earth Stations 187 8.33 Technical Requirements of Radio Apparatus 187 8.34 Sources of Energy for Radio Equipment 187 8.35 Radio Battery Capacity 188 8.36 Uninterruptible Power Supplies 189 8.37 Automatic Battery Chargers 189 8.38 Electrical Interference 190 8.39 Tools and Spare Parts 190 8.40 General Requirements for Radio Installations 190 8.41 Emergency Lighting for Radio Equipment 191 8.42 Voluntary Radio Equipment 191 8.43 Servicing Radio and Associated Electronic Equipment 191 CHAPTER 9 RADIO TRAFFIC 193 General 193 9.1 Radiotelephone Traffic 193 9.2 Telephone Credit Card Calls 194 9.3 Priority of Radiotelephone Calls 194 9.4 Charges for Radiocommunications Using the Terrestrial Services 194 9.5 Special Charging Arrangements 194 9.5.1 Radiotelegrams relating to medical advice 195 9.5.2 Meteorological radiotelegrams 195 9.6 Charges for Radiotelephone Calls 195 9.6.1 Operator-connected calls 195 9.6.2 Special charges 196 9.7 Refunds for Calls 196 9.7.1 Radiotelegrams 196 9.7.2 Radiomaritime letters 196 xvi

Contents 9.7.3 Radiotelephone and radiotelex calls 196 9.7.4 Radiotelexograms 196 9.8 Radiotelegram Service 197 9.9 Radiotelegram Characters 197 9.10 Classes of Radiotelegram Admitted 197 9.11 Radiotelegram Addresses 198 9.12 Urgent Radiotelegrams 198 9.13 Poste Restante or Telegraphe Restant Address 198 9.14 Paid Service Indicators 199 9.15 Word Count in Radiotelegrams 199 9.16 Radiotelegram Format 200 9.17 Maritime Radio Accounting 200 9.17.1 Accounting Authority Identification Code (AAIC) 201 9.17.2 Providing AAIC information to coast stations 201 9.18 Service Messages 201 9.19 Non-Delivery of Telegrams 201 9.20 Cancelling a Telegram at Sender s Request 202 9.21 Service Advices 202 9.22 Meteorological (OBS) Messages 202 9.23 Radiomaritime Letters 203 9.24 Radiotelexogram 203 9.24.1 Radiotelexogram: information supplied to the land station by the calling party 203 9.25 Radiotelex Service 204 9.26 Telex Message Layout 204 9.26.1 General 204 9.26.2 Telex message format 204 9.26.3 Sending fractions 204 9.26.4 Sending percentages 205 9.26.5 Repetition of important groups 205 9.26.6 Starting a new line 205 9.26.7 Correction of errors 205 9.26.8 Cancelling a telex message 205 9.26.9 Precautions to be observed when preparing perforated tape 206 9.26.10 Non-standardised telex characters 206 9.27 Radiotelex Letters (RTL) 206 9.28 TR Information Supplied to Shore Stations 206 9.29 Monetary Unit 207 9.30 Ship Reporting Systems 207 9.31 AMVER Messages 207 9.32 Vessel Monitoring System for Fishing Vessels 208 9.33 Radiocommunication between British Merchant Ships and HM Warships 208 CHAPTER 10 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES 209 10.1 Introduction 209 10.2 NAVTEX 209 10.2.1 NAVTEX service for NAVAREA 1: transmission schedule on 518 KHz 209 10.3 Weather Information via Enhanced Group Call (EGC) 210 10.4 North Atlantic: METAREA 1 Broadcasts 210 10.5 Meteorological Information from HM Coastguard Stations 212 10.5.1 MF MSI broadcasts from MRCCs 212 10.6 Gale Warnings 213 10.7 Winter Forecasts for Fishing Fleets 213 10.7.1 Other Met Office services 213 10.8 Weather Routeing Services 213 10.9 Reporting Weather Information 214 10.10 Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Programme 214 xvii

Contents CHAPTER 11 ELECTRONIC POSITION FIXING SYSTEMS 215 General 215 11.1 Updating Position in GMDSS Radio Equipment 215 11.2 Global Positioning System (GPS) 215 11.3 Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) 216 11.4 Future Global Navigation Satellite Systems 216 11.4.1 Galileo 216 11.4.2 Compass 217 11.4.3 IRNSS 217 11.5 Integrated GNSS 217 11.6 GNSS Augmentation Systems 217 11.6.1 Differential GPS (DGPS) 217 11.6.2 Satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) 218 11.7 Loran-C 219 11.8 E-Loran and Eurofix 220 11.9 Integrated Loran-C and Satellite Navigation Systems 221 11.10 Radar Beacons (Racons and Ramarks) 222 11.11 Automatic Identification System (AIS) 222 11.11.1 General 222 11.11.2 Operation of AIS on board 223 11.11.3 Guidelines on annual testing of the AIS 224 11.12 UK Automatic Ship Identification and Reporting System 225 11.13 Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) 225 11.14 LRIT in the European Union 227 CHAPTER 12 CERTIFICATION 229 12.1 Certification for Personnel of Ship Stations and Mobile Earth Stations 229 12.2 Categories of Certificate for Ship Station and MES Operators on GMDSS Ships 229 12.3 Condition for the Issue of Operator s Certificates 229 12.4 Certificates of Competency and Service Qualifications of Radio Personnel 230 12.5 Additional Knowledge/Training Requirements for RT Operators and Radio Officers 231 12.6 Minimum Certification Requirements According to Vessel Type 231 12.7 Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges (AMERC) 232 12.7.1 Examination co-ordination centres (ECCS) 233 12.7.2 Approved examination venues (AEVS) 233 12.8 CEPT GMDSS General Operator s Certificate (GOC) 233 12.8.1 Examination appeals procedure 233 12.8.2 Outline examination syllabus 233 12.8.3 Detailed examination syllabus 234 12.9 CEPT GMDSS Restricted Operator s Certificate (ROC) 239 12.9.1 Examination appeals procedure 240 12.9.2 Outline examination syllabus 240 12.9.3 Detailed examination syllabus 240 12.10 Radio Certification for Non-SOLAS Vessels 243 12.10.1 LRC 243 12.10.2 SRC 243 12.11 CEPT Long Range Certificate (LRC) 244 12.11.1 Examination appeals procedure 244 12.11.2 Outline examination syllabus 244 12.11.3 Detailed examination syllabus 245 12.12 ROC/LRC Satellite Module 248 12.12.1 Syllabus 248 12.13 CEPT Short Range Certificate (SRC) 248 12.13.1 Outline examination syllabus 249 12.13.2 Detailed examination syllabus 249 xviii

Contents 12.14 UK Operator s Certificates and Authorities to Operate 251 12.15 List of AMERC ECCs 252 12.16 MNTB Electro Technical Officer (ETO) Certificate 252 12.16.1 ETO Certificate of Competence 255 APPENDICES 1 IMO Guidelines for the Avoidance of False Distress Alerts 257 2 GMDSS Distress, Urgency and Safety Frequencies 261 3 United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Irish Rescue Centres 263 4 Allocation of Maritime Identification Digit (MID) Series 269 5 List of ITU International Telephone Dialling Codes 279 6 List of International Telex Dialling Codes 293 7 Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary 309 8 International Morse Code Signals and Phonetic Alphabet 319 9 Proposed 12.5 KHz Spacing of VHF Channels 323 10 ITU MF RT Ship-To-Shore Working Channels 329 11 ITU HF RT Duplex Working Channels 331 12 List of MCA Authorised Persons for the Survey of Radio Installations on Passenger Ships, Fishing Vessels and Unclassed Cargo Vessels 339 13 International Call Sign Series 343 14 Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen (COSWP) 353 Index 357 xix

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. 1.1.1 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

1.1 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 1.1.2 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 2012. 1.2 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

GMDSS Implementation 1.4 1.3 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 4.15 4.17.) 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, email, 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

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

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 16. 2. 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

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 300 500 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 156.8 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. 1.5.1 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. 1.5.2 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. 1.5.3 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 1998. 6

SOLAS, Chapter IV, Regulation 6(4) Shipboard Equipment for GMDSS 1.5 4 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 1998. 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