Schedule 3
Technical Requirements of Radio Equipment
of Merchant Shipping (Non-Convention Ships) Safety Regulations
THIRD SCHEDULEChapter IV Regulations 7 and 9Technical Requirements of Radio Equipment
1. VHF Radiotelephone Stations1.1 When a VHF radiotelephone station is provided, it shall be a permanent installation situated in the upper part of the ship and include a VHF radiotelephone installation complying with this paragraph and comprising a transmitter and receiver, a source of power capable of actuating them at their rated power levels, and an antenna suitable for efficiently radiating and receiving signals at the operating frequencies.1.2 Such a VHF installation shall conform to the requirements laid down in the Radio Regulations for equipment used in the Maritime Mobile VHF International Radiotelephone Service and shall be capable of operation on those channels specified by the Radio Regulations and as may be required by the Director.1.3 The transmitter radio frequency carrier power output shall be at least 10 watts with a reduction capability to one watt. The antenna shall, as far as is practicable, have an unobstructed view in all directions.1.4 Control of the VHF channels required for navigational safety shall be immediately available in the wheelhouse convenient to the conning position and, where necessary, facilities shall also be available to permit radiocommunications from the wings of the wheelhouse.1.5 Where a VHF radiotelephone station is fitted as the main installation under regulation 7(1) of Chapter IV, a reserve source of energy shall be provided complying with paragraphs 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 and 3.12 of this Schedule with sufficient capacity to operate the transmitter and receiver for at least 6 hours continuously.
2. MF Radiotelephone Stations2.1 The radiotelephone station shall be placed in the upper part of the ship and so located that it is sheltered to the greatest possible extent from noise which might impair the correct reception of messages and signals.2.2 There shall be efficient communication between the radiotelephone station and the wheelhouse.2.3 A reliable clock with a dial not less than 125 millimetres in diameter, the face of which is marked to indicate the silence periods prescribed for the radiotelephone service by the Radio Regulations, shall be provided. It shall be securely mounted in such a position that the entire dial can be easily and accurately observed by the operator.2.4 A card of instructions giving a clear summary of the radiotelephone distress procedure shall be displayed in full view of the radiotelephone operating position.2.5 A reliable emergency light shall be provided, independent of the system which supplies the normal lighting of the radiotelephone installation and permanently arranged so as to be capable of providing adequate illumination of the operating controls of the radiotelephone installation, the clock and the card of instructions.2.6 Where a source of energy consists of a battery or batteries, the radiotelephone station shall be provided with a means of assessing the charge condition.
3. MF Radiotelephone Installations3.1 The MF radiotelephone installation shall include transmitting and receiving equipment and appropriate sources of energy (referred to in this Regulation as the transmitter, the receiver, the radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver and the source of energy respectively).3.2 The transmitter shall be capable of transmitting on the radiotelephone distress frequency and on at least one other frequency in the bands between 1,605 kilohertz and 2,850 kilohertz, using the classes of emission assigned by the Radio Regulations for these frequencies. In normal operation a double sideband transmission or a single sideband transmission with full carrier (ie. A3H) shall have a depth of modulation of at least 70% at peak intensity. Modulation of a single sideband transmission with reduced or suppressed carrier (A3A, A3J) shall be such that the unwanted emission shall not exceed the values given in the Radio Regulations.3.3 The transmitter shall produce a power in the antenna of at least 15 watts for A3 emission or 60 watts for A3H emission. In any case the transmitter shall have a minimum normal range of at least 75 miles.3.4 The transmitter shall be fitted with a device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal by automatic means so designed as to prevent actuation by mistake. The device shall be capable of being taken out of operation at any time in order to permit the immediate transmission of a distress message. Arrangements shall be made to check periodically the proper functioning of the device on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency using a suitable artificial antenna.3.5 The device required by paragraph 3.4 shall comply with the following requirements:
the tolerance of the frequency of each tone shall be plus or minus 1.5%;
the tolerance on the duration of each tone shall be plus or minus 50 milliseconds;
the interval between successive tones shall not exceed 50 milliseconds; and
the ratio of the amplitude of the stronger tone to that of the weaker shall be within the range of 1 to 1.2.3.6 The receiver required by paragraph 3.1 shall be capable of receiving the radiotelephone distress frequency and at least one other frequency available for maritime radiotelephone stations in the bands between 1,605 kilohertz and 2,850 kilohertz, using the classes of emission assigned by the Radio Regulations for these frequencies. In addition the receiver shall permit the reception of such other frequencies, using the classes of emission assigned by the Radio Regulations, as are used for the transmission by radiotelephony of meteorological messages and such other communications relating to the safety of navigation as may be considered necessary by the Director. The receiver shall have sufficient sensitivity to produce signals by means of a loudspeaker when the receiver input is as low as 50 microvolts.3.7 The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver shall be pre-set to this frequency. It shall be provided with a filtering unit or a device to silence the loudspeaker in the absence of a radiotelephone alarm signal. The device shall be capable of being easily switched in and out and may be used when, in the opinion of the master, conditions are such that maintenance of the listening watch would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship.3.8 To permit rapid change-over from transmission to reception when manual switching is used, the control for the switching device shall, where practicable, be located on the microphone or the telephone handset.3.9 (a) While the ship is at sea, there shall be available at all times a main source of energy sufficient to operate the installation over the normal range in paragraph 3.3.
A reserve source of energy shall be provided in a position as high as practicable which under all circumstances shall have sufficient capacity to operate the transmitter and receiver for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions.
If the reserve source of energy supplies several of the radio installations mentioned in paragraph 3.10 its capacity shall be sufficient to operate the transmitter and receiver of these installations continuously and simultaneously for at least 6 hours unless one switchgear permits the selective operation of the radio installations.
The reserve source of energy may also be used as the main source of energy, provided that the manner of installation and use is such that these requirements are met at all times when the ship is at sea.
A reserve source of energy is not required for the radiotelephone installation if a reserve medium frequency radiotelegraph installation with a reserve source of energy is fitted.3.10 The reserve source of energy shall be used to supply only —
the radiotelephone installation;
the radiotelegraph installation or the reserve radiotelegraph installation, including the radiotelegraph auto alarm and the device required by paragraph 6.12 for keying radiotelegraph alarm signals if electrically operated;
the VHF installation;
the emergency light required by paragraph 2.5; and
the device required by paragraph 3.4 for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal.3.11 Notwithstanding paragraph 3.10 the Director may authorise the use of the reserve source of energy for a direction-finder, if fitted, and for a number of low-power emergency circuits which are wholly confined to the upper part of the ship such as emergency lighting on the embarkation station for survival craft, on condition that the additional loads can be readily disconnected, and that the source of energy is of sufficient capacity to carry them.3.12 While the ship is at sea, any battery provided shall be kept charged so as to meet the requirements of paragraph 3.9 and in any case shall be capable of being brought to a fully charged state within a period of 16 hours.3.13 An antenna shall be provided and installed and, if suspended between supports liable to whipping, shall be protected against breakage. In addition, a spare antenna shall be carried on board completely assembled for immediate replacement or, where this is not practicable, sufficient antenna wire and insulators to enable a spare antenna to be erected. The necessary tools to erect an antenna shall also be provided.
4. Radiotelephone Auto Alarms4.1 The radiotelephone auto alarm shall comply with the following minimum requirements:
the frequencies of maximum response of the tuned circuits, and other tone selecting devices, shall be subject to a tolerance of plus or minus 1.5% of each instance; and the response shall not fall below 50% of the maximum response for frequencies within 3% of the frequency of maximum response;
in the absence of noise and interference, the automatic receiving equipment shall be capable of operating from the alarm signal in a period of not less than 4 and not more than 6 seconds;
the automatic receiving equipment shall respond to the alarm signal under conditions of intermittent interference caused by atmospherics and powerful signals other than the alarm signal, preferably without any manual adjustment being required during any period of watch maintained by the equipment;
the automatic receiving equipment shall not be actuated by atmospherics or by powerful signals other than the alarm signal;
the automatic receiving equipment shall be effective beyond the range at which speed transmission is satisfactory;
automatic receiving equipment shall be capable of withstanding vibration, humidity, changes of temperature and variations in power supply voltage equivalent to the severe conditions experienced on board ships at sea, and shall continue to operate under such conditions; and
the automatic receiving equipment shall, as far as practicable, give warning of faults that would prevent the apparatus from performing its normal functions during watch hours.4.2 Before a new type of radiotelephone auto alarm is approved, the Director shall be satisfied by practical tests, made under operating conditions equivalent to those obtained in practice, that the apparatus complies with paragraph 4.1.
5. Radiotelegraph Stations5.1 The radiotelegraph station shall be so located that no harmful interference from extraneous mechanical or other noise will be caused to the proper reception of radio signals. The station shall be placed as high in the ship as is practicable, so that the greatest possible degree of safety may be secured.5.2 The radiotelegraph operating room shall be of sufficient size and of adequate ventilation to enable the radiotelegraph station to be operated efficiently, and shall not be used for any purpose which will interfere with the operation of the radiotelegraph station.5.3 The sleeping accommodation of at least one radio operator shall be situated as near as practicable to the radiotelegraph operating room.5.4 An efficient two-way system for calling and voice communication shall be provided between the radiotelegraph operating room and wheelhouse and one other place, if any, from which the ship is navigated and which shall be independent of the main communication system of the ship.5.5 The radiotelegraph station shall be installed in such a position that it will be protected against the harmful effects of water or extremes of temperature. It shall be readily accessible both for immediate use in case of distress and for repair.5.6 A reliable clock with a dial not less than 125 millimetres in diameter and a concentric seconds hands, the face of which is marked to indicate the silence periods prescribed for the radiotelegraph service by the Radio Regulations, shall be provided. It shall be securely mounted in the radiotelegraph operating room in such a position that the entire dial can be easily and accurately observed by the radio operator from the radiotelegraph operating position and from the position for testing the radiotelegraph auto alarm receiver.5.7 A reliable emergency light shall be provided in the radiotelegraph operating room, consisting of an electric lamp permanently arranged so as to provide satisfactory illumination of the operating controls of the radiotelegraph station and of the clock required by paragraph 5.
6. This lamp shall, if supplied from the reserve source of energy, be controlled by two-way switches placed near the main entrance to the radiotelegraph operating room and at the radiotelegraph operating position, unless the layout of the radiotelegraph operating room does not warrant it. These switches shall be clearly labelled to indicate their purpose.5.8 Either an electric inspection lamp, operated from the reserve source of energy and provided with a flexible lead of adequate length, or a flashlight shall be provided and kept in the radiotelegraph operating room.5.9 The radiotelegraph station shall be provided with such maintenance manuals, spare parts, tools and testing equipment as will enable the radiotelegraph station to be maintained in efficient working condition while the ship is at sea. The testing equipment shall include at least a portable multimeter capable of accurately measuring alternating currents and voltages, direct currents and voltages, and resistance values likely to be encountered in servicing the station.5.10 If a separate emergency radiotelegraph operating room is provided the requirements of paragraphs 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 and 5.8 shall apply to it.
6. Radiotelegraph Installations6.1 Except as otherwise expressly provided in this paragraph —
the installation shall include a transmitter, a receiver and a main source of energy;
a main antenna shall be provided and installed and, if suspended between supports liable to whipping, shall be suitably protected against breakage;
a spare antenna completely assembled for immediate installation shall be carried; and
sufficient antenna wire and insulators shall in all cases be provided to enable a suitable antenna to be erected.6.2 (a) The transmitter shall be capable of being quickly connected with and tuned to the main antenna and the spare antenna when erected.
The receiver shall be capable of being quickly connected with any antenna with which it is required to be used.6.3 The transmitter shall be capable of transmitting on the radiotelegraph distress frequency using a class of emission assigned by the Radio Regulations for that frequency. In addition, the transmitter shall be capable of transmitting on at least two working frequencies in the authorised bands between 405 kilohertz and 535 kilohertz, using classes of emission assigned by the Radio Regulations for these frequencies.6.4 The transmitter shall, if modulated emission is prescribed by the Radio Regulations, have a depth of modulation of not less than 70% and a note frequency between 450 hertz and 1,350 hertz.6.5 The transmitter shall, when connected to the main antenna, have a minimum normal range on 500 kilohertz as specified in this paragraph and shall be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship by day and under normal conditions and circumstances over the minimum normal range of 75 miles. (Clearly perceptible signals will normally be received if the root mean square value of the field strength at the receiver is at least 50 microvolts per metre).6.6 (a) The receiver shall be capable of receiving the radiotelegraph distress frequency and the classes of emission assigned by the Radio Regulations for that frequency.
In addition, the receiver shall permit the reception of such of the frequencies and classes of emission used for the transmission of time signals, meteorological messages and such other communications relating to safety of navigation as may be considered necessary by the Director.6.7 The receiver shall have sufficient sensitivity to produce signals in headphones or by means of a loudspeaker when the receiver input is as low as 50 microvolts.6.8 There shall be available at all times, while the ship is at sea, a supply of electrical energy sufficient to operate the installation over the normal range required by paragraph 6.5 as well as for the purpose of charging any batteries forming part of the radiotelegraph station. The voltage of the supply for the installation shall, in the case of new ships, be maintained within plus or minus 10% of the rated voltage. In the case of existing ships, it shall be maintained as near the rated voltage as possible and, if practicable, within plus or minus 10%.6.9 Where a reserve MF radiotelegraph installation is fitted or a radiotelegraph installation is fitted as the main installation, a reserve source of energy complying with paragraphs 3.9, 3.10, 3.11 and 3.12, with sufficient capacity to operate the transmitter and receiver for at least 6 hours continuously, shall be provided.6.10 While the ship is at sea, accumulator batteries shall be brought up to the normal fully charged condition daily.6.11 All steps shall be taken to eliminate so far as possible the causes of, and to suppress, radio interference from electrical and other apparatus on board. If necessary, steps shall be taken to ensure that the antennae attached to broadcast receivers do not cause interference to the efficient or correct working of the radiotelegraph installation. Particular attention shall be paid to this requirement in the design of new ships.6.12 In addition to a means for manually transmitting the radiotelegraph alarm signal, an automatic radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device shall be provided capable of keying the transmitter so as to transmit the radiotelegraph alarm signal. The device shall be capable of being taken out of operation at any time in order to permit immediate manual operation of the transmitter. If electrically operated, this keying device shall be capable of operation from the reserve source of energy.6.13 All items of equipment forming part of the radiotelegraph station shall be reliable, and shall be so constructed that they are readily accessible for maintenance purposes.
7. Radiotelegraph Auto Alarms7.1 A radiotelegraph auto alarm shall comply with the following minimum requirements:
in the absence of interference of any kind it shall be capable of being actuated, without manual adjustment, by any radiotelegraph alarm signal transmitted on the radiotelegraph distress frequency by any coast station, ship’s or vessel’s emergency or survival craft transmitter operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations, provided that the strength of the signal at the receiver input is greater than 100 microvolts and less than 1 volt;
in the absence of interference of any kind it shall be actuated by either 3 or 4 consecutive dashes when the dashes vary in length from 3.5 to as near 6 seconds as possible and the spaces vary in length between 1.5 seconds and the lowest practicable value, preferably not greater than 10 milliseconds;
it shall not be actuated by atmospherics or by any signal other than the radiotelegraph alarm signal, provided that the received signals do not in fact constitute a signal falling within the tolerance limits referred to in sub-paragraph (b);
the selectivity of the radiotelegraph auto alarm shall be such as to provide a practically uniform sensitivity over a band extending not less than 4 kilohertz and not more than 8 kilohertz on each side of the radiotelegraph distress frequency and to provide outside this band a sensitivity which decreases as rapidly as possible in conformity with the best engineering practice;
if practicable, it shall, in the presence of atmospherics or interfering signals, automatically adjust itself so that within a reasonably short time it approaches the condition in which it can most readily distinguish the radiotelegraph alarm signal;
when actuated by a radiotelegraph alarm signal, or in the event of failure of the apparatus, it shall cause a continuous audible warning to be given in the radiotelegraph operating room, in the radio operator’s sleeping accommodation and in the wheelhouse. If practicable, warning shall also be given in the case of failure of any part of the whole alarm receiving system. Only one switch for stopping the warning shall be provided and this shall be situated in the radiotelegraph operating room;
for the purpose of regularly testing the radiotelegraph auto alarm, the apparatus shall include a generator pre-tuned to the radiotelegraph distress frequency and a keying device by means of which a radiotelegraph alarm signal of the minimum strength referred to in sub-paragraph (a) is produced. Means shall also be provided for attaching headphones for the purpose of listening to signals received on the radiotelegraph auto alarm; and
it shall be capable of withstanding vibration, humidity and changes of temperature, equivalent to severe conditions experienced on board ships at sea and shall continue to operate under such conditions.7.2 Before a new type of radiotelegraph auto alarm is approved, the Director shall be satisfied, by practical tests made under operating conditions equivalent to those encounter in practice, that the apparatus complies with paragraph 7.1.7.3 In ships fitted with a radiotelegraph auto alarm, its efficiency shall be tested by a radio operator at least once every 24 hours while at sea. If it is not in working order, the radio operator shall report that fact to the officer on watch.7.4 A radio operator shall periodically check the proper functioning of the radiotelegraph auto alarm receiver, with its normal antenna connected, by listening to signals and by comparing them with similar signals received on the radiotelegraph distress frequency on the main installation.