Canadian Coast Guard

TRANSPORT CANADA’S REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) AND GUIDANCE ON IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL ALERTING PROCEDURES

Masters and radio operators are urged to review and use the following important information on the use of GMDSS radio equipment to help ensure the GMDSS and Search and Rescue (SAR) services can operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.

New Regulations

Following several years of development and consultation, the new Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999 and the new Ship Station (Radio) Technical Regulations, 1999 came into force on April 1, 2001. Affected immediately by these Regulations are Canadian domestic ships operating on the seacoasts of Canada, which are not in a Vessel Traffic Services Zone, and that:

are 20 metres in length or more and certified to carry more than 12 passengers; or

have a gross tonnage of 300 tons or more

These ships will be carrying and using new radio equipment consistent with the GMDSS. The new regulations also phase-in requirements over the next couple of years that will apply to smaller commercial ships operating on the seacoasts of Canada (Note in particular that by April 1, 2002, vessels 8 metres or more in length and operating more than 20 miles from shore will need an EPIRB. By February 1, 2003, tow boats, vessels carrying more than 6 passengers and vessels of closed construction more than 8 metres in length will need a VHF/DSC radio). In addition, amendments have been made to other regulations to update the requirements pertaining to survival craft radio equipment e.g., Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations and the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations. The following table summarizes the carriage requirements of the Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999. However the actual regulations should be consulted for specific requirements and are available at:

HYPERLINK http://www.tc.gc.ca/Actsregs/csa-Immc/Toccsa.html http://www.tc.gc.ca/Actsregs/csa-Immc/Toccsa.html

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (406 MHz and Inmarsat 'E' EPIRBs)

It is recommended that a float-free EPIRB be carried on board ships and pleasure craft operating offshore. To be effective, 406 MHz EPIRBs must be registered in the National SAR Secretariat’s 406MHz Canadian Beacon Registry. You can register your 406 MHz EPIRBs by (telephone at 1-800-727-9414 facsimile 613-996-3746) or on the web at: http://www.nss.gc.ca/site/cospas-sarsat/emergencyBeacon_e.asp .

Inmarsat 'E' EPIRBs must be registered with Inmarsat. EPIRBs purchased outside of Canada must be reprogrammed with a Canadian EPIRB identity.

Float-free EPIRBs should not be fitted under ledges or structures that would impede their ability to float free.

Do not install the EPIRB with lanyard attached to the superstructure of your vessel.

Both manually activated EPIRBs and float-free EPIRBs should be readily accessible so that in the event of an emergency, it is available for immediate use.

EPIRBs should be tested using the "TEST" button, by the operator every 6 months. This test should be recorded in the radio log.

EPIRB battery packs and hydrostatic release units should be replaced per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

A list of 406 MHz EPIRBs approved for use in Canada is available on the Web at:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSafety/APCI-ICPA/default.asp

Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999

Italics represent new requirements to be complied with by April 1 st , 2001 , unless otherwise indicated.

Requirements for Safety Convention ships are not shown as they must comply with the Safety Convention

Requirement for ships on inland voyages and minor waters voyages are not shown since there are no new requirements

Regulations do not apply to a pleasure yacht not carrying a master or crew for hire, or a tow-boat in a booming ground

DSC: digital selective callingEGC: enhanced group callingNBDP: narrow band direct printing

Additional requirements: emergency procedures card, operating and routine maintenance manuals, consumable spare parts, radio publications, time piece, weather facsimile (Arctic), spare antennas (some ships 20m).