Clarification of Small Craft VHF Radio DSC Requirements

The UK Coastguard GMDSS Distress and Safety radio system is now fully functioning in all UK waters. Any craft in trouble can now send a distress alert at a touch of a button, giving the nature of distress, the identity of the vessel and an accurate position. This information will be picked up automatically by HM Coastguard and acknowledged. From a user’s point of view, all other elements of radio communication are automated under the new system and if anyone wants to call you, an alarm will ring.

Selective extracts and interpretations from IMO resolution MSC 77 (69), adopted 13 May 1998 have been released by our competitors. To put the record straight, we would like to quote the relevant section of the resolution in full:-

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE

URGES Governments:

1. To require all new VHF radio equipment manufactured for, or installed on or after 1 February 1999 on, seagoing vessels to which the 1974 SOLAS Convention does not apply to be fitted with facilities capable of transmitting and receiving distress alerts by DSC on VHF Channel 70;
2. To require all seagoing vessels to which the 1974 SOLAS Convention does not apply, but which are required to carry a radio installation under national legislation, to be fitted with a radio installation which includes facilities for transmitting and receiving distress alerts by DSC on VHF channel 70 no later than 1 February 2005;
3. To encourage seagoing vessels being voluntarily fitted with VHF radio equipment to be fitted also with facilities for transmitting and receiving distress alerts by DSC on VHF channel 70 no later than 1 February 2005; and
4. To require all vessels being fitted with facilities in accordance with sub-paragraph .1 to .3 above, to maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 16 until 1 February 2005, and to require personnel operating such equipment to be adequately trained, taking into account ITU Resolution 343 (WRC-97);

As a matter of interpretation, paragraph 1 applies to all vessels other than ships over 300 grt; paragraph 2 applies to fishing vessels, superyachts etc. to which compulsory fit legislation applies, but which do not fall under 1); paragraph 3) applies to all other small vessels. The words ‘when practicable’ should be noted in paragraph 4. This paragraph also (elsewhere in the resolution) applies to SOLAS convention ships.

The requirement for receiving distress alerts should be noted. This precludes the use of Class C or Class F DSC equipment, which has been offered in some other countries by some manufacturers.

So, what does this mean in practice for UK boat owners?

For owners of existing small yachts, there is no immediate need to panic. Unless they wish to take advantage of the improved safety aspects of GMDSS immediately, they now have five years to fit replacement DSC equipped radios. For anyone buying a new vessel, however, it would be appropriate to fit a DSC equipped radio immediately. Any other radio would have to be thrown away in 2005. It will in any case, become increasingly difficult to buy a radio which does not have DSC fitted from now on.

Owners of fishing vessels and large yachts must comply with the new rules in the short term and should check the exact rules which apply to them as soon as possible. Superyachts and large fishing vessels will have to comply with legislation from February 1^st 1999. There will be a short phase in period for smaller fishing vessels.

Having just supplied the UK Coastguard GMDSS DSC radio infrastructure, ICS Electronics Ltd. expect to be selling one of the first DSC equipped radios approved to the new European EN 301 025 specification at the London Boat Show. Contrary to all rumours, this will be priced at a very affordable level.

GMDSS DSC for yachts is finally here. It is time to start enjoying the benefits and start fitting.