Communication regulations play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime operations across various types of vessels. Whether it’s cargo ships or passenger ships, each vessel category has specific communication requirements mandated by international maritime authorities. Here’s a breakdown of communication regulations for different types of vessels:
Cargo Ships:
Cargo ships, which transport goods and commodities across oceans and seas, must adhere to stringent communication regulations to ensure safe navigation and emergency response. These regulations typically include the following:
Mandatory installation and operation of VHF (Very High Frequency) radios equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) functionality for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication.
Availability of NAVTEX receivers for receiving navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts.
Installation of Satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) operating at 406 MHz for distress alerting and locating.
Maintenance of reserve power sources and automatic battery chargers to ensure continuous operation of communication equipment.
Annual radio surveys to verify the functionality and compliance of onboard communication systems with international standards.
Passenger Ships:
Passenger ships, including cruise liners and ferries, are subject to specific communication regulations to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers and crew. These regulations may include:
Installation of redundant VHF radios with DSC capability for reliable communication in emergency situations.
Availability of NAVTEX receivers for receiving important navigational and weather-related information.
Mandatory deployment of Satellite EPIRBs for rapid distress alerting and search and rescue operations.
Implementation of public address systems for broadcasting important announcements and safety instructions to passengers and crew.
Provision of GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) alarm panels for monitoring distress alerts and coordinating response efforts.
Compliance and Enforcement:
Compliance with communication regulations is essential for all types of vessels, and maritime authorities rigorously enforce these requirements through regular inspections and audits. Vessels found to be non-compliant may face penalties, detention, or even suspension of operations until corrective measures are taken.
| Gross Tonnage/Area | Area 1 | Area 1 + Area 2 | Area 1 + Area 2 + Area 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 < GRT < 500 | – 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 | – VHF + DSC – Duplicated VHF + DSC – VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (Ch. 70) – MF – SSB + DSC – MF – DSC Watch Receiver ( Freq. 2187,5 KHz) – 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) – LRIT reporting function – Annual Radio Survey | – VHF + DSC – Duplicated VHF + DSC – VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (ch.70) – MF – SSB + DSC – MF – DSC Watch Receiver (Freq. 2 187,5 kHz) – 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 – NAVTEX Receiver – Satellite EPIRB – 406 MHz – Reserve Power Source + Automatic Battery Charger – SBM – Shore Based Maintenance (6) – 2-way radiotelephones (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) – LRIT reporting function – Annual Radio Survey |
| 500 < GRT | – 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 | – VHF + DSC – Duplicated VHF + DSC – VHF – DSC Watch Receiver (Ch. 70) – MF – SSB + DSC – MF – DSC Watch Receiver ( Freq. 2187,5 KHz) – 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) – LRIT reporting function – Annual Radio Surveys | – VHF + DSC – Duplicated VHF +DSC – VHF – DSC Watch receiver (ch.70) – MF – SSB + DSC – MF – DSC Watch Receiver (Freq. 2 187,5 kHz) – 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 – NAVTEX Receiver – Satellite EPIRB – 406 MHz – Reserve Power source + Automatic Battery Charger – SBM – Shore Based Maintenance (6) – 2-way radiotelephones (Portable GMDSS VHF) – 2-Way radio telephones (Portable FFA VHF) – SART (RADAR-SART (9 GHz) or AIS-SART) x1 – General Alarm System + Communication – RADAR X-band (9 GHz) – LRIT reporting function – Annual Radio Survey |