New Ship Station Requirements for Compulsorily-fitted Vessels

Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999

Legend:

  • Italics represent new requirements to be complied with by April 1st, 2001, unless otherwise indicated.
  • Requirements for Safety Convention ships are not shown as they must comply with the Safety Convention
  • Requirement for ships on inland voyages and minor waters voyages are not shown since there are no new requirements
  • Regulations do not apply to a pleasure yacht not carrying a master or crew for hire, or a tow-boat in a booming ground

Ships ≥ 20m and certified to carry >12 passengers, or ships ≥ 300gt

Equipment  Sea Area
A1 or VHF Area A2 A3
VHF Radio with DSC
(SSRR)

Yes

  • unless ship operates within a VTS Zone, then will have until August 1, 2003.
Inmarsat Ship Earth Station with EGC, and MF Radio with DSC,
or MF/HF Radio with DSC and NBDP (SSRR)
No

Yes

(EGC required only if outside NAVTEX range)

Yes

MF/HF option only

NAVTEX Receiver
(no change to current requirement-SSRR)
No Yes No
EPIRB (float-free) 
(SSRR)
Yes
Radar Transponder(s) (SARTs)
(SSRR, Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations, and Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations)
No

Yes

2 are required, unless ship is certified to carry ≤12 passengers and is <500gt, then carry 1

Survival Craft VHF Portable Radio
(Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations)
No

Yes

3 are required if ship is certified to carry >12 passengers and is >5gt

Reserve Source of Energy Yes

All other ships

Equipment Sea Area
A1 or VHF Area A2 A3
VHF Radio with DSC
(SSRR)

Yes

  • by August 1, 2003:
    • ships ≥8m in length and of closed construction,
    • ships carrying >6 passengers, and
    • tow boats
  • exempted are ships on a home-trade voyage, class IV in a VTS Zone
  • current VHF radiotelephone provisions remain in effect until then
Inmarsat Ship Earth Station with EGC, and MF Radio with DSC,
or MF/HF Radio with DSC and NBDP (SSRR)
No
NAVTEX Receiver
(no change to current requirement-SSRR)
No

Yes

  • if ≥150gt tow boat
  • if ≥300gt cargo ship
  • if ≥24m fishing, or
  • passenger ship
No
EPIRB (float-free) 
(SSRR)

Yes

  • if ≥20m (and beyond home trade IV voyage)
  • if tug >5gt and <20m if voyage >50 miles long and >2 miles from shore
  • if ≥15gt and go beyond home-trade III voyage limits i.e., 20 miles from shore by April 1, 2001
  • if ≥8m and go beyond home-trade III voyage limits on April 1, 2002 (Note: EPIRB does not have to be float-free if less than 15gt)

Exempted are ships on home-trade voyages, class IV or minor waters voyages

Radar Transponder(s) (SARTs)
(SSRR, Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations, and Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations)

Yes

1 if 20m in length or over on >HTII voyages; but, can continue to carry 2 Class II EPIRBs instead until one of the batteries expire

Survival Craft VHF Portable Radio
(Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations)

Yes

3 are required, unless ship is certified to carry ≤12 passengers and is <500gt, then carry 2
(new requirement for ships on home-trade voyages, class III)

Reserve Source of Energy

Yes

if ship is ≤20m, is carrying more than 6 passengers, or is a tow-boat

DSC: digital selective calling
EGC: enhanced group calling
NBDP: narrow band direct printing

Additional requirements: emergency procedures card, operating and routine maintenance manuals, consumable spare parts, radio publications, time piece, weather facsimile (Arctic), spare antennas (some ships ≤ 20m).