Resolution A.662(16)

(Adopted on 19 October 1989)

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR FLOAT-FREE RELEASE AND ACTIVATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR EMERGENCY RADIO EQUIPMENT

THE ASSEMBLY,

RECALLING Article l5(j) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and guidelines concerning maritime safety,

RECOGNIZING the need to prepare performance standards for float free release and activation arrangements for use in the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) for emergency radio equipment to ensure the operational reliability of such equipment,

1. ADOPTS the Recommendation on Performance Standards for Float-Free Release and Activation Arrangements for Emergency Radio Equipment, text or which is set out in the annex to this resolution;

2 RECOMMENDS Member Governments to ensure that arrangements for the float-free release and activation of appropriate equipment for use in the GMDSS conform to performance standards not inferior to those specified in the annex to this resolution

Annex
RECOMMENDATION ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR FLOAT-FREE RELEASE AND ACTIVATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR EMERGENCY RADIO EQUIPMENT

1 Float-free release and activation arrangements enable the automatic release of specified radio apparatus from a sinking ship and its automatic activation.
2 The float-free arrangement should:
.1 be designed so that the release mechanism should operate before reaching a depth of 4 m in any orientation;
.2 be capable of operating throughout the temperature range of -30°C to +65° C;
.3 be constructed of non-corrosive compatible materials, so as to prevent deterioration which may cause any malfunction of the unit. Galvanizing or other forms of metallic coating on parts of the float-free release mechanism should not be accepted;
.4 be constructed to prevent release when seas wash over the unit;
.5 not be unduly affected by seawater or oil or prolonged exposure to sunlight;
.6 be capable of operating properly after exposure to shock and vibration and other severe environmental conditions encountered above deck on seagoing vessels;
.7 if the ship navigated in areas where icing may be expected, be so designed as to minimize the formation of ice and prevent its effects from hindering the release of the radio-equipment as far as practicable;
.8 be mounted in such a way that the radio equipment, after being released, is not obstructed by the structure of the sinking ship; and
.9 carry a label indicating clearly the operating instructions for manual release.
3 For radio equipment requiring external power or data connection, or both, the means of connection should not inhibit the release or activation of the radio apparatus
4 It should be possible to asses the proper functioning or the automatic release mechanism by a simple method without activation of the radio equipment.
5 It should be possible to release the radio equipment manually from the float-free mechanism.