The 1988 Amendments to SOLAS regarding GMDSS requires in Regulation IV/17 that in accordance with ITU/Radio Regulation all the GMDSS ships should carry a radio logbook and record in it all incidents connected with radio communication service which appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea.
The Liberian Government and Greek Government have recently informed the Society of their requirements for the format, retention, etc. of a radio logbook by Marine Notice No. 6-180-12 and EEP Circular No.1423.3/0498, the outlines of which are shown below, and it is sincerely recommended that you take an appropriate action in this respect where necessary. For information, a surveyor when conducting a radio survey of Liberian/Greek flag ships will ascertain that the radio logbook complies with these requirements.

1. Radio Logbooks for Liberian Flag GMDSS Ships
(1) Retention of GMDSS radio logbooks
To be kept on the navigation bridge, convenient to the radio installations.
(2) Composition of GMDSS radio logbooks
Section (A) - Particulars of ship
Section (B) - Details of radio personnel
Section (C) - Record of communications (See an example attached.)
When a conventional logbook without printed spaces for the information in (A) and (B) is used, the required information of (A) and (B) may be typed on a separated sheet of paper and attached to the inside front cover of the logbook.
(3) Retention period of GMDSS radio logbooks
At least 2 years,unless otherwise instructed.

2. Radio Logbooks for Greek Flag GMDSS Ships
(1) The GMDSS radio logbook should be an official paper and be the one issued by the Seamen's Pension Fund.
(2) The GMDSS radio logbook should be checked by the Greek Port Authorities or the Greek Consulate in the port of call of the ship.

The end

Attachment: Marine Notice No.6-180-12
A sample of the form issued by the Seamen's Pension Fund

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