STATUTORY RULES
1935. No. 81.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1935.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Navigation Act 1912-1935.
Dated this twenty-second day of August, 1935.
ISAAC A. ISAACS
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. C. BRENNAN
for Minister of State for Commerce.
Amendment of the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations.†
Frequencies and capabilities.
1.—(1.) Regulation 8 of the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations is amended—
(a) by omitting paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following paragraph:—
“(b) receiving—
(i) in the case of a ship of Class I., Class II. or Class III., engaged on an international voyage to any port in the North Atlantic Ocean or contiguous waters, on all frequencies from 1,000 kilocycles to 15 kilocycles (wave lengths 300 metres to 20,000 metres);
(ii) in the case of every other ship of Class I., Class II. or Class III., on all frequencies from 1,000 kilocycles to 100 kilocycles (wave lengths 300 metres to 3,000 metres); and
(iii) in the case of a ship of Class IV. or Class V., on all frequencies from 1,580 kilocycles to 300 kilocycles (wave lengths 190 metres to 1,000 metres);”; and
* Notified In the Commonwealth Gazette on 20th August, 1935.
† Statutory Rules 1935, No. 64.
3503.—Price 3d.
(b) by omitting sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—
“(2.) In the case of a ship of Class V., the installation shall include, either as incorporated with or in addition to that provided to meet the requirements of the last preceding sub-regulation, apparatus whereby the prescribed signals of distress may be automatically transmitted, as required by sub-section (1a.) of section 231 of the Act.”.
(2.) This regulation shall come into operation on the first day of October, 1935.
By Authority: L.F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1935, No. 81, which amend the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1935, were enacted to address the need for updated frequency specifications and equipment requirements for maritime wireless telegraphy. The regulations were introduced by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council, Isaac Isaacs, and came into effect on 1 October 1935. The primary policy objective behind these amendments was to enhance maritime safety and communication by ensuring that vessels are equipped with wireless telegraphy apparatus capable of operating on the appropriate frequencies for their intended voyages. This was particularly aimed at improving the reliability of distress signal transmissions, which are crucial for search and rescue operations in international waters.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1935, specifically amending the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations, outline the wireless telegraphy requirements for ships engaged in maritime navigation. These regulations apply to vessels classified as Class I, II, III, IV, and V, depending on their intended voyage, whether international or domestic. The amendments establish specific frequency bands for wireless communication, varying according to the ship's class and the maritime area in which it is operating. For instance, ships engaged on international voyages to the North Atlantic Ocean or contiguous waters must be equipped to receive signals across a broader range of frequencies than those operating in other areas. Additionally, the regulations mandate that ships of Class V must include apparatus for the automatic transmission of prescribed distress signals, thereby enhancing maritime safety. These amendments aim to ensure that all vessels meet the necessary communication standards to facilitate safe and efficient navigation. The regulations are applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and are effective from the first day of October 1935.
Key Provisions
The operative sections of these regulations (section 1) modify the Navigation (Wireless Telegraphy) Regulations, specifically altering the frequencies and capabilities for wireless telegraphy for ships of different classes. For ships engaged in international voyages to ports in the North Atlantic Ocean or contiguous waters, the amended regulation requires ships of Class I, Class II, and Class III to be equipped to receive signals on frequencies ranging from 1,000 kilocycles to 15 kilocycles. Other ships of Class I, Class II, and Class III must be capable of receiving on frequencies from 1,000 kilocycles to 100 kilocycles, while ships of Class IV and Class V must be able to receive on frequencies from 1,580 kilocycles to 300 kilocycles. Moreover, section 3503 of the regulation mandates that ships of Class V must also have apparatus to automatically transmit prescribed distress signals.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require ship operators to ensure that their vessels are equipped with wireless telegraphy apparatus that meets the specified frequency and capability requirements. For Class V ships, this includes the installation of automatic distress signal transmission apparatus. This ensures that maritime communication standards are met, which is crucial for safety and effective communication at sea, particularly in distress situations.
Breaches of these regulations can result in both civil and criminal consequences. Under the Navigation Act 1912-1935, failure to comply with these wireless telegraphy requirements can be considered an offence. The specific penalties for such breaches are not detailed within the statutory rules but generally, under the Navigation Act, penalties for non-compliance with maritime safety regulations can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and any additional provisions stipulated in the main Act or subsequent amendments.