I, JAMES MITCHELL, Minister for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 15 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952 (No. 29 of 1952) (as amended by sections 11 and 12 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1966 (No. 20 of 1966)), the Transport, Fuel and Power (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1959 ( S.I. No. 125 of 1959 ) and the Transport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order, 1980 ( S.I. No. 11 of 1980 ), hereby make the following rules:

PART I GENERAL

1 Citation, commencement, interpretation and revocation

1. (1) These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Rules 1983 and shall come into operation on the 1st day of December, 1983.

(2) In these Rules:—

"approved" means approved by the Minister;

"cargo ship" means a ship other than a passenger ship;

"connected" means electrically connected;

"existing installation" means:

(a) an installation wholly installed before the 25th day of May, 1980; and

(b) an installation part of which was installed before the said date and the rest of which consists of parts installed in replacement of identical parts or parts which comply with the relative requirements of these Rules;

"fishing vessel" means a vessel which is for the time being employed in sea fishing, but does not include a vessel used otherwise than for profit;

"interference" in relation to any radio installation required by these Rules means the prejudicing by any emission or reflection of electro-magnetic energy of the fulfillment of the purposes of the installation;

"maintenance" means any activity intended to keep a radio installation in satisfactory working condition and includes tests, measurements, replacements, adjustments and repair;

"Marine Notice" means a Notice described as such, issued by the Department of Transport;

"mile" means the international nautical mile of 1,852 metres;

"the Minister" means the Minister for Transport;

"new installation" means any installation which is not an existing installation;

"new ship" means a ship the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction on or after the 25th day of May, 1980;

"Organisation" means the International Maritime Organisation (IMO);

"operating position" in relation to any equipment means the position normally occupied by a person when operating that equipment;

"passenger ship" means a ship carrying more than 12 passengers;

"pleasure craft" means a vessel primarily used for sport or recreation;

"radio installation" means any radio installation provided on board a ship in compliance with these Rules, including its associated antennae, inter-connecting circuits and, where appropriate, sources of electrical energy;

"radio officer" means a person holding a valid maritime radiocommunication general certificate, first class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in accordance with the provisions of the Radio Regulations, and who is employed in the radiotelegraph station of a ship which is provided with such a station in accordance with these Rules;

"radio operator" means a person who has had experience at sea as an operator of radiotelegraph apparatus on board a fishing vessel or a ship to which these Rules do not apply;

"Radio Regulations" means the Radio Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Union Convention;

"radiotelephone operator" means a person holding a valid appropriate certificate granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in accordance with the provisions of the Radio Regulations;

"radiotelegraph ship" means a ship, being a passenger ship or a cargo ship of 300 tons and upwards to which these Rules apply, which is provided with a radiotelegraph installation in compliance with these Rules;

"radiotelephone ship" means a cargo ship, being a ship to which these Rules apply, of not less than 300 tons but less than 1,600 tons, which is provided with a radiotelephone installation in compliance with these Rules;

"radiotelephone station" and "radiotelephone installation" relate to the equipment operating within the frequency band 1605-3800 kHz;

"radio watch", in the case of radiotelegraph ships, means listening on the international distress frequencies of 500 kHz and 2182 kHz and in the case of radiotelephone ships means listening on the international distress frequency of 2182 kHz;

"silence period" means the period of 3 minutes beginning at 15 minutes and at 45 minutes past each hour, on the frequency of 500 kHz, and at each hour and at 30 minutes past each hour, on the frequency of 2182 kHz;

"tons" means the gross register tonnage of a ship and the gross tonnage of a ship having alternative gross tonnages shall be taken to be the larger of those tonnages;

"VHF radiotelephone station" and "VHF radiotelephone installation" relate to the equipment operating within the frequency band 156·025-162·025 MHz.

(3) The Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules 1967 ( S.I. No. 103 of 1967 ) are hereby revoked.

(4) Nothing in these Rules shall prevent the use by a ship or survival craft in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its position and obtain help.

2 Application of Rules.

2. (1) These Rules apply in relation to radiotelegraph ships and radiotelephone ships which are:

(a) sea-going ships registered in the State;

(b) other sea-going ships while they are within the State or the territorial waters thereof:

Provided that these Rules shall not apply to ships registered in the State while such ships are being navigated within the Great Lakes of North America and their connecting and tributary waters as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada.

(2) These Rules do not apply to:

(a) troopships not registered in the State;

(b) ships not propelled by mechanical means;

(d) fishing vessels;

(e) cargo ships of less than 300 tons.

3 Provision of radio installations.

3. (1) Subject to the provisions set out below, and to paragraph (4), every cargo ship of 300 tons or more but less than 1,600 tons shall be provided with:

(a) a radiotelephone installation which shall include a transmitter, receiver, radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or radiotelephone auto alarm, and radiotelephone alarm signal generating device, or

(b) a radiotelegraph installation which shall include:

(i) a main installation comprising a main transmitter, main receiver, radiotelegraph automatic alarm signal keying device, radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or radiotelephone auto alarm, radiotelephone distress frequency transmitter, radiotelephone alarm signal generating device and when provided, a radiotelegraph auto alarm; and

(ii) a reserve installation comprising a reserve transmitter and a reserve receiver: provided that in cargo ships of less than 1,600 tons, where a radiotelegraphy installation is provided as an alternative to a radiotelephone installation, it shall not be necessary for a reserve transmitter to be provided.

(2) Subject to the provisions set out below, and to paragraph (4), every cargo ship of 1,600 tons or more and every passenger ship shall be provided with a radiotelegraph installation which shall include:

(a) a main installation comprising a main transmitter, main receiver, radiotelegraph automatic alarm signal keying device, radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or radiotelephone auto alarm, radiotelephone distress frequency transmitter, radiotelephone alarm signal generating device and, when provided, a radiotelegraph auto alarm; and

(b) a reserve installation comprising a reserve transmitter and reserve receiver.

(3) Equipment required to be provided under these Rules:

(a) shall conform to performance standards adopted by the Organisation which shall be standards specified in Marine Notice No. 24 of 1983 as so adopted; and

(b) in the case of equipment provided on ships registered in the State, shall, in addition, conform to appropriate performance specifications issued by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and those standards and specifications shall include a reference to any document amending the same which is considered by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to be relevant from time to time.

(4) The following equipment shall not be required to be provided in ships to which this Rule applies:

(a) for a period of two months from the 1st day of December, 1983:—

the radiotelephone distress frequency transmitter (specified in paragraphs (1)(b)(i) and (2)(a) of this Rule);

(b) for a period of one month from the 1st day of December, 1983:—

the radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or radiotelephone auto alarm (specified in paragraphs (1)(a), (b)(i) and (2)(a) of this Rule);

(c) for a period of one month from the 1st day of December, 1983 or until the ship is provided with a radiotelephone distress frequency transmitter, whichever is the later:—

the radiotelephone alarm signal generating device (specified in paragraphs (1)(b)(i) and (2)(a) of this Rule).

4 Interference with reception and with other installations.

4. (1) At no time while the ship is at sea shall any interference or mechanical noise produced by any radio installation required by these Rules be such as to prevent the efficient operation of any other equipment installed on the ship.

(2) At no time while the ship is:

(a) at sea; or

(b) in port when a watch is required by the master

shall any interference or mechanical noise produced by any equipment in the ship be sufficient to prevent the effective reception of radio signals by means of the radio installation.

(3) Any ship to which these Rules apply, in respect of which it is impracticable to erect efficient and properly installed antennae for broadcast receivers which do not interfere with the efficiency of the radio installation, shall be provided with a communal antenna system for broadcast receivers.

5 Testing of equipment.

5. (1) In all ships to which these Rules apply, a radio officer in the case of a radiotelegraph ship, or a radio telephone operator in the case of a radiotelephone ship shall, while at sea, carry out the appropriate equipment tests and battery and reserve power checks specified in the First Schedule to these Rules.

(2) If any of the radio equipment required by these Rules is not in working order, the radio officer or radiotelephone operator shall report that fact to the master and record the details in the radio log.

6 Charging of batteries.

6. (1) If batteries are provided as a source of electrical energy for any part of the equipment required by these Rules, means shall be provided on board every ship to which these Rules apply, for the charging of such batteries from the ship's main source of electrical energy. The charging facilities shall be adequate to ensure that the batteries can be fully charged within a period of not more than 16 hours:

Provided that where more than one battery is provided and each has sufficient capacity to comply with Rule 12(1) or 20(3) of these Rules, as the case may be, the charging facilities shall be adequate to ensure that each battery can be fully charged within a period of 16 hours but it shall not be necessary for both batteries to be charged simultaneously.

(2) Where practicable, the batteries shall be fully charged on every occasion immediately before the ship leaves port.

(3) When the ship is at sea:

(a) the batteries forming part of:

(i) the main radiotelegraph installation, radiotelephone installation and

(ii) in the case of a radiotelegraph ship, the reserve radiotelegraph installation shall be brought up to the normal fully-charged condition daily; and

(b) the batteries forming part of:

(i) the motor life-boat fixed radio equipment and

(ii) the survival craft portable radio equipment if of a type which requires charging

shall be brought up to the normal fully-charged condition weekly.

7 Spare parts, tools and testing equipment.

7. Sufficient spare parts, tools and testing equipment appropriate to the ship to enable the radio installation to be maintained in an efficient working condition while at sea, shall be provided.

8 Serviceability and maintenance of radio installation.Each radio installation shall be in a satisfactory working condition whenever the ship goes to sea:

Provided that where any additional radio equipment which is not required by these Rules is provided, that equipment shall be of such design that any malfunction of any part of it shall not adversely affect the operation of the radio installation required by these Rules.

(2) Each radio installation shall be in a satisfactory working condition at all times when the ship is at sea, unless there is a defect in the radio installation and maintenance is being carried out or is not practicable.

(3) All equipment forming part of each radio installation shall be reliable and shall be so constructed and installed that it is readily accessible for maintenance purposes.

(4) Adequate information and instructions as to the use and maintenance of each radio installation shall be provided and shall be available for use when the radio installation is being operated, tested or serviced.

(5) In all ships registered in the State to which these Rules apply there shall be available on board and, on radiotelegraph ships, in a radiotelegraph operating room:

(a) a rigging plan of the fitted antennae showing:

(i) elevation and plan views of the antennae and on radiotelegraph ships their disposition on the ship relative to the radiotelegraph operating room;

(ii) the dimensions of transmitting antennae; and

(iii) the vertical distance from the load line indicating the greatest depth to which the ship may at any time or any place be submerged to the base of each radiotelegraph and radio telephone transmitting antennae;

(b) complete information on the wiring of the radio installation, except for existing installations on radiotelephone ships, showing all cable interconnections and terminations.

PART II RADIOTELEPHONY

9 Radiotelephone station.

9. (1) The radiotelephone station shall be in the upper part of the ship and so sited that it is protected to the greatest possible extent from interference and noise which might impair the correct reception of messages and signals.

(2) There shall be an efficient two-way means of communication, independent of the ship's main communication system and the main source of electrical energy, between the place at which the radiotelephone installation is fitted and any other place from which the ship is normally navigated.

(3) A reliable clock shall be securely mounted in such a position that the entire dial can be easily observed from the radiotelephone operating position. The marking of the silence periods shall be clearly visible.

(4) A reliable emergency light shall be provided, independent of the system which supplies the normal lighting of the radiotelephone installation, and permanently arranged so as to be capable of providing adequate illumination of the operating controls of the radiotelephone installation, of the clock required by paragraph (3) of this Rule and of the card of instructions required by paragraph (6) of this Rule. The emergency light shall be controlled by two-way switches placed respectively near an entrance to the room in which the radiotelephone installation is fitted and at the operating position in that room: provided that where the radiotelephone installation is fitted on the bridge, only the switch at the operating position need be provided. The switches shall be clearly labelled to indicate their purpose.

(5) Where a source of energy consists of a battery or batteries, the radio telephone station shall be provided with a means of indicating continuously whether the battery voltage is adequate to supply energy for the radiotelephone installation.

(6) A card of instructions giving a clear summary of the radiotelephone distress, urgency and safety procedures shall be displayed at each radiotelephone operating position.

(7) Means shall be provided at the radiotelephone station for checking the proper functioning of:

(a) the radiotelephone alarm signal generating device, by ensuring that the device can modulate satisfactorily the radiotelephone transmitter. The radiotelephone transmitter shall not radiate signals during such checking; and

(b) the muting circuits of the radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or the radiotelephone auto alarm.

10 Provision of antennae

10. (1) Every radiotelephone ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided and fitted with suitable antennae and insulators. Where wire antennae are suspended between supports liable to whipping, they shall be protected against breakage.

In addition, every such ship shall carry:

(a) if the radiotelephone antenna is a supported wire antenna, a spare antenna completely assembled for rapid replacement of the radiotelephone antenna; or

(b) if the radiotelephone antenna is not a supported wire antenna, a spare antenna of similar electrical characteristics;

(2) A suitable antenna shall be provided for, and shall normally be connected to, the radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or the radiotelephone auto alarm.

11 Range of radiotelephone transmitter.

11. The normal range of the radiotelephone transmitter provided in accordance with these Rules shall not be less than 150 miles. The range of a radiotelephone transmitter for the purpose of these Rules shall normally be determined by calculation of the metre-amperes. Where an antenna arrangement causes difficulties in determining the range of a transmitter by calculation, the range shall be determined by test.

12 Supply of electrical energy.

12. (1) At all times while a radiotelephone ship is at sea, and at all reasonable times while she is in port, there shall be available a main source of energy sufficient to operate the installation over the normal range of not less than 150 miles. If batteries are provided they shall have sufficient capacity and shall be maintained at all times while at sea in such condition as to be able to supply continuously for at least six hours a total current equal to the sum of:

(a) the current consumption of the radiotelephone receiver and of the transmitter when it is in a condition that operation of the "press to transmit" switch will make it ready for the immediate transmission of speech;

(b) one third of the current which may be drawn by the radiotelephone transmitter for speech transmission on the frequency at which the current consumption of the transmitter is at a maximum;

(c) the current consumption of all additional loads to which the battery may supply energy in time of distress or emergency;

(2) In respect of installations in cargo ships registered in the State of 300 tons or more, and other cargo ships of 500 tons or more but in any case less than 1600 tons, made on or after 19 November 1952, a reserve source of energy shall be provided in the upper part of the ship unless the main source of energy is situated there.

(3) The reserve source of energy, if provided, may be used only to supply:

(a) the radiotelephone installation;

(b) the emergency light specified in Rule 9(4) of these Rules;

(d) a direction-finder (if fitted); and

(e) a number of low-power emergency circuits which are wholly confined to the upper part of the ship, such as emergency lighting on the boat deck. Such circuits shall be adequately fused and capable of being readily disconnected from the reserve source of energy.

13 Radiotelephone operators

13. (1) Every radiotelephone ship which is fitted with a radiotelephone station in accordance with these Rules shall carry the number of radiotelephone operators specified in paragraph (2) of this Rule. If he is the holder for the time being of a valid certificate for radiotelephony, the master, an officer or a member of the crew may be a radiotelephone operator.

(2) The specified number of radiotelephone operators shall be:

(a) ships of 300 tons and more, but less than 500 tons—at least one operator;

(b) ships of 500 tons and more, but less than 1600 tons—at least two operators; provided that if a ship carries one radiotelephone operator exclusively employed for duties related to radiotelephony, it shall not be necessary to carry a second radiotelephone operator.

(3) For the purposes of these Rules no person shall be qualified to be a radiotelephone operator on board a ship registered in the State unless he is the holder of:

(a) a valid certificate of competency in radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs or by an authority empowered in that behalf by the laws of Great Britain or any Commonwealth country and recognised by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs as the equivalent of such a certificate granted by the said Minister; and

(b) a valid Authority to Operate granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to operate a radiotelegraph station or a radiotelephone station established in a ship under a licence granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.

(4) For the purposes of these Rules no person shall be deemed to be a radiotelephone operator on board a ship registered in a country other than the State unless he holds a valid certificate of competency in radiotelephony or radiotelegraphy issued by an authority empowered or recognised in that behalf by the law of the country in which the ship is registered and issued in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

14 Radio watch.

14. Every radiotelephone ship which is fitted with a radiotelephone station in accordance with these Rules shall, while at sea, maintain continuous watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency at the place on board from which the ship is normally navigated, by use of a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or radiotelephone auto alarm.

15 Radio log—radiotelephone ship.

15. (1) The radio log (diary of the radio service) required by the Radio Regulations for a ship which is fitted with a radiotelephone installation in accordance with these Rules shall be kept at the place where listening watch is maintained during the voyage.

(2) Every radiotelephone operator and every master, officer or crew member when carrying out a listening watch in accordance with Rule 14 of these Rules shall enter in the radio log the information specified in the Second Schedule Part A and in the form specified in the Second Schedule Part B to these Rules.

(3) The radiotelephone operator or, if there is more than one, the one designated by the master, shall inspect and sign each day the entries for that day in the radio log, confirming that the requirements of these Rules have been met.

(4) The master of the ship shall inspect and sign each day's entries in the radio log.

(5) The radio logs shall be available for inspection by officers authorised by the Minister to make such an inspection.

(6) Section 242 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (which provides for the delivery of the official log-book to the superintendent) and section 256 of that Act (which provides among other things for the custody of the official log-book) shall apply to the radiotelephone log-book as they apply to the official log-book.

PART III RADIOTELEGRAPHY

16 Radiotelegraph station.

16. (1) The radiotelegraph installation shall be installed in such a manner that it will be protected against the harmful effects of water and extremes of temperature and shall be readily accessible both for immediate use in case of distress and for repair.

(2) Every radiotelegraph ship shall be provided with a radiotelegraph operating room. It shall be possible to operate the main and the reserve radiotelegraph apparatus from the radiotelegraph operating room.

(3) The main and reserve radiotelegraph apparatus provided on board a radiotelegraph ship shall be electrically separate and electrically independent of each other.

(4) Calibration tables or calibration curves shall be available in the radiotelegraph operating room for each transmitter and receiver forming part of the radiotelegraph installation except for those transmitters and receivers which are directly calibrated.

(5) The sleeping accommodation of at least one radio officer shall be situated as near as practicable to the radiotelegraph operating room.

17 Radiotelegraph operating rooms.

17. Radiotelegraph operating rooms shall:

(a) be in such positions that no interference from extraneous mechanical or other noise will be caused to the proper reception of radio signals;

(b) be placed as high in the ship as is practicable;

(c) be of sufficient size and of adequate ventilation to enable the main and reserve radiotelegraph installations to be operated efficiently;

(d) not be used for any purpose which would interfere with the operation of the installation;

(e) be provided with an efficient two-way system for calling and voice communication with the bridge and any other place from which the ship is normally navigated. Such means of communication shall be independent of the main communication system on the ship and of the ship's main source of electrical energy;

(f) be provided with a reliable clock, the face of which shall be marked to indicate the silence periods, and with a dial of not less than 125 millimetres (5 inches) in diameter and a concentric seconds hand. It shall be securely mounted in the radiotelegraph operating room in such a position that the entire dial can be easily and accurately observed by the radio officer from the radiotelegraph operating position and from the position for testing the radiotelegraph auto alarm equipment;

(g) be provided with a reliable emergency light consisting of an electric lamp, operated from the reserve source of electrical energy, permanently arranged so as to provide satisfactory illumination of the operating controls of the main and reserve radiotelegraph installations and of the clock required by subparagraph (f) of this Rule and controlled by two-way switches placed near the main entrance to the radiotelegraph operating room and at the radiotelegraph operating position. These switches shall be clearly labelled to indicate their purpose;

(h) be provided with an electric inspection lamp complete with a flexible lead of adequate length and operated from the reserve source of electrical energy. A serviceable flashlight shall be provided and kept in the radiotelegraph operating room;

( i ) be provided with a chair capable of being fixed at the radiotelegraph operating position;

( j ) on new ships registered in the State, be provided with alternative means of exit and be of sufficient size to enable the equipment installed in the room to be properly maintained.

18 Provision of antennae.

18. (1) Every radiotelegraph ship to which these Rules apply shall be provided and fitted with suitable transmitting and receiving antennae and insulators. Where wire antennae are suspended between supports liable to whipping, they shall be protected against breakage.

(2) The performance of the radiotelegraph installation required by these Rules shall not be adversely affected by the connection of any other equipment to the antennae.

(3) A main transmitting antenna and a reserve transmitting antenna shall be fitted, provided that the Minister may exempt any ship from the provision of a reserve transmitting antenna if he is satisfied that the fitting of such an antenna is impracticable or unreasonable. Any ship so exempted shall carry:

(a) if the main transmitting antenna is a supported wire antenna, a spare antenna completely assembled for rapid replacement of the main antenna;

(b) if the main transmitting antenna is not a supported wire antenna, a spare antenna of similar electrical characteristics, complete with the necessary materials and other means to enable it to be rapidly erected while the ship is at sea.

(4) Every radiotelegraph ship shall also be provided with sufficient antenna wire, insulators and other means necessary to enable a suitable transmitting antenna to be erected.

(5) The main transmitting antenna and the reserve transmitting antenna (if any) shall, where practicable, be so rigged that damage to the one will not affect the efficiency of the other.

(6) Means shall be provided for quickly connecting:

(a) the main transmitting antenna and the reserve transmitting antenna (if any) to the main transmitter and, separately, to the reserve transmitter; and

(b) the main and reserve receivers to any antenna with which they may need to be used.

(7) Suitable antennae shall be provided for, and shall normally be connected to, the radiotelegraph auto alarm and the radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver or the radiotelephone auto alarm.

19 Range of radiotelegraph transmitter.

19. (1) The main and reserve transmitters shall, when connected to the main antenna, have a minimum normal range as specified in the Table below, that is to say, they must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship by day and under normal conditions and circumstances over the ranges there specified:

TABLE

	Minimum normal range in miles
	Main transmitter	Reserve transmitter
All passenger ships, and cargo ships of 1,600 ... ...tons and upwards	150	100
Cargo ships below 1,600 tons ... ...	100	75

(2) The range of a radiotelegraph transmitter for the purposes of these Rules shall normally be determined by calculation of the metre-amperes. Where an antenna arrangement causes difficulty in determining the range of a transmitter by calculation, the range shall be determined by test.

20 Supply of electrical energy.

20. (1) While a radiotelegraph ship is at sea and at all reasonable times when she is in port there shall be available a supply of electrical energy sufficient to operate the main installation over the normal range required by Rule 19 of these Rules as well as for the purpose of charging any batteries forming part of the radiotelegraph installation.

(2) The reserve installation shall be provided with a source of energy independent of the propelling power of the ship and to the ship's main electrical system. Means for bringing the reserve source of energy into immediate operation shall be provided and shall be situated in a radiotelegraph operating room or, if this is not possible, close thereto, and be provided with an electric lamp for illumination.

(3) The reserve source of energy:

(a) shall where possible consist of batteries, provided that such batteries shall not be fitted in the same space as the means for bringing the reserve source of energy into immediate operation;

(b) shall under all circumstances be capable of being put into operation rapidly;

(c) shall be of such capacity and shall be maintained at all times when at sea in such condition as to be able to supply continuously for at least six hours a total current equal to the sum of:

(i) one-half of the reserve transmitter current consumption with the key down (mark);

(ii) one-half of the reserve transmitter current consumption with the key up (space);

(iii) the current required to operate the reserve receiver; and

(iv) the current consumption of the additional circuits connected to the reserve source of energy specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of this Rule;

(d) shall be placed as high in the ship as is practicable and readily accessible to the radio officer.

(4) The reserve source of energy shall be used to supply the reserve installation and the automatic alarm signal keying device if it is electrically operated and, subject to the provisions of paragraph (5) of this Rule, the reserve source of energy shall not be used other than for the purposes specified below, that is to say, to supply:

( a ) the radiotelegraph auto alarm;

( b ) the emergency light specified in Rule 17(g) of these Rules;

( c ) the direction-finder;

( d ) the device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal by automatic means;

( e ) any device specified in the Radio Regulations to permit changeover from transmission to reception or from reception to transmission.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of this Rule, in cargo ships the reserve source of energy may be used to provided energy for a number of low-power emergency circuits which are wholly confined to the upper part of the ship, such as emergency lighting on the boat deck, on condition that such circuits are adequately fused and can be readily disconnected and that the source of energy is of sufficient capacity to carry the additional load.

21 Radio officers.

21. (1) Every radiotelegraph ship which is provided with a radiotelegraph auto-alarm shall, upon proceeding to sea, be provided with radio officers as follows:

( a ) two radio officers on each passenger ship carrying or certified to carry more than 250 passengers and engaged on a voyage exceeding 16 hours' duration;

( b ) one radio officer on all other radiotelegraph ships.

(2) Every radiotelegraph ship registered in the State which is not provided with a radiotelegraph auto alarm shall, upon proceeding to sea, be provided with radio officers as follows:

( a ) three radio officers if at sea for more than 48 hours between consecutive ports;

( b ) two radio officers if at sea for more than 12 hours but not more than 48 hours between consecutive ports;

( c ) one radio officer if at sea for not more than 12 hours between consecutive ports.

(3) The chief radio officer on board a radiotelegraph ship registered in the State shall be a person who has had experience at sea as a radio officer for a total of not less than:

( a ) two years in the case of a passenger ship registered in the State in respect of which there is in force a certificate to the effect that it is fit to carry more than 250 passengers;

( b ) one year in the case of any other passenger ship; and

( c ) six months in the case of a cargo ship.

(4) For the purposes of these Rules no person shall be qualified to be a radio officer on board a ship registered in the State unless he is the holder of:

( a ) a valid certificate of competency granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in the form of:

(i) a Maritime Radiocommunication General Certificate, or

(ii) a First or Second Class Certificate of Competency in Radiotelegraphy; or

(iii) a valid Certificate of Competency granted by an authority empowered in that behalf by the laws of Great Britain or any Commonwealth country and recognised by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs as the equivalent of the Certificates specified in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above:

Provided that in the case of the chief radio officer on board a passenger ship registered in the State the Certificate required under subparagraph (a) of this paragraph shall be either a Maritime Radiocommunication General Certificate, or a First Class Certificate of Competency in Radiotelegraphy; and

( b ) a valid Authority to Operate granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to operate a wireless telegraphy station established on a ship registered in the State under a licence granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) above no certificate of competency shall be deemed to be valid on any date if granted more than 2 years before that date and either:

( a ) the holder's period, or aggregate of periods, of experience on that date is less than three months, or

( b ) the holder last had experience at a time earlier than 2 years before that date, unless he can satisfy the Minister by re-examination or otherwise that he still possesses all the qualifications described in his certificate and that his experience with modern equipment is adequate.

For the purposes of this paragraph the expression "experience" means experience as the operator of radiotelegraph apparatus:—

(i) at sea, as a radio officer or a radiotelegraph operator, or

(ii) on land, as an operator at a radiotelegraph station maintained on land by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs for communication with ships.

(6) For the purposes of these Rules no person shall be deemed to be a radio officer on board a ship registered outside the State unless he holds a valid Certificate of Competency in radiotelegraphy granted by an authority empowered or recognised in that behalf by the laws of the country in which the ship is registered and issued in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

22 Radio watch.

22. —(1) Each ship which in accordance with these Rules is fitted with a radiotelegraph installation shall, while at sea, maintain continuous watch on:

( a ) the radiotelephone distress frequency at the place on board from which the ship is normally navigated by use of a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver; and

( b ) the radiotelegraph distress frequency by means of a radio officer using headphones or a loudspeaker:

Provided that if the ship is provided with a radiotelegraph auto alarm and the means to cause an audible warning to be given in the radiotelegraph operating room, in the radio officer's sleeping accommodation and on the bridge when the radiotelegraph auto alarm is activated by a radiotelegraph alarm signal, such watch may be kept by the radio telegraph auto alarm:

(i) at all times except during the working hours specified in the Radio Regulations to be maintained by the appropriate category of ship station; and

(ii) on all occasions during the working hours specified in the Radio Regulations to be maintained by the appropriate category of ship station that the radio officer is performing other duties in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Rule and it is impracticable to listen by headphones or loudspeaker; but the listening watch shall always be maintained during working hours by a radio officer using headphones or loudspeaker during the silence periods on the frequency of 500 kHz.

(2) Each radiotelegraph ship shall while at sea maintain the working hours specified in the Radio Regulations for ship stations:

( a ) of the first category in respect of ships not provided with a radiotelegraph auto alarm;

( b ) of the second category in respect of passenger ships provided with a radiotelegraph auto alarm and carrying or certificated to carry more than 250 passengers and engaged on a voyage exceeding 16 hours' duration between consecutive ports; or

( c ) of the third category in respect of all other radiotelegraph ships provided with a radiotelegraph auto alarm.

(3) ( a ) During the period when a radio officer is required by this Rule to listen on the radiotelegraph distress frequency, the radio officer may discontinue such listening during the time when he is handling traffic on other frequencies, or performing other essential radio duties, but only if it is impracticable to listen by split headphones or loudspeaker. The term "essential radio duties" in this paragraph includes urgent repairs of:

(i) equipment for radiocommunication used for safety;

(ii) radio navigational equipment by order of the master.

( b ) In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, on ships other than multi-radio officer passenger ships, the radio officer may, in exceptional cases, that is to say, when it is impractical to listen by split headphones or loudspeaker, discontinue listening by order of the master in order to carry out maintenance required to prevent imminent malfunction of:

equipment for radiocommunication used for safety;

radio navigational equipment;

other electronic navigational equipment including its repair:

Provided that:

(i) the radio officer is appropriately qualified to perform these duties; and

(ii) the ship is fitted with a receiving selector which complies with the requirements of the Radio Regulations.

(4) In all ships fitted with a radiotelegraph auto alarm, it shall, while the ship is at sea, be in operation whenever there is no listening watch being kept on the radiotelegraph distress frequency by a radio officer using headphones or a loudspeaker.

23 Radio log—radiotelegraph ship

23. —(1) The radio log (diary of the radio service) required by the Radio Regulations for a ship which is fitted with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with these Rules shall be kept in the radiotelegraph operating room during the voyage.

(2) Every radio officer on board such a ship shall, when on duty, enter in the radio log the information specified in the Third Schedule Part A and in the form specified in the Third Schedule Part B to these Rules.

(3) The radio officer, of if there is more than one, the chief radio officer, shall inspect and sign each day the entries for that day in the radio log confirming that the requirements of these Rules have been met.

(4) The master of the ship shall inspect and sign each day's entries in the radio log.

(5) The radio logs shall be available for inspection by officers authorised by the Minister to make such an inspection.

(6) Section 242 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (which provides for the delivery of the official log-book to the superintendent) and section 256 of the Act (which provides among other things for the custody of the official log-book) shall apply to the radiotelegraph log-book as they apply to the official log-book.

PART V RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR LIFEBOATS AND SURVIVAL CRAFT.

24 Radio equipment for lifeboats and survival craft.

24. —(1) The motor lifeboat fixed radiotelegraph installation and the portable radio equipment for survival craft required to be provided in pursuance of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1983 ( S.I. No. 302 of 1983 ) shall comply with the appropriate performance specifications set out in Rule 3(3) of these Rules and shall be tested in accordance with Rules 5(1) and 6(3)(b) of these Rules.

(2) The battery included in motor lifeboat fixed radio equipment shall not be used for any purpose other than the operation of such equipment and the searchlight provided in compliance with the Rules as to life-saving appliances.

Rule 5(1)

FIRST SCHEDULE

EQUIPMENT TESTS AND BATTERY AND RESERVE POWER CHECKS

1. Daily

( a ) Every radio officer who finds a radiotelegraph auto-alarm equipment in operation when going on duty shall test the efficiency of the audible alarm system in the radiotelegraph operating room.

( b ) Every radio officer who leaves a radiotelegraph auto-alarm equipment in operation when going off duty shall test the efficiency of the audible alarm system in the radiotelegraph operating room.

( c ) The proper functioning of the radiotelegraph auto-alarm installation shall be tested at least once each day by listening to signals and comparing them with similar signals received on the radiotelegraph distress frequency on another receiver, and by operating the complete audible alarm system.

( d ) The reserve radiotelegraph transmitter, if not used for communications, shall be tested at least once each day using a suitable artificial antenna.

( e ) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver shall be tested at least once each day using the means provided in accordance with Rule 9(7)(b), and by listening to signals and, where practicable, comparing them with similar signals received on the radiotelephone distress frequency on another receiver.

( f ) Batteries providing a source of energy for any part of the radio installation shall be tested daily and, where necessary, brought up to the fully charged condition.

( g ) Where the reserve source of energy is not a battery (for example, a motor generator), the reserve source of energy shall be tested daily.

2. Weekly

( a ) The reserve radiotelegraph transmitter shall be tested at least once every seven days using the main antenna and, if provided, the reserve antenna.

( b ) The radiotelegraph alarm signal keying device shall be tested at least once every seven days using a transmitter set to low power, tuned to a frequency other than the radiotelegraph distress frequency and connected to a suitable artificial antenna.

( c ) The radiotelephone alarm signal generating device shall be tested at least once every seven days using the means provided in accordance with Rule 9(7)(a).

( d ) Motor lifeboat fixed radiotelegraph installations and portable radio equipment for survival craft shall be tested at least once every seven days using suitable artificial antennae.

( e ) Batteries forming part of a motor lifeboat fixed radiotelegraph installation and survival craft portable radio equipment shall be tested weekly and, where appropriate, brought up to the fully charged condition. Where non- rechargeable batteries are provided in survival craft portable radio equipment as a source of energy, the expiry date of the batteries shall be checked and the batteries replaced when necessary.

3. Monthly

( a ) Motor lifeboat fixed radiotelegraph installations and portable radio equipment for survival craft shall be tested at least once a month using an antenna provided with the installation or equipment. In the case of motor lifeboat fixed radiotelegraph installations, the test shall, where practicable, be carried out with the lifeboat floating in the sea.

( b ) Batteries providing a source of energy for any part of the radio installation shall be tested at least once a month by means of a hydrometer where practicable, or, where a hydrometer cannot be used, by a suitable load test. A check shall also be made of the security of the battery and its connections and the condition of the battery and its compartment.

Rule 15(2)

SECOND SCHEDULE

RADIO LOG—RADIOTELEPHONE SHIP

PART A

The radio log-book, the form of which is at Part B below, is compiled in two sections which shall be completed in accordance with the following:

Section A — Particulars of the radiotelephone operators on board.

Section B — Diary of the radio service.

Every radiotelephone operator shall, when keeping radio watch, enter in the radio log:

( a ) the name of the radiotelephone operator and the times at which the watch commences and ends;

( b ) the times at which radio watch is for any reason discontinued, together with the reason and the time at which radio watch is resumed;

( c ) a summary of communications exchanged between the ship station and coast stations or other ship stations, including the serial numbers and the dates of any messages passed;

( d ) a summary of all communications relating to distress, urgency and safety traffic;

( e ) a record of all incidents connected with the radio service, including the radiotelephone installation which occur during the watch and appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea;

( f ) details of the tests and checks required by Rule 5(1);

( g ) if the ship's rules permit, the position of the ship at least once a day.

PART B

FORM OF RADIOTELEPHONE LOG-BOOK

RADIOTELEPHONE LOG

Name of Ship and Official Number

Maritime Mobile Service Identity and International Call Sign

Port of

Registry

Gross

Tonnage

Traffic Accounting Authority............................................................ ............................................................ .............

Period covered by Log—From............................................................ . to............................................................

Delivered to the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at the Port of

............................................................ ..on the.................................day of ................................................... 19.........

Countersigned............................................................ ............................................................ ........................ Master ............................................................ .............Superintendent Address .....................................................

SECTION A—PARTICULARS OF RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATORS

Name

Home Address

Certificate Number and Class

S.S.......................................

M.V....................................

SECTION B—DIARY OF THE RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICE

Date and Time (G.M.T.)

Station From

Station to

Frequency

Used

Record of

Working

Rule 23(2)

THIRD SCHEDULE

RADIO LOG—RADIOTELEGRAPH SHIP

PART A

The radio log-book, the form of which is at Part B below, is compiled in two parts which shall be completed in accordance with the following:

PART I

( a ) Section A Particulars of the radio officers on board;

( b ) Section B Particulars of all batteries on board used as a source of energy for any part of the radio installation;

( c ) Section C A daily record of the off-load and on-load voltage condition of each battery listed in Section B and details of charging and maintenance, including replacement, of each such battery;

( d ) Section D A monthly record of a full examination of each battery listed in Section B, including where appropriate, the condition of each cell.

PART II

Every radio officer shall, when keeping radio watch, enter in the radio log:

( a ) The name of the radio officer and the times at which the watch commences and ends;

( b ) the times at which radio watch is for any reason discontinued, together with the reason and the time at which radio watch is resumed;

( c ) details of the watch kept on the international radiotelegraph distress frequency during silence periods;

( d ) all communications relating to distress traffic in full;

( e ) details of urgency and safety communications;

( f ) a summary of communications exchanged between the ship station and coast stations or other ship stations, including the serial numbers and the dates of any messages passed;

( g ) a record of all incidents connected with the radio service, including the radiotelegraph installation which may appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea;

( h ) details of the tests and checks required by Rule 5(1);

( i ) at least once a day when the station is open, a record of the time shown by the clock in each radiotelegraph room in comparison with Greenwich Mean Time and any correction made in respect of that clock. In addition the local time in use by the ship shall be recorded daily;

( j ) if the ship's rules permit, the position of the ship at least once a day and preferably at midday,

PART B

FORM OF RADIOTELEGRAPH LOG-BOOK

RADIOTELEGRAPH LOG

PART I

Name of Ship and Official Number

Maritime Mobile Service Identity and International Call Sign

Port of Registry

Gross Tonnage

Traffic Accounting Authority.............................

Port at which and date when voyage commenced

Nature of the voyage

or employment

Port at which and date when voyage terminated

Date................................

Port.................................

Date............................................

Port.............................................

Delivered to the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at the Port of

...............................on the...................day of .........................19......................... together with Radiotelegraph Log Part II, serial numbers ............................................................ ............................. to .......................................................

Countersigned............................................................ ............................................................ ...........................................

Master ............................................................ ........ Superintendent Address ............................................................ ..

............................................................ ......................

SECTION A—PARTICULARS OF RADIO STAFF

Name

Home Address

Certificate Number and Class

SECTION B—PARTICULARS OF BATTERIES ON BOARD

Battery

Number

Number of

Cells

Type

Date supplied

Voltage and Ampere-hour Capacity

Purpose for which used

SECTION C—DAILY EXAMINATION OF BATTERIES

Date

Battery Number

Voltage off Load

Voltage on Load

Remarks

SECTION D—MONTHLY REPORT OF BATTERIES

Date	Battery Number and Cell Number	Results of load test or Specific Gravity as measured		Remarks	Date	Battery Number and Cell Number	Results of load test or Specific Gravity as measured		Remarks
		Before charge	After charge				Before charge	After charge

RADIOTELEGRAPH LOG

PART II

Name of Ship and Official Number

Maritime Mobile Service Identity and International Call Sign

Port of Registry

Gross Tonnage

Serial No............................................... from.............................................. to.........................................

Traffic Accounting Authority ...................................

S.S............................................................ .....

M.V.

DIARY OF THE RADIOTELEGRAPH SERVICE

Date and Time (G.M.T.)

Station From

Station To

Full Details of Calls Signals and Distress Working

Frequency

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 18th day of October, 1983.

JAMES MITCHELL,

Minister for Transport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Rules implement the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, relating to radio installations.