Safety watchkeeping on GMDSS ships

The OOW should normally be in possession of a General Operator's Certificate (GOC). For ships operating only in GMDSS Area A1 a Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC) is sufficient. The OOW will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the radio watchkeeping requirements of SOLAS, the ITU Radio Regulations and any local watchkeeping rules.

3.5.2.1 VHF watchkeeping

The VHP watchkeeping range is 20 to 30 nautical miles, depending upon antenna height. All ships must keep a continuous watch on:

• DSC Channel 70 (156.525 MHz;)

• Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) when practicable;

• Channel 13 (156.650 MHz) when practicable.

3.5.2.2 MF (300 - 3000 kHz ) watchkeeping

Medium frequency (MF) broadcasts will typicaly have a R/T range of between 150 and 250 nautical miles by day and a DSC range of 600 to 700 nautical miles. Reception range will be greater at night. Ships must keep a continuous watch on:

• the NAVTEX frequency 518 kHz, when in an area where the service is provided;

• the DSC frequency 2187.5 kHz;

• the R/T distress frequency 2182 kHz by means of a bridge watch receiver
(until 1 February 1999.)

3.5.2.3 HF (3000 kHz - 30 MHz) watchkeeping

High frequency (HF) broadcasts have an unlimited range. Ships fitted with HF must keep a continuous watch on:

• the DSC distress frequency 8414.5 kHz;

• at least one of the frequencies 4207.5, 6312,12577,16804.5 kHz, as
appropriate to the time of day and the position of the ship.

3.5.2.4 Satellite watchkeeping

Ships fitted with a ship earth station (SES) must keep a continuous watch on the satellite appropriate to the ship's position. The range of satellite broadcasts is unlimited (except polar regions).

3.5.2.5 Maritime safety information

Maritime safety information (MSI) is defined as navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety related messages broadcast to ships.

A continuous MSI watch should be kept at sea at all times by all ships. The NAVTEX receiver meets this requirement while the ship is within a NAVTEX coverage area. Beyond such coverage, watchkeeping should be undertaken using the appropriate MF, HF or satellite frequencies on which MSI is broadcast.

Log keeping

A radio log must be maintained containing up to date records of all incidents connected with radiocommunications that appear to be of importance to the safety of life at sea. In particular, the following are normally required:

• a summary of communications relating to distress, urgency and safety traffic;

• a reference to important radio service incidents;

• the position of the ship at least once per day.

The log should contain the identities of other stations with which the ship communicates or attempts to communicate, and records of any difficulties experienced owing to congestion, interference, atmospheric noise or ionospheric disturbances.

Incidents involving obscene language or unnecessary transmissions should be recorded with the identities of the stations concerned, if known. This is particularly relevant to VHF Channel 16.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 890