inadvertent activation of the button or buttons. If the satellite EPIRB is used
as the secondary means of distress alerting and is not remotely activated, it
shall be acceptable to have an additional EPIRB installed in the wheelhouse
near the conning position.
5 In passenger ships, information on the ship’s position shall be
continuously and automatically provided to all relevant radiocommunication
equipment to be included in the initial distress alert when the button or
buttons on the distress panel is pressed.
6 In passenger ships, a distress alarm panel shall be installed at the
conning position. The distress alarm panel shall provide visual and aural
indication of any distress alert or alerts received on board and shall also
indicate through which radiocommunication service the distress alerts have
been received.
Regulation 7
Radio equipment: General
1 Every ship shall be provided with:
.1 a VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving:
.1.1 DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70). It shall be
possible to initiate the transmission of distress alerts on channel
70 from the position from which the ship is normally
navigated;* and
.1.2 radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6),
156.650 MHz (channel 13) and 156.800 MHz (channel 16);
.2 a radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC
watch on VHF channel 70 which may be separate from, or
combined with, that required by subparagraph 1.1;*
.3 a radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 GHz band,
which:
.3.1 shall be so stowed that it can be easily utilized; and
.3.2 may be one of those required by regulation III/6.2.2 for a
survival craft;
.4 a receiver capable of receiving international NAVTEX service
broadcasts if the ship is engaged on voyages in any area in which
an international NAVTEX service is provided;
.5 a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by
the INMARSAT enhanced group calling system
{ if the ship is
Part C: Ship requirements Regulations 6, 7
* Certain ships may be exempted from this requirement (see regulation 9.4).
{ Refer to resolution A.701(17) concerning carriage of INMARSAT enhanced group call
SafetyNET receivers under the GMDSS.