Hong Kong Marine Department has notified us of Annual Tests and Shore-based Maintenance of Satellite EPIRBs as follows.

1. For annual testing of 406MHz satellite EPIRBs, IMO circular MSC/Circ.1040 "GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF 406MHz SATELLITE EPIRBs" should be applied.

2. For shore-based maintenance of satellite EPIRBs, 406MHz Satellite EPIRBs and/or L-band Satellite EPIRBs if fitted, IMO circular MSC/Circ.1039 "GUIDELINES FOR SHORE-BASED MAINTENANCE OF SATELLITE EPIRBs" should be applied. The shore-based maintenance should be carried out at intervals not exceeding 5 years in accordance with the guidelines.

3. Copies of the reports of those testing and maintenance carried out by an approved radio firm or by a service supplier/station whom the manufacturer recommends should be kept on board.

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Material and Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020
Fax: +81-3-5226-2057
E-mail: eqd@classnk.or.jp
Attachment:
1. MSC/Circ.1039 "GUIDELINES FOR SHORE-BASED MAINTENANCE OF SATELLITE EPIRBs"
2. MSC/Circ.1040 "GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF 406MHz SATELLITE EPIRBs"