The Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998

Radio equipment to be provided for all sea areas

11.—(1) Every ship shall be provided with—

(a) a VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving—

(i) DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70). Means shall be provided to initiate the transmission of distress alerts on channel 70 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and

(ii) radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 156.650 MHz (channel 13) and 156.800 MHz (channel 16);

(b) a VHF radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on channel 70 which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by paragraph (a)(i) of this regulation;

(c) a radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 GHz band, which—

(i) shall be so stowed that it can be easily utilised; and

(ii) may be one of those required for a survival craft in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1980(1) or the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1986(2);

(d) if the ship is at sea in any area in which an international NAVTEX service is provided, a receiver capable of receiving international NAVTEX service broadcasts;

(e) if the ship is at sea in any area of INMARSAT coverage but in which an international NAVTEX service is not provided, a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by the INMARSAT enhanced group calling system;

(f) subject to the provisions of regulation 12(3) a satellite EPIRB complying with the requirements of Schedule I.

(2) From the coming into force of these Regulations until the 1st February 1999 every ship shall, in addition, be fitted with a radio installation consisting of a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver capable of operating on 2,182 kHz.

(3) From the coming into force of these Regulations until the 1st February 1999 every ship shall, unless it is an A1 area ship, be fitted with a device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on the frequency 2,182 kHz.

(4) Every passenger ship to which this paragraph applies shall be provided with means for two-way on-scene radio communications for search and rescue purposes capable of operating solely on the aeronautical frequencies 121.5 Mhz and 123.1 Mhz from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

(1)

S.I. 1980/538, relevant amendments are S.I. 1991/1300.

(2)

S.I. 1986/1066, relevant amendments are S.I. 1991/1300.