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2. RADIO

Radio installations comments:

Question (paraphrased):

Under SOLAS V, can (say) a Sat C internal GNSS rx be used to provide position to other radio equipments? What about existing GPS receivers?

Answer:

1) Would agree with interpretation for new (radio) installations "that any equipment with an inbuilt GNSS rx is considered 'stand alone' and any other radio equipment should have its own GNSS or be connected to the ship's GNSS rx". Pragmatically, if at the fitting of a GNSS rx (by 1st survey after 2002) it is simple to provide the interface to all radio equipment, this should be done. Where existing radio equipment is satisfactorily interfaced to another inbuilt GNSS, my view is that it would be beyond the intention of Reg 18 to force a change for that reason alone. In the event of power failure to the Sat C, the back-up would be "manually updating position at intervals not exceeding 4 hours".

2) For new installations, a simple check for the presence of a "Wheelmark" would be appropriate. Existing GNSS receivers should be treated pragmatically in that a patently "mickey mouse" unit or installation should be brought up to standard - otherwise where the set has national type-approval no action is necessary.

Radio Equipment Approvals – Non-Directive Fishing Vessels

Document MCA 287 details a process for manufacturers to gain approval for radio equipment for fitting to NDFVs. The following are approved as of 3.1.03:

  1. Barrett 980E Integrated HF transceiver and Class ‘E’ Controller
  2. Simrad RD 68 VHF/DSC Class ‘D’
  3. ICOM IC M-503 + DS 100 VHF RT and DSC controller
  4. Mc Murdo F1

Note: all type approved equipment is fully acceptable for NDFV – list retained in CIB.