§354a — Title 47 Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs | U.S. Code

Summary

Cargo ships that are 300 gross tons or more but under 1,600 gross tons may use a radiotelephone instead of a radiotelegraph if the radiotelephone follows certain rules. The radio must be located high on the ship and kept as free from noise as possible so messages are clear. If it is not on the bridge, there must be reliable communication to the bridge. The radio must work on the frequencies and signal types the Commission sets for distress and navigation safety. It must have a normal minimum range of 150 nautical miles for clear ship-to-ship daytime signals. There must always be a main power source able to run it for that range. If batteries are used, they must run the transmitter and receiver for at least six continuous hours. Installations made on or after November 19, 1952 must also have a backup power source in the upper part of the ship unless the main power is already there.

Title 47, §354a

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Cargo ships of three hundred gross tons and upward but less than one thousand six hundred gross tons may, in lieu of the radiotelegraph station prescribed by section 354 of this title, be equipped with a radiotelephone station complying with the following requirements:

(a)The radiotelephone station shall be in the upper part of the ship, so located that it is sheltered to the greatest possible extent from noise which might impair the correct reception of messages and signals, and, unless such station is situated on the bridge, there shall be efficient communication with the bridge.

(b)The radiotelephone installation shall be capable of transmitting and receiving on the frequencies, and using the classes of emission, designated by the Commission pursuant to law for the purposes of distress and safety of navigation.

(c)The radiotelephone installation shall have a minimum normal range of one hundred and fifty nautical miles; that is, it shall be capable of transmitting and receiving clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship by day and under normal conditions and circumstances over this range.

(d)There shall be available at all times a main source of electrical energy sufficient to operate the installation over the normal range required by subsection (c) of this section. If batteries are provided they shall have sufficient capacity to operate the transmitter and receiver for at least six continuous hours under normal working conditions. In installations made on or after November 19, 1952, a reserve source of electrical energy shall be provided in the upper part of the ship unless the main source of energy is so situated.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1965—Pub. L. 89–121 limited the opening provisions to cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–121 required the radiotelephone station to be so located that it is sheltered to the greatest possible extent from noise which might impair the correct reception of messages and signals. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “on the frequencies, and using the classes of emission, designated” for “on the frequencies and with types of emissions designated”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “radiotelephone installation” for “transmitter” and inserted provisions requiring the installation to be capable of receiving clearly perceptible signals over the minimum normal range. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “a main source of electrical energy” for “a source of energy”, “at least six continuous hours” for “at least six hours continuously”, and “installations made on or after November 19, 1952, a reserve source of electrical energy” for “in installations an emergency source of energy”.

§354a Technical requirements of equipment on radiotelephone equipped ships

Summary

Title 47, §354a

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata