Equivalent arrangements accepted under regulation I/5 for the capability of transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy equipment
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dd-mm-yyyy = Entry into force |
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SLS.14/Circ.493
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16-04-2013
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Communication by the Government of the Netherlands
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization has the honour to transmit herewith the text of a communication by the Government of the Netherlands, regarding equivalent arrangements for the capability of transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy equipment accepted under regulation I/5 of the above Convention.
The Secretary-General would be grateful if steps could be taken to bring this information to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime
Organisation
4, Albert Embankment
LONDON, SE1 7SR
Verenigd Koninkrijk |
Directoraat-Generaal
Maritieme Zaken
Plesmanweg 1-6
Den Haag
Postbus 20904
2500 EX Den Haag
www.rijksoverheid.nl
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Date
Subject |
12 March 2013
Equivalent arrangements for the capability of transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy equipment
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Our reference
IENM/BSK-2013/48706 |
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Enclosure(s)
1 |
Dear Mr. Secretary-General,
I have the honour to inform you that The Netherlands has accepted an Equivalent Arrangement for the acceptance of Inmarsat Fleet-77 as meeting the requirements for duplication, as specified in IMO resolution A.702(17) Annex paragraph 2.1.
You will find enclosed details of the equivalent arrangement for circulation to Contracting Governments.
Yours sincerely,
Bart W. de Jong,
Head of Unit Maritime Shipping & Security
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Equivalent Arrangement for the capability of transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy
The Netherlands has accepted Equivalent Arrangements for the capability of transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy prescribed by SOLAS chapter IV regulation 10.1.1.
Where, in accordance with SOLAS chapter IV regulation 15.7 duplication of equipment is used in order to ensure availability, the Netherlands accepts Inmarsat Fleet-77 as meeting the requirements for duplication, as specified in IMO resolution A.702(17) Annex paragraph 2.1.
The acceptance of this equivalent is justified by the following arguments:
- The footnote in SOLAS chapter IV regulation 8.5.1 states that "This requirement can be met by Inmarsat ship earth stations capable of two-way communications, such as Inmarsat-B and Fleet-77 (resolutions A.808(19) and MSC.130(75)) or Inmarsat-C (resolution A.807(19), as amended) ship earth stations. Unless otherwise specified, this footnote applies to all requirements for an Inmarsat ship earth station prescribed by this chapter." As such, per definition Inmarsat Fleet-77 can be used to comply with SOLAS chapter IV regulation 10.1.1.
- The direct-printing telegraphy function for duplication is not part of MSC.130(75) Performance Standards for INMARSAT SES capable of two-way communications. According MSC.130(75) paragraph 3.2 there is a choice between distress calls by telephone or data communications.
In addition to the above attention is drawn to the fact that on 31 December 2014 INMARSAT will cease all services provided by Inmarsat-B (using direct-printing telegraphy facility).
The successor of the INMARSAT-B was the INMARSAT-F. The next foreseen generation of Inmarsat SES is FleetBroadband (FB500). INMARSAT intends to provide GMDSS distress voice capability on FB500. All new INMARSAT equipment (including Inmarsat-F) no longer supports direct-printing telegraphy facilities.
Other considerations:
An exclusive training certificate for INMARSAT-F is not applicable.
The radiotelephony Operator Certificate is required and sufficient for operation of the INMARSAT-F installation.