Legend / Explanation of abbreviations:
- COS: Certificate of Seaworthiness
- COSPAS-SARSAT:
- DSC: Digital Selective Calling
- EGC: Enhanced Group Call
- EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
- FOC: Full Operational Capability
- GISIS: Global Integrated Shipping Information System
- GMDSS: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
- HF: High Frequencies
- IMO: International Maritime Organisation
- METAREA: Meteorological Area
- MED: Marine Equipment Directive
- MF: Medium Frequencies
- MSI: Maritime Safety Information
- NAVAREA: Navigational Area
- NAVTEX: Navigational Text messages
- NBDP: Narrow Band Direct Printing
- NSI: Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate
- RO: Recognised Organisation
- SAR: Search and Rescue
- SES: Ship Earth Stations
- SOLAS: the International Convention for the Safety of ife at Sea, 1974, and its protocol of 1988: articles, annexes and certificates, as amended
- VHF: Very High Frequency
Use of analogue/digital VHF channels
With regard to SOLAS Chapter IV and its upcoming revision, and taking into account the IMO guidance on the validity of radio communications equipment installed and used on ships ( MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.2 ), the NSI requires:
- ships sailing in waters under jurisdiction of the Netherlands,
- ships flying the flag of the Netherlands, and
- manufacturers, service providers and type approval bodies of VHF equipment, based in the Netherlands or rendering services to ships flying the flag of the Netherlands,
to comply with the requirement, as set out in the Netherlands Statement on implementation of WRC-15 decisions relating to the future use of analogue/digital channels as stipulated in RR Appendix 18, in order to ensure that until the first radio survey after 1 January 2024 the VHF channels 21, 22, 23, 80, 81, 82 and 83 in VHF equipment remain programmed for analogue modulation on board.
Iridium receiver(s) capable of receiving MSI and SAR related information
SOLAS regulation IV/7.1.4 requires that every ship shall be provided with a receiver or receivers capable of receiving Maritime Safety Information, as defined in SOLAS regulation IV/2.1.10, and search and rescue related information as part of the GMDSS, throughout the entire voyage in which the ship is engaged.
SOLAS regulation IV/7.1.4 refers to MSC.1/Circ.1645 providing guidance on the equipment which should be installed on board ships to meet the requirements of SOLAS chapter IV.
The NSI allows for Iridium receiver(s) capable of receiving broadcasts from the international EGC service provided by the International Iridium SafetyCAST service, to be installed on board a ship flying the flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, provided that:
- the Iridium receiver(s) comply with the requirements of the EU Directive 2014/90/EU on marine equipment, as amended; and
- reception of the MSI and SAR related information, for the intended trading area, has been ensured1.
The phased implementation process of the international Iridium SafetyCAST service in the NAVAREAs and METAREAs has not yet been completed. Subsequently, ships relying upon the international Iridium SafetyCAST service for MSI and SAR information should, when operating outside NAVTEX service areas:
- only rely upon the international Iridium SafetyCast service for MSI in areas where the MSI provider, the corresponding NAVAREA or METAREA coordinator, declares themselves at Full Operational Capability FOC with the international Iridium SafetyCAST service. The IMO publishes the status of in its GISIS; and
- mitigate the risks of operating in an area where an MSI provider has not declared itself at FOC with the international Iridium SafetyCAST service. The owner and master of the ship are responsible for ensuring receipt of the MSI and SAR information by alternative means
Occasional voyages in GMDSS sea area A4 for ships equipped with GMDSS A3 equipment
Valid until 01-01-2024
The acceptance of an “occasional voyage” in GMDSS sea area A4 (while equipped with equipment for GMDSS sea area A3) is based on paragraph 2.1.2 of IMO Resolution A.702(17), where the following is stated:
“... Ships operating in A4 area’s only occasionally and having originally installed an MF/HF radio installation, may, instead of the additional MF/HF radio installation, install an INMARSAT SES complying with the requirements of regulation IV/10.1.1...”
The existing INMARSAT-C SES installation may be the duplication of subject equipment, in case of occasional voyages in GMDSS sea area A4.
When a ship embarks upon such a voyage the following requirements shall be complied with:
- Before commencing the voyage subject ship(s) shall be provided with a type approved MF/HF with DSC, scanning MF/HF DSC watchkeeping receiver and direct printing telegraphy (NBDP), an EGC receiver for the INMARSAT ship earth station (should already have been provided), an EPIRB (COSPAS-SARSAT) and a second VHF/DSC (Resolution A.702(17)) in compliance with SOLAS regulation IV/11 (Radio equipment for sea areas A1, A2, A3 and A4)1;
- All equipment shall be type-approved in accordance with the relevant requirements; (MED 2014/90/EC, as amended)
- It shall be confirmed that the battery capacity is sufficient to cover any additional equipment;
- Before commencing the voyage the equipment shall be tested by an approved radio surveyor/service supplier, acceptable to the Recognized Organization (RO) and this shall be verified by the RO; and
- The NSI requires a confirmation from the RO that all of the above-mentioned requirements are complied with.
Remote verification
With reference to item ‘d’ above: “... and this shall be verified by the RO” the NSI deems it acceptable that subject verification by a surveyor from the RO is carried out remotely (in conjunction with Instruction to Recognised Organisations no. 32 - Remote Survey). In case extra GMDSS equipment is (temporarily) installed, or existing MF/DSC equipment is updated to MF/HF/NBDP equipment upon entering GMDSS sea area A4 waters, or de-commissioned upon leaving GMDSS sea-area A4 waters, a radio surveyor/service supplier acceptable to the RO always has to carry out an inspection on board. Due to the specific nature of subject equipment and the specific knowledge of the approved radio surveyor/service supplier, the physical attendance of a surveyor from the RO may be replaced by a remote verification by the RO. Such a remote survey may be carried out by the RO under the following conditions:
- The approved radio surveyor/service supplier is informed aforehand, and it shall be provided with any necessary equipment and it shall agree with the procedure;
- The Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Radio (Form R) shall be revised and the following remark shall be added: “Occasional voyage in GMDSS sea area A4 is allowed based on the (temporary) provision of MF/HF with NDBP;” this in compliance with the instructions from the Netherlands;
- Visual evidence shall be available for the RO (such as pictures, video, online meeting, etc.)
- A copy of the NBDP test shall be available for the RO;
- Evidence of an HF/DSC test call shall be available for the RO.