The Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998

Regulation 24(1)

SCHEDULE 4 U.K. EQUIPMENT TESTS AND BATTERY RESERVE POWER CHECKS

1.    Daily U.K.

(a) Every radio officer who finds any radiotelegraph auto-alarm equipment in operation when going on duty shall test the efficiency of the audible alarm system in the radiotelegraph operating room.

(b) Every radio officer who leaves any radiotelegraph auto-alarm equipment in operation when going off duty shall test the efficiency of the audible alarm system in the radiotelegraph operating room.

(c) The proper functioning of the radiotelegraph auto-alarm installation shall be tested at least once each day by listening to signals and comparing them with similar signals received on the radiotelegraph distress frequency on another receiver, and by operating the complete audible alarm system.

(d) The reserve radiotelegraph transmitter, if not used for communications, shall be tested at least one each day using a suitable artificial antenna.

(e) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver shall be tested at least once each day using the means provided in accordance with regulation 33(7)(b), and by listening to signals and, where practicable, comparing them with similar signals received on the radiotelephone distress frequency on another receiver.

(f) Batteries providing a source of energy for any part of the radio installation shall be tested daily and, where necessary, brought up to the fully charged condition.

(g) Where the reserve source of energy is not a battery (for example, a motor generator), the reserve source of energy shall be tested daily.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 4 para. 1 in force at 28.9.1998, see reg. 1(1)

2.    Weekly U.K.

(a) The reserve radiotelegraph transmitter shall be tested at least once every week using the main antenna and, if provided, the reserve antenna.

(b) The radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device shall be tested at least once every week using a transmitter set to low power, tuned to a frequency other than the radiotelephone distress frequency and connected to a suitable artificial antenna.

(c) The radiotelephone alarm signal generating device shall be tested at least once every week using the means provided in accordance with regulation 33(7)(a).

(d) Motor life-boat fixed radiotelegraph installations and portable radio equipment for survival craft shall be tested at least once every week using suitable artificial antennas.

(e) Batteries forming part of a motor life-boat fixed radiotelegraph installation and survival craft portable radio equipment shall be tested weekly and, where necessary, brought up to the fully charged condition. Where non-rechargable batteries are provided in survival craft portable radio equipment as a source of energy, the expiry date of the batteries shall be checked and the batteries replaced when necessary.

(f) Batteries forming part of a two-way radiotelephone apparatus for survival craft shall be tested weekly and, where necessary, brought up to the fully charged condition. Where non-rechargeable batteries are provided as a source of energy the batteries shall be checked and replaced if necessary.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 4 para. 2 in force at 28.9.1998, see reg. 1(1)

3.    Monthly U.K.

(a) Motor life-boat fixed radiotelegraph installations and portable radio equipment for survival craft shall be tested at least once a month using an antenna provided with the installations or equipment. In the case of motor life-boat fixed radiotelegraph installations, the test shall, where practicable, be carried out with the life-boat floating in the sea.

(b) Batteries providing a source of energy for any part of the radio installation shall be tested at least once a month by means of a hydrometer where practicable, or where a hydrometer cannot be used, by a suitable load test. A check shall also be made of the security of the battery and its connections and the condition of the battery and its compartment.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 4 para. 3 in force at 28.9.1998, see reg. 1(1)

4.    Annually U.K.

Survival craft emergency position-indicating radio beacons shall be inspected, tested and, if necessary, have their source of energy replaced at least once every twelve months. The interval may be extended to a maximum of seventeen months to permit the inspection to take place concurrently with a radio survey.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 4 para. 4 in force at 28.9.1998, see reg. 1(1)