Navigation (Distress Messages and Navigational Warnings) Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES

1959. No. 49

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1956.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1956.

Dated this  twenty-sixth

day of  June, 1959.

W. J. Slim

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Shipping and Transport.

NAVIGATION (DISTRESS MESSAGES AND NAVIGATIONAL WARNINGS) REGULATIONS.

Citation.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Navigation (Distress Messages and Navigational Warnings) Regulations.

Repeal.

2. The Navigation (Distress Messages and Navigational Warnings) Regulations (being Statutory Rules 1933, No. 47) are repealed.

Interpretation.

3.—(1.) In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“aircraft radio station” means a radio installation in an aircraft;

“automatic alarm signal” means the signal referred to in sub-regulation (2.) of regulation 6 of these Regulations;

“coast radio station” means a radio installation established on land for the exchange of radio communications with ships;

“danger message” means a message referred to in sub-section (1.) of section 269a of the Navigation Act 1912-1956;

“distress call” means a call referred to in regulation 6 of these Regulations;

“distress frequency” means a radio frequency specified in regulation 9 of these Regulations;

“distress message” means a message referred to in regulation 7 of these Regulations;

“distress traffic”, in relation to radiotelegraphy or radiotelephony, means all transmissions in connexion with the immediate assistance required by a ship or aircraft in distress;

“radio station” means a ship radio station or a coast radio station;

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 26 June , 1959.

4146/58.—Price 9d. 6/28.5.1959.

“ship radio station” means a radio installation on board a ship;

“signal station” means a signal station established on land for the exchange of visual communications with ships;

“silence periods” has the same meaning as in the Navigation (Radio) Regulations;

“tropical storm” means a hurricane, typhoon or other storm of a similar nature.

(2.) In these Regulations—

(a) a reference to a class A2 emission shall be read as a reference to amplitude modulated radiotelegraphy by the keying of a modulating audio frequency or of an emission continuously modulated by an audio-frequency; and

(b) a reference to a class B emission shall be read as a reference to damped waves.

Prescribed signals of distress.

4.—(1.) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this regulation, the signals referred to in rule 31 in the Schedule to the Navigation (Collision) Regulations are the prescribed signals of distress.

(2.) In radiotelegraphy, the prescribed signal of distress is the group of letters “SOS” in Morse code.

(3.) In radiotelephony, the prescribed signal of distress is the word “MAYDAY”.

Use of prescribed signal of distress in radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony.

5. In radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony, the prescribed signal of distress shall not be used except in connexion with the transmission of—

(a) an automatic alarm signal;

(b) a distress call and a distress message;

(c) the acknowledgment of a distress message; or

(d) other distress traffic,

as prescribed by these Regulations.

Distress calls.

6.—(1.) In radiotelegraphy, the distress call shall take the form of the prescribed signal of distress sent three times, followed by the word “DE” in Morse code, sent once, and the call sign of the radio station of the ship or aircraft in distress, sent three times.

(2.) Where the radio frequency used is five hundred kilocycles, the distress call specified in the last preceding sub-regulation may be preceded by the automatic alarm signal, which consists of a series of twelve dashes, sent in one minute, the duration of each dash being four seconds, and the duration of the interval between consecutive dashes being one second.

(3.) When the automatic alarm signal is given and circumstances so permit, the automatic alarm signal shall be followed immediately by the prescribed signal of distress sent three times, and the distress call shall not be sent until the expiration of an interval of two minutes after the giving of the automatic alarm signal.

(4.) In radiotelephony, the distress call shall take the form of the prescribed signal of distress, pronounced three times, followed by the words “THIS IS”, followed by the call sign of the radio station of the ship or aircraft in distress, the whole being repeated three times.

(5.) The distress call specified in the last preceding sub-regulation may be preceded by the prescribed signal of distress used in radiotelegraphy, produced by a whistle or other suitable means.

(6.) The distress call has absolute priority over other transmissions from radio stations and a person operating a radio station who hears the distress call shall—

(a) immediately cease any transmission capable of interfering with the distress call and subsequent distress traffic; and

(b) listen on the radio frequency used for the transmission of the distress call.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(7.) A person referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall not acknowledge receipt of the distress call before the distress message is sent.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(8.) The distress call shall not be addressed to a particular radio station.

Distress message.

7.—(1.) A distress message shall take the form of a distress call followed by—

(a) the name of the ship or aircraft in distress;

(b) particulars of its position;

(c) the nature of the distress;

(d) the kind of assistance required; and

(e) any other information which might facilitate the rescue.

(2.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, in a distress message the particulars of the position of a ship or aircraft shall be given by stating in figures the degrees and minutes of north or south latitude of the position and the degrees and minutes of east or west longitude (from Greenwich) of the position, using, in the case of radiotelegraphy, the Morse signal .—.—.— to separate the degrees from the minutes.

(3.) When practicable, the particulars of the position of a ship or aircraft in a distress message may be given by giving the true bearing and distance in nautical miles from a known geographical point.

Duty of operator after transmission of message.

8.—(1.) After a person operating a ship radio station has transmitted a distress message, he shall transmit two dashes of approximately ten seconds duration each, followed by the call sign of the ship radio station, to permit direction-finding radio stations to determine its position.

(2.) The transmission to permit direction-finding radio stations to determine the position of the ship radio station may be repeated at frequent intervals, where necessary.

(3.) Before the total abandonment of a ship, the radio transmitter of the ship shall, if possible, be set to transmit continuously class A2 or class B emissions.

Radio frequencies to be used.

9.-—(1.) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this regulation, the radio frequency to be used for distress messages and other distress traffic is five hundred kilocycles, used, if possible, on class A2 or class B emissions.

(2.) In radiotelephony, in the case of radio stations working in the bands between one thousand six hundred and five and two thousand eight hundred and fifty kilocycles, the radio frequency to be used for prescribed signals of distress is two thousand one hundred and eighty-two kilocycles.

(3.) The radio frequency to be used in the case of a ship radio station that cannot transmit on either of the radio frequencies specified in the preceding provisions of this regulation is the normal calling radio frequency of the ship radio station.

Repetition of distress message.

10.—(1.) A distress message, and if given, an automatic alarm signal, shall be repeated during silence periods and at other times, at intervals that are long enough to allow receiving radio stations to answer, until an answer is received.

(2.) Where no answer is received to a distress message sent on a distress frequency, the distress message may be repeated on any other available radio frequency on which attention might be attracted.

Acknowledgment of receipt of distress message.

11.—(1.) A person operating a radio station who receives a distress message from a ship radio station or an aircraft radio station which is in his vicinity shall acknowledge receipt of the signal in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this regulation.

Penalty. Fifty pounds.

(2.) The acknowledgment of receipt of a distress message shall take the following form:—

(a) the call sign of the radio station of the ship or aircraft in distress, given three times;

(b) the word “DE”;

(c) the call sign of the radio station acknowledging receipt, given three times;

(d) the group of letters “RRR”; and

(e) the prescribed signal of distress.

(3.) An acknowledgment of receipt of a distress message by a person operating a ship radio station shall, if the master of the ship so authorizes, be followed as soon as possible by information in the following form:—

(a) the name of the ship;

(b) particulars of its position; and

(c) the speed at which it is proceeding towards the ship or aircraft in distress.

(4.) For the purposes of the last preceding sub-regulation, the particulars of the position of the ship shall be given in the same manner as that prescribed by sub-regulations (2.) and (3.) of regulation 7 of these Regulations.

(5.) Before transmitting the information referred to in sub-regulation (3.) of this regulation, the person operating the ship radio station shall ensure that the transmission will not interfere with the transmissions of other radio stations, including aircraft radio stations, that are better situated to render immediate assistance to the ship or aircraft in distress.

(6.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, an acknowledgment of the receipt of a distress message by a person operating a radio station shall be given immediately.

(7.) Where other radio stations, including aircraft radio stations, are known by the person operating a radio station to be nearer to the ship or aircraft in distress, the acknowledgment of the receipt of a distress message shall not be transmitted until after a short interval of time in order to permit those other radio stations to acknowledge receipt of the distress message without interference.

Repetition of a distress message by a receiving radio station.

12.—(1.) Where a person operating a radio station hears a distress message and is not in a position to render assistance, he shall, unless receipt of the distress message is immediately acknowledged by another radio station, including an aircraft radio station, that is in a position to render assistance, take all possible steps to attract the attention of a ship radio station or an aircraft radio station that is in a position to render assistance.

(2.) In order to attract the attention of a ship radio station or an aircraft radio station that is in a position to render assistance, a person operating a ship radio station if the master of his ship so authorizes, and a person operating a coast radio station if the person in charge of the coast radio station so authorizes, may repeat, on full power, the distress message or part of that message, followed by the word “DE” and the call sign of his own radio station repeated three times.

(3.) In radiotelegraphy, the repetition of a distress message or part of a distress message under the last preceding sub-regulation may be preceded by the automatic alarm signal if a sufficient interval of time is left between the automatic alarm signal and the repetition of the distress message or part of the distress message to allow radio stations that do not keep continuous watch but which are equipped with an apparatus which responds to the automatic alarm signal to go on watch after hearing the signal.

Authority to use or display prescribed signals of distress.

13.—(1.) A prescribed signal of distress shall not be used or displayed by a person on board a ship unless the use or display of that signal is authorized by the master of the ship.

(2.) The master of a ship shall not authorize the use or display of a prescribed signal of distress unless he is satisfied that—

(a) his ship is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance; or

(b) where a ship other than his own, or an aircraft, is in distress, the ship or aircraft cannot use or display a prescribed signal of distress or requires immediate assistance in addition to any assistance already available.

(3.) Where the master of a ship has authorized the use of a prescribed signal of distress by means of a transmission by a ship radio station, he shall cause a message revoking that signal to be transmitted as soon as he is satisfied that the ship or aircraft to which the signal relates is no longer in need of assistance.

Distress traffic.

14—(1.) The control of distress traffic is the responsibility of the person operating the radio station that originates the prescribed signal of distress, but that person may delegate the control to a person operating another radio station and, on any such delegation, the control of the distress traffic is the responsibility of the delegate.

(2.) A person responsible for the control of distress traffic, or, if he believes it to be essential, the person operating any other radio station near the ship or aircraft in distress, may impose radio silence either on all radio stations in the area or on a particular radio station which interferes with the distress traffic.

(3.) For the purpose of imposing radio silence under the last preceding sub-regulation—

(a) a person responsible for the control of distress traffic shall transmit the group of letters “QRT” followed by the distress signal addressed to all radio stations or a particular radio station, as the case requires; and

(b) a person operating any other radio station near the ship or aircraft in distress shall transmit the group of letters “QRT” followed by the word “DISTRESS” and the call sign of his own radio station addressed to all radio stations or a particular radio station, as the case requires.

(4.) A person operating a radio station who has knowledge of any distress traffic shall comply with any instructions given by a person under the preceding provisions of this regulation.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(5.) A person operating a radio station who has knowledge of any distress traffic but is not taking part in the distress traffic shall not while it continues—

(a) transmit on the radio frequency used for the distress traffic;

(b) use class B emissions; or

(c) resume the normal service of his own radio station unless—

(i) the distress traffic is well established; and

(ii) the resumption will not interfere with the distress traffic.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(6.) A person operating a radio station who is taking part in distress traffic shall cause each call and each message transmitted by him in the course of that traffic to be preceded by the prescribed signal of distress.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(7.) When distress traffic has ceased or when radio silence is no longer necessary, the person who has controlled the distress traffic shall transmit on the distress frequency and on any other radio frequency used for the distress traffic a message, addressed to all radio stations, in the following form:—

(a) the distress signal;

(b) the group of letters “CQ” repeated three times;

(c) the word “DE”;

(d) the call sign of his own radio station;

(e) the time of handing in the message for transmission;

(f) the name and call sign of the radio station of the ship or aircraft in distress; and

(g) the group of letters “QUM”.

(8.) In this regulation, a reference to a radio station includes a reference to an aircraft radio station which is taking part in distress traffic.

Obtaining help, &c., where unable to comply with Regulations.

15. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding provisions of these Regulations, a person who is operating the radio station of a ship that is in serious and imminent danger and is unable to comply with those provisions may use any means at his disposal to attract attention, to make known the ship’s position and to obtain help.

Prescribed urgency signals.

16.—(1.) The following signals are the prescribed urgency signals:—

(a) in radiotelegraphy—three repetitions of the group of letters “XXX” in Morse code, sent with the letters of each group, and the successive groups, clearly separated from each other; and

(b) in radiotelephony—three repetitions of the word “PAN”.

(2.) A prescribed urgency signal shall be used for the purpose of giving notice that the calling radio station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship or aircraft or of some person on board or within sight.

(3.) A prescribed urgency signal has priority over all other radio communications except distress traffic.

(4.) A person shall not interfere with the transmission of a message that follows the use of a prescribed urgency signal.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(5.) A message, other than a message dealing with medical matters, that follows a prescribed urgency signal shall be in plain language.

Authority to use prescribed urgency signal.

17.—(1.) A prescribed urgency signal shall not-be used by a person on board a ship unless the use of that signal is authorized by the master of the ship, or by a person at a coast radio station unless the use of that signal is authorized by a Deputy Director.

(2.) Except where the master of a ship authorizes the use of a prescribed urgency signal to issue a warning that circumstances may make it necessary for him to use or display a prescribed signal of distress, a prescribed urgency signal shall be addressed to a specific radio station or aircraft radio station.

(3.) Where the master of a ship has authorized the use of a prescribed urgency signal before the transmission of a message addressed to all radio stations, including aircraft radio stations, that calls for action by any of those radio stations receiving the message, he shall cause that message to be cancelled by a further message addressed to all radio stations as soon as he is satisfied that the action is no longer necessary.

Duties of person hearing prescribed urgency signal.

18.—(1). A person operating a radio station who hears a prescribed urgency signal shall continue to listen and shall not resume the normal service of the radio station until—

(a) if no message follows the signal—the expiration of a period of at least three minutes; or

(b) if a message follows the signal—he is satisfied that no action or further action by him on the message is necessary.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

(2.) Where a message that follows a prescribed urgency signal is not addressed to all radio stations, radio stations that are in communication on radio frequencies other than those used for the transmission of the prescribed urgency signal and message may continue their normal service without interruption.

Prescribed safety signals.

19.—(1.) The following signals are the prescribed safety signals:—

(a) in radiotelegraphy—three repetitions of the group of letters “TTT” in Morse code, sent with the letters of each group and the successive groups, clearly separated from each other; and

(b) in radiotelephony—the word “SECURITE” (pronounced “SAY-CURE-E-TAY”) repeated three times.

(2.) The radio frequency to be used for prescribed safety signals is the same as that to be used for distress messages and other distress traffic.

Danger messages.

20.—(1.) A danger message shall be sent in the English language or by means of the 1931 International Code of Signals (Volume II., for Radio Signalling).

(2.) A danger message shall convey the following information:—

(a) in the case of ice, derelicts and other direct dangers to navigation—

(i) the kind of ice, derelict or other danger observed;

(ii) the position of the ice, derelict or other danger when last observed; and

(iii) the Greenwich Mean Time and the date when the observation was made;

(b) in the case of a tropical storm—a statement that a tropical storm has been encountered and, as far as is practicable—

(i) the position of the tropical storm as far as it can be ascertained;

(ii) the position, true course and speed of the reporting ship when the observation was made;

(iii) the Greenwich Mean Time and the date when the observation was made;

(iv) the barometric pressure with an indication as to whether that pressure is given in millibars, inches or millimetres and as to whether the reading is corrected or uncorrected;

(v) the change in barometric pressure during the previous three hours;

(vi) the true direction of the wind;

(vii) the wind force according to the Beaufort scale specified in the Schedule to these Regulations;

(viii) the state of the sea, as being smooth, moderate, rough or high;

(ix) the swell, as being slight, moderate or heavy and the direction from which it comes; and

(x) the period or length of the swell, as being short, average or long.

(3.) A danger message shall be sent as soon as the master of the ship has the required information and shall be repeated immediately after the end of the first available silence period.

(4.) Where a danger message is repeated in accordance with the last preceding sub-regulation, the prescribed safety signal that precedes the repetition of the danger message shall be transmitted towards the end of the silence period.

(5.) A danger message shall end with the name of the master of the ship transmitting the message or information and the call sign of the ship radio station.

(6.) The radio frequency to be used for danger messages is the same as that to be used for prescribed signals of distress.

(7.) Nothing in this regulation shall be deemed to prevent a danger message being sent as part of a meteorological service that is transmitted at fixed times.

Duties of person hearing the prescribed safety signal.

21. A person operating a radio station who hears the prescribed safety signal shall listen on the radio frequency used for the transmission of the signal until he is satisfied that the message is of no interest to him.

Penalty: Fifty pounds.

Report to shore.

22. The master of a ship who has sent out a prescribed safety signal and danger message in accordance with section 269a of the Act shall—

(a) at the first opportunity, make a radio report containing the information contained in the danger message to the person in charge of the nearest available coast radio station, or, if it is not possible to so communicate with a coast radio station, make the report by visual means to the person in charge of the first signal station with which he is able to communicate, and request the person to whom the report is made to transmit the report to the Deputy Director for the State in which the coast radio station or signal station is located; and

(b) immediately on arrival of the ship at the next port of call in Australia, lodge a copy of the report with the superintendent at that port.

Master of ship to make entry in logbook.

23. The master of a ship shall enter in the official logbook of the ship a record of—

(a) all new dangers to navigation observed;

(b) all danger messages and information received in regard to new dangers to navigation; and

(c) all danger messages and information sent or transmitted in regard to new dangers to navigation and the exact time and position of the ship when the danger message or information was sent or transmitted.

Speed of transmission.

24. For the purposes of these Regulations, the speed of transmission in radiotelegraphy, other than the transmission of an automatic alarm signal, is not more than sixteen words per minute.

THE SCHEDULE.

Regulation 20.

BEAUFORT SCALE OF WIND FORCE.

Number.	Knots.					Description of Wind.
0	less	than	1	Calm
1	1	to	3	Light Air
2	4	to	6	Light Breeze
3	7	to	10	Gentle Breeze
4	11	to	15	Moderate Breeze
5	16	to	20	Fresh Breeze
6	21	to	26	Strong Breeze
7	27	to	33	Moderate Gale
8	34	to	40	Fresh Gale
9	41	to	47	Strong Gale
10	48	to	54	Whole Gale
11	56	to	65	Storm
12	above		65	Hurricane

By Authority: A. J. Arthur, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.