Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
14 18
Carriage requirements for GMDSS in area A1
1. One VHF radio capable of DSC (Digital Selective Calling) on channel
70 and voice communications on channel 16, 13 and 6.
2. One SART (Search And Rescue Transponder) if under 500 gross tons
otherwise two.
3. Two approved lifeboat portable VHF radios if under 500 gross tons
otherwise two.
4. One Navtex receiver or an Inmarsat EGC receiver if operating in an
area where Navtex is not offered.
5. One 406 MHz or a 1.6 GHZ satellite EPIRB, (Emergency Position
Indicating Radio Beacon). Note: a VHF DSC EPIRB may replace the 406 MHz
and 1.6 MHz EPIRB if operating exclusively in area A1.
14.3 Search and rescue transponder beacons (SARTs)
General requirements, siting and marking of equipment
The radar transponders required by the Regulations should comply with
the performance standards adopted by the IMO through Assembly Resolution
A.802(19). The equipment should be provided with simple instructions for
operation.
The equipment should be kept on either side of the ship in a suitable
place ready to be moved into a survival craft in case of emergency; where
only one is required, it should be located at a suitable location for moving into
the survival craft. In ships where the disposition of superstructures or deck
houses is such as to involve substantial fore and aft separation and, where
two transponders are carried, they should not be located in the same area of
superstructure or in the same deck house.
The equipment should be clearly marked with the manufacturer’s
identity, type or model identification, serial number, brief operating
instructions and the expiry date for the primary batteries used.
The minimum safe distance from the standard or magnetic steering compass
at which the equipment may be installed should also be marked;
The arrangements made in individual ships and/or survival craft should
be determined to the satisfaction of the marine surveyor in consultation with
the radio surveyor who should inspect the equipment as part of each survey
of Life-Saving Appliances.
Securing the equipment in lifeboats
Arrangements should be made in every lifeboat carried by the ship for
erecting and securing the radar transponder at a height of not less than 1
metre above the water line. It is acceptable to mount the equipment within the
lifeboat; e.g.‘hang’, including enclosed lifeboats of GRP construction, the
equipment will operate satisfactorily. Alternatively the radar transponder may
form an integral part of the survival craft.
Where lifeboats using ‘free-fall launching’ techniques are carried each
should be provided with appropriate means to securely retain the transponder