Title
GMDSS Rules for Ships Under 300 G.T.
Law
Ntc Memorandum Circular No. 6-3-2000
Decision Date
Mar 1, 2000
Non-convention ships under 300 G.T. are mandated to install specific radio communication equipment to ensure effective participation in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) for international trade, as outlined in the guidelines issued by the NTC.
guidelines
maritime law
safety system

Legal basis and international anchor

  • The Circular is issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 3846.
  • The Circular is issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 3396.
  • The Circular is anchored on the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, as amended.
  • The Circular also follows the recommendation of the Maritime Safety Committee (Annex 7-7) under the fifty-fourth session on participation of non-convention ships in GMDSS.

Policy objective for GMDSS participation

  • The Circular requires specified radio communication equipment for effective distress and safety communication under GMDSS.
  • The Circular ensures that a Philippine flag vessel of the covered category can participate effectively in global maritime distress and safety communications.

Coverage: qualifying vessel and trade

  • The equipment requirements apply to a Philippine flag vessel.
  • The vessel must be less than 300 G.T.
  • The vessel must be engaged in international trade.
  • The vessel must be a non-convention ship.
  • The Circular’s requirements apply for effective participation in GMDSS.

Mandatory equipment on board

  • Vessels must be equipped with a marine type SSB/HF and VHF transceiver capable of providing ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship distress communication.
  • Vessels must carry a Satellite EPIRB (Emergency Positioning-Indicating Radio Beacon) capable of generating signals of the ship’s position and the ship’s identification code in distress.
  • Vessels must carry a 9 Ghz SAR (Search and Rescue) radar transponder capable of transmitting signals to indicate the ship’s position in distress and bearing on the radar screen of the rescuing ship.
  • Vessels must carry a NAVTEX receiver to receive navigation warnings and marine safety information.
  • Vessels must have at least two (2) units of two-way VHF radio equipment (GMDSS type-approved) for communication between:
    • the ship in distress,
    • survival craft, and
    • the rescue ship.

Optional and alternative equipment allowances

  • A non-convention ship may carry voluntarily DSC equipment with radiotelephone capability operating on GMDSS frequencies.
  • A non-convention ship may carry voluntarily an INMARSAT ship earth station (SES).

Responsible compliance authority and operational standard

  • The Circular imposes the requirement that the specified radio communication equipment shall be installed on board the covered vessels.
  • The equipment is required for effective participation in GMDSS distress and safety communication.
  • The equipment list defines the minimum technical carriage obligations through the specific equipment types named in the Circular.

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