The Greek Government has informed us of approved companies for shore-based maintenance of GMDSS radio installations and for inspection/maintenance of satellite EPIRBs, and has instructed us of periodical inspection and report of satellite EPIRBs on board Greek flag ships as follows:

1. Greek companies approved by the Greek Government for shore-based maintenance of GMDSS radio installations are on the 'List of Approved Companies for Shore-based maintenance of GMDSS radio installations' as per attached. For ships navigating beyond sea area A2 with shore-based maintenance method as one of required maintenance methods for GMDSS radio installations, it is required to keep a copy of shore-based maintenance agreement on board after getting approval by the Greek Government.

2. Periodical inspection and report of satellite EPIRBs should be carried out as follows:
(i) The inspection should be carried out at intervals not exceeding 12 months. The intervals may be extended by 5 months after approval by the Greek government, if there is a serious cause.
(ii) The inspection should be carried out on items described on the 'COSPAS-SARSAT (INMARSAT-E) BEACON TEST REPORT' attached, and the report with the results of the inspection should be kept on board.
(iii) Attention should be paid on followings on the inspection of satellite EPIRBs.
(a) Satellite EPIRBs of Greek flag ships are coded by MMSI described in the radio station license.
(b) When batteries of a satellite EPIRB are replaced, the batteries mentioned on the type approval certificate of the EPIRB should be used.
Greek companies approved by the Greek Government for inspection and maintenance of satellite EPIRBs are on the 'List of Approved Companies for Inspection/Maintenance of Sattelite EPIRBs' as per attached.

Both for 1. And 2. Above, approved companies outside Greece have not been published. When you intend to use a company outside Greece, you are kindly requested to confirm its approval with the Greek Government in advance.

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: +81-3-5226-2019
E-mail: eqd@classnk.or.jp

Attachment:
(1) List of Approved Companies for Shore-based Maintenance of GMDSS Radio Installations
(2) List of Approved Companies for Inspection/Maintenance of Satellite EPIRBs
(3) COSPAS-SARSAT (? INMARSAT-E) BEACON TEST REPORT