Legal Basis and Authority
- Issued pursuant to Republic Acts 3846 and 3396.
- Consistent with the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention as amended.
- Aligns with the recommendation of the Maritime Safety Committee's fifty-fourth session (Annex 7-7).
- Issued as an official memorandum circular by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Mandatory Radio Communication Equipment Requirements
- Marine-type SSB/HF and VHF transceiver:
- Enables ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship distress communication.
- Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB):
- Capable of generating distress signals including ship's position and identification code.
- 9 GHz Search and Rescue (SAR) Radar Transponder:
- Sends signals to indicate ship’s position and bearing on the radar screen of rescuing vessels.
- NAVTEX Receiver:
- Used to receive navigation warnings and marine safety information.
- Two units of two-way VHF radio equipment (GMDSS type-approved):
- For communication between ship in distress, survival craft, and rescue ships.
Voluntary Equipment Options
- Non-convention ships may opt to carry:
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment with radiotelephone capabilities operating on GMDSS frequencies.
- INMARSAT Ship Earth Station (SES).
Effective Date and Supersession
- Circular takes effect immediately upon issuance (March 1, 2000).
- Supersedes any previous NTC orders, circulars, instructions, memoranda, or parts thereof that conflict with these guidelines.