The Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunications) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

Regulation 12

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Equipment tests and reserve power checks

1.  At least once every day— U.K.

(a) the proper functioning of the DSC facilities must be tested, without radiation of signals, by use of the means provided on the equipment;

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

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 24.12.2021, see reg. 1(1)

2.  At least once every week— U.K.

(a) subject to paragraph 3, the proper operation of the DSC facilities must be tested by means of a test call, when within communication range of a coast station fitted with DSC equipment;

(b) where the reserve source of energy is not a battery (for example, a motor generator), the reserve source of energy must be tested.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 24.12.2021, see reg. 1(1)

3.  Where a ship has been out of communication range of a coast station fitted with DSC equipment for a period of longer than one week, a test call must be made on the first opportunity that the ship is within communication range of such a coast station. U.K.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 24.12.2021, see reg. 1(1)

4.  At least once every month— U.K.

(a) each satellite EPIRB must be examined to determine its capability to operate properly, particularly its ability to float free (where required to do so) in the event of the ship sinking, its security and for signs of damage;

(b) each search and rescue locating device (radio or AIS) must be checked for security and signs of damage;

(c) each survival craft two-way VHF equipment must be tested on a frequency other than 156.8 MHz (VHF Channel 16);

(d) a check must be made on—

(i) the security and condition of all batteries providing a source of energy for any part of a radio installation; and

(ii) the battery connections and compartment.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 24.12.2021, see reg. 1(1)

5.  In this Schedule— U.K.

“AIS” means automatic identification system;

“DSC” means Digital Selective Calling being 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 in Section 5 of Annex 1 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1874 (M+F) Amendment 4(1);

“EPIRB” means an emergency position indicating radio beacon capable of transmitting a distress alert F1 ... through the COSPAS/SARSAT polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406 MHz band;

“mobile-satellite service” means a radiocommunication service between—

(a)

mobile earth stations and one or more space stations, or between space stations used by this service; or

(b)

mobile earth stations by means of one or more space stations,

and this service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation;

“satellite EPIRB” means an EPIRB which is in the mobile-satellite service.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in Sch. 2 para. 5 omitted (29.3.2023) by virtue of The Merchant Shipping (Cargo and Passenger Ship Construction and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/246), regs. 1(1), 20

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 24.12.2021, see reg. 1(1)

(1)

Merchant Shipping Notice 1874 (M+F) Amendment 4 is available on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1874mf-amendment-4-marine-directive-other-approval-and-standards and in hard copy from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG (telephone [phone] and email [e-mail]).