Ensuring the safety and efficiency of cargo and passenger ships involves equipping them with the necessary communication and navigation tools. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the required equipment based on the gross tonnage (GRT) of the vessel and its operating area.
300 < GRT < 500
| Equipment | Area 1 | Area 1 + Area 2 | Area 1 + Area 2 + Area 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Duplicated VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (Ch. 70) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NAVTEX Receiver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite EPIRB – 406 MHz | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reserve Power Source + Automatic Battery Charger | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SBM – Shore based Maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable GMDSS VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable FFA VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SART (RADAR-SART 9GHz –or- AIS-SART) x1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| General Alarm System + Communication –or- Public Address System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RADAR X-band (9 GHz) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual Radio Survey | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MF – SSB + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MF – DSC Watch Receiver (Freq. 2187,5 KHz) | ✓ | ✓ | |
| LRIT reporting function | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Inmarsat C –or- GMDSS mini-C + EGC receiver | ✓ | ||
| MF/HF – SSB + DSC + NBDP | ✓ | ||
| MF/HF – DSC Watch Receiver (2, 4, 6, 8, 12 & 16 MHz) | ✓ | ||
| Duplicated Inmarsat C -or- GMDSS mini-C + EGC receiver | ✓ | ||
| Duplicated MF/HF SSB+DSC+NBDP | ✓ |
500 < GRT
| Equipment | Area 1 | Area 1 + Area 2 | Area 1 + Area 2 + Area 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Duplicated VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (Ch. 70) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NAVTEX Receiver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite EPIRB – 406 MHz | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reserve Power Source + Automatic Battery Charger | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SBM – Shore based Maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable GMDSS VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable FFA VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SART (RADAR-SART 9GHz –or- AIS-SART) x1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| General Alarm System + Communication –or- Public Address System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RADAR X-band (9 GHz) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual Radio Survey | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MF – SSB + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MF – DSC Watch Receiver (Freq. 2187,5 KHz) | ✓ | ✓ | |
| LRIT reporting function | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Inmarsat C –or- GMDSS mini-C + EGC receiver | ✓ | ||
| MF/HF – SSB + DSC + NBDP | ✓ | ||
| MF/HF – DSC Watch Receiver (2, 4, 6, 8, 12 & 16 MHz) | ✓ | ||
| Duplicated Inmarsat C -or- GMDSS mini-C + EGC receiver | ✓ | ||
| Duplicated MF/HF SSB+DSC+NBDP | ✓ |
300 < GRT < 500
| Equipment | Area 1 | Area 1 + Area 2 | Area 1 + Area 2 + Area 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Duplicated VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (Ch. 70) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NAVTEX Receiver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite EPIRB – 406 MHz | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reserve Power Source + Automatic Battery Charger | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SBM – Shore based Maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable GMDSS VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable FFA VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SART (RADAR-SART 9GHz –or- AIS-SART) x1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| General Alarm System + Communication | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RADAR (X-band, 9 GHz) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual Radio Survey | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| GMDSS Alarm Panel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Aero VHF | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public Address System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MF SSB + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MF DSC Watch Receiver (Freq. 2187.5 KHz) | ✓ | ✓ | |
| LRIT reporting function | ✓ | ✓ |
500 < GRT
| Equipment | Area 1 | Area 1 + Area 2 | Area 1 + Area 2 + Area 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Duplicated VHF + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (Ch. 70) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NAVTEX Receiver | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite EPIRB – 406 MHz | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reserve Power Source + Automatic Battery Charger | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SBM – Shore based Maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable GMDSS VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2-Way radio telephones (Portable FFA VHF) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SART (RADAR-SART 9GHz –or- AIS-SART) x1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| General Alarm System + Communication | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RADAR (X-band, 9 GHz) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annual Radio Survey | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| GMDSS Alarm Panel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Aero VHF | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public Address System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MF SSB + DSC | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MF DSC Watch Receiver (Freq. 2187.5 KHz) | ✓ | ✓ | |
| LRIT reporting function | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Inmarsat C (or GMDSS mini-C) + EGC receiver | ✓ | ||
| MF/HF – SSB + DSC + NBDP | ✓ | ||
| MF/HF DSC Watch receiver (2, 4, 6, 8, 12 & 16 MHz) | ✓ | ||
| Duplicated Inmarsat C (or GMDSS mini-C) + EGC | ✓ | ||
| Duplicated MF/HF – SSB + DSC + NBDP | ✓ |
All Vessels
| Gross Tonnage | Equipment Required |
|---|---|
| GRT < 150 | Standard Magnetic Compass, Pelorus or Compass Bearing Device, Correction to Heading/Bearing, Nautical charts + Nautical Publications, GNSS or Terrestrial Radio Nav. System, RADAR Reflector, Sound Reception System (SRS), Telephone to Emergency Steering System |
| 150 < GRT < 300 | Standard Magnetic Compass, Pelorus or Compass Bearing Device, Correction to Heading/Bearing, Spare Magnetic Compass, Nautical Charts + Nautical Publications, GNSS or Terrestrial Radio Nav. System, Sound Reception System (SRS), Telephone to Emergency Steering System, Daylight Signaling Lamp, Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS), Automatic Identification System (AIS), 9GHz X-Band RADAR + EPA, ATA or ARPA, Echo-Sounder, Speed and Distance Measuring Device (SDME), Transmitting Heading Device (THD), Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), Simplified/ Voyage Data Recorder (S/VDR), S/VDR Annual Performance Testing |
| 300 < GRT < 500 | Same as above with additional requirements for larger vessels, including: Gyrocompass, Gyrocompass Heading Repeater, Indicators (Rudder, Propeller, Thrust, Pitch, Operational mode), ECDIS + backup arrangement |
| 500 < GRT < 3000 | Same as above with additional equipment: 3-GHz S-Band RADAR + ATA or ARPA |
| 3000 < GRT < 10000 | Same as above with further enhancements: Gyrocompass Heading Repeater at emergency steering position |
| 10000 < GRT < 50000 | Comprehensive suite including all above equipment plus multiple repeaters for 360-degree visibility |
| 50000 < GRT | Full spectrum of navigation and communication tools to ensure maximum safety and operational efficiency |
By adhering to these guidelines, ships can ensure compliance with international safety standards and enhance their navigational capabilities, providing a safer journey for both cargo and passengers.
