{"id":"tas:sr-2022-084","name":"Marine and Safety (Radio) Regulations 2022","slug":"marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"84 of 2022","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":179743,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2022-084-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> These regulations may be cited as the [Marine and Safety (Radio) Regulations 2022](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2022-084) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> These regulations take effect on 20 December 2022.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> In these regulations –\n> \n> > ***ACMA*** means the Australian Communications and Media Authority established under the *Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005* of the Commonwealth;\n> \n> > ***Act*** means the [Marine and Safety Authority Act 1997](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-015) ;\n> \n> > ***Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology*** means the Bureau of that name established under the *Meteorology Act 1955* of the Commonwealth;\n> \n> > ***limited coast marine rescue station*** means a land station, within the meaning of the *Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015* of the Commonwealth, established for the purpose of communication with vessels at sea, that is licensed as a limited coast marine rescue station with the ACMA;\n> \n> > ***MAST*** means the Authority;\n> \n> > ***radio telephone installation*** means the radiotelephone equipment installed at a limited coast marine rescue station including, if applicable –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the transmitter; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the receiver, whether separate from, or combined with, the transmitter; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the radiating system; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) the source of electrical energy.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"MAST- approved marine radio stations","content":"### 4 MAST- approved marine radio stations\n\n> > (1)  MAST may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare a limited coast marine rescue station to be a MAST-approved marine radio station for the purpose of ensuring the safe operation of vessels in the waters over which MAST has jurisdiction.\n> \n> > (2)  Before making a declaration under [subregulation (1)](#GS4@Gs1@EN) , MAST must be satisfied that the limited coast marine rescue station continuously listens on distress frequencies appropriate to its radiotelephone installation.\n> \n> > (3)  Before making a declaration under [subregulation (1)](#GS4@Gs1@EN) , MAST may also take into consideration whether the limited coast marine rescue station –\n> > \n> > > > (a) regularly broadcasts weather forecasts issued by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) broadcasts, on receipt, weather and navigational warnings issued by official meteorological or search and rescue agencies; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) provides a service for mariners to lodge position reports and voyage reports; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) has in place auditable contingency arrangements that ensure a limited service can be provided under abnormal operating conditions; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) is operated in accordance with the Radio Regulations (being the regulations administered by the International Telecommunications Union, as from time to time amended); and\n> > > \n> > > > (f) has in place auditable processes that ensure the station operates efficiently; and\n> > > \n> > > > (g) has in place a record-keeping system that MAST considers to be satisfactory; and\n> > > \n> > > > (h) has in place a radiotelephone installation that complies with the requirements of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) ; and\n> > > \n> > > > (i) does not replicate services provided by any other MAST-approved marine radio station.\n> \n> > (4)  A MAST-approved marine radio station is to be operated by an authorised person appointed under [section 44](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1997-015#GS44@EN) of the Act for the purposes of this regulation.\n> \n> > (5)  An authorised person referred to in [subregulation (4)](#GS4@Gs4@EN) is to listen, or assist in listening, to distress frequencies appropriate to the radiotelephone installation of the MAST-approved marine radio station.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Legislation rescinded","content":"### 5 Legislation rescinded\n\n> The legislation specified in [Schedule 2](#JS2@EN) is rescinded.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Requirements for ","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Requirements for Radiotelephone Installations","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Requirements for  SCHEDULE 1 - Requirements for Radiotelephone Installations\n\n[Regulation 4(3)(h)](#GS4@Gs3@Hph@EN)","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Interpretation","content":"# Part 1 Interpretation\n\n> **1.   **Interpretation****\n> \n> > In this Schedule –\n> > \n> > > ***FM*** means frequency modulated;\n> > \n> > > ***VHF*** means very high frequency.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"VHF FM Installations","content":"# Part 2 VHF FM Installations\n\n> **1.   **Specifications****\n> \n> > The radiotelephone installation complies with the *Radiocommunications (VHF Radiotelephone Equipment – Maritime Mobile Service) Standard 2018* made by the ACMA, as from time to time amended.\n\n> **2.   **Transmitter and receiver****\n> \n> > The radiotelephone installation is capable of effectively transmitting and receiving on –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the following VHF FM maritime mobile band frequencies:\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) the international distress and calling frequency Channel 16 (156.8 MHz);\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) the supplementary safety frequency Channel 67 (156.375 MHz); and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) any other frequency appropriate to the service provided by the limited coast marine rescue station.\n\n> **3.   **Main source of electrical energy****\n> \n> > The limited coast marine rescue station has a main source of electrical energy capable of operating the station’s VHF radiotelephone installation.\n\n> **4.   **Reserve source of electrical energy****\n> \n> > The limited coast marine rescue station has a reserve source of electrical energy that has the capacity to supply, and is maintained so as to be able to supply, for a continuous period of at least 6 hours, a total current equal to the sum of –\n> > \n> > > > (a) 50% of the current required to operate the station’s VHF transmitter for the transmission of speech; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the current required to operate the station’s VHF receiver.\n\n> **5.   **Antennas****\n> \n> > > (1) Each antenna of the radiating system of the radiotelephone installation is of a type and dimension, and is erected and insulated, to ensure efficient radiation.\n> > \n> > > (2) Each antenna of the radiotelephone installation is so located and constructed that the antenna –\n> > > \n> > > > > (a) is protected from mechanical damage and the adverse effects of water; and\n> > > > \n> > > > > (b) does not pose a danger to any person through risk of accidental contact or through excessive exposure to electromagnetic radiation.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 2 - Legislation resci","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 2 - Legislation rescinded","content":"# SCHEDULE 2 - Legislation resci SCHEDULE 2 - Legislation rescinded\n\n[Regulation 5](#GS5@EN)\n\n| Marine and Safety (Radio) Regulations 2012 (No. 133 of 2012) |\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 2 November 2022\n\nThese regulations are administered in the Department of State Growth.","sortOrder":8}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"These Regulations replace the 2012 Marine and Safety (Radio) Regulations (Reg 5; Schedule 2) and primarily modernise and formalise the approval criteria and technical references. The core scope—allowing the Authority to declare certain limited coast rescue stations as recognised for safety purposes and setting technical/operational conditions for those stations—remains consistent with the original purpose. Changes are mainly updates to technical standards (explicit reference to the ACMA 2018 VHF standard and ITU Radio Regulations), clearer requirements for reserve power and antenna safety (Schedule 1), and an expressly stated non‑duplication consideration (Reg 4(3)(i)). Those are refinements rather than a substantive broadening of the regulatory scope."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: 5 primary regulations and 2 schedules","Approximately 8 defined terms in the interpretation section (ACMA; Act; Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology; limited coast marine rescue station; MAST; radio telephone installation; FM; VHF)","Single discretionary approval process with one mandatory precondition (continuous listening) and nine optional considerations (Reg 4(3)(a)–(i))","Technical requirements cross‑refer to external instruments (ACMA Radiocommunications Standard 2018; ITU Radio Regulations; Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015)","A modest formulaic requirement for reserve power capacity and duration (Schedule 1, cl 4) — introduces arithmetic compliance checks","Dependence on an external statutory appointment power (authorised person under s44 of the Act) increases cross‑reference load","Rescinds predecessor regulations (Schedule 2), so reading may require looking at prior instrument for comparison"],"plain_english_summary":"**What these regulations do (mechanically)**\n\n- These Regulations set rules for designating and operating certain shore-based marine radio stations called \"MAST‑approved marine radio stations.\" (Reg 4(1)–(5)).  \"MAST\" means the State marine safety authority (the Authority). (Reg 3)\n\n- MAST may declare a limited coast marine rescue station (a shore station licensed with the Commonwealth ACMA) to be a MAST‑approved station by publishing a notice in the Gazette. (Reg 4(1); Reg 3 definition of \"limited coast marine rescue station\").\n\n- Before declaring approval, MAST must be satisfied the station continuously listens on distress frequencies appropriate to its radiotelephone equipment. (Reg 4(2)).\n\n- MAST may also consider a list of operational and technical criteria when deciding whether to approve a station. Those criteria include broadcasting weather and navigational warnings (Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology material), offering position or voyage reporting services, having auditable contingency and record‑keeping arrangements, efficient operation processes, complying with international Radio Regulations, and having radiotelephone equipment that meets the technical requirements in Schedule 1. MAST may also avoid approving stations that duplicate services of existing MAST‑approved stations. (Reg 4(3)(a)–(i)).\n\n- Each approved station must be operated by an authorised person appointed under section 44 of the Marine and Safety Authority Act, and that person must listen (or assist in listening) on the distress frequencies appropriate to the station. (Reg 4(4)–(5); see Reg 3 for definition of \"MAST\" and the Act reference.)\n\n- Schedule 1 sets technical and operational requirements for the radiotelephone installation used by the station. Key requirements (Schedule 1, Part 2) include: compliance with the ACMA \"VHF Radiotelephone Equipment – Maritime Mobile Service\" Standard 2018; capability to transmit and receive on Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), Channel 67 (156.375 MHz) and other appropriate frequencies; a main power source; a reserve power source able to supply specified currents for at least 6 continuous hours; and antenna construction, siting and insulation to ensure efficient radiation and safety. (Schedule 1, Part 2, cls 1–5.)\n\n- The Regulations rescind the previous Marine and Safety (Radio) Regulations 2012. (Reg 5; Schedule 2.)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Operators of \"limited coast marine rescue stations\" licensed with ACMA and seeking MAST approval. (Reg 3 definition + Reg 4.)\n- The Authority (MAST), which decides approvals, publishes notices and must ensure authorised persons operate approved stations. (Reg 4(1), (4)–(5).)\n- Mariners and others who rely on shore radio services are indirectly affected because the Regulations set which stations can be designated and what technical/operational standards they must meet.\n\n**Why it matters (official purpose claims, then practical effect)**\n\n- The regulations say their purpose is to ensure the safe operation of vessels in the Authority's waters by creating a framework for approving and operating shore radio stations (Reg 4(1)). That is achieved by making approval conditional on continuous monitoring of distress frequencies, certain broadcasting and reporting services, contingency and record‑keeping arrangements, and compliance with technical standards (Reg 4(2)–(3); Schedule 1).\n\n- Practical effect: the framework channels regulatory recognition (the MAST‑approved label) to stations that meet operational monitoring and technical standards and that do not duplicate existing services. Recognition is discretionary: MAST decides and publishes the approval. (Reg 4(1)–(3).)\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade‑offs**\n\n- Who pays: the immediate cost falls on station operators. They must ensure equipment meets the ACMA standard (Schedule 1, cl 1), maintain reserve power capable of the specified load for at least 6 hours (Schedule 1, cl 4), implement auditable contingency and record‑keeping systems (Reg 4(3)(d), (g)), and provide authorised personnel to monitor distress channels (Reg 4(4)–(5)). Those measures involve capital expenditure (equipment, antenna), running costs (backup power, maintenance) and administrative costs (records, audits, staffing/training).\n\n- Incentives: operators gain a MAST‑approved status that signals compliance to mariners and regulators; that recognition may channel traffic or reliance to approved stations. MAST can avoid approving stations that replicate services (Reg 4(3)(i)), which creates an incentive structure favouring non‑duplicative coverage plans.\n\n- Trade‑offs: tighter standards and auditing reduce operational risk to mariners but increase compliance costs for operators. The duplication restriction (Reg 4(3)(i)) reduces redundant provisioning of the same service in the same area, which may concentrate benefits (fewer providers) and lower duplication costs, at the potential cost of reduced redundancy or competition.\n\n**Implementation risk, discretion and compliance burden**\n\n- Administrative discretion: many criteria are phrased as matters MAST \"may take into consideration\" (Reg 4(3)), leaving scope for subjective assessment. The decision to declare approval is made via Gazette notice (Reg 4(1)). That combination gives the Authority significant administrative discretion over which licensed ACMA stations receive the MAST‑approved designation.\n\n- Cross‑agency dependency: compliance requires equipment meeting an ACMA standard (Schedule 1, cl 1) and operation aligned with International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations (Reg 4(3)(e)). Operators must therefore satisfy both state and Commonwealth technical/regulatory frameworks.\n\n- Compliance burden: technical certification, backup power sizing and maintenance (Schedule 1, cl 4), antenna safety and siting (Schedule 1, cl 5), record keeping and auditable contingency plans (Reg 4(3)(d), (f), (g)) and authorised staffing (Reg 4(4)–(5)). These are concrete obligations rather than vague targets.\n\n**Effects on private enterprise, competition and individual choice**\n\n- Private station operators who are ACMA‑licensed may see a compliance cost to obtain or retain MAST approval, but also potential commercial value from being recognised as an approved station.\n\n- The non‑duplication criterion (Reg 4(3)(i)) and MAST discretion may limit multiple providers operating overlapping services in the same area, which can reduce direct competition among shore‑station operators for the same local traffic.\n\n- The Regulations do not themselves create user fees or restrict private use of radios, but they create an institutional route (MAST approval) that affects which shore stations are formally recognised for state safety purposes.\n\n**Other implementation notes**\n\n- The Regulations commence 20 December 2022. (Reg 2.)\n- They explicitly rescind the 2012 Regulations, signalling a replacement rather than an incremental add‑on. (Reg 5; Schedule 2.)\n\n(For the key provisions cited: Reg 3 definitions; Reg 4(1)–(5); Schedule 1, Part 2, cls 1–5; Reg 5 and Schedule 2.)"},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the regulations appear to remain focused on their original purpose of governing maritime radio equipment and communications safety in Tasmanian waters. No amendments or scope changes were identified in the material provided, and the legislation has been current without apparent modification since its commencement on 20 December 2022."},"complexity_factors":["Intersection of Commonwealth and State regulatory frameworks — maritime radio in Australia is also regulated federally (AMSA and ACMA), meaning there may be overlapping obligations","Technical nature of radio equipment standards, which may reference external technical specifications or Australian Standards","Different vessel classes or types may have different requirements, requiring operators to identify which category applies to them","Potential licensing requirements that interact with separate licensing regimes","Limited content was available for full analysis, meaning true complexity could be higher or lower than assessed"],"plain_english_summary":"These Tasmanian regulations set minimum rules for maritime radio equipment and its use on vessels in Tasmanian waters, affecting recreational and commercial boat owners, skippers, crew and others involved in marine communications. They cover what radios must be carried, operator competency/licensing, and compliance to ensure effective emergency communication.\n\nThe supplied summary didn’t include the full regulatory text; consult the official Tasmanian legislation source for the specific requirements that apply to your vessel."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original narrow scope: regulating the approval of limited coast marine rescue stations for maritime safety in Tasmanian waters. The 2022 version appears to be a straightforward re-enactment/update of the 2012 regulations it rescinds, with no significant expansion into new areas."},"complexity_factors":["Short document: approximately 1,500 words across 5 regulations and 2 schedules","Only 6 defined terms in the main interpretation section (Act, ACMA, Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, limited coast marine rescue station, MAST, radio telephone installation)","2 additional defined terms in Schedule 1 (FM, VHF)","Single-layer conditional logic: one main approval power (regulation 4) with a mandatory prerequisite (continuous listening on distress frequencies) and 9 optional considerations","Technical specifications in Schedule 1 reference external standards (ACMA's 2018 VHF Radiotelephone Equipment Standard) rather than reproducing them in full","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing beyond basic internal references (e.g., 'subregulation (1)', 'Schedule 1')","Straightforward rescission of previous regulations in Schedule 2"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set up a system for approving and regulating **marine radio rescue stations** in Tasmanian waters. They give MAST (Marine and Safety Tasmania, the state maritime safety authority) the power to officially recognise certain volunteer or professional radio stations as \"MAST-approved marine radio stations.\"\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Limited coast marine rescue stations** — these are land-based radio stations licensed by the federal ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) that communicate with boats at sea\n- **Boaters and mariners** in Tasmanian waters who rely on these stations for safety information, weather updates, and emergency assistance\n- **Operators** of these stations, who must be formally appointed by MAST\n\n**Key requirements for approval:**\n\nTo become MAST-approved, a station must:\n- Continuously monitor emergency/distress radio frequencies (so they can hear mayday calls)\n- Meet technical standards for their radio equipment (specified in Schedule 1), including:\n  - Ability to transmit and receive on VHF Channels 16 (emergency) and 67 (safety)\n  - Main power supply plus a backup battery lasting at least 6 hours\n  - Properly installed antennas that are safe and weather-resistant\n- Ideally provide extra services like weather forecasts, navigation warnings, and voyage reporting\n- Have backup plans for when things go wrong\n- Keep proper records\n- Not duplicate services already provided by another approved station\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis ensures that when boaters in Tasmanian waters call for help or need safety information, they're contacting a properly equipped, professionally run station that meets national and international standards. It replaces the 2012 version of these regulations."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022","history":"/api/acts/marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022/history","analysis":"/api/acts/marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/marine-and-safety-radio-regulations-2022/documents"}}