S.I. No. 224/1992:

MERCHANT SHIPPING (RADIO) RULES, 1992.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (RADIO) RULES, 1992.

ARRANGEMENTS OF RULES

PART I

GENERAL

Rule

1. Citation, commencement, revocation and application.

2. Interpretation.

3. Equivalents and exemptions.

4. Functional requirements.

PART II

SHIP REQUIREMENTS

5. Installation, location and control of radio equipment.

6. Radio equipment to be provided for all sea areas.

7. Additional radio equipment to be provided for sea area A1.

8. Additional radio equipment to be provided for sea areas A1 and A2.

9. Additional radio equipment to be provided for sea areas A1, A2 and A3.

10. Additional radio equipment to be provided for sea areas A1, A2, A3 and A4.

11. Radio watches.

12. Sources of energy.

13. Performance standards.

14. Serviceability and maintenance requirements.

15. Radio personnel.

16. Radio records.

SCHEDULE I

EQUIPMENT TESTS AND RESERVE POWER CHECKS

SCHEDULE II

RADIO LOG

S.I. No. 224 of 1992.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (RADIO) RULES, 1992.

I, MICHAEL WOODS, Minister for the Marine, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 15 (as amended by sections 11 and 12 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1966 (No. 20 of 1966)) of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952 (No. 29 of 1952), the Communications (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1987 ( S.I. No. 91 of 1987 ), and the Communications (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1991 ( S.I. No. 26 of 1991 ), and after consultation with the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications, hereby make the following Rules--

PART I GENERAL

1. (1) These rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules, 1992, and shall be deemed to have come into operation on the 1st day of February, 1992.

(2) As and from the 1st day of February, 1992 the Rules of 1983 are continued in force and the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Rules, 1992 ( S.I. No. 28 of 1992 ) are revoked.

(3) These Rules shall apply to:

( a ) sea-going ships registered in the State, and

( b ) other sea-going ships while they are within any port in the State:

Provided that these Rules shall not apply to sea-going ships registered in the State while such ships are being navigated 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.

(4) These Rules shall not apply to:

( a ) troopships not registered in the State;

( b ) ships not propelled by mechanical means;

( c ) pleasure craft;

( d ) fishing vessels;

( e ) cargo ships of less than 300 tons.

(5) For the purpose of these Rules:

"ships constructed" means ships the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction;

"a similar stage of construction" means the stage of construction at which:--

(i) construction identifiable with a specific ship begins;

and

(ii) assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1 per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less.

(6) Every ship shall comply with rules 6 (1) (d) and 6 (1) (f) not later than the 1st day of August, 1993.

(7) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (6) and (8), every ship shall comply with these Rules.

(8) ( a ) A ship which is in compliance with these Rules shall not be required to comply with the Rules of 1983.

(8) ( b ) As respects the period ending on the 1st day of February, 1999, a ship which was constructed prior to the 1st day of February, 1995, and is in compliance with the Rules of 1983, shall not be required to comply with these Rules.

(9) No provision in these Rules shall prevent the use by any ship, survival craft or person in distress, of any means at their disposal to attract attention, make known their position and obtain help.

2. (1) In the Rules:--

"assigned frequency" means the centre of a frequency band assigned in accordance with the Radio Regulations;

"bridge-to-bridge communications" means communications between ships from the positions from which the ships are normally navigated;

"cargo ship" means a ship other than a passenger ship;

"cargo ship construction and survey rules" means the rules made by the Minister under section 3 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1966 (No. 20 of 1966), for the time being in force;

"continuous watch" means a radio watch that is not interrupted or is interrupted only for brief intervals when the ship's receiving capability is impaired or blocked by its own communications or when the facilities are under periodical maintenance or checks;

"digital selective calling" and "DSC" mean a technique using digital codes which enables a radio station to establish contact with, and transfer information to, another station or group of stations, and complying with the relevant recommendations as specified by the Department of the Marine;

"direct-printing telegraphy" means automated telegraphy techniques which comply with the relevant recommendations as specified by the Department of the Marine;

"fishing vessel" means a vessel which is for the time being employed in sea fishing, but does not include a vessel used otherwise than for profit;

"general radio communications" means operational and public correspondence traffic, other than distress, urgency and safety messages, conducted by radio;

"High Frequency" and "HF" mean the frequency spectrum between 3000 kHz and 30 mHz;

"INMARSAT" means the Organisation established by the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT) done in London on the 3rd day of September, 1976;

"International NAVTEX Service" means the co-ordinated broadcast and automatic reception on 518 kHz of maritime safety information by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy using the English language;

"locating" means the finding of ships, aircraft, units or persons in distress;

"maritime safety information" means navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety related messages broadcast to ships;

"Medium Frequency" and "MF" mean the frequency spectrum between 300 kHz and 3000 kHz;

"Marine Notice" means a Notice described as such, issued by the Department of the Marine;

"the Minister" means the Minister for the Marine;

"passenger ship" means a ship carrying more than 12 passengers;

"pleasure craft" means a vessel (other than a passenger ship and ship engaged in trade) primarily used for sport and recreation;

"polar orbiting satellite service" means a service which is based on polar orbiting satellites which receive and relay distress alerts from satellite EPIRBs and which provides their position;

"radar transponder" means a survival craft radar transponder for search and rescue between ships or aircraft and survival craft;

"radio communication" means telecommunication by means of radio waves;

"radio communication service" means a service as defined in the Radio Regulations involving the transmission, emission and/or reception of radio waves for specific telecommunication purposes;

"Radio Regulations" means the Radio Regulations annexed to, or regarded as being annexed to, the most recent International Telecommunication Convention for the time being in force;

"the Rules for Life-Saving Appliances" means the Rules made by the Minister under section 427 (as amended by section 11 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952 (No. 29 of 1952) and section 10 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1966 (No. 20 of 1966)) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, for the time being in force;

"the Rules of 1983" means the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Rules, 1983 ( S.I. No. 308 of 1983 ), as amended by the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) (Amendment) Rules, 1984 ( S.I. No. 192 of 1984 ), and the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) (Amendment No. 2) Rules, 1985 ( S.I. No. 281 of 1985 );

"satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon" and "satellite EPIRB" means an earth station in the mobile-satellite service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations;

"sea area A1" means an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available;

"sea area A2" means an area, excluding sea area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined in a Marine Notice;

"sea area A3" means an area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an INMARSAT geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available;

"sea area A4" means an area outside sea areas A1, A2 and A3;

"ship earth station" means a mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite service located on board ship;

"ship station" means a mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft station;

"tons" means gross tons and shall be:--

( a ) for a ship having alternative gross tonnage under paragraph 12 of the Fourth Schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations, 1984 ( S.I. No. 369 of 1984 ), the larger of those tonnages, and

( b ) for a ship having its tonnage determined both under Part II and regulation 16 of the said regulations, its gross tonnage as determined under regulation 16;

"Very High Frequency" and "VHF" mean the frequency spectrum between 30 mHz and 300 mHz.

(2) In these Rules, a reference to a rule, paragraph or subparagraph is to the rule, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.

(3) A term or abbreviation which is used in these Rules and is defined in the Radio Regulations shall have in these Rules the meaning that it has in those Regulations.

3. (1) Where these Rules require that a particular fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, shall be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular provision shall be made, the Minister may permit any other fitting, material, appliance or apparatus or type thereof to be fitted or carried, or any other provision to be made in that ship if he is satisfied by trial thereof or otherwise that such other fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by these Rules.

(2) The Minister may exempt any individual ship which complies with certain criteria specified by him or any class or description of ships from any of the provisions of rules 5 to 16, subject to such conditions as he may think fit.

4. Every ship, while at sea, shall be capable:

( a ) except as provided in rules 7 (1) (a) and 9 (1) (d) (iii), of transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least two separate and independent means, each using a different radiocommunication service;

( b ) of receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;

( c ) of transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;

( d ) of transmitting and receiving search and rescue co-ordinating communications;

( e ) of transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;

( f ) of transmitting and receiving signals for locating;

( g ) of transmitting and receiving maritime safety information;

( h ) of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications to and from shore-based radio systems or networks subject to rule 14 (8), and

( i ) of transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications.

PART II SHIP REQUIREMENTS

5. (1) Every ship shall be provided with radio installations capable of complying with the functional requirements prescribed by rule 4 throughout its intended voyage and, unless exempted under rule 3, complying with the requirements of rule 6 and, as appropriate for the sea area or areas through which it will pass during its intended voyage, the requirements of either rule 7, 8, 9 or 10.

(2) Every radio installation shall:

( a ) be so located that no harmful interference of mechanical, electrical or other origin affects its proper use, and so as to ensure electromagnetic compatibility and avoidance of harmful interaction with other equipment and systems;

( b ) be so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety and operational availability;

( c ) be protected against harmful effects of water, extremes of temperature and other adverse environmental conditions;

( 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 and for operating the radio installation; and

( e ) be clearly marked with the call sign, the ship station identity and other codes as applicable for the use of the radio installation.

(3) Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels, required for navigational safety, shall be immediately available on the navigating bridge convenient to the conning position and, where necessary, facilities should be available to permit radiocommunications from the wings of the navigating bridge. Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet the latter provision.

(4) Each radio transmitter and receiver fitted in accordance with these Rules shall be provided with a suitable antenna or antennas. The antennas shall be so constructed and sited to enable each radio installation to perform effectively its intended communication function.

(5) ( a ) Where wire antennas are provided as part of a radio installation they shall be fitted with suitable insulators and, if suspended between supports liable to whipping, be protected against breakage. In addition, a spare wire antenna completely assembled for rapid replacement shall be carried.

( b ) Where MF and MF/HF radio installations are provided with an antenna which is not a supported wire antenna, a spare antenna of similar electrical characteristics shall be carried.

6. (1) Every ship shall be provided with:

( a ) a VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving:

(i) DSC on the frequency 156.525 mHz (channel 70). It shall be possible to initiate the transmission of distress alerts on channel 70 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and

(ii) radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 mHz (channel 6), 156.650 mHz (channel 13) and 156.800 mHz (channel 16);

( b ) a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on VHF channel 70 which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by subparagraph (a) (i);

( c ) a radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 gHz band, which:

(i) shall be so stowed that it can be easily utilized; and

(ii) may be one of those required by the Rules of 1983 for a survival craft;

( d ) a receiver capable of receiving International NAVTEX service broadcasts if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area in which an International NAVTEX service is provided;

( e ) a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by the INMARSAT enhanced group calling system if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of INMARSAT coverage in which an international NAVTEX service is not provided. The Minister may exempt a ship from this requirement if he is satisfied that the ship shall be engaged on voyages exclusively in areas where an HF direct-printing telegraphy maritime safety information service is provided and that the ship is fitted with equipment capable of receiving such service.

( f ) subject to the provisions of rule 7 (3), a satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) which shall be:

(i) capable of transmitting a distress alert either through the polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406 mHz band (which may be a float-free satellite EPIRB carried in accordance with the Rules of 1983) or, in sea areas A1, A2 and A3 only, through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service operating in the 1.6 gHz band;

(ii) installed in an easily accessible position;

(iii) ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;

(iv) capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat; and

(v) capable of being activated manually.

(2) Until the 1st day of February, 1999, every ship shall, in addition, be fitted with a radio installation consisting of a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver capable of operating on the frequency 2,182 kHz.

(3) Until the 1st day of February, 1999, every ship shall, unless the ship is engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1, be fitted with a device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on the frequency 2,182 kHz.

7. (1) In addition to meeting the requirements of rule 6, every ship engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 shall be provided with a radio installation capable of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts from the position from which the ship is normally navigated, operating either:

( a ) on VHF using DSC; this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB prescribed by paragraph (3), either by installing the EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

( b ) through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 mHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by rule 6 (1) (f) either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

( c ) if the ship is engaged on voyages within coverage of MF coast stations equipped with DSC, on MF using DSC; or

( d ) on HF using DSC; or

( e ) through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:

(i) an INMARSAT ship earth station; or

(ii) the satellite EPIRB, required by rule 6 (1) (f), either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

(2) On every ship engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 the VHF radio installation, required by rule 6 (1) (a), shall also be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony.

(3) Ships engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 may carry, in lieu of the satellite EPIRB required by rule 6 (1) (f), an EPIRB which shall be:

( a ) capable of transmitting a distress alert using DSC on VHF channel 70 and providing for locating by means of a radar transponder operating in the 9 gHz band;

( b ) installed in an easily accessible position;

( c ) ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;

( d ) capable of floating free if the ship sinks and being automatically activated when afloat; and

( e ) capable of being activated manually.

8. (1) In addition to meeting the requirements of rule 6, every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea area A1, but remaining within sea area A2, shall be provided with:

( a ) an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:

(i) 2,187.5 kHz (assigned frequency) using DSC; and

(ii) 2,182 kHz using radiotelephony;

( b ) a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2,187.5 kHz (assigned frequency) which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by subparagraph (a) (i); and

( c ) means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service other than MF operating either:

(i) through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 mHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by rule 6 (1) (f), either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

(ii) on HF using DSC; or

(iii) through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:

(A) the equipment specified in paragraph (3) (b), or

(B) the satellite EPIRB, required by rule 6 (1) (f) either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

(2) It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs (1) (a) and (1) (c) from the position, within the sea area referred to in paragraph (1), from which the ship is normally navigated.

(3) Every ship engaged on voyages in the sea area referred to at paragraph (1) shall, in addition, be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by either:

( a ) a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHz or between 4,000 kHz and 27,500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph (1) (a); or

( b ) an INMARSAT ship earth station.

9. (1) In addition to meeting the requirements of rule 6, every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea areas A1 and A2, but remaining within sea area A3, shall, if it does not comply with the requirements of paragraph (2) be provided with:

( a ) an INMARSAT ship earth station capable of:

(i) transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy;

(ii) initiating and receiving distress priority calls;

(iii) maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alerts, including those directed to specifically defined geographical areas;

(iv) transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications, using either radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy; and

( b ) an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:

(i) 2,187.5 kHz (assigned frequency) using DSC; and

(ii) 2,182 kHz using radiotelephony; and

( c ) a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2,187.5 kHz (assigned frequency) which may be separate from or combined with that required by subparagraph (b) (i); and

( d ) means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service operating either:

(i) through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 mHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 6 (1) (f), either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

(ii) on HF using DSC; or

(iii) through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, by an additional ship earth station or by the satellite EPIRB required by rule 6 (1) (f), either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from the position from which the ship is normally navigated;

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of rule 6, every ship engaged on voyages beyond sea areas A1 and A2, but remaining within sea area A3, shall, if it does not comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) be provided with:

( a ) an MF/HF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on all distress and safety frequencies in the bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHz and between 4,000 kHz and 27,500 kHz:

(i) using DSC;

(ii) using radiotelephony; and

(iii) using direct-printing telegraphy; and

( b ) equipment capable of maintaining DSC watch on 2,187.5 kHz, 8,414.5 kHz (assigned frequencies) and on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz (assigned frequencies); at any time, it shall be possible to select any of these DSC distress and safety frequencies. This equipment may be separate from, or combined with, the equipment required by subparagraph (a); and

( c ) means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radiocommunication service other than HF operating either:

(i) through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 mHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by rule 6 (1) (f), either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or

(ii) through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:

(A) an INMARSAT ship earth station; or

(B) the satellite EPIRB, required by rule 6 (1) (f), either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and

( d ) in addition, ships shall be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by an MF/HF radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHz and between 4,000 kHz and 27,500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by subparagraph (a).

(3) It shall be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in subparagraphs (1) (a), (1) (b), (1) (d), (2) (a) and 2 (c) from the position, within the sea area referred to at paragraph (1), from which the ship is normally navigated.

10. In addition to meeting the requirements of rule 6, ships engaged on voyages in all sea areas shall be provided with the radio installations and equipment required by rule 9 (2), except that the equipment required by rule 9 (2) (c) (ii) shall not be accepted as an alternative to that required by rule 9 (2) (c) (i), which shall always be provided. In addition, ships engaged on voyages in all sea areas shall comply with the requirements of rule 9 (3).

11. (1) Every ship while at sea shall maintain a continuous watch:

( a ) on VHF DSC channel 70, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of rule 6 (1) (b), is fitted with a VHF radio installation;

( b ) on the distress and safety DSC frequency 2,187.5 kHz (assigned frequency), if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of rule 8 (1) (b) or 9 (1) (c), is fitted with an MF radio installation;

( c ) on the distress and safety DSC frequencies 2,187.5 kHz and 8,414.5 kHz (assigned frequencies) and also on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4,207.5 kHz, 6,312 kHz, 12,577 kHz or 16,804.5 kHz (assigned frequencies), appropriate to the time of day and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of rule 9 (2) (b) or 10, is fitted with an MF/HF radio installation. This watch may be kept by means of a scanning receiver;

( d ) for satellite shore-to-ship distress alerts, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of rule 9 (1) (a), is fitted with an INMARSAT ship earth station.

(2) Every ship, while at sea, shall maintain a radio watch for broadcasts of maritime safety information on the appropriate frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the ship is navigating.

(3) Until the 1st day of February, 1999, every ship while at sea shall maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16. This watch shall be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

(4) Until the 1st day of February, 1999, every ship required to carry a radiotelephone watch receiver shall maintain, while at sea, a continuous watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2,182 kHz. This watch shall be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

12. (1) There shall be available at all times, while the ship is at sea, a supply of electrical energy sufficient to operate the radio installations and to charge any batteries used as part of a reserve source or sources of energy for the radio installations.

(2) A reserve source or sources of energy shall be provided on every ship, to supply radio installations, for the purpose of conducting distress and safety radiocommunications, in the event of failure of the ship's main and emergency sources of electrical power. The reserve source or sources of energy shall be capable of simultaneously operating the VHF radio installation required by rule 6 (1) (a) and, as appropriate for the sea area or sea areas for which the ship is equipped, either the MF radio installation required by rule 8 (1) (a), the MF/HF radio installation required by rule 9 (2) (a) or 10, or the INMARSAT ship earth station required by rule 9 (1) (a) and any of the additional loads mentioned in paragraph (5), (6) and (9) for a period of at least:

( a ) one hour, on ships constructed on or after the 1st day of February, 1995;

( b ) one hour, on ships constructed before the 1st day of February, 1995, if the emergency source of electrical power complies fully with all relevant requirements of the cargo ship construction and survey rules including the requirements to supply the radio installations; and

( c ) six hours, on ships constructed before the 1st day of February, 1995, if the emergency source of electrical power is not provided or does not comply fully with all relevant requirements of the cargo ship construction and survey rules, including the requirements to supply the radio installations.

(3) The reserve source or sources of energy need not supply independent HF and MF radio installations at the same time.

(4) The reserve source or sources of energy shall be independent of the propelling power of the ship and the ship's electrical system.

(5) Where, in addition to the VHF installation, two or more of the other radio installations, referred to in paragraph (2), can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy, they shall be capable of simultaneously supplying, for the period specified, as appropriate, in paragraph (2) (a), (2) (b) or (2) (c) the VHF radio installation and:

( a ) all other radio installations which can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy at the same time; or

( b ) whichever of the other radio installations will consume the most power, if only one of the other radio installations can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy at the same time as the VHF radio installation.

(6) The reserve source or sources of energy may be used to supply the electrical lighting required by rule 5 (2) (d).

(7) Where a reserve source of energy consists of a rechargeable accumulator battery or batteries:

( a ) a means of automatically charging such batteries shall be provided which shall be capable of recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 hours; and

( b ) the capacity of the battery or batteries shall be checked, using an appropriate method, at intervals not exceeding 12 months, when the ship is not at sea.

(8) The siting and installation of accumulator batteries which provide a reserve source of energy shall be such as to ensure:

( a ) the highest degree of service;

( b ) a reasonable lifetime;

( c ) reasonable safety;

( d ) that battery temperatures remain within the manufacturer's specifications whether under charge or idle; and

( e ) that when fully charged, the batteries will provide at least the minimum required hours of operation under all weather conditions.

(9) If an uninterrupted input of information from the ship's navigational or other equipment to a radio installation required by these Rules is needed to ensure its proper performance, means shall be provided to ensure the continuous supply of such information in the event of failure of the ship's main or emergency source of electrical power.

(10) For the purpose of calculating the required capacity of the reserve source or sources of energy, the total current used in calculations shall be equal to the highest sum of:

(A) the current used for all the radio installations which simultaneously can be connected to the source or sources of energy, based on the following:

( a ) the current consumption of the VHF receiver;

( b ) one fifth of the current consumption of the VHF transmitter;

( c ) the current consumption of a MF or MF/HF receiver and of the transmitter when it is in a condition that operation of the "press to transmit" switch will make it ready for immediate transmission;

( d ) one third of the current which may be drawn by a MF or MF/HF transmitter for speech transmission on the frequency at which the current consumption of the transmitter is at a maximum;

( e ) the current consumption of an INMARSAT ship earth station when it is receiving transmissions;

(f) one quarter of the current which may be drawn by an INMARSAT ship earth station when it is transmitting in the mode at which the current consumption is at a maximum;

and

(B) the total current used for all additional loads to which the reserve source may supply energy in times of distress or emergency.

13. Equipment required to be provided under these Rules and radio equipment required under the Rules for Life-Saving Appliances:

(1) shall conform to performance standards adopted by the International Maritime Organization; and

(2) in the case of equipment provided on ships registered in the State, shall conform to appropriate performance specifications issued by the Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications,

and the references to those standards and specifications shall be deemed to include references to any standards or specifications set out in any document amending the same which is considered by the Minister to be relevant from time to time and which is specified in a Marine Notice.

14. (1) Equipment shall be so designed that the main units can be replaced readily, without elaborate recalibration or readjustment.

(2) Where applicable, equipment shall be so constructed and installed that it is readily accessible for inspection and on-board maintenance purposes.

(3) Adequate information shall be provided to enable the equipment to be properly operated and maintained.

(4) Adequate tools and spares shall be provided to enable the equipment to be maintained.

(5) Radio equipment required by these Rules shall be maintained to provide the availability of the functional requirements specified in rule 4 and to meet the recommended performance standards of such equipment.

(6) On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A1 and A2, the availability shall be ensured by using such methods as duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance or at-sea electronic maintenance capability, or a combination of these, as required by a Marine Notice.

(7) On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A3 and A4, the availability shall be ensured by using a combination of at least two methods such as duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance or at-sea electronic maintenance capability, as required by a Marine Notice.

(8) While all reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain the equipment in efficient working order to ensure compliance with all the functional requirements specified in rule 4, malfunction of the equipment for providing the general radiocommunications required by rule 4 (h) and (i) shall not be considered as a contravention of rule 4 (h) or (i), or as making a ship unseaworthy or as a reason for delaying a ship in a port where repair facilities are not readily available, provided the ship is capable of performing all distress and safety functions.

(9) In all ships registered in the State, a person nominated by the Master shall, while the ship is at sea, carry out the appropriate tests and checks specified in Schedule I to these Rules. If any of the radio installations required by these Rules is not in a working order, the Master shall be informed and the details recorded in the Radio Log.

15. (1) Every ship shall carry personnel qualified for distress and safety radio communication purposes as specified in paragraph (2) of this rule. The personnel shall be holders of certificates specified in the Radio Regulations as appropriate, one of whom shall be designated to have primary responsibility for radio communications during distress incidents, and holders of an authorisation granted by the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications to operate a radio station established in a ship under a licence granted by the said Minister.

(2) The personnel of ship stations on board ships which sail in sea area A1 shall hold at least a restricted GMDSS operator's certificate. The personnel of ship stations on board ships which sail in any other sea area shall hold at least a general GMDSS operator's certificate.

16. A record shall be kept, as specified in Schedule II and as required by the Radio Regulations, of all incidents connected with the radiocommunication service which appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea.

SCHEDULE I

EQUIPMENT TESTS AND RESERVE POWER CHECKS

1. Daily

( a ) The proper functioning of the DSC facilities shall be tested at least once daily without radiation of signals, by use of the means provided by the equipment.

( b ) Batteries providing a source of energy for any part of the radio installations shall be tested daily and, where necessary, brought up to the fully charged condition.

( c ) Where the reserve source of energy is not a battery (for example, a motor generator), the reserve source of energy shall be tested daily.

2. Weekly

The proper operation of the DSC facilities shall be tested at least once each week by means of a test call, when within communication range of a coast radio station fitted with DSC equipment. Where a ship has been out of communication range of a coast radio station fitted with DSC equipment for a period of longer than one week, a test call shall be made on the first occasion that the ship is within communication range of such a coast radio station.

3. Monthly

( a ) Each EPIRB and satellite EPIRB shall be tested at least once each month to determine its capability to operate properly using the means provided on the device and without using the satellite system.

( b ) Each search and rescue radar transponder shall be checked at least once each month for security and signs of damage.

( c ) Each survival craft two-way VHF equipment shall be tested at least once each month on a frequency other than 156.800 mHz (VHF channel 16).

( d ) A check shall be made at least once each month on the security and condition of all batteries providing a source of energy for any part of a radio installation. The battery connections and compartment shall also be checked.

SCHEDULE II

RADIO LOG

The following shall be recorded in the Radio Log:

( a ) the time and source of each communication relating to distress, urgency and safety traffic and a summary of its contents,

( b ) the occurrence and time of important service incidents,

( c ) if the ship's rules permit, the position of the ship at, at least, one given time each day,

and the recording shall be made as soon as may be after the event concerned.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 30th day of July, 1992.

MICHAEL WOODS,

Minister for the Marine.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Rules provide for the introduction of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in stages between 1 February, 1992 and 1 February, 1999.

These Rules apply to cargo ships of 300 tons or more and to passenger ships registered in the State and to other such ships registered outside the State while they are within a port in the State.

The Rules provide for the implementation of amendments to SOLAS (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974) concerning carriage requirements for radiocommunications equipment for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The GMDSS entered into force internationally, under the SOLAS Convention's "tacit acceptance" procedure on 1 February, 1992.

The Rules provide for the phased introduction of the GMDSS in stages between 1 February, 1992 and 1 February, 1999 as follows:

-- Ships constructed before 1 February, 1995 must comply with either these Rules or the previous Rules (i.e. The Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Rules, 1983, 1984 and 1985).

-- By 1 August, 1993 all ships must carry NAVTEX equipment and EPIRBs.

-- Every ship constructed on or after 1 February, 1995 must comply with these Rules.

-- After 1 February, 1999 all ships must comply with these Rules.

These Rules replace the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Rules, 1992 (No. 28 of 1992) which are revoked.