Safety Radio Survey (aka) SRT/SRC and or GMDSS Radio Survey

Shipaxis Technical Services


GMDSS console in the navigation bridge or wheel house


Safety Radio Survey (aka) SRT/SRC and or GMDSS Radio Survey

In a series of articles that is about to follow in the topic GMDSS Radio Survey or commonly known as SRT or SRC, we intend  to highlight the importance of the GMDSS radio communication equipment on board the vessel and how to prepare the station for Survey. The author of this blog is a 2nd Class COP certificate holder from Government of India, Ministry of Communications and has sailed for over 20 years as Radio Officer and is also a very well know Radio Surveyor with all leading IACS societies in India, viz, Class NK, DNV GL, Lloyds, ABS, BV, IRS etc.

Let us start with the basic requirements that has to be in place prior to the Class surveyor's visit to the vessel to carryout GMDSS Survey


  • DOCUMENTATION: the  following ITU documents  are mandatory to be present on board during the radio survey:-
    • List of Coast Stations - by ITU - Latest edition
    • List of Ship Stations - By ITU - Latest edition
    • List of Radio Determination and Special Services Stations - By ITU - latest edition
    • Manual for use by maritime mobile services - Latest edition.
    • SOLAS - Latest edition with amendments
    • IAMSAR - latest edition.
    • Performance Standards of GMDSS Equipment as per IMO
    • Radio Log book - duly signed by the master and the designated person responsible for GMDSS (either 2/off or 3/off or c/off and or designated by master of the vessel)
  • The above documents, even though the usage on board in today's advanced communication system is very limited or rather nil, it is compulsory to have the latest editions on board.
  • The following ALRS (Admiralty List of Radio Signals) are also required to be maintained on board with the weekly corrections updated and signed by the concerned officer on board.
    • ALRS - Volumes 1 (all sub parts), volume 2,volume 3, Volume 5:- Special emphasis is to be given to volume 5 - it is known as Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS). An interesting point to note here is that - ALRS publications are not mandatory as per IMO requirement or as per SOLAS. How ever, due to its day to day usage and since it has all relevant information handy, it is necessary that the above has to be on board.
To subscribe to our mailers and  to know our activity and how we can be of use to you and your vessels calling Indian  ports follow us at www.shipaxis.in

NOTE: The article above and subsequent ones to follow are general guide lines based on the experience of the author as a Radio Surveyor for over 20 years. Please check with respective Class and or Flag administration for further requirements. 




Comments

  1. gowthunanDecember 6, 2018 at 1:11 AM

    Great blog. You put Good stuff. All the topics were explained briefly.so quickly understand for media am waiting for your next fantastic blog. Thanks for sharing. Any course related details learn...
    nebosh igc courses in chennai

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Load test or capacity test of a GMDSS battery

Image
LOAD TEST OR CAPACITY TEST OF A GMDSS BATTERY (24VDC) Over the years of experience as a radio surveyor, it has been observed that the most common mistake that the ship staff does is the maintenance of the GMDSS battery (reserve source). This emergency source is often misunderstood for compliance. In a nutshell let us have a look into what is this emergency source is all about: As per SOLAS regulations it is mandatory for all vessels built after 1995 to have on board an emergency generator. Older ships might have an emergency generator or a battery bank as emergency source. When we speak of sources of energy it is as below:  Main source of energy - Main Generator. emergency source - This supplies power to emergency lights and other applications on board and it is  not the one supplying power to GMDSS equipment. The reserve source of energy is normally a 24V DC - lead acid battery which primarily caters to the communication equipment needs only. The AH c...
Read more

Calculation of Load current in GMDSS battery

Image
How to calculate Drain Current and GMDSS battery life during GMDSS SRC Under normal circumstances, it is but natural for the ship staff to get confused with the drain current of GMDSS equipment during survey. This often leads to complicated situation where  a proper explanation becomes crucial to convince the Class surveyor especially if the battery is more than two years old. As per IMO, the GMDSS battery (reserve source) should be replaced once in 3 years irrespective of the condition of the battery after three years. The battery has to be subjected to a capacity load test (similar to your daily routine and weekly routine) once in a month. This is basically done by connecting 6 x 100W DC bulb in series connected to the GMDSS battery. Let us look into a  situation as follows: 1. the above load is connected and 0900 hrs (lt) - Specific gravity and the voltage is recorded at this time. 2. At an interval of 30 minutes, the specific gravity and the voltage...
Read more