Sec. 80.1085  Ship radio equipment--General.

    This section contains the general equipment requirements for all 
ships subject to this subpart.
    (a) Ships must be provided with:
    (1) A VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving:
    (i) DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70), and it must be 
able to initiate the transmission of distress alerts on channel 70 from 
the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and
    (ii) Radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 
156.650 MHz (channel 13), and 156.800 MHz (channel 16);
    (2) A dedicated, non-scanning radio installation capable of 
maintaining a continuous DSC watch on VHF channel 70 which may be 
separate from, or combined with, that required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of 
this section;
    (3) A radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 GHz band, 
which must be stowed so that it is easily utilized (this transponder may 
be one of those required by Sec. 80.1095(b) for a survival craft);
    (4) A receiver capable of receiving international NAVTEX service 
broadcasts;
    (5) If the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of INMARSAT 
coverage in which an international NAVTEX service is not provided, a 
radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by the 
INMARSAT enhanced group calling system, i.e., SafetyNet, (this 
requirement does not apply to ships engaged exclusively on voyages in 
areas where an HF direct-printing

[[Page 170]]

telegraphy maritime safety information service, as identified by the IMO 
GMDSS Master Plan Publication, is provided and the ship is fitted with 
equipment capable of receiving such service); and
    (6) A satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon 
(satellite EPIRB) which must be:
    (i) Capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar 
orbiting satellite service operating in the 406 MHz band (406 MHz 
EPIRB); and
    (ii) Installed in an easily accessible position, ready to be 
manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a 
survival craft, capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being 
automatically activated when afloat, and capable of being activated 
manually.
    (b) Until February 1, 1999, all ships must be equipped with a radio 
installation consisting of a radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz 
watch receiver prescribed by Sec. 80.807. This requirement does not 
apply to ships constructed on or after February 1, 1997.
    (c) Until February 1, 1999, all ships, except ships engaged on 
voyages in sea area A1 only, must be equipped with a device for 
generating the 2182 kHz radiotelephone alarm signal as prescribed by 
Sec. 80.807. This requirement does not apply to ships constructed on or 
after February 1, 1997.
    (d) Ships must carry the most recent edition of the IMO publication 
entitled GMDSS Master Plan of Shore-Based Facilities. Notice of new 
editions will be published in the Federal Register and copies may be 
obtained from: International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, 
London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.
[ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  60 FR 50122 , Sept. 28, 1995]