QuestionsQuestions (NTC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 6-3-2000)
The Circular cites R.A. 3846, R.A. 3396, the 1974 SOLAS Convention as amended, and the Maritime Safety Committee recommendation (Annex 7-7) under its 54th session as bases for the equipment requirements.
It applies to non-convention ships (less than 300 G.T.) that are engaged in international trade and fly the Philippine flag.
The vessel must have a marine-type SSB/HF and VHF transceiver capable of providing ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship distress communication.
A Satellite EPIRB (Emergency Positioning-Indicating Radio Beacon) capable of generating the ship’s position and the ship’s identification code in distress.
It requires a 9 GHz SAR (Search and Rescue) radar transponder that can transmit signals indicating the ship’s position in distress and bearing on the radar screen of the rescuing ship.
NAVTEX is used to receive navigation warnings and marine safety information; the vessel must have a NAVTEX receiver for this purpose.
At least two (2) units of two-way VHF radio equipment (GMDSS type-approved) are required for communication between ship in distress, survival craft, and rescue ship.
No. The Circular states that a non-convention ship may carry DSC equipment with radiotelephone capability operating on GMDSS frequencies or an INMARSAT ship earth station (SES) voluntarily.
It states that the Circular takes effect immediately upon adoption, which is 01 March 2000.
It takes effect immediately and supersedes any existing NTC order, circular, instruction, memorandum, or part thereof that is inconsistent with it.
It implies that for effective participation, the specified radio communication equipment must be installed and capable of fulfilling distress and safety communication functions.
They must provide ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship distress communication.
It must generate the ship’s position and its identification code while in distress.
In addition to position indications, it transmits signals that can provide bearing on the radar screen of the rescuing ship, helping direction-finding during rescue operations.
The provided text requires a NAVTEX receiver but does not expressly mention type-approval or specific model criteria for NAVTEX (unlike the explicit ‘GMDSS type-approved’ requirement for the two-way VHF radios).