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Part - 4 GMDSS equipment carriage requirements
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4.1 All the ships to which the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended in 1988, applies, are required to carry the GMDSS radio equipment, developing on the sea areas in which they operate, prescribed in the Convention (given in annex 1).
4.2 One of the basic principles on which the GMDSS carriage requirements is based is (as prescribed in regulation IV/4) a functional requirement to ensure the capability of transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least two separate and independent means. The capability of performing other communications functions is also required. Regulations IV/7 - IV/11 regulate the specific carriage requirements for ships according to the sea area(s) in which they operate.
4.3 Carriage requirements for GMDSS radio equipment can be summarized as follows: |
� sea area A1 ships will carry VHF equipment and either a satellite EPIRB or a VHF EPIRB;
� sea area A2 ships will carry VHF and MF equipment and a satellite EPIRB;
� sea area A3 ships will carry VHF, MF, a satellite EPIRB and either HF or satellite communication equipment;
� sea area A4 ships will carry VHF, MF and HF equipment and a satellite EPIRB; and
� all ships will carry equipment for receiving MSI broadcasts.
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| 4.4 The 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended in 1988, sets out the time frame for installing the GMDSS radio equipment (regulation IV/1), taking into account system amortization, operational continuity, personnel training, etc. To this end, the following transitional approach for the implementation of the GMDSS is given: |
� all ships constructed after 1 February 1992 to be fitted with a radar transponder and two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus for survival craft;
� all ships to be fitted with a NAVTEX receiver and a satellite EPIRB by 1 August 1993;
� all ships constructed before 1 February 1992 to be fitted with a radar transponder and two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus for survival craft by 1 February 1995;
� all ships constructed after 1 February 1995 to comply with all the appropriate requirements for the GMDSS;
� all ships to be fitted with at least one radar capable of operating in the 9 GHz band by 1 February 1995; and
� all ships to comply with the appropriate requirements for GMDSS by 1 February 1999.
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4.5 Ships which are not required to comply with the 1974 SOLAS Convention are recommended to comply with the guidelines for the participation of non-Convention ships in the GMDSS (MSC/Cir. 469), given in annex 7-7.
4.6 Amendments to the following instruments are under consideration by IMO for their compatibility with the GMDSS: |
� Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977;
� Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units; � Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft;
� FAO/ILO/IMO Code of Safety for Fishermen and Fishing Vessel;
� FAO/ILO/IMO Voluntary Guidelines for the Design, Construction and Equipment of Small Fishing Vessels.
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