8Specific requirements

8 Specific requirements

8.1 The radio installations, equipment, watchkeeping arrangements, sources of energy, performance standards, maintenance requirements, personnel and record-keeping of a SOLAS ship must comply with the relevant provisions of Regulations 6 to 18 (inclusive) of Chapter IV of SOLAS, the Radio Regulations, the STCW Convention and the STCW Code.

Note 1 Station frequencies are listed in Appendix 1. A list of IMO performance standards for radio equipment is set out in a footnote to Regulation 14 of Chapter IV of SOLAS. Performance standards for radiotelephone installations, climatic and durability tests and ship earth stations are set out in Appendixes 2, 3 and 4, respectively, of this Part.

Note 2 If shore-based maintenance is selected as one of the methods to ensure that the functional requirements are met, then the interval between maintenance inspections should not exceed six months. It should be recognized that, despite the use of other methods, some reliance on shore-based maintenance to enable availability of the functional requirements of the GMDSS would always be necessary. In addition the personnel arrangements specified in Appendix 5 are regarded as meeting the requirements of Regulation 16 of Chapter IV of SOLAS.

Note 3 The records required by 8.1 are to include: a summary of communications relating to distress, urgency or safety traffic; all test calls; battery specific gravity checks; and a reference to important service incidents. Radio log-books are available from AMSA offices.

8.2 The radio installations, equipment, watchkeeping arrangements, sources of energy, performance standards, maintenance requirements, personnel and record-keeping of a non-SOLAS ship must be such as to adequately enable the functional requirements set out in 7.2 to be met, and comply with the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations, the STCW Convention and the STCW Code.

Note 1 Examples of installations that will meet the functional requirements are in Appendix 6. If the source of energy as required by Regulation 13.1 of Chapter IV of SOLAS consists of a rechargeable accumulator battery or batteries then the reserve source(s) of energy as required by Regulation 13.2 of Chapter IV of SOLAS may be exempted provided that such source(s) of energy meets all the relevant requirements of Regulation 13 of Chapter IV of SOLAS.

Note 2 To ensure that the functional requirements are met in respect of a ship, there must be in place either shore-based maintenance arrangements or at-sea maintenance capability. Although the interval between shore based maintenance inspections is normally not to exceed 6 months, the Manager, Ship Inspections, may extend this period beyond 6 months.

Note 3 The radio equipment, radio installations, watchkeeping arrangements, sources of energy, maintenance requirements, personnel and recordkeeping of a non-SOLAS ship should, as far as possible, meet the relevant standards applicable to SOLAS ships. However, alternative ways of meeting functional requirements may be acceptable.