Part C
Ship requirements
Regulation 6
Radio installations
1 Every ship shall be provided with radio installations capable of
complying with the functional requirements prescribed by regulation 4
throughout its intended voyage and, unless exempted under regulation 3,
complying with the requirements of regulation 7 and, as appropriate for the
sea area or areas through which it will pass during its intended voyage, the
requirements of either regulation 8, 9, 10 or 11.
2 Every radio installation shall:
.1 be so located that no harmful interference of mechanical,
electrical or other origin affects its proper use, and so as to
ensure electromagnetic compatibility and avoidance of harmful
interaction with other equipment and systems;
.2 be so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety
and operational availability;
.3 be protected against harmful effects of water, extremes of
temperature and other adverse environmental conditions;
.4 be provided with reliable, permanently arranged electrical
lighting, independent of the main and emergency sources of
electrical power, for the adequate illumination of the radio
controls for operating the radio installation; and
.5 be clearly marked with the call sign, the ship station identity and
other codes as applicable for the use of the radio installation.
3 Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels, required for navigational
safety, shall be immediately available on the navigation bridge convenient to
the conning position and, where necessary, facilities should be available to
permit radiocommunications from the wings of the navigation bridge.
Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet the latter provision.
4 In passenger ships, a distress panel shall be installed at the conning
position. This panel shall contain either one single button which, when
pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radiocommunication installations
required on board for that purpose or one button for each individual
installation. The panel shall clearly and visually indicate whenever any
button or buttons have been pressed. Means shall be provided to prevent