The requirements of Hong Kong Government for a safety radio survey of ships registered in Hong Kong and equipped with GMDSS have just been received. For your information, these requirements, together with the requirements the Hong Kong Government notified the Society and the Society informed you previously, are summarized below.


1. The required number of qualified radio personnel is one holding a GOC issued by the Hong Kong Telecommunication Authority (HKTA), or one holding a GOC issued by his native country together with a valid "Authority to Operate" issued by the HKTA. (Ref. NK Technical Information No.169)

2. Transmitting antennas of MF and MF/HF radio installations should be provided with a spare wire antenna completely assembled for rapid replacement. Where the antenna is of a self supporting type, it may be wire antenna completely assembled for rapid replacement provided that it has the similar electrical characteristics.

3. Until 1 February 1999, ships should be fitted with a 2182kHz watch receiver with a test signal oscillator for routine testing of the muting device without causing signals to be radiated.

4. For two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus,
(1) if installed on and after 23 November 1996, they should be provided with a dedicated primary battery for the use in the event of a distress situation. This battery should ① have a shelf life at least 2 years,② have sufficient capacity to ensure 8-hour operation at its highest rated power with a duty cycle (6-second transmission, 6-second reception above squelch opening level and 48-second reception below squelch opening level), ③ be equipped with a non-replaceable seal to indicate that it has not been used, and ④ be marked with either highly visible yellow/orange colour.
(2) if installed before 23 November 1996, they should be provided with an additional (reserve) primary batteries having a shelf life of at least 2 years. (This is however recommendation of the Government and should not be conditional upon the issue of a Safety Radio Certificate.)

5. Even though a satellite EPIRB on 406MHz should be coded with MMSI, radio call sign or unique serial number, all EPIRB newly installed on board on and after 1 February 1999 should be coded with MMSI.