Ministério do Equipamento, do Planeamento e Administração do Território (Ministry for Equipment, Planning and Territorial Administration)
Administrative Rule
The Ruling on the Radioelectrical Service of Ships, approved by Decree-Law no. 190//98, of July 10, establishes rules for the approval and certification of radioelectrical equipment and procedures for installation, alteration, use, operation and licensing of radioelectrical equipment on ships. Under the terms of paragraph 2 of article 4 of the aforementioned Ruling, the radioelectrical equipment of Portuguese-registered ships not covered by the SOLAS 74 Convention and respective amendments, or by domestic rulings on safety at sea, is subject to the Order in Council of the Minister for Equipment, Planning and Territorial Administration.
Thus, under the terms of paragraph 2 of article 4 of the Ruling appended to Decree-Law no. 190/98, of July 10:
On behalf of the government, the Minister for Equipment, Planning and Territorial Administration decrees that:
1. the present legislation sets the conditions for the radioelectrical equipment to be used in Portuguese-registered vessels not covered by the Convention or by domestic regulations on safety at sea.
2. The radioelectrical equipment used by the vessels referred to in 1 above is described in appendices nrs. 1 to 6 to the present legislation, of which they are an integral part.
3. For the purposes of the present legislation, the following definitions are employed:
a. Convention - the InternationalConvention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS 74, and respective amendments;
b. Radiocommunications Regulations - the Radiocommunications Regulations set down in the Constitution of the International Telecommunications Union;
c. New vessel:
aa) a vessel whose construction contract is dated subsequent to the date on which the present legislation takes effect, or
bb) a vessel which, regardless of the date on its construction contract, is not delivered to its owner until three or more years have elapsed subsequent to the date on which the present legislation takes effect; or
cc) where no construction contract exists, a vessel whose keel is in place on a date subsequent to the date on which the present legislation takes effect, or, where no keel exists, is at a stage of construction at which it can be identified with a specific type of boat;
d. existing vessel - a vessel which is not new;
e. ITU-R - the Radiocommunication Bureau of the ITU;
f. INMARSAT - the organisation created by the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT), adopted on September 3, 1976;
g. International NAVTEX Service - the co-ordinated service for broadcasting and automatic reception, at 518 kHz, of information on maritime safety, by means of narrow-band direct printing radiotelegraphy, in the English language;
h. bridge to bridge communications - safety notices exchanged between vessel s control rooms;
i. continuous listening - radiocommunications monitoring which must not be interrupted in the intervals of time in which the vessel s reception is hampered or obstructed by its own communications or when installations are undergoing periodical maintenance or checking;
j. DSC (digital selective call) - ITU-R compliant technology based on the use of numeric codes whose application allows a radiocommunications station to enter into contact with another station or group of stations and to send it/them information;
k. Direct printing radiotelegraphy - ITU-R compliant automatic radiotelegraphy technology;
l. General radiocommunications - public traffic, excluding distress, warning and safety messages, propagated radioelectrically;
m. location - determination of the location of vessels, aircraft, units or people in danger;
n. Maritime safety information - shipping news, weather forecasts and warnings and other urgent messages related to safety and propagated to vessels by radio;
o. polar orbit satellite service - the service based on the use of polar orbit satellites which receive and retransmit distress signals emitted by satellite location-finding radiobeacons and determine the location thereof;
p. reference date - the date indicating the discontinuation by Portuguese coastguard stations of the frequencies, technologies and procedures relative to distress signals as described in chapter IX of the Ruling on Radiocommunication, whereby existing ship stations must adopt the technology and procedures described in chapter N-tx of the aforementioned Ruling;
q. maritime area A1 - the area situated within the zone of coverage of at least one VHF coastguard station in which the DSC distress facility is constantly available;
r. maritime area A2 - the area, not including maritime area A1, situated within the zone of coverage of at least one coastguard station operating on MF and in which the DSC distress facility is constantly available;
s. maritime area A3 - the area, not including areas A1 and A2, situated within the zone of coverage of an INMARSAT geostationary satellite and in which the distress facility is constantly available;
t. maritime area A4 - the area lying outwith maritime areas A1, A2 and A3;
u. length - the length equivalent to 96 % of the total length, measured along a waterline situated at a height above the keel equivalent to 85 % of the minimum displacement, measured from the upper face of the keel, or the length measured from the leading face of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock along the same waterline, where the latter length is greater; for differential displacement vessels, the waterline along which the length is measured must be parallel to the load waterline.
4. Notwithstanding the application of the provisions included in the appendices to the present legislation, the installation of the equipment indicated therein must be conducted:
a. in new vessels, as of the date on which the present legislation takes effect;
b. in existing vessels with a length equal to or greater than 45 m, within 6 months of the date referred to in a) above;
c. in other existing vessels, within one year of the date referred to in a) above.
5. Independently of the periods indicated in 4 above, the installation of the satellite distress radiobeacon locator, where obligatory under the terms of the present legislation, must be effected within six months of the date on which said legislation takes effect.
6. Existing vessels should carry, installed on board, the radioelectrical equipment indicated by Decree no. 45 267 of September 24, until its substitution, though stay of substitution relative to the deadline set in paragraphs b) and c) of article 4 may be granted, on condition that said vessel is decommissioned within two years of the date on which the present legislation takes effect.
7. The authorisation referred to in 6 above shall be issued by the Directorate-General for Ports, Shipping and Maritime Transport, and shall include specific stipulation of the date of decommissioning of the vessel.
8. The reference date indicated in appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 shall be set by a ruling of the Directorate-General for Ports, Shipping and Maritime Transport.
The Ministry for Equipment, Planning and Territorial Administration. Signed on October 30, 1998. The Minister for Equipment, Planning and Territorial Administration, João Cardona Gomes Cravinho.
APPENDIX No. 1
Commercial vessels
A) Vessels registered as long-haul, domestic and international coasting vessels
Commercial vessels registered as long-haul, domestic and international coasting vessels must possess the equipment indicated in the Convention for passenger or freight vessels, as applicable.
B) Vessels registered as domestic coasters
1 - Commercial vessels registered for domestic coasting must possess:
1.1 - A two-way VHF radiocommunications set:
1.1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.1.2 - DSC, with command menus in Portuguese, operating on a frequency of 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B or D, as these are defined in ITU-R Recommendation no. 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
1.2 - A radiocommunications set permitting continued DSC listening on channel 70 (VHF), and which may be distinct from the equipment required for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
1.3 - A portable VHF distress radiotelephone;
1.4 - Radar equipment with the following
minimum characteristics:
1.4.1 - Effective display diameter of 7 or more;
1.4.2 - Minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 50 miles;
1.4.3 - Azimuth intervals of 2.5º;
1.4.4 - Distance intervals of 40 m.
2 - Coastal commercial vessels travelling between the islands of the Azores and Madeira archipelagos must also be equipped with:
2.1 - a satellite distress radiobeacon locator, which must:
2.1.1 - be capable of transmitting SOS messages via the polar orbit satellite service operating on 406 MHz or, where the vessel operates within the INMARSAT footprint, via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service operating on 1,6 GHz;
2.1.2 - be located in an easily-accessible place;
2.1.3 - be easy to remove manually and to be transported by a single person onto a lifeboat;
2.1.4 - release itself in the event that the vessel sinks and self-activate when on the surface, regardless of the position of the controls; and must
2.1.5 - be manually activatable;
2.2 - a GPS (Global Position System) radio receiver.
3 - New commercial passenger vessels must also possess, in addition to the equipment indicated in 1 and 2 above and where applicable, a 9GHz radar distress location finder.
C) Vessels registered for local traffic.
1 - Commercial vessels registered for local traffic and operating in areas covered by at least one coastguard station must possess a two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.2 - DSC, with command menus in Portuguese, operating on 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B, D or F, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation no. 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels only existing as from the reference date.
2 - Commercial passenger vessels and commercial freight vessels which sail between islands must possess, in addition to the equipment indicated in 1 above, a radar system with the following minimum characteristics:
2.1 - effective display diameter equal to or greater than 7";
2.2 - a minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 25 miles;
2.3 - Azimuth intervals of 1.5º;
2.4 - Distance intervals of 25 m.
3 - The radar equipment referred to in 2 above is not required for vessels operating in mainland ports with moderate shipping or which only operate in periods of the year and times of day in which visibility is good.
4 - Commercial passenger vessels travelling between the islands of the Azores and Madeira archipelagos must also possess a satellite distress radiobeacon locator with the characteristics indicated in section B), paragraph 2.1.
D) Energy sources
1 - The equipment referred to in sections B), paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2, and C), paragraph 1 must also possess a separate electricity supply (reserve supply), located above deck level and as high as possible, with the capacity to feed associated circuits for six hours.
2 - Where the reserve energy source consists of one or more rechargeable batteries, the means for recharging batteries to their minimum necessary capacity in ten hours should be possessed.
3 - For the dimensioning of reserve energy sources a cycle of transceiver use of 50 % operation and 50 % standby should be postulated.
4 - The reserve energy source shall also supply emergency lighting to be installed together with the other equipment
APPENDIX No. 2
Tug boats and auxiliary vessels not included in maritime leisure activity
A) Vessels registered for high sea
Tug boats and auxiliary vessels registered for high sea must possess the equipment indicated in the Convention for freight vessels.
B) Vessels registered for coastal shipping
Tug boats and auxiliary vessels registered as coasters must possess:
1 - A two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.2 - DSC, with command menus in Portuguese, operating on 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B or D, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation no. 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
2 - A radiocommunications set providing continuous DSC listening on channel 70 (VHF), and which may be distinct from that indicated in paragraph 1.2 or associated thereto; this equipment is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
3 - A portable VHF distress radiotelephone, for new vessels;
4 - A radar system with the following minimum characteristics:
4.1 - effective display diameter equal to or greater than 5";
4.2 - a minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 50 miles;
4.3 - Azimuth intervals of 2.5º;
4.4 - Distance intervals of 40 m.
C) Vessels registered for local shipping
1 - Local tug boats operating in areas covered by the services of at least one coastguard station must possess a two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.2 - DSC, with command menus in Portuguese, operating on 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B, D or F, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation no. 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels only existing as from the reference date.
2 - Local auxiliary vessels should also possess equipment identical to that specified in 1 above where:
2.1 - authorised for the transport of service personnel;
2.2 - with gross capacity equal to or greater than 100 and self-propelled;
2.3 - carrying dangerous cargo.
D) Energy sources
1 - The equipment referred to in sections B), paragraph 1 and C), paragraphs 1 and 2 should be capable of receiving its power from an exclusive energy source (reserve energy source), located above deck level, capable of providing associated circuits with power for six hours.
2 - Where the reserve energy source consists of one or more rechargeable accumulator batteries, these should be accompanied by a means to charge the batteries to minimum necessary capacity in a period of ten hours.
3 -For the dimensioning of reserve energy sources a cycle of transceiver use of 50 % operation and 50 % standby should be postulated.
4 - The reserve energy source shall also supply emergency lighting to be installed together with the other equipment.
APPENDIX No. 3
Vessels registered for maritime leisure activity
A) Vessels registered for high sea and carrying more than 12 passengers
Vessels registered for maritime leisure activity on the high sea and carrying more than 12 passengers must possess the equipment indicated in the Convention for passenger vessels.
B) Vessels registered for high sea and carrying more than 12 passengers
1 - Equipment for vessels sailing within maritime area A1. Vessels which remain within the limits of maritime area A1 must possess the following equipment:
1.1 - a two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.1.2 - DSC operating on 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B or D, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation no. 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
1.2 - a radiocommunications set providing continuous DSC listening on channel 70 (VHF), which may be distinct from that indicated in paragraph 1.1.2 or associated thereto; this equipment is obligatory for vessels only existing as from the reference date;
1.3 - A satellite distress radiobeacon locator which must:
1.3.1 - be capable of transmitting a distress signal via the polar orbit satellite service operating on 406 MHz or, where the vessel operates within the INMARSAT footprint, via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, operating on 1,6 GHz;
1.3.2 - be located in an easily-accessible place;
1.3.3 - be easy to remove manually and to be transported by a single person onto a lifeboat;
1.3.4 - release itself in the event that the vessel sinks and self-activate when on the surface, regardless of the position of the controls; and must
1.3.5 - be manually activatable;
1.4 - a portable VHF distress radiotelephone, which is obligatory for existing vessels possessing a portable VHF radiotelephone, with at least four channels, licensed at a date prior to the date on which the present legislation takes effect.
2 - Equipment for vessels sailing outwith maritime area A1. Vessels sailing outwith maritime area A1 must possess, in addition to the equipment indicated in paragraph no. 1, the following equipment:
2.1 - An MF/HF radioelectrical set allowing transmission and reception of distress and safety messages on all distress and safety frequencies on bands between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz and between 4000 kHz and 27 500 kHz, by means of:
2.1.1 - Class A or E DSC, as these classes are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
2.1.2 - Radiotelephony;
2.2 - Equipment providing continuous DSC listening on frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz, at least, in one of the distress and safety frequencies 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12 577 kHz or 16 804.5 kHz, with the ability to switch frequency at any moment; this equipment is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
2.3 - Equipment providing two-way general radiocommunications by means of radiotelephony or direct printing radiotelegraphy, using MF/HF radioelectrical equipment operating on working frequencies in bands between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz and between 4000 kHz and 27 500 kHz; this requirement may be met by adding the necessary capacity to the equipment referred to in paragraph no. 2.1;
2.4 - A radar distress beacon locator operating on 9 GHz;
2.5 - A NAVTEX International Service receiver;
2.6 - A GPS radionavigation system receiver;
2.7 - As an alternative to the equipment indicated in paragraphs nos. 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, vessels may install an INMARSAT ship earth station (A, B or C).
C) Vessels registered for coastal navigation
Vessels registered for maritime leisure activity in the domestic coastal belt must possess:
1 - A two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.2 - DSC on frequency 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B or D, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
2 - A radiocommunications set providing continuous DSC listening on channel 70 (VHF), which may be distinct from that referred to in paragraph no. 1.2 or associated thereto; this equipment is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
3 - a portable VHF distress radiotelephone, in vessels equipped with a lifeboat or liferaft, which is not necessary in existing vessels equipped with a portable VHF radiotelephone with at least 4 channels, licensed on a date prior to the date on which the present legislation takes effect;
4 - A radar system with the following minimum characteristics, in vessels which sail at night:
4.1 - Band X: 9410 + 30 MHz;
4.2 - Effective display diameter equal to or greater than 5";
4.3 - A minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 50 miles;
4.4 - Azimuth intervals of 2.5º;
4.5 - Distance intervals of 50 m.
D) Vessels registered for local navigation
Vessels registered for maritime leisure activity and local activity, which are self-propelled and sail in areas covered by the service of at least one coastguard station, must possess a two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
2 - DSC on frequency 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B, D or F, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date.
E) Energy sources
1 - The equipment referred to in sections B), paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.7, C), paragraphs 1 and 2, and D) must be capable of receiving power from an exclusive energy source (reserve energy source), located as high as possible above deck level, with capacity to feed associated circuits for six hours.
2 - Where the reserve energy source consists of one or more rechargeable accumulator batteries, the means for recharging batteries to their minimum necessary capacity in ten hours should be possessed.
3 - For the dimensioning of reserve energy sources a cycle of transceiver use of 50 % operation and 50 % standby should be postulated.
4 - The reserve energy source shall also supply emergency lighting to be installed together with the other equipment.
APPENDIX No. 4
Fishing vessels with length less than 24 m
The requirements included in the present appendix are applicable to deep-sea and coastal fishing vessels, plus local fishing crafts which sail outwith the 3-mile coastal belt and further than 6 miles from their home port.
A) Equipment for vessels sailing within maritime area A1
Fishing vessels of length less than 24 m and sailing within maritime area A1 must possess the following equipment:
1 - A two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.2 - DSC on frequency 156,525 MHz (channel 70), with command menus in Portuguese, classes B, D or F, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date.
2 - Radiocommunications equipment permitting continuous DSC listening on channel 70 (VHF), which may be distinct from that referred to in paragraph 1.2 or associated thereto; this equipment is required for vessels existing only as from the reference date.
3 - A satellite distress radiobeacon locator, which must:
3.1 - be capable of transmitting a distress signal via the polar orbit satellite service operating on 406 MHz or, where the vessel operates within the INMARSAT footprint, via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, operating on 1,6 GHz;
3.2 - be located in an easily-accessible place;
3.3 - be easy to remove manually and to be transported by a single person onto a lifeboat;
3.4 - release itself in the event that the vessel sinks and self-activate when on the surface, regardless of the position of the controls; and must
3.5 - be manually activatable.
4 - The inclusion of the satellite distress radiobeacon locator is not necessary for existing local and coastal vessels.
5 - Open-decked vessels do not need to install the equipment indicated in paragraph 2 and may meet the requirements of paragraph using a portable VHF radiotelephone.
B) Additional equipment for fishing vessels of length less than 24 m and operating within maritime areas A1 and A2.
Fishing vessels of length less than 24 m and operating outwith maritime area A1 but within maritime area A2 must also be equipped with, in addition to the equipment indicated in section a):
1 - MF radioelectrical equipment which transmits and receives distress and safety messages on the following frequencies:
1.1 - 2182 kHz in radiotelephony; and
1.2 - 2187,5 kHz by DSC, with command menus in Portuguese, classes A, B, E or G, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date.
2 - Equipment providing continuous DSC listening on a frequency of 2187.5 kHz, which may be distinct from that referred to in paragraph 1.2 or associated thereto; this equipment is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date.
3 - A portable VHF distress radiotelephone (not necessary for existing vessels).
4 - The vessel must also be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiotelephony traffic via radioelectrical equipment operating on work frequencies between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz, with a minimum of 12 channels; this capacity may be added to the equipment indicated in paragraph 1.1.
5 - As an alternative to the equipment indicated in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4, vessels may install an INMARSAT ship earth station, with functional requirements as indicated in paragraph 1 of section C).
C) Additional equipment for fishing vessels of length less than 24 m and operating in maritime areas Al, A2 and A3.
1 - Fishing vessels of length less than 24 m and operating outwith maritime areas A1 and A2 yet within maritime area A3 must be equipped with all equipment specified in section a) (including radiobeacon) plus:
1.1 - An INMARSAT ship earth station capable of:
1.1.1 - Transmitting and receiving distress and safety messages by direct printing telegraphy;
1.1.2 - Initiating transmission and receiving priority distress calls;
1.1.3 - Listening for shore-ship distress messages, including those destined for specifically defined geographic areas;
1.1.4 - Transmitting and receiving general radio traffic using radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy; or
1.2 - MF/HF radioelectrical equipment comprising the following elements:
1.2.1 - A transceiver which, for purposes of distress and safety, can transmit and receive on all distress and safety frequencies on bands between 1605 kHz and 27 500 kHz, via:
1.2.1.1 - Radiotelephony;
1.2.1.2 - DSC, classes A or E, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; this requirement is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
1.2.2 - Equipment providing continuous DSC listening on frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz and at least one distress and safety frequency in DSC 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12 577 kHz or 16 804.5 kHz, and capable at all times of selecting any of the aforementioned frequencies; this equipment is obligatory for vessels existing only as from the reference date;
1.2.3 - Equipment capable of transmitting and receiving general radio traffic via radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy, using an MF/HF radioelectrical set operating on work frequencies on the bands between 1605 kHz and 27 500 kHz; this capacity may be added to the equipment indicated in paragraph 2.1.
2 - In addition to the equipment described in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2, the vessel must also possess:
2.1 - a radar distress beacon locator, operating on 9 GHz, where the satellite radiobeacon referred to in 1 above does not possess a 121.5 MHz emitter (not obligatory in existing vessels);
2.2 - A portable VHF distress radiotelephone;
2.3 - A NAVTEX International Service receiver (not obligatory in existing vessels).
D) Energy sources
1 - The equipment referred to in sections A), paragraphs 1 and 2, B), paragraphs 1, 2 and 6 and C) paragraphs 1.1, 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 must be capable of receiving power from an exclusive energy source (reserve energy source), located as high as possible above deck level, with capacity to feed associated circuits for six hours.
2 - Where the reserve energy source consists of one or more rechargeable accumulator batteries, the means for recharging batteries to their minimum necessary capacity in ten hours should be possessed.
3 - For the dimensioning of reserve energy sources a cycle of transceiver use of 50 % operation and 50 % standby should be postulated.
4 - The reserve energy source shall also supply emergency lighting to be installed together with the other equipment.
E) Navigation devices:
New vessels of length equal to or greater than 12 m must posses:
1 - A GPS radionavigation receiver;
2 - A radar system with the following minimum characteristics:
2.1 - Band X: 9410 ± 30 MHz;
2.2 - effective display diameter equal to or greater than 7";
2.3 - a minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 50 miles;
2.4 - Azimuth intervals of 2.5º;
2.5 - Distance intervals of 50 m.
APPENDIX No. 5
Existing fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 24 m, but less than 45 m
Existing fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 24 m but less than 45 m must possess the following equipment:
A) Equipment for vessels operating within maritime area A1:
1 - a two-way VHF radiocommunications set providing:
1.1 - Radiotelephony on Appendix S18 frequencies;
1.2 - DSC operating on 156,525 MHz (channel 70), classes B, D or F, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation no. 493.
2 - a radiocommunications set providing continuous DSC listening on channel 70 (VHF), which may be distinct from that indicated in paragraph 1.1 or associated thereto.
3 - A satellite distress radiobeacon locator which must:
3.1 - be capable of transmitting a distress signal via the polar orbit satellite service operating on 406 MHz or, where the vessel operates within the INMARSAT footprint, via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, operating on 1.6 GHz;
3.2 - be located in an easily-accessible place;
3.3 - be easy to remove manually and to be transported by a single person onto a lifeboat;
3.4 - release itself in the event that the vessel sinks and self-activate when on the surface, regardless of the position of the controls; and must:
3.5 - be manually activatable.
B) Equipment for vessels operating within maritime areas Al and A2
Vessels operating outwith maritime area A1 but within maritime area A2 must be equipped with the following, in addition to meeting the requirements of section a):
1 - MF radioelectrical equipment which for purposes of distress and safety can transmit and receive on the following frequencies:
1.1 - 2182 kHz via radiotelephony; and
1.2 - 2187.5 kHz via DSC, with command menus in Portuguese, classes A, B, E or G, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493;
2 - equipment providing DSC listening on frequency 2187.5 kHz, and which may be distinct from that indicated in paragraph 1.2 or associated thereto;
3 - the ability to receive and transmit general radio traffic via radiotelephony, using radioelectrical equipment operating on work frequencies between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz, with a minimum of 12 channels; this capacity may be added to the equipment indicated in paragraph 1.1;
4 - a portable VHF distress radiotelephone.
5 - As an alternative to the equipment indicated in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, vessels may install an INMARSAT ship earth station with the functional requirements indicated in paragraph 1 of section C).
6 - The equipment indicated in paragraph 1 must be fitted with or connected to a radiotelephonic alarm signal generator by the reference date.
C) Equipment for vessels operating within maritime areas Al, A2 and A3
Vessels operating outwith maritime areas A1 and A2 but within maritime area A3 must, in addition to satisfying the requirements of section A), be equipped with:
1 - An IMARSAT ship earth station which permits:
1.1 - Transmission and reception of distress and safety messages using direct printing telegraphy;
1.2 - initiating transmission and priority reception of distress calls;
1.3 - continuous listening for ground-ship SOS signals, including those destined for specifically determined geographical areas;
1.4 - Transmission and reception of general radio traffic via radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy; or
2 - MF/HF radioelectrical equipment comprising the following elements:
2.1 - A transceiver which for purposes of distress and safety permits transmission and reception on all distress and safety frequencies of bands between 1605 kHz and 27 500 kHz, by means of:
2.1.1 - DSC classes A or E, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493;
2.1.2 -. Radiotelephony;
2.2 - Equipment providing continuous DSC listening on frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz and at least one of the distress and safety frequencies on DSC 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12 577 kHz or 16 804.5 kHz; it should be possible at all times to select any one of these frequencies;
2.3 - Equipment permitting the transmission and reception of general radio traffic via radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy, using MF/HF radioelectrical equipment operating on work frequencies of bands between 1605 kHz and 27 500 kHz; this capacity may be added to the equipment indicated in paragraph 2.1;
3 - a portable VHF distress radiotelephone;
4 - A radar distress beacon locator, operating on 9 GHz, installed in such a way that it may be transferred easily to a lifeboat in the event of an distress;
5 - A NAVTEX International Service receiver.
D) Additional equipment for vessels operating within maritime areas A1, A2, A3 and A4.
Vessels operating in all maritime areas must meet the requirements of sections A) and C), and must, with regard to section C), possess the equipment indicated in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2.
E) Energy sources
1 - The equipment referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of section A), paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of section B) and paragraphs 1, 2.1 and 2.2 of section C) must be capable of receiving power from an exclusive energy source (reserve energy source) located as high above the deck as possible and with the capacity for powering associated circuits for a duration of:
1.1 - one hour, where equipment may also be supplied by an emergency power source, also located on the upper parts of the vessel;
1.2 - six hours, where not powered by an emergency energy source.
2 - Wherever the reserve energy source consists of one or more rechargeable accumulator batteries, the means for recharging batteries to their minimum necessary capacity in ten hours should be possessed.
3 - For the dimensioning of reserve energy sources a cycle of transceiver use of 50 % operation and 50 % standby should be postulated.
4 - The reserve energy source shall also supply emergency lighting to be installed together with the other equipment.
F) Navigation devices
Fishing vessels to which the present appendix is applicable must possess the following navigational devices:
1 - A radar system with the following minimum characteristics:
1.1 - Band X: 9410 ± 30 MHz;
1.2 - effective display diameter equal to or greater than 9";
1.3 - a minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 50 miles;
1.4 - Azimuth intervals of 2.5º;
1.5 - Distance intervals of 50 m;
2 - A GPS radionavigation receiver.
APPENDIX No. 6
New fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 24 m and existing fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 45 m.
The present appendix indicates the onboard equipment obligatory for new fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 24 m and existing fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 45 m.
A) Rescue equipment
1 - Fishing vessels of length equal to or greater than 45 m should be fitted with, at a minimum, three portable VHF distress radiotelephones and two distress radar distress beacon locators operating on 9 GHz, one on either board of the vessel.
2 - Fishing vessels of length less than 45 m should be equipped, at a minimum, with two portable VHF distress radiotelephones and one radar distress beacon locator operating on 9 GHz.
B) Equipment common to all areas
The vessels to which the present appendix applies must possess:
1 - A VHF radiocommunications set permitting transmission and reception:
1.1 - on frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70) via DSC classes A, B or D, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; it should be possible to launch the channel 70 SOS signal from the place from which the vessel is normally controlled; and
1.2 - on frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 156.650 MHz (channel 13) and 156.800 MHz (channel 16), via radiotelephony;
2 - radiocommunications equipment providing continuous listening via DSC, channel 70 (VHF), which may be distinct from that referred to in paragraph 1.1.1 or associated thereto;
3 - A radar distress beacon locator operating on 9 GHz, installed in a location facilitating its use and qualifying as a rescue device in the terms of section A);
4 - A receiver capable of picking up the NAVTEX international service, for vessels making international voyages in areas covered by said service;
5 - Radioelectrical equipment for receiving maritime safety information broadcast by INMARSAT's enhanced group call (EGC) system, for vessels operating in zones served by INMARSAT but not by NAVTEX International; vessels operating exclusively in zones served by a direct printing maritime safety telegraphy service on HF and fitted with the equipment for receiving these broadcasts may be exempt from these requirements;
6 - Notwithstanding the provisions of section C), paragraph 3, a satellite radiobeacon locator, which must:
6.1 - be capable of transmitting a distress signal via the polar orbit satellite service operating on 406 MHz or, for vessels operating only within areas served by INMARSAT, via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, operating on 1,6 GHz;
6.2 -be located in an easily accessible place;
6.3 - be easy to remove manually and to be transported by a single person onto a lifeboat;
6.4 - release itself in the event that the vessel sinks and self-activate when on the surface, regardless of the position of the controls; and
6.5 - be manually activatable.
C) Additional equipment for vessels operating within maritime area A1
1 - All vessels operating exclusively in maritime area A1 must, in addition to meeting the requirements of section B), possess radioelectrical equipment capable of initiating ship-shore distress signals (secondary distress signal) from the place from which the vessel is normally controlled and operating either:
1.1 - on VHF via DSC; this requirement may be met by installing the distress radiobeacon locator referred to in paragraph 3 at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled, or activated from the same place; either
1.2 - on 406 MHz via the polar orbit satellite service; this requirement may be met by the installation of the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or with activation therefrom; either
1.3 - on MF via DSC, for vessels operating within the coverage of coastguard stations equipped with DSC operating on MF; or
1.4 - on HF via DSC; either
1.5 - via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, using:
1.5.1 - an INMARSAT ship earth station;
or
1.5.2 - the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, installed at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place.
2 - The VHF radioelectrical equipment referred to in section B), paragraph 1, must also permit the transmission and reception of general radio traffic via radiotelephony.
3 - Vessels operating exclusively within maritime area A1 may, as an alternative to the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, install on board a distress radiobeacon locator which must:
3.1 - be capable of emitting a distress signal by DSC on channel 70 (VHF) and, for purposes of location, be equipped with radar distress location operating on 9 GHz;
3.2 - be installed in an easily accessible place;
3.3 - be easy to remove manually and to be transported by a single person onto a lifeboat or liferaft;
3.4 - release itself in the event that the vessel sinks and self-activate when on the surface, regardless of the position of the controls; and must
3.5 - be manually activatable.
D) Additional equipment for vessels operating within maritime areas A1 and A2
1 - All vessels operating outwith maritime area Al but remaining within area A2 must, in addition to satisfying the requirements of section B), be equipped with:
1.1 - MF radioelectrical equipment permitting, for purposes of distress and safety, transmission and reception on the following frequencies:
1.1.1 - 2187.5 kHz via DSC classes A, B or E, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493; and
1.1.2 - 2182 kHz via radiotelephony;
1.2 - radioelectrical equipment which provides continuous DSC listening on frequency 2187.5 kHz, which may be distinct from that referred to in paragraph 1.1 or associated thereto; and
1.3 - means for initiating the emission of ship-shore distress signals (secondary means of SOS), via a radiocommunications service other than MF and operating either:
1.3.1 - on 406 MHz, on the polar orbit satellite service; this requirement may be met by installing the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6 at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place; or
1.3.2 - -on HF via DSC; either
1.3.3 - via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be met using:
1.3.3.1 - the equipment specified in paragraph 3.2; or
1.3.3.2 - the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, located at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place.
2 - The radioelectrical equipment specified in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.3 should permit the launch of SOS signals from the place from which the vessel is normally controlled.
3 - Furthermore, the vessel should be able to transmit and receive general radio traffic via radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy using:
3.1 - either radioelectrical equipment operating on work frequencies between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz or between 4000 kHz and 27 500 kHz; this requirement may be met by the addition of this capacity to the equipment referred to in paragraph 1.1;
3.2 - An INMARSAT ship earth station.
4 - Vessels built before 1 February 1997 and operating exclusively in maritime area A2 are exempt from the requirements of section B), paragraphs 1.1 and 2, on condition that they are equipped with listening facilities for channel 16 (VHF), available at the place from which the vessel is normally operated.
E) Additional equipment for vessels operating within maritime areas A1, A2 and A3
1 - Vessels operating outwith maritime areas A1 and A2 but remaining within maritime area A3 must also, in addition to satisfying the requirements of section B) should they fail to meet the requirements of paragraph 2, be equipped with:
1.1 - an INMARSAT ship earth station allowing:
1.1.1 - the transmission and reception of distress and safety messages using direct printing telegraphy;
1.1.2 - initiation of transmission and reception of distress calls with priority;
1.1.3 - constant listening for shore-ship distress alerts, including those destined for specifically defined geographical areas;
1.1.4 - transmission and reception of general radio traffic using radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy; and
1.2 - MF radioelectrical equipment permitting, for purposes of distress and safety, transmission and reception on the following frequencies:
1.2.1 - 2187.5 kHz via DSC classes A, B or E, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493;
1.2.2 - 2182 kHz via radiotelephony; and
1.3 - radioelectrical equipment providing continuous listening via DSC on frequency 2187.5 kHz, which may be distinct from that referred to in paragraph 1.2.1 or associated thereto; and
1.4 - a means of sending ship-shore distress alerts (secondary means of SOS) via a radiocommunications service operating either:
1.4.1 - on 406 MHz on the polar orbit satellite service; this requirement may be met using the distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, located at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place; or
1.4.2 - on HF via DSC; either
1.4.3 - via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, using an additional ship earth station or the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, located at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place.
2 - In addition to meeting the requirements of section B), vessels operating outwith maritime areas A1 and A2 but remaining within maritime area A3 must, where they do not meet the requirements of paragraph 1, be equipped with:
2.1 - MF/HF radioelectrical equipment permitting, for purposes of distress and safety, transmission and reception on all distress and safety frequencies on bands between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz and between 4000 kHz and 27 500 kHz, via:
2.1.1 - DSC classes A or E, as these are defined in ITU Recommendation 493;
2.1.2 - Radiotelephony;
2.1.3 - Direct printing telegraphy; this requirement is obligatory for vessels of length less than 45 m, where the position of the vessel, in radiocommunications equipment which automatically includes the vessel's position in SOS messages, is automatically established via on-board radionavigation equipment;
2.2 - equipment providing constant DSC listening on frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz plus at least one of the distress and safety frequencies DSC 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12 577 kHz or 16 804.5 kHz; it should be possible to select any of these frequencies at any time; this equipment may be associated to that referred to in paragraph 1; and
2.3 - means permitting SOS alerts to be sent from ship to shore (secondary means of SOS) on a radiocommunications service not using HF and operating either:
2.3.1 - on 406 MHz on the polar orbit satellite service; this requirement may be met using the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, located at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place; or
2.3.2 - via the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service; this requirement may be met using:
2.3.2.1 - an INMARSAT ship earth station; or
2.3.2.2 - the satellite distress radiobeacon locator referred to in section B), paragraph 6, located at the place from which the vessel is normally controlled or activated from the same place; and
2.4 - furthermore, vessels must be capable of transmitting and receiving general radio traffic via radiotelephony or direct printing telegraphy, using MF/HF radioelectrical equipment operating on work frequencies on bands between 1605 kHz and 4000 kHz and between 4000 kHz and 27 500 kHz; this requirement may be met by adding this capacity to the equipment specified in paragraph 2.1.
3 - The radioelectrical equipment specified in paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.3 must be capable of sending distress signals from the place from which the vessel is normally controlled.
4 - Vessels built before 1 February 1997 and operating exclusively in maritime areas A2 and A3 are exempt from the provisions of section B), paragraphs 1.1 and 2, on condition that they are equipped with listening facilities for channel 16 (VHF), which should be located in the place from which the vessel is normally controlled.
F) Additional equipment for vessels operating within maritime areas A1, A2, A3 and A4
1 - Vessels operating in all maritime areas must, in addition to meeting the requirements of section B) and of paragraph 3 of section E), possess the radioelectrical facilities and equipment referred to in section E), paragraph 2, with the exception of the equipment referred to in section E), paragraph 2.3.2, which cannot be accepted as an alternative to that referred to in section E), paragraph 2.3.1.
2 - Vessels built before 1 February 1997 and operating exclusively within maritime areas A2, A3 and A4 are exempted from the provisions of section B), paragraphs 1.1 and 2, on condition that they possess a facility for continuous listening on channel 16 (VHF); this facility should be located in the place from which the vessel is normally controlled.
G) Energy sources
1 - Vessels should be equipped with an electrical energy source sufficient to power radioelectrical equipment and charge the batteries which are included in the reserve energy sources of the radioelectrical equipment.
2 - Vessels should possess one or more reserve energy sources for their radioelectrical equipment, thus ensuring distress and safety communication in the event of distress and the failure of the primary power supply and permitting the simultaneous operation of the VHF radioelectrical equipment referred to in section B), paragraph 1, and, depending on the maritime area(s) for which the vessel is equipped:
a. the MF radioelectrical equipment indicated in section D), paragraph 1.1;
b. the MF/HF radioelectrical equipment indicated in sections E), paragraph 2.1 or F), paragraph 1;
c. the INMARSAT ship earth station indicated in section E), paragraph 1.1;
and any of the additional gear mentioned in paragraphs 5, 6 and 9.
3 - The reserve energy source referred to in paragraph 2 above must be capable of powering the equipment for a duration of:
3.1 - one hour, in vessels equipped with an emergency electricity supply, located above decks and supplying all radioelectrical equipment, and with a service capacity of at least six hours;
3.2 - six hours, in vessels not equipped
with an emergency power source supplying radioelectrical equipment; the reserve energy source need not simultaneously supply MF and HF equipment, where these are independent.
4 - The reserve energy source(s) should be independent of the vessel's propulsion source and electricity supply.
5 - Where, in addition to the VHF radioelectrical equipment, two or more articles of radioelectrical equipment referred to in paragraph 2 may be connected to the same reserve energy source(s), these should be able to feed simultaneously, for the period specified in paragraphs 2.1 or 2.2, the VHF radioelectrical equipment and:
5.1 - all other radioelectrical equipment which can be connected to the reserve energy source(s) at the same time; or
5.2 - all radioelectrical equipment which consumes more energy, where it is possible to connect only one of these to the reserve energy source(s) at the same time as the VHF equipment.
6 - The reserve energy source may be used for powering lighting for the controls of radioelectrical equipment.
7 - Where the reserve energy source consists of one or more rechargeable accumulator batteries:
7.1 - the means for automatically recharging batteries to their minimum necessary capacity in ten hours should be possessed; and
7.2 - the capacity of the battery/batteries should be checked using the appropriate methods, at intervals of no greater than 12 months, when the vessel is in dock.
8 - The accumulator batteries which provide the reserve energy supply must be located in such a way as to ensure:
8.1 - optimum service quality;
8.2 - reasonable operational life;
8.3 - a reasonable degree of safety;
8.4 - that battery temperature remains within the limits specified by the manufacturer during charging and when not in use; and
8.5 - that, when they are fully charged, the batteries provide at least the minimum prescribed hours of operation, regardless of weather conditions.
9 - Where the normal operation of radioelectrical equipment depends on the information received from navigation equipment, the latter must be able to take its power supply from the reserve energy source.
H) Duplication of equipment
1 - Where no registered crew member qualified for equipment maintenance is on board, the operation of the equipment shall be ensured by the duplication of equipment, which means that in addition to the equipment indicated in sections A), B), C), D), E) and F) hereinafter designated "basic equipment", the following, designated "duplicate equipment" must also be installed:
1.1 - Area Al - VHF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section B), paragraph 1.1;
1.2 - Areas A1 and A2 - VHF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section B), paragraph 1.1, plus MF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section D), paragraph 1.1.1, or an INMARSAT ship earth station meeting the requirements of section E), paragraph 1.1;
1.3 - Areas A1, A2 and A3 - VHF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section B), paragraph 1.1; and
1.3.1 - MF/HF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section E), paragraph 2.1, and the requirements for listening on MF/HF/DSC distress frequencies; or
1.3.2 - An INMARSAT ship earth station meeting the requirements of section E), paragraph 1.1;
1.4 - Areas A1 A2, A3 and A4 - VHF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section B), paragraph 1.1, plus MF/HF radioelectrical equipment meeting the requirements of section E), paragraph 2.1, and the requirements for listening on the MF/HF/DSC distress frequencies.
2 - In vessels operating in maritime areas A1 and A2 and whose outings do not exceed two days, the presence on board of a crew member qualified in equipment maintenance or of "duplicate equipment" may be substituted for shore maintenance, in accordance with Decree-Law no. 145/95 of 14 June.
3 - Vessels which only occasionally operate in maritime area A4 and which already possess MF/HF radioelectrical equipment may, as an alternative to the installation of additional MF/HF equipment, operate an INMARSAT ship earth station which meets the requirements of section E), paragraph 1.1.
4 -MF/HF radioelectrical equipment or the INMARSAT ship earth station installed for purposes of duplication must meet the requirements of section E), paragraph 3.
5 - Duplicate equipment must be connected to antennae separate to those of the basic equipment, and must be installed in such a way that it is always ready to operate.
6 - Duplicate equipment must be capable of receiving power from the reserve energy source indicated in section G), in addition to the basic equipment.
7 - The capacity of the reserve energy source must be dimensioned for all equipment, basic or duplicate, at maximum consumption.
8 - The design of the reserve energy source must ensure that simple faults do not simultaneously affect the operation of both basic and duplicate equipment.
9 - Where the reserve energy source consists of a battery group, the charging system must be duplicated.
10 - As an alternative to the above, a charging system failure alarm may be installed, with the possibility of connecting the equipment directly to another suitable power source.
11 - Duplicate equipment may serve as the secondary means of SOS, on condition that it meets the following requirements.
I) Navigation aids
Fishing vessels to which the present appendix applies must possess the following navigation aids:
1 - A radar system with the following minimum characteristics:
1.1 - Band X: 9410 ± 30 MHz;
1.2 - Effective display diameter equal to or greater than 9";
1.3 - A minimum of six distance scales, with the smallest no greater than 50 miles;
1.4 - Azimuth intervals of 2.5º;
1.5 - Distance intervals of 50 m.
2 - A GPS radionavigation receiver.
