GMDSS Handbook
  
 
Annex - 7-1
GUIDELINES ON EQUIVALENTS FOR EQUIPMENT TO INTRODUCE ELEMENTS OF THE FUTURE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM
 
1. The Maritime Safety Committee at its fifty-second session (MSC 52/28, paragraph 9.8) approved the guidelines on equivalents for equipment to introduce elements of the future global maritime distress and safety system.
2. At the request of the Maritime Safety Committee the guidelines, which are attached, are brought to the attention of Member Governments.
3. Member Governments are requested to consider whether their coastal waters may be designated in accordance with paragraph 2.4.2 of the guidelines and, if so, to notify the Organisation.
 
Annex
GUIDELINES ON EQUIVALENTS FOR EQUIPMENT TO INTRODUCE ELEMENTS OF THE FUTURE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Maritime Safety Committee:
1. has approved the requirements of the Future Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (FGMDSS) which will support the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 ( 1979 SAR Convention) and will involve integrated communication networks at sea and ashore designed to perform a number of functions and to provide, as fast and efficiently as possible, assistance to units in distress;
2. has approved in principle draft carriage requirements for equipment which can operate with the appropriate FGMDSS radio subsystems and meet the functional requirements of the future system; these requirements are expected to apply, on an area of operations basis, to all ships covered by the present chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention; generally agreed requirements for ships of between 300 and 1600 gross tonnage are yet to be developed; and
3. is developing, in support of the 1979 SAR Convention, an international search and rescue plan which will take account of the FGMDSS requirements and will be based upon an integrated network of coast stations, coast earth stations and rescue co-ordination centres and appropriate procedures for routing distress traffic.
1.2. The 1983 World Administrative Radio Conference for the Mobile Services:
1. made provisions for the use of certain frequencies from 15 January 1985 which will enable testing evaluation and introduction of the FGMDSS; and
2. adopted resolutions requesting the next World Administrative Radio Conference for the Mobile Services to introduce detailed regulatory and operational provisions into the Radio Regulations, and IMO in co-operation with the ITU to co-ordinate a plan for selected coast stations to assume watchkeeping responsibilities on FGMDSS frequencies.
1.3. It is planned to introduce the various elements of the FGMDSS in parallel with the present maritime distress and safety arrangements in the safest, most practical and economical way so that the new system can be fully implemented in about 1990, when a revised chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention enters into force, which provides for:
1. a degree of safety which is at least as high as that provided under the present distress and safety arrangements; and
2. all existing provisions of the Radio Regulations pertaining to distress and safety communications being maintained at least until the full implementation of the FGMDSS.
1.4. Experience will be needed with the distress and safety facilities of the maritime mobile and maritime- mobile satellite services in order to assist with the development of the search and rescue planning arrangements and the integrated network of coast stations, coast earth stations and associated rescue co-ordination centres.
1.5. For the purpose of these guidelines the criteria for establishing the FGMDSS areas are given in the attached appendix and may be defined as follows:
1. Sea area A1 means an area within VHF coverage providing continuous availability of DSC alerting, as defined by a Contracting Government.
2. Sea area A2 means an area, excluding sea area A1, within MF coverage providing continuous availability of DSC alerting, as defined by a Contracting Government.
3. Sea area A3 means an area, excluding sea areas At and A2, within geostationary satellite coverage providing continuous availability of alerting.
4. Sea area A4 means the remaining sea areas outside sea areas Al, A2 and A3
1.6. The areas referred to in the appendix should provide for adequate watchkeeping on relevant distress frequencies, shore-to-ship distress alerting and SAR co-ordinating communications.
1.7. A1 and A2 areas and other areas referred to in paragraph 2.4.2 should be determined by Contracting Governments in the coastal areas concerned and notified to the Organization prior to the application of these guidelines to ships and in sufficient time for circulation of such information to all Contracting Governments.
2 INTRODUCTION OF FGMDSS SUBSYSTEMS ON RADIOTELEGRAPH SHIPS
2.1. General Administrations when considering any proposals which would support introduction of the FGMDSS subsystems should be guided by the following arrangements which would ensure compatibility between the present and future systems.
2.2. Ships which operate in areas A1, A2, A3 and A4
2.2.1. Arrangements for ships which operate in areas A1, A2, A3 and A4 can only be considered suitable when DSC and satellite EPIRBs are fully tested and a sufficient number of HF coast stations have been equipped with DSC.
2.2.2. The following requirements should apply
2.2.2.1. The ship station should include:
1. an MF radiotelegraph transmitter with an automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device and receiver:
2. an MF /HF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver, an MF /HF direct-printing telegraphy transmitter and receiver and a DSC transmitter and receiver, which requirements may be fulfilled by one or more pieces of equipment;
3. a radiotelegraph auto-alarm;
4. a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver;
5. a VHF radiotelephone installation;
6. a NAVTEX receiver if the ship operates in any coastal area in which a NAVTEX system is provided; and
7. a satellite EPIRB when available.
2.2.2.2. The equipment listed in subparagraph 2.2.2.1.1 should be electrically separate and electrically independent from the equipment in subparagraph 2.2.2.1.2.
2.2.2.3. The radiotelephone installation listed in subparagraph 2.2.2.1.2 should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and from the ship's emergency source of electrical power required by chapter II-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention. The equipment listed in subparagraph 2.2.2.1.1 and optionally the equipment listed in subparagraphs 2.2.2.1.3, 2.2.2.1.4 and 2.2.2.1.5 should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and from the ship's reserve source of energy, required by chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
2.3. Ships which operate in areas A1, A2 and A3
2.3.1. Where a ship which operates in areas A1, A2 and A3 is provided with an INMARSAT ship earth station capable of telephone and direct-printing telegraphy the following should apply:
2.3.1.1. The ship station should include:
1. a ship earth station;
2. an MF radiotelegraph transmitter with an automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device and receiver, an MF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver and an HF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver, which requirements may be fulfilled by one or more pieces of equipment;
3. a radiotelegraph auto-alarm;
4. a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver
5. a VHF radiotelephone installation;
6. a NAVTEX receiver if the ship operates in any coastal area in which a NAVTEX service is provided; and 7. a satellite EPIRB when available
2.3.1.2. When the requirement in subparagraph 2.3.1.1.7 is fulfilled, the requirement in subparagraph 2.3.1.1.2 for an HF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver no longer applies.
2.3.1.3. The ship earth station including antenna tracking system should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and from either the ship's emergency source of electrical power required by chapter 11-1 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention or a suitable independent source of electrical power located above the uppermost continuous deck. The MF radiotelegraph equipment listed in subparagraph 2.3.1.1.2 and optionally the MF radiotelephone equipment listed in subparagraph 2.3.1.1.2 and the equipment listed in subparagraphs 2.3.1.1.3, 2.3.1.1.4 and 2.3.1.1.5 should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and from the ship's reserve source of energy required by chapter IV .of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
2.3.2. Where an HF DSC installation is provided, instead of an INMARSAT ship earth station, the ship station should fulfil the requirements listed in paragraph 2.2.2.
2.4. Ships which operate in areas A1 and A2
2.4.1. Except as provided in paragraph 2.4.2, the following ship station is considered appropriate for a ship which operates in areas having MF DSC coverage:
1. an MF radiotelegraph transmitter with an automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device and receiver;
2. an MF radiotelephone transmitter, which is independent of the ship's radiotelegraph installation and includes a device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signals and an MF radiotelephone receiver;
3. a radiotelegraph auto-alarm
4. a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver;
5. a VHF radiotelephone installation;
6. a NAVTEX receiver if the ship operates in any coastal area in which NAVTEX service is provided;
7. MF DSC facilities;
8. satellite EPIRB when available
2.4.2. In the North Sea and Baltic Sea and other areas, designated by the Administrations in the coastal areas concerned, which have well-established SAR organisations and facilities and are continuously covered by coast stations with respect to MF radiotelephony, MF radiotelegraphy and NAVTEX services, the Administration may permit ships to be provided with the following ship station in lieu of the station required by paragraph 2.4.1, if it considers such requirements to be unreasonable or unnecessary, having regard to the effect that exemptions may have upon the general efficiency of the distress service for the safety of all ships:
1. an MF radiotelephone transmitter including a device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal and receiver;
2. a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver;
3. a VHF radiotelephone installation;
4. a NAVTEX receiver if the ship operates in any coastal area in which NAVTEX service is provided
5. MF DSC facilities when available;
6. a satellite EPIRB when available; and 7. prior to the availability of MF DSC facilities and satellite EPIRBs, an INMARSAT ship earth station
2.4.3. The radiotelephone equipment, DSC installation and, where fitted, the MF radiotelegraph equipment should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and from the ship's reserve source of electrical power required by chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention. The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver and the VHF radiotelephone installation may be provided with electrical energy from the ship's reserve power required by chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
2.4.4. The ship earth station, where fitted, including antenna tracking system, should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and from the ship's emergency source of electrical power required by chapter Il-l of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
2.5. Ships which operate in A1 areas
2.5.1. The ship station of a ship which operates in A1 areas should include:
1. a VHF radiotelephone installation; 2. a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver;
3. a NAVTEX receiver;
4. VHF DSC facilities when available; and
5. a VHF EPIRB or when available, a satellite EPIRB
2.5.2. The equipment listed in subparagraph
2.5.1.1 and optionally the equipment listed in subparagraph
2.5.1.2 should be provided with electrical energy from the ship's main power supply and the reserve source of ener~y required by chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
3. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SHIPBORNE RADIO EQUIPMENT
The equipment to be used in accordance with these guidelines should comply with all relevant CCIR recommendations and the performance standards adopted by the Organisation.
4. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF PERSONNEL
4.1. All ships to which the 1974 SOLAS Convention applies, which are provided with subsystems of the FGMDSS in accordance with the arrangements set out in these guidelines, should carry personnel who are qualified to ensure that the relevant functional requirements of the FGMDSS are met while the ships are at sea.
4.2. Pending the establishment and entry into force of new provisions in the ITU Radio Regulations and the 1978 STCW Convention for personnel and their qualifications in the fully implemented FGMDSS, personnel on board ships participating in the transitional arrangements for the FGMDSS should be qualified in accordance with the current requirements of the Radio Regulations and the 1978 STCW Convention and, in addition, should satisfy the Administration as to their knowledge of the operational procedures and equipment associated with the relevant FGMDSS subsystems.
5. SHIP'S AREA OF OPERATION
For the purpose of applying the requirements of paragraph 2, the direct route between the ship's ports of call should determine the FGMDSS area in which it operates.
 
Appendix
CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHING FGMDSS AREAS
1 INTRODUCTION
It is intended that Contracting Governments should use the following criteria as guidance when determining the four mutually exclusive sea areas off their coasts, which are defined in paragraph 1.7 of these guidelines.
2 SEA AREA A1
2.1. General The communication range of stations operating in the maritime mobile VHF band is likely to be limited by propagation factors rather than lack of radiated power .
2.2. Guidance criteria Sea area A1 is that sea area which is within a circle of radius A nautical miles over which the radio propagation path lies substantially over water. The radius A is equal to the transmission distance between a ship's VHF antenna at a height of 4 m above sea level and the antenna of the VHF coast station which lies at the centre of the circle.
2.3. Determination of radius A
2.3.1.The following formula should be used to calculate the range A in nautical miles
is the height of the coast station receiving antenna and h is the height of the ship's transmitting antenna which is assumed to be 4 m. 2.3.2. The following table gives the range in NM for typical values of H:
H 50m 100m
for h=4m 23Nm 30Nm
2.3.3. The formula given above applies to line-of-sight cases but is not considered adequate for cases where both antennae are at a low level. The range of sea area At should be verified by field strength measurements.
3. SEA AREA A2
3.1. General
3.1.1. Consideration of the reception of radio signals in the 2 MHz band indicates that the range is likely to be limited by propagation conditions and atmospheric noise, which are affected by variations in geographical position and time of day, as well as radiated power .
3.1.2. The theoretical distance to be expected from ground wave propagation can be determined by reference to the "Ground-Wave propagation curves: Sea Water" in CCIR Recommendation 368, adjusted as necessary to take account of the actual radiated field strength from the transmitting antenna and the minimum field strength necessary for the proper operation of a receiver conforming with resolution A.334(IX).
3.1.3. The determination of the minimum signal level required for satisfactory radio reception in the absence of other unwanted signals necessitates account being taken of the noise with which the wanted signal must compete. CCIR Report 322 gives the world distribution of values of noise level and of other noise parameters and shows the method of using these in the evaluation of the probable performance of a radio circuit.
3.2. Guidance criteria Sea area A2 is that sea area which is within a circle of radius B nautical miles over which the propagation path lies substantially over water and which is not part of any sea area Al, the centre of the circle being the position of the coast station receiving antenna.
3.3. Determination of radius B
The radius B may be determined for each coast station by reference to CCIR Recommendation 368 and CCIR Report 322 for the performance of a single sideband (J3E) system under the following conditions:
Frequency 2182 kHz
Band width 3 kHz
Propagation groundwave
Time of day As in area
Season As in area
Ship's transmitter power (PEP) 60 watts
Ship's antenna efficiency 25%
SIN (RF) 9 dB (voice)
Mean transmitter power 8 dB below peak power
Fading margin 3 dB
The range of sea areas A2 should be verified by field strength measurements.
4. AREA A3
4.1. Guidance criteria Sea area A3 is the area of the world not being part of any sea area A1 or A2 within which the elevation angle of an INMARSAT satellite is 5 degrees or more.
5. AREA A4
5.1. Guidance criteria Sea area A4 is the area of the world not being part of any sea area A1, A2 or A3.
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
Radio Officer © 2002 Edition