1. the expression ships constructed means "ships the keel of which are laid or which at a similar stage of construction";
2. the expression a similar stage of construction means the stage at which:
2.1. construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; and
2.2. assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less.

1. during the period between 1 February 1992 and 1 February 1999:
1.1. ether complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter; or
1.2. complies with all applicable requirements of chapter IV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, in force prior to 1 February 1992; however, passenger ships irrespective of size shall not be granted any exemption from the requirements of regulation 3 of chapter IV of that Convention; and
2. after 1 February 1999, complies with all the applicable requirements of this chapter.

1. Bridge-to-bridge communications means safety communications between ships from the position from which the ships are normally navigated.
2. Continuous watch means that the radio watch concerned shall not be interrupted other than 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.
3. Digital selective calling (DSC) means 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 relevant recommendations of the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR)*

* The name of the Committee was changed to "ITU Radiocommunication Sector" (ITU-R) due to Article 1 of the International Telecommunication Constitution, Geneva, 1992.

4. Direct-printing telegraphy means automated telegraphy techniques which comply with the relevant recommendations of the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR)*

* The name of the Committee was changed to "ITU Radiocommunication Sector" (ITU-R) due to Article 1 of the International Telecommunication Constitution, Geneva, 1992.

5. General radiocommunications means operational and public correspondence traffic, other than distress, urgency and safety messages, conducted by radio.
6. INMARSAT* means the Organization established by the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization adopted on 3 September 1976.

* The name of the Organization was changed to "International Mobile Satellite Organization" (Inmarsat) by virtue of amendments to its Convention and Operating Agreement adopted by the tenth (extraordinary) Assembly (5 to 9 December 1994)

7. 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.*

*Refer to the NAVTEX Manual approved by the Organization (publication IMO-951E)

8. Locating means the finding of ships, aircraft, units or persons in distress.
9. Maritime safety information means navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety related messages broadcast to ships.
10. 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.
11. Radio Regulations means the Radio Regulations annexed to, or regarded as being annexed to, the most recent International Telecommunications Conventions which is in force at any time.
12. Sea area A1 means an area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available, as may be defined by a Contracting Government.*

*Refer to resolution A.801(19) concerning provision of radio services for the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS).

13. 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 by a Contracting Government.*

*Refer to resolution A.801(19) concerning provision of radio services for the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS).

14. 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.
15. Sea area A4 means an area outside sea areas A1, A2 and A3.

1. such ships comply with the functional requirements of regulation 4; and
2. the Administration has taken into account the effect such exemptions may have upon the general efficiency of the service for the safety of all ships.

1. if conditions affecting safety are such as to render the full application of regulations 7 to 11 unreasonable or unnecessary;
2. in exemptions circumstances, for a single voyage outside the sea area or sea areas for which the ship is equipped; or
3. prior to 1 February 1999, when the ship will be taken permanently out of service within two years of a date prescribed by regulation 1 for the application of a requirement of this chapter.

1. except as provided in regulations 8.1.1 and 10.1.4.3, of transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by least two separate and independent means, each using a different radiocommunication service;
2. of receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;
3. of transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;
4. of transmitting and receiving search and rescue co-ordinating communications;
5. of transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;
6. of transmitting and, as required by regulation V/12(g) and (h), receiving signals for locating;*

*Refer to resolution A.614(15) concerning carriage of radar operating in the frequency band 9,300-9,500 MHz.

7. of transmitting and receiving* maritime safety information;

*It should be noted that ships may have a need for reception of certain maritime safety information while in port.

8. of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications to and from shore-based radio systems or networks subject to regulation 15.8; and
9. of transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications.

1. Each Contracting Government undertakes to make available, as it deems practical and necessary either individually or co-opertion with other Contracting Governments, appropriate shore-based facilities for space and terrestrial radiocommunication services having due regard to the recommendations of the Organization.*

*1.Each Contracting Government is not required to provide all radiocommunication services. 2.The requirements should be specified for shore-based facilities to cover the various sea areas.

1. a radiocommunication service utilizing geostationary satellites in the Maritime Mobile-Satellite Service;
2. a radiocommunication service utilizing polar orbiting satellites in the mobile-satellite service;
3. the maritime mobile service in the bands between 156 MHz and 174 MHz;
4. the maritime mobile service in the bands between 4,000 kHz and 27,500 kHz; and
5. the maritime mobile service in the bands between 415 kHz and 535 kHz* and between 1,605 kHz and 4,000 kHz.

* Refer to resolution A.617(15) concerning implementation of the NAVTEX system as a component of the World-Wide Navigational Warning Service.

1.1. a VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving:
1.1.1. 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 navigated¹ , and

1) Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see regulation 9.4).

1.1.2. radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (Channel 6), 156.650 MHz (Channel 13) and 156.800 MHz (Channel 16);
1.2. 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 1.1¹

1) Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see regulation 9.4),

1.3. a radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 GHz band, which:
1.3.1. shall be so stowed that it can be easily utilised; and
1.3.2. may be one of those required by regulation III/6.2.2 for a survival craft;
1.4. 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;
1.5. a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by the Inmarsat enhanced group calling system¹ if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of Inmarsat coverage but in which an international NAVTEX service is not provided. However, ships engaged exclusively on voyages in areas where an HF direct-printing telegraphy maritime safety information service is provided and fitted with equipment capable of receiving such service, may be exempt from this requirement² .

1) Refer to resolution A. 701 (17) concerning carriage of Inmarsat enhanced group call SafetyNET receivers under the GMDSS. 2) Refer to the Recommendation on promulgation of maritime safety information adopted by the Organisation by resolution A.705(17).

1.6. subject to the provisions of regulation 8.31 a satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB)¹ which shall be:

1) Refer to resolution A.616(15) concerning search and rescue homing capability.

1.6.1. capable of transmitting a distress alert either through the polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406 MHz band or, if the ship is engaged only on voyages within Inmarsat coverage, through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service operating in the 1.6 GHz band¹ ;

1) Subject to the availability of appropriate receiving and processing ground facilities for each ocean region covered by Inmarsat satellites.

1.6.2. installed in an easily accessible position;
1.6.3. ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;
1.6.4. capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat; and
1.6.5. capable of being activated manually.

1.1. 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
1.2. through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or
1.3. if the ship is engaged on voyages within coverage of MF coast stations equipped with DSC, on MF using DSC; or
1.4. on HF basing DSC; or
1.5. through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:
1.5.1. an Inmarsat ship earth station¹ ; or

1)This requirement can be met by Inmarsat ship earth stations capable of two-way communications, such as Inmarsat-A, Inmarsat-B (resolution A.808(19)) or Inmarsat-C (resolution A.807(19)) ship earth stations. Unless otherwise specified, this footnote applies to all requirements for an Inmarsat ship earth station prescribed by this chapter.

1.5.2. the satellite EPIRB, required by, regulation 7.1.6, either by installing, the satellite EPIRBclose to, orby remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

3.1. 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;
3.2. installed in an easily accessible position;
3.3. ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft;
3.4. capable of floating free if the ship sinks and being automatically activated when afloat; and
3.5. capable of being activated manually.

1.1. an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:
1.1.1. 2187.5 kHz using DSC; and
1.1.2. 2182 kHz using radiotelephony;
1.2. a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2187.5 kHz which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by sub paragraph.1.1 ; and
1.3. means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service other than MF operating either:
1.3.1. through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or
1.3.2. on HF using DSC; or
1.3.3. through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:
1.3.3.1. the equipment specified in paragraph 3.2; or
1.3.3.2. the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

3.1. a radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz or between 4000 kHz and 27500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by paragraph 1.1 ; or
3.2. an Inmarsat ship earth station.

1.1. an Inmarsat ship earth station capable of.
1.1.1. transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy;
1.1.2. initiating and receiving distress priority calls;
1.1.3. maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alerts, including those directed to specifically, defined geographical areas;
1.1.4. transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications, using either radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy; and
1.2. an MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:
1.2.1. 2187.5 kHz using DSC; and
1.2.2. 2182 kHz using radiotelephony; and
1.3. a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2187.5 kHz which may be separate from or combined with that required by subparagraph .2.1; and
1.4. means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service operating either:
1.4.1. through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIPB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or
1.4.2. on HF using DSC; or
1.4.3. through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service, by an additional ship earth station or by the satellite EPIRB required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated;

2.1. 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 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz and between 4000 kHz and 27500 kHz:
2.1.1. using DSC;
2.1.2. using radiotelephony; and
2.1.3. using direct-printing telegraphy; and
2.2. equipment capable of maintaining DSC watch on 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz and on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or 16804.5 kHz; 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. 1; and
2.3. means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radiocommunication service other than HF operating either:
2.3.1. through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406 MHz; this requirement may be fulfilled by the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIPB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; or
2.3.2. through the Inmarsat geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be fulfilled by:
2.3.2.1. an Inmarsat ship earth station; or
2.3.2.2. the satellite EPIRB, required by regulation 7.1.6, either by installing the satellite EPIRB close to, or by remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and
2.4. 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 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz and between 4000 kHz and 27500 kHz. This requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability in the equipment required by subparagraph.1.

1.1. on VHF DSC Channel 70, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 7.1.2, is fitted with a VHF radio installation;
1.2. on the distress and safety DSC frequency 2187.5 kHz, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 9.1.2 or 10.1.3, is fitted with an MF radio installation;
1.3. on the distress and safety DSC frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz and also on at least one of the distress and DSC frequencies 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or 16804.5 kHz, appropriate to the time of day and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship, in accordance with the requirements of regulation 10.2.2 or 1.1.1, is fitted all MF/HF radio installation. This watch may be kept by means of a scanner receiver;
1.4. for satellite shore-to-ship distress alerts, if the ship in accordance with the requirements of regulation 10.1.1, is fitted with an Inmarsat ship earth station.

2.1. 1 h on ships provided with an emergency source of electrical power, if such source of power complies fully with all relevant provisions of regulation 11-1/42 or 43, including the supply of such power to the radio installations; and
2.2. 6 h on ships not provided with an emergency source of electrical power complying fully with all relevant provisions of regulation 11-1/42 or 43, including the supply of such power to the radio installations.¹

1) For guidance, the following formula is recommended for determining the electrical load to be supplied by the reserve source of energy, for each radio installation required for distress conditions: 1/2 of the current consumption necessary for transmission + the current consumption necessary for reception + the current consumption of any additional loads.

4.1. all other radio installations which can be connected to the reserve source or sources of energy at the same time; or
4.2. 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.

6.1. a means of automatically charging such batteries shall be provided which shall be capable of recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 h; and
6.2. the capacity of the battery or batteries shall be checked, using an appropriate method¹ , at intervals not exceeding 12 months, when the ship is not at sea.

1) One method of checking the capacity of an accumulator battery is to fully discharge and recharge the battery, using normal operating current and period (e.g. 10 h). Assessment of the charge condition can be made at any time, but it should be done without significant discharge of the battery when the ship is at sea.

7.1. the highest degree of service;
7.2. a reasonable lifetime;
7.3. reasonable safety;
7.4. that battery temperatures remain within the manufacturer's specifications whether under charge or idle; and
7.5. that when fully charged, the batteries will provide at least the minimum required hours of operation under all weather conditions

1.1. Resolution A.525(13): Performance standards for narrow-band direct-printing telegraph equipment for the reception of navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships.
1.2. electronic navigational aids.
1.3. Resolution A.808(19): Performance standards for ship earth stations capable of two-way communications and resolution A.570(14): Type approval of ship earth stations.
1.4. Resolution A.803(19): Performance standards for shipborne VHF radio installations capable of voice communications and digital selective calling.
1.5. Resolution A.804(19): Performance standards for shipborne MF radio installation capable of voice communication and digits] selective calling.
1.6. Resolution A.806(19): Performance standards for shipborne MF/HF radio installations, capable of voice communication, on, narrow-band direct-printing and digital selective calling.
1.7. Assembly resolution A.696(17): Type approval of satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons. (EPIRBs) operating on the COSPAS-SARSAT system).
1.8. Resolution A.802(19): Performance standards for survival craft radar transponders for use in search and rescue operations.
1.9. Resolution A.805(19): Performance standards for float-free VHF emergency. position-indicating radio beacons.
1.10. Resolution A.807(19): Performance standards for Inmarsat-C ship earth stations capable of transmitting and receiving direct-printing communications and resolution A.570(14): -type approval of ship earth stations.
1.11. Resolution A.664(16): Performance standards, for enhanced group call equipment.
1.12. Resolution A.812(19): Performance standards for float-free satellite emergency, position-indicating radio beacons operating through the geostationary Inmarsat satellite system 1.6 GHz
1.13. Resolution A.662(16): Performance standards for float-free release and activation arrangements for emergency radio equipment.
1.14. Resolution A.699(17): System performance standard for the promulgation and co-ordination of maritime safety information using high-frequency narrow-band direct-printing.
1.15. Resolution A.700(17): Performance standards for narrow-band direct-printing telegraph equipment for the reception of navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships (MSI) by, HF.
1.16. Resolution A.811(19): Performance standards for a shipborne integrated radiocommunication system (IRCS) when used in the GMDSS.