No. 29 of 2016 - IMPLEMENTATION OF AMENDMENTS TO RADIO REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE REVISED MARITIME FREQUENCIES AND CHANNELLING ARRANGEMENTS

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

SHIPPING CIRCULAR

NO. 29 OF 2016

MPA Shipping Division

460 Alexandra Road

21st Storey PSA Building

Singapore 119963

Fax: 6375 6231

http://www.mpa.gov.sg

12 December 2016

Applicable to: Shipowners, shipmanagers, operators, surveyors, agents and

masters of Singapore-registered ships

IMPLEMENTATION OF AMENDMENTS TO RADIO REGULATIONS

CONCERNING THE REVISED MARITIME FREQUENCIES AND CHANNELLING

ARRANGEMENTS

This circular informs on the MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.1 “Revised Guidance on

the validity of radiocommunications equipment installed and used on ships” as

approved at the 97th session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International

Maritime Organization.

1. To ensure GMDSS communication capability, the 92nd Maritime Safety

Committee has earlier issued MSC.1/Circ.1460 to advise that High Frequency (HF)

radiocommunication equipment capable of operating narrow-band direct printing

(NBDP) should be updated by the first radio survey after 1 January 2017; and other

radiocommunication equipment may be updated appropriately in accordance with

the decisions of the Administration.

1. In order to avoid any unnecessary updates of HF radiocommunication

equipment that is already capable of operating NBDP, further noting that the

International Maritime Organization has approved the draft outcome of the detailed

review of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) including the

conclusion that NBDP can be removed as a carriage requirement for distress follow-

up communications in Sea Areas A3 and A4 in the future, the Maritime Safety

Committee at its 97th session agreed to amend the date in paragraph 6 of

MSC.1/Circ.1460 to advise that HF radiocommunication equipment capable of

operating NBDP should be updated by the first radio survey after 1 January 2024.

1. In line with MSC.1/Circ.1460/Rev.1, Singapore ships equipped with HF NBDP

radiocommunication equipment need not be updated until the first radio survey after

1 January 2024.

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1. For VHF equipment, in view that GMDSS's important channels are not

amended and that there are many other existing VHF channels that can still be used

for communication between the new and existing VHF equipment. The VHF radio

communication equipment is deemed suitable for continued use onboard, unless

otherwise required by the ship’s port of call operating the upgraded VHF channels or

until such time when replaced or repaired which involve its replacement, shall then

comply with the new channelling requirements.

1. Shipping Circular No.23 of 2016 is hereby superseded.
2. Queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr. Calvin Lee at

telephone 6375-6269 or email calvin_lee@mpa.gov.sg.

TAN SUAN JOW

DIRECTOR OF MARINE

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

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