GMDSS equipment for non-SOLAS shipsGMDSS equipment for non-SOLAS ships

GMDSS equipment for non-SOLAS ships

The following are examples of radio installations[21] on a non-SOLAS ship that will meet the functional requirements of 7.2:

A. On Australian coastal voyages (sea area A3):

A.1: Option 1

(a) A VHF radio installation with DSC capability;\*
(b) A DSC watchkeeping receiver for VHF channel 70 which may be separate or combined with the VHF radio installation above;
(c) A MF radio installation with DSC capability;
(d) A MF DSC watchkeeping receiver capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on 2187.5 kHz which may be separate or combined with the MF radio installation above;
(e) An INMARSAT ship earth station capable of:
  \- transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy;
  \- initiating and receiving distress priority calls;
  \- transmitting and receiving general radio communications, using either radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy;
  \- receiving Maritime Safety Information (MSI) using enhanced group calling;
(f) A 406 MHz EPIRB;
(g) Hand held VHF radiotelephone apparatus fitted with VHF channel 6, 13, 16 and 67;† and
(h) 9 GHz radar transponder(s), unless the Chief Marine Surveyor determines that the nature of the ship’s operations makes this requirement unnecessary.†

A2: Option 2

(a) A VHF radio installation with DSC capability;\*
(b) A DSC Watchkeeping receiver for VHF channel 70 which may be separate or combined with the VHF radio installation above;
(c) A MF/HF radio installation with DSC capability;
(d) A MF/HF DSC watchkeeping receiver capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 and at least one of the distress and safety frequencies 4207.5, 6312, 12577 or 16804.5 kHz, and allowing, at any time, the selection if any of any of these distress and safety frequencies. This equipment may be combined with or separate from the above MF/HF radio installation;
(e) An INMARSAT ship earth station capable of receiving Maritime Safety Information (MSI) using enhanced group calling;
(f) A 406 MHz or 1.6 GHz EPIRB;
(g) Hand held VHF radiotelephone apparatus fitted with VHF channel 6, 13, 16 and 67;† and
(h) 9 GHz radar transponder(s), unless the Chief Marine Surveyor determines that the nature of the ship’s operations makes this requirement unnecessary.†

B. On international voyages

Non-SOLAS vessels shall be required to be fitted, in addition to equipment listed at item A above, with NAVTEX receiver when operating in NAVTEX areas.

C. On voyages in sea areas A3 and A4

(a) A VHF radio installation with DSC capability;\*
(b) A DSC Watchkeeping receiver for VHF channel 70 which may be separate or combined with the VHF radio installation above;
(c) A MF/HF radio installation with DSC capability;
(d) A MF/HF DSC watchkeeping receiver capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 and at least one of the distress and safety frequencies 4207.5, 6312, 12577 or 16804.5 kHz, and allowing, at any time, the selection if any of any of these distress and safety frequencies. This equipment may be combined with or separate to the above MF/HF radio installation;
(e) An INMARSAT ship earth station capable of receiving Maritime Safety Information (MSI) using enhanced group calling;
(f) A 406 MHz EPIRB;
(g) HF narrow band direct printing equipment;
(h) Hand held VHF radiotelephone apparatus fitted with VHF channel 6, 13, 16 and 67;† and
(i) 9 GHz radar transponder(s), unless the Chief Marine Surveyor determines that the nature of the ship’s operations makes this requirement unnecessary.†
\* All GMDSS ships while at sea, shall continue to maintain, when practicable, continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. Existing ships fitted with, VHF equipment without DSC capability may apply to the Chief Marine Surveyor for exemption from fitting a VHF radio with DSC capability.
† The number of radar transponders and hand held VHF radiotelephone units to be carried by each vessel will be determined by the Chief Marine Surveyor on a case-by-case basis. The Chief Marine Surveyor will take into account radar transponders and hand held VHF radiotelephone units carried on the ship in accordance with Marine Orders, Part 25.