PART 4 - Canadian Coast Guard

TRANSPORT CANADA’S REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM
(GMDSS) AND GUIDANCE ON IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL ALERTING PROCEDURES
Masters and radio operators are urged to review and use the following important information on the use of GMDSS radio
equipment to help ensure the GMDSS and Search and Rescue (SAR) services can operate as efficiently and effectively as
possible.
New Regulations
Following several years of development and consultation, the new Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999 and the new
Ship Station (Radio) Technical Regulations, 1999 came into force on April 1, 2001. These Regulations affect Canadian
domestic ships operating on the seacoasts of Canada, which are not in a Vessel Traffic Services Zone, and that:
• are 20 metres in length or more and certified to carry more than 12 passengers; or
• have a gross tonnage of 300 tons or more
These ships will be carrying and using new radio equipment consistent with the GMDSS.
The new regulations also phase-in requirements over the next couple of years that will apply to smaller commercial ships
operating on the seacoasts of Canada (Note in particular that by April 1, 2002, vessels 8 metres or more in length and
operating more than 20 miles from shore will need an EPIRB. By February 1, 2003, tow boats, vessels carrying more
than 6 passengers and vessels of closed construction more than 8 metres in length will need a VHF/DSC radio). In
addition, amendments have been made to other regulations to update the requirements pertaining to survival craft radio
equipment e.g., Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations and the Large Fishing
Vessel Inspection Regulations. The following table summarizes the carriage requirements of the Ship Station (Radio)
Regulations, 1999. However the actual regulations should be consulted for specific requirements and are available at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/CSA/menu.htm
EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACONS (406 MHZ)
It is recommended that a float-free EPIRB be carried on board ships and pleasure crafts operating offshore. To be
effective, 406 MHz EPIRBs must be registered in the National SAR Secretariat’s 406 MHz Canadian Beacon Registry
you can register your 406 MHz EPIRBs by (telephone at 1 800 727-9414 by facsimile 613-996-3746) or on the Website
at: http://www.nss.gc.ca/site/cospas-sarsat/emergencyBeacon_e.asp
Inmarsat announced that they discontinued their monitoring service of INMARSAT “E” EPIRB distress alerts as of
December 1, 2006: http://support.inmarsat.com/announce/00018994.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False.
Mariners should check with INMARSAT for exchange of any currently held INMARSAT ‘E’ EPIRBs. Further, mariners
should only purchase and fit COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz EPIRBs.
• Float-free EPIRBs should not be fitted under ledges or structures that would impede their ability to float free.
Do not install the EPIRB with lanyard attached to the superstructure of your vessel.
• Both manually activated EPIRBs and float-free EPIRBs should be readily accessible so that in the event of an
emergency, it is available for immediate use.
• EPIRBs should be tested using the "TEST" button, by the operator every 6 months. This test should be recorded in the
radio log.
• EPIRB battery packs and hydrostatic release units should be replaced per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
A list of 406 MHz EPIRBs approved for use in Canada is available on the Website at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSafety/APCI-ICPA/default.asp
4-16