Requirements for survival craft portable GMDSS radio
In this article, we get into the SOLAS requirements for survival craft portable GMDSS radio. The following are the requirements:
1) The equipment should be portable and capable of being used for on-scene communication between survival crafts, between survival craft and ship, and between survival craft and rescue unit. It may also be used for on-board communications when capable of operating on appropriate frequencies.
2) The survival craft portable GMDSS radio equipment should comprise at least:
A) an integral transmitter/receiver, including antenna and battery
B) an integral control unit, including a press-to-transmit switch
C) an internal microphone and loudspeaker.
3) The equipment should:
A) be capable of being operated by unskilled personnel
B) be capable of being operated by personnel wearing gloves
C) be capable of single-handed operation except for chanincl selcction
D) withstand drops on to a hard surface from a height of 1m
E) be watertight to a depth of 1m for at least 5 min
F) maintain watertightness when subjected to a thermal shock of 45 degC under conditions of immersion
Also read : SOLAS Compliance: Essential MOB Marker and Minimum Rope Length Guidelines
G) not be unduly affected by seawater or oil
H) have no sharp projections which could damage survival craft
I) be of small size and light weight
J) be capable of operating in the ambient noise level likely to be encountered on board ships or in survival craft
K) have provisions for its attachment to the clothing of the user
L) be resistant to deterioration by prolonged exposure to sunlight
M) be either of a highly visible yellow/orange colour or marked with a surrounding yellow/orange marking strip.
4) Should be capable of operation on the frequency 156.8 MHz (VHF channel 16) and on at least one additional channel.
5) All channels fitted should be for single-frequency voice communication only.
6) An on/off switch should be provided with a positive visual indication that the radiotelephone is switched on.
7) The receiver should be provided with a manual volume control by which the audio output may be varied.
8) Channel selection should be easily performed and the channels should be clearly discernible.
9) A squelch (mute) control and a channel-selection switch should be provided.
10) It should be possible to determine that channel 16 has been selected in all ambient light conditions.
11) The survival craft portable GMDSS radio equipment should be operational within 5 sec of switching on.
12) The survival craft portable GMDSS radio equipment should not be damaged by the effects of open-circuiting or short-circuiting the antenna.
13) The effective radiated power should be a minimum of 0.25 W. Where the effective radiated power exceeds 1 W, a power-reduction switch to reduce the power to 1 W or less is required. When this equipment provides for on-board communications, the output power should not exceed 1 W on these frequencies.
14) The antenna should be vertically polarized and, as far as practicable, be omnidirectional in the horizontal plane. The antenna should be suitable for efficient radiation and reception of signals at the operating frequency.
15) The audio output should be sufficient to be heard in the ambient noise level likcly to be encountered on board ships or in a survival craft.
16) In the transmit condition, the output of the receiver should be muted.
17) The equipment should be so designed as to operate over the temperature range -20°C to +55°C. It should not be damaged in stowage throughout the temnperature range -30°C to +65°C.
18) The source of energy should be integrated in thc equipment. In addition, provision may
be made to operate the equipment using an external source of electical energy.
19) The source of energy shall have sufficient capacity to ensure 8 hrs operation at its highest rated power with a duty cycle of 1:9. This duty cycle is defined as 6 sec transmission, 6 sec reception above squelch opening level and 48 sec reception below squelch opening level.
20) The survival craft portable GMDSS radio equipment may be equipped with a primary or secondary battery. Primary batteries shall have a shelf life of at least 2 years. Where secondary batteries are used, suitable arangements should be made for the
availability of fully charged cells in the event of a distress situation.
21) The following should be clearly indicated on the exterior of the equipment:
A) brief operating instructions
B) expiry date for the primary batteries. if any.
Ref: Resolution A.762(18)