This is the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Coast Licence) Determination 2025.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences at the start of the day after the day it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Note: The Federal Register of Legislation is available, free of charge, at www.legislation.gov.au.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 110A(2) of the Act.
4 Repeal
The Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Coast Licence) Determination 2015 [F2015L01283] is repealed.
5 Interpretation
(1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:
AMSA means the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
calling means operating a station to contact another station.
commercial operations: see subsection (2).
distress communication means a communication of a situation in which a person or mobile unit is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
Note: The definition of distress communication is based on Section II, Article 32, Chapter VII of the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
DSC (short for digital selective calling) means a digital system of communication used for the following purposes:
(a) transmitting distress communications from ships;
(b) transmitting acknowledgments of distress communications, from maritime coast stations;
(c) relaying distress communications;
(d) transmitting alerts before the broadcast of urgency and safety messages.
Note 1: For DSC, see the International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunications Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.493-16, Digital selective-calling system for use in the maritime mobile service, which is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
Note 2: The transmission of a distress communication indicates that a ship is threatened by grave and imminent danger, and is requesting immediate assistance. A distress communication is a digital selective call, using a distress call format, that provides the identification of the station in distress and its position.
fish:
(a) includes all species of bony fish, sharks, rays, crustaceans, molluscs and other marine organisms; but
(b) does not include marine mammals or marine reptiles.
GMDSS certificate means a GMDSS radio operator certificate, issued by AMSA under section 31 of the Navigation Act 2012.
Note: For the GMDSS radio operator certificate, see Subdivision 3.2 of Division 3 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, which is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
international distress frequency means a frequency specified in Appendix 15 of the Radio Regulations.
Note: The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
listening watch means the use of a station that is, or incorporates, a radiocommunications receiver, to monitor a frequency.
maritime coast licence (limited coast assigned system station) means a maritime coast licence that authorises the operation of a limited coast assigned system station.
maritime coast licence (limited coast marine rescue station) means a maritime coast licence that authorises the operation of a limited coast marine rescue station.
maritime coast licence (limited coast non assigned station) means a maritime coast licence that authorises the operation of a limited coast non assigned station.
maritime coast licence (major coast A station) means a maritime coast licence that authorises the operation of a major coast A station.
medium frequency or high frequency international maritime mobile service equipment means equipment that is:
(a) operated on a medium frequency or a high frequency; and
(b) a radiocommunications device; and
(c) used in the maritime mobile service.
mobile unit means a ship, an aircraft, or another kind of vehicle.
non-commercial operations: see subsection (3).
port operations means activities relating to the operational handling, movement and navigation of ships in or near a port.
professional fishing operations means the operations of a ship that is used, or is intended to be used, wholly or principally for the taking, catching or capturing of fish for trading or manufacturing purposes.
radiotelephony means radiocommunication primarily in the form of speech.
repeater station means a limited coast assigned system station established at a fixed location:
(a) for the reception of radio signals from:
(i) maritime ship stations; or
(ii) limited coast non assigned stations; or
(iii) limited coast marine rescue stations; and
(b) for the automatic retransmission of those signals.
rescue organisation means an organisation whose sole or principal purpose involves securing the safety of persons during an emergency.
safety communication means a communication relating to the safety of navigation or the provision of an important meteorological warning.
Note: The definition of safety communication is based on Section IV, Article 33, Chapter VII of the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
Search and Rescue Authority has the meaning given by the National Search and Rescue Manual published by AMSA on behalf of the Australian National Search and Rescue Council.
Note: The National Search and Rescue Manual is available, free of charge, from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au.
stand-by facility, in relation to a station (the first station), means another station that:
(a) is at or near the location of the first station; and
(b) has the same technical characteristics as the first station; and
(c) is only operated when the first station is inoperable for any reason.
urgency communication means a communication that urgent attention to the safety of a mobile unit or person is required.
Note: The definition of urgency communication is based on Section II, Article 33, Chapter VII of the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
voice privacy device means a thing that alters the voice signal of a message, so that the message, as received by a station, is unintelligible unless a similar thing is used to reverse the alteration.
working means operating a maritime coast station to exchange messages with another station.
Note 1: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:
Note 2: Other expressions used in this instrument may be defined in a determination made under subsection 64(1) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, that applies to this instrument, including:
(a) 27 MHz maritime frequencies;
(b) Act;
(c) AM;
(d) Automatic Identification System (AIS);
(e) carriage service provider;
(f) carrier;
(g) communication;
(h) EIRP;
(i) harmful interference;
(j) high frequency;
(k) limited coast assigned system station;
(l) limited coast marine rescue station;
(m) limited coast non assigned station;
(n) major coast A station;
(o) maritime coast licence;
(p) maritime coast station;
(q) maritime mobile service;
(r) maritime ship station;
(s) medium frequency;
(t) message;
(u) public correspondence;
(v) pX;
(w) pY;
(x) pZ;
(y) Radio Regulations;
(z) ship;
(aa) SSB;
(ab) station;
(ac) ultra high frequency;
(ad) very high frequency;
(ae) VHF Data Exchange System (VDES).
(2) In this instrument, commercial operations does not include:
(a) port operations; or
(b) professional fishing operations.
(3) In this instrument, non-commercial operations does not include:
(a) commercial operations; or
(b) port operations; or
(c) professional fishing operations.
(4) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a station is taken to be a reference to each radiocommunications transmitter that forms part of the station.
Note: A station is an installation or thing that is, or includes, one or more radiocommunications transmitters, one or more radiocommunications receivers, or both one or more radiocommunications transmitters and one or more radiocommunications receivers. This instrument imposes licence conditions on maritime coast licences, which are a type of transmitter licence, so this instrument is primarily concerned with transmitter licences and the radiocommunications transmitters whose operation is authorised by those licences. However, the operation of some conditions in relation to some maritime coast licences may depend on specified radiocommunications receivers.
(5) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, expressions that are defined in the Radio Regulations have the meaning given by the Radio Regulations.
Note: The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
(6) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a part of the spectrum or frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.
Note: This means the lower number in the reference to the part of the spectrum or frequency band is not included in the part or band.
(7) Unless the contrary intention appears, no condition imposed by this instrument limits any other condition imposed by this instrument.
6 References to other instruments
In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and
(b) a reference to any other kind of instrument or writing is a reference to that other instrument or writing as in force, or existing, from time to time.
Note 1: For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.
Note 2: All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Note 3: See section 314A of the Act.
Part 2 Conditions – all maritime coast licences
7 Application and interpretation of Part 2
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every:
(a) maritime coast licence (limited coast assigned system station);
(b) maritime coast licence (limited coast marine rescue station);
(c) maritime coast licence (limited coast non assigned station);
(d) maritime coast licence (major coast A station);
is subject to the conditions in this Part.
(2) If:
(a) a condition is specified in a maritime coast licence under paragraph 107(1)(g) of the Act, or imposed on the licence under paragraph 111(1)(a) of the Act; and
(b) that condition is inconsistent with a condition specified in this Part;
then, to the extent of any inconsistency, the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) prevails.
8 Conditions – responding to distress communications, urgency communications or safety communications, and record-keeping
(1) If:
(a) a person operates a maritime coast station; and
(b) the station receives a distress communication, an urgency communication or a safety communication from another station (the transmitting station); and
(c) the station does not immediately receive an acknowledgment of the communication from a radiocommunications transmitter other than the transmitting station;
the person must ensure that:
(d) an acknowledgment of the communication is sent to the person operating the transmitting station; and
(e) the communication, or the content of the communication, is forwarded to:
(i) if the communication names a Search and Rescue Authority or station – that authority or station; or
(ii) otherwise – an appropriate Search and Rescue Authority or station to receive the communication;
by the quickest and most effective means available.
Creating a record of a communication
(2) If:
(a) a person operates a maritime coast station; and
(b) the station receives a distress communication, an urgency communication or a safety communication from another station (the transmitting station); and
(c) the station does not immediately receive an acknowledgment of the communication from a radiocommunications transmitter other than the transmitting station;
the licensee of the maritime coast licence that authorises operation of the maritime coast station must, as soon as practicable after the communication was received, create a record of the following:
(d) the date and time the communication was received;
(e) the identity of the transmitting station, or the operator of the transmitting station (if known);
(f) the frequency on which the communication was received;
(g) the content of the communication;
(h) the steps taken by the person to comply with subsection (1).
Keeping a record of a communication
(3) The licensee of a maritime coast licence must keep a record created in accordance with subsection (2) for a period of 2 years, commencing when the record was created.
Compliance with subsections (2) and (3)
(4) A licensee is taken to comply with a condition in subsection (2) or (3) if:
(a) the licensee has authorised a person to operate a maritime coast station under section 114 of the Act; and
(b) the person does an act; and
(c) if the licensee had done the act, the licensee would have complied with the condition.
Part 3 Conditions – maritime coast licences (major coast A station)
9 Application and interpretation of Part 3
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every maritime coast licence (major coast A station) is subject to the conditions in this Part.
(2) If:
(a) a condition is specified in a maritime coast licence (major coast A station) under paragraph 107(1)(g) of the Act, or imposed on the licence under paragraph 111(1)(a) of the Act; and
(b) that condition is inconsistent with a condition specified in this Part;
then, to the extent of any inconsistency, the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) prevails.
10 Condition – compliance with particular documents
Condition
(1) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device that is part of a major coast A station if:
(a) the station includes medium frequency or high frequency international maritime mobile service equipment; and
(b) one or more of the documents specified in subsection (2), as existing on the device compliance day for the station, was expressed to apply to the station; and
(c) the station does not comply with the document, as existing on the device compliance day for the station.
Note 1: Under Part 4.1 of the Act, a person may be prohibited from operating a maritime coast station, including a station not covered by subsection (1), if the station does not comply with requirements set out in equipment rules made under section 156 of the Act.
Note 2: A maritime coast licence does not authorise operation of a radiocommunications receiver that is part of a major coast A station. However, operation of a radiocommunications receiver in contravention of this condition may be a contravention of section 113 of the Act, or may result in suspension or cancellation of the maritime coast licence.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the following documents are specified:
(a) Appendix 2 of the Radio Regulations, Table of transmitter frequency tolerances;
(b) Appendix 3 of the Radio Regulations, Maximum permitted power levels for unwanted emissions in the spurious domain;
(c) Appendix 3 of the Radio Regulations, Frequencies and channelling arrangements in the high-frequency bands for the maritime mobile service.
Note: The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
Definitions
(3) In this section, device compliance day, for a major coast A station, means:
(a) if the station was manufactured in Australia and paragraph (c) does not apply – the day it was manufactured; or
(b) if the station was imported and paragraph (c) does not apply – the day it was imported; or
(c) if the station was manufactured in Australia or imported, and altered or modified in a material respect in Australia after it was manufactured or imported – the day it was so altered or modified.
11 Condition – providing services to maritime ship stations
A person must not operate a major coast A station to provide a service to a maritime ship station unless the service is:
(a) communications to help carry out search and rescue operations conducted by AMSA, or by a body that has similar functions to AMSA; or
(b) a weather forecast (whether with or without warnings); or
(c) a navigation warning; or
(d) a continuous listening watch on international distress frequencies for distress communications, urgency communications and safety communications; or
(e) public correspondence.
Note: AMSA and the Bureau of Meteorology provide ships with maritime safety information about hazards and foreseeable dangers to safe navigation through Australia's marine environment. Information about maritime safety information is available, free of charge, from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au.
12 Conditions – qualifications
A person must not operate a major coast A station unless the person:
(a) holds a GMDSS certificate; or
(b) holds a qualification recognised by AMSA as equivalent to a GMDSS certificate, in accordance with Division 4 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014; or
(c) is a qualified operator who holds the certificate of proficiency known as a General Operator’s Certificate for GMDSS.
Note 1: For paragraph (a), GMDSS certificates are issued in accordance with Subdivision 3.2 of Division 3 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, which is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
Note 2: For paragraph (b), Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.
Note 3: For paragraph (c), a person is a qualified operator if they hold a certificate of proficiency issued under section 121 of the Act. More information about certificates of proficiency is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at www.acma.gov.au.
13 Conditions – identification of station
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person must not operate a major coast A station unless, at the start of each transmission, or of each series of transmissions, the person transmits:
(a) the call sign for the station; or
(b) the location or name of the station, followed by the word ‘radio’.
Note: A maritime coast licence will specify a call sign for the maritime coast station authorised to be operated under the licence.
(2) For paragraph (1)(b), the name of the station is:
(a) if a name for the station is included in the Register – that name; or
(b) otherwise – a name that clearly identifies the station.
(3) If a major coast A station uses DSC, the person must transmit a maritime mobile service identity issued by AMSA as the form of identification.
Note 1: Licensees may apply for a maritime mobile service identity from AMSA. Information about maritime mobile service identities is available, free of charge, from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au.
Note 2: The availability of maritime mobile service identities is set out in the Radio Regulations. In performing its functions in relation to a maritime mobile service identity, AMSA will generally have regard to the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
(4) A person must not, when complying with the condition in subsection (1), use a voice privacy device.
Part 4 Conditions – maritime coast licences (limited coast assigned system station)
14 Application and interpretation of Part 4
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every maritime coast licence (limited coast assigned system station) is subject to the conditions in this Part.
(2) If:
(a) a condition is specified in a maritime coast licence (limited coast assigned system station) under paragraph 107(1)(g) of the Act, or imposed on the licence under paragraph 111(1)(a) of the Act; and
(b) that condition is inconsistent with a condition specified in this Part;
then, to the extent of any inconsistency, the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) prevails.
15 Condition – compliance with particular documents
Condition
(1) A person must not operate a radiocommunications device that is part of a limited coast assigned system station if:
(a) the station includes Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment; and
(b) one or more of the documents specified in subsection (2), as existing on the device compliance day for the station, was expressed to apply to the station; and
(c) the station does not comply with the document, as existing on the device compliance day for the station.
Note 1: Under Part 4.1 of the Act, a person may be prohibited from operating a maritime ship station, including a station not covered by subsection (1), if the station does not comply with requirements set out in equipment rules made under section 156 of the Act.
Note 2: A maritime coast licence does not authorise operation of a radiocommunications receiver that is part of a limited coast assigned system station. Such a radiocommunications receiver is not specified for the purposes of paragraph 7(1)(b) of the Act, and so its operation does not require a licence under the Act (see section 46 of the Act). However, operation of a radiocommunications receiver in contravention of this condition may be a contravention of section 113 of the Act, or may result in suspension or cancellation of the maritime coast licence.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the following documents are specified:
(a) IEC 62320-1, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Automatic identification system (AIS) – Part 1: AIS Base Stations – Minimum operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission;
(b) IEC 62320-2, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Automatic identification system (AIS) – Part 2: AIS AtoN Stations – Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission;
(c) IEC 62320-3, Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Automatic identification system (AIS) – Part 3: Repeater Stations – Minimum operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Note: Each of IEC 62320-1, IEC 62320-2 and IEC 62320-3 is available, for a fee, from the International Electrotechnical Commission’s website at www.iec.ch. Each of IEC 62320-1, IEC 62320-2 and IEC 62320-3 is also available to be viewed, on prior request, at an ACMA office, subject to licensing conditions.
(3) In subsection (1), device compliance day, for a limited coast assigned system station, means:
(a) if the station was manufactured in Australia and paragraph (c) does not apply – the day it was manufactured; or
(b) if the station was imported and paragraph (c) does not apply – the day it was imported; or
(c) if the station was manufactured in Australia or imported, and altered or modified in a material respect in Australia after it was manufactured or imported – the day it was so altered or modified.
16 Condition – no public correspondence
A person must not operate a limited coast assigned system station for public correspondence.
17 Condition – qualifications
(1) A person must not operate a limited coast assigned system station unless the person:
(a) if the station is operated on a medium frequency or high frequency – either:
(i) holds a certificate of proficiency specified in subsection (2), or
(ii) operates the station under the supervision of such a person;
(b) if the station is operated on a very high frequency or an ultra high frequency – either:
(i) holds a certificate of proficiency specified in subsection (2) or (3), or
(ii) operates the station under the supervision of such a person.
(2) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(a) and (b), the following certificates of proficiency are specified:
(a) Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate of Proficiency;
(b) Marine Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency;
(c) Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the following certificates of proficiency are specified:
(a) Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of Proficiency;
(b) Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
Note: For subsections (2) and (3), certificates of proficiency are issued under section 121 of the Act. Some of the certificates of proficiency mentioned in the subsections may no longer be issued. More information about certificates of proficiency is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at www.acma.gov.au.
(4) In this section, a person operates a station under the supervision of another person only if the other person is at the location of the station when the station is operated.
18 Condition – repeater station
(1) A person must not operate a repeater station to provide a maritime mobile service on a very high frequency to a maritime ship station at sea, otherwise than in accordance with this section.
(2) The repeater station must be operated principally for communications for safety of ships and persons, and movement of ships.
(3) The repeater station must be available for communication with maritime ship stations at any time and without restriction.
(4) If physical access to the repeater station is difficult, the person must make available a device, which may be operated at another location, to terminate a transmission from the repeater station.
(5) The repeater station must not transmit a signal if:
(a) the station did not receive the signal; or
(b) the transmission is likely to cause harmful interference to radiocommunications; or
(c) the repeater station has malfunctioned.
(6) The repeater station must not transmit a signal if the station is connected to a telecommunications network operated by a carrier or a carriage service provider.
(7) The repeater station must not transmit signals continuously for longer than 1 minute.
(8) A repeater station must not be operated on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 6 to communicate with a maritime ship station unless:
(a) authorised by a maritime coast licence (limited coast assigned system station);
(b) direct ship-to-shore communication on other very high frequencies is not practicable; and
(c) the repeater station is operated:
(i) at a transmitter output power not exceeding 83 W EIRP; and
(ii) using radiotelephony.
19 Condition – stand-by facility
A person must not operate a stand-by facility for a limited coast assigned system station unless the station is not in working order.
20 Conditions – identification of station
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not operate a limited coast assigned system station unless, at the start of each transmission, or of each series of transmissions, the person transmits:
(a) the call sign for the station;
(b) another form of identification that clearly identifies the station.
Note: A maritime coast licence will specify a call sign for the maritime coast station authorised to be operated under the licence.
(2) If a limited coast assigned system station uses DSC, the person must transmit a maritime mobile service identity issued by AMSA as the form of identification.
Note 1: Licensees may apply for a maritime mobile service identity from AMSA. Information about maritime mobile service identities is available, free of charge, from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au.
Note 2: The availability of maritime mobile service identities is set out in the Radio Regulations. In performing its functions in relation to a maritime mobile service identity, AMSA will generally have regard to the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
(3) A person must not, when complying with the condition in subsection (1), use a voice privacy device.
Part 5 Conditions – maritime coast licences (limited coast non assigned station)
21 Application and interpretation of Part 5
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every maritime coast licence (limited coast non assigned station) is subject to the conditions in this Part.
(2) If:
(a) a condition is specified in a maritime coast licence (limited coast non assigned station) under paragraph 107(1)(g) of the Act, or imposed on the licence under paragraph 111(1)(a) of the Act; and
(b) that condition is inconsistent with a condition specified in this Part;
then, to the extent of any inconsistency, the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) prevails.
22 Condition – permitted communications
A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station otherwise than for the following activities or operations:
(a) commercial operations;
(b) distress, urgency, safety or calling;
(c) non-commercial operations;
(d) port operations;
(e) professional fishing operations;
(f) VDES communications.
23 Condition – commercial operations
A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for commercial operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 1; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for the purposes of calling and working; and
(d) in accordance with any limitations specified in column 3 of the table item; and
(e) using radiotelephony.
(1) A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for distress communications, urgency communications, safety communications or calling otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Table 1 or Table 2 of Schedule 2; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for any purpose mentioned in column 3 of the table item; and
(d) in accordance with any limitations specified in column 4 of the table item.
(2) If a person operates a limited coast marine rescue station on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of Table 1 of Schedule 2, the station must use radiotelephony.
(3) If a person operates a limited coast marine rescue station on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of Table 2 of Schedule 2, the station must use DSC.
25 Condition – non-commercial operations
A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for non-commercial operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 3; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for any purpose mentioned in column 3 of the table item; and
(d) in accordance with any limitations specified in column 4 of the table item; and
(e) using radiotelephony.
26 Condition – port operations
A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for port operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 4; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding 83 W EIRP; and
(c) for the purpose of calling and working; and
(d) using radiotelephony.
27 Condition – professional fishing operations
A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for professional fishing operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 5; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for any purpose mentioned in column 3 of the table item; and
(d) using radiotelephony.
28 Condition – no public correspondence
A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for public correspondence.
29 Condition – qualifications
(1) A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station unless the person:
(a) if the station is operated on a medium frequency or high frequency – either:
(i) holds a certificate of proficiency specified in subsection (2); or
(ii) operates the station under the supervision of such a person;
(b) if the station is operated on a very high frequency or ultra high frequency – either:
(i) holds a certificate of proficiency specified in subsection (2) or (3); or
(ii) operates the station under the supervision of such a person.
(2) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(a) and (b), the following certificates of proficiency are specified:
(a) Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate of Proficiency;
(b) Marine Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency;
(c) Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the following certificates of proficiency are specified:
(a) Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of Proficiency;
(b) Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
Note: For subsections (2) and (3), certificates of proficiency are issued under section 121 of the Act. Some of the certificates of proficiency mentioned in the subsections may no longer be issued. More information about certificates of proficiency is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at www.acma.gov.au.
(4) In this section, a person operates a station under the supervision of another person only if the other person is at the location of the station when the station is operated.
30 Condition – stand-by facility
A person must not operate a stand-by facility for a limited coast non assigned station unless the station is not in working order.
31 Conditions – identification of station
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station unless, at the start of each transmission, or of each series of transmissions, the person transmits:
(a) the call sign for the station;
(b) another form of identification that clearly identifies the station.
Note: A maritime coast licence will specify a call sign for the maritime coast station authorised to be operated under the licence.
(2) If a limited coast non assigned system station uses DSC, the person must transmit a maritime mobile service identity issued by AMSA as the form of identification.
Note 1: Licensees may apply for a maritime mobile service identity from AMSA. Information about maritime mobile services identities is available, free of charge, from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au.
Note 2: The availability of maritime mobile service identities is set out in the Radio Regulations. In performing its functions in relation to a maritime mobile service identity, AMSA will generally have regard to the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
(3) A person must not, when complying with the condition in subsection (1), use a voice privacy device.
32 Condition – VDES communications
(1) A person must not operate a limited coast non assigned station for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications otherwise than:
(a) subject to subsection (2) – on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 7; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding 25 W pY; and
(c) for the purpose of ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications.
(2) A person may operate a limited coast non assigned station using more than one frequency specified in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 7 if:
(a) the channels for those frequencies have a contiguous bandwidth of:
(i) 50 kHz; or
(ii) 100 kHz; or
(iii) 150 kHz; and
(b) the use of those frequencies is consistent with Appendix 18 of the Radio Regulations.
Note: The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), every maritime coast licence (limited coast marine rescue station) is subject to the conditions in this Part.
(2) If:
(a) a condition is specified in a maritime coast licence (limited coast marine rescue station) under paragraph 107(1)(g) of the Act, or imposed on the licence under paragraph 111(1)(a) of the Act; and
(b) that condition is inconsistent with a condition specified in this Part;
then, to the extent of any inconsistency, the condition mentioned in paragraph (a) prevails.
34 Condition – permitted communications
A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station otherwise than for the following activities or operations:
(a) commercial operations;
(b) distress, urgency, safety or calling;
(c) non-commercial operations;
(d) port operations;
(e) professional fishing operations.
35 Condition – commercial operations
A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station for commercial operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 1; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for the purposes of calling and working; and
(d) in accordance with any limitations specified in column 3 of the table item; and
(e) using radiotelephony.
(1) A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station for distress communications, urgency communications, safety communications or calling otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Table 1 or Table 2 of Schedule 2; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for any purpose mentioned in column 3 of the table item; and
(d) in accordance with any limitations specified in column 4 of the table item.
(2) If a person operates a limited coast marine rescue station on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of Table 1 of Schedule 2, the station must use radiotelephony.
(3) If a person operates a limited coast marine rescue station on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of Table 2 of Schedule 2, the station must use DSC.
37 Condition – non-commercial operations
A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station for non-commercial operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 3; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for any purpose mentioned in column 3 of the table item; and
(d) in accordance with any limitations specified in column 4 of the table item; and
(e) using radiotelephony.
38 Condition – port operations
A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station for port operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 4; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding 83 W EIRP; and
(c) for the purpose of calling and working; and
(d) using radiotelephony.
39 Condition – professional fishing operations
A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station for professional fishing operations otherwise than:
(a) on a frequency mentioned in column 1 of a table item in Schedule 5; and
(b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 2 of that table item; and
(c) for any purpose mentioned in column 3 of the table item; and:
(d) using radiotelephony.
40 Condition – no public correspondence
A person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station for public correspondence.
41 Condition – qualifications
(1) A person must not operate a limited coast marine coast station unless the person:
(a) if the station is operated on a medium frequency or high frequency – either:
(i) holds a certificate of proficiency specified in subsection (2); or
(ii) operates the station under the supervision of such a person;
(b) if the station is operated on a very high frequency or ultra high frequency – either:
(i) holds a certificate of proficiency specified in subsection (2) or (3); or
(ii) operates the station under the supervision of such a person.
(2) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(a) and (b), the following certificates of proficiency are specified:
(a) Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate of Proficiency;
(b) Marine Radio Operator Certificate of Proficiency;
(c) Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the following certificates of proficiency are specified:
(a) Marine Radio Operator VHF Certificate of Proficiency;
(b) Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
Note: For subsections (2) and (3), certificates of proficiency are issued under section 121 of the Act. Some of the certificates of proficiency mentioned in the subsections may no longer be issued. More information about certificates of proficiency is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at www.acma.gov.au.
(4) In this section, a person operates a station under the supervision of another person only if the other person is at the location of the station when the station is operated.
42 Condition – stand-by facility
A person must not operate a stand-by facility for a limited coast marine rescue station unless the station is not in working order.
43 Condition – provision of maritime mobile service in emergencies
(1) A person operating a limited coast marine rescue station must provide a maritime mobile service in emergencies to ships at sea, without discrimination and in accordance with this section.
(2) For the purposes of complying with subsection (1), the person must operate the station to provide a listening watch on:
(a) 156.8 MHz; and
(b) either, or both, 2182 kHz and 27,880 kHz.
(3) For the purposes of complying with subsection (1), the person must operate the station to transmit on:
(a) both 156.375 MHz and 156.8 MHz; and
(b) if the person provides a listening watch on 2182 kHz – both 2182 kHz and 2524 kHz; and
(c) if the person provides a listening watch on 27,880 kHz – both 27,860 kHz and 27,880 kHz.
44 Conditions – identification of station
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not operate a limited coast marine rescue station unless, at the start of each transmission, or of each series of transmissions, the person transmits:
(a) the call sign for the station;
(b) another form of identification that clearly identifies the station.
Note: A maritime coast licence will specify a call sign for the maritime coast station authorised to be operated under the licence.
(2) If a limited coast marine rescue station uses DSC, the person must transmit a maritime mobile service identity issued by AMSA as the form of identification.
Note 1: Licensees may apply for a maritime mobile service identity from AMSA. Information about maritime mobile services identities is available, free of charge, from AMSA’s website at www.amsa.gov.au.
Note 2: The availability of maritime mobile service identities is set out in the Radio Regulations. In performing its functions in relation to a maritime mobile service identity, AMSA will generally have regard to the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at www.itu.int.
(3) A person must not, when complying with the condition in subsection (1), use a voice privacy device.