EXPLANATORY NOTES
Marine Orders, Part 27
(Radio Equipment)
Issue 2
Order No 9 of 2002
Authority
1. Section 425(1) of the Navigation Act 1912 (Navigation Act) empowers the Governor-General to make regulations necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
2. Section 425 (1AA) of the Navigation Act allows the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to make orders with respect to matters in Part IV of the Act in relation to which provision may be made by regulations.
3. Marine Orders, Part 27, Issue 2 was made pursuant to subsection 425(1AA).
Gazettal
4. Arrangements have been made for this issue of Marine Orders Part 27 to be gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Government Notices, 26 June 2002.
Purpose
5. For the purposes of the Navigation Act Marine Orders Part 27 gives effect to Chapter IV of the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). It prescribes matters relating to radio installations on ships, and to performance standards developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
6. Marine Orders Part 27, Issue 2:
- repeals Marine Orders Part 27, Issue 1 (with the exception of an exemption or equivalent granted or recognised under Issue 1 immediately prior to this issue);
- repeals Marine Orders Part 26, Issue 4 (with the exception of an exemption or equivalent granted or recognised under Issue 4 immediately prior to this issue);
- gives effect to IMO Resolution MSC.69(69) amendments to Chapter IV of SOLAS.
Consultation
7. The draft text was circulated to the relevant industry and was also placed on the AMSA external website for public comments. The Marine Order takes account of all valid comments made.
Overview
8. Marine Orders Part 27 gives effect to SOLAS Chapter IV and subsequent amendments. It also prescribes matters in relation to the operation and maintenance of radio equipment, radio operators and radio log books.
9. IMO Resolution MSC.69(69), adopted on 18 May 1998, introduces amendments to Chapter IV of SOLAS that will come into effect on 1 July 2002.
10. In line with IMO guidelines for the participation of non-SOLAS ships in the GMDSS, the concept of functional requirements for non-SOLAS ships is introduced.
11. Marine Orders Parts 26 and 27 have been combined as Part 27, as the Orders now cover the same subject matter.
12. The opportunity has been taken to amend the definition provision and to update other provisions to reflect the current drafting standards.
Contents of the Order
13. Provision 1 indicates the purpose for which this Order has been made.
14. Provision 2 provides definitions of words and phrases and Provision 3 provides interpretations both of which are necessary for proper understanding of the Order.
15. Provision 4 specifies the ships to which this Part applies and those to which it does not apply.
16 Provision 5 provides for:
- the exemption of a ship from compliance with a provision of this Part, including a possible exemption for a non-SOLAS ship that is required to undertake an international voyage and to which Chapter IV of SOLAS applies;
- the application of provisions of this Part to be modified in respect of a ship and for the acceptance of an equivalent fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, that is, at least, effective as that required under the Part;
- the continuation of an exemption granted or recognised under a provision of Marine Orders Part 26, Issue 4, or Marine Orders Part 27, Issue 1.
17. Provision 6 provides for an internal review by the General Manager of a decision made by the Chief Marine Surveyor or the Manager under this Part. This provision also provides for a review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal of specified decisions made under this Part and for a statement of reasons to be provided by the decision-maker upon request of an applicant.
18. Provision 7 specifies functional requirements to be met by SOLAS ships while at sea in relation to regulation 4 of Chapter IV of SOLAS. This provision also specifies functional requirements for non-SOLAS ships in respect to rendering the ship capable of providing for its own safety and the capacity to assist other ships in distress.
19. Provision 8 requires:
- with respect to radio installations, equipment, watchkeeping arrangements, sources of energy, performance standards, maintenance requirements,
personnel and record-keeping, that a SOLAS ship must comply with Chapter IV of SOLAS, the Radio Regulations, the STCW Convention and the STCW Code (refer definitions provision);
- with respect to radio installations, equipment, watchkeeping arrangements, sources of energy, performance standards, maintenance requirements, personnel and record-keeping a non-SOLAS ship must be such as to adequately enable the functional requirements set out in 7.2 of this issue to be met and comply with the relevant Radio Regulations, the STCW Convention and the STCW Code;
- VHF radio installation and EPIRB requirements with respect to a ship engaged in harbour duties;
- records, certificates and publications to be carried on a ship in relation to radio equipment.
20. Appendix 1 provides a list of station frequencies for GMDSS communications for the purposes of distress and safety communications, and receiving maritime safety information.
21. Appendix 2 provides a list of required performance standards developed by IMO that are to be used for approving equipment under this Part.
22. Appendix 3 provides both technical requirements for MF/HF and VHF equipment, and climatic and durability requirements for MF/HF equipment with respect to radiotelephone installation.
23. Appendix 4 provides climatic and durability tests in relation to radio equipment.
24. Appendix 5 provides definitions and specifications in relation to the installation of a ship earth station.
25. Appendix 6 provides requirements in relation to radio personnel on ships.
26. Appendix 7 provides examples of radio installation on a non-SOLAS ship that will meet the functional requirements of Provision 7.2 of this Marine Order.
27. Appendix 8 specifies the prescribed form of a radio log-book.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
June 2002