| Subsequent
to M.S. Notice Nos. 5 of 1998, 14 of 1998, 18 of 1998, 19
of 1998 and 7 of 1999, on the above subject, the false activation
of EPIRBs continues unabated. In recent past, a false distress
alert due to accidental activation of EPIRB was detected
during its transportation. The EPIRB kept radiating till
the battery got exhausted. In the referred incident the
guidelines prescribed in IMO resolution A 814 (19) for handling
of EPIRB were not adhered to. The Directorate expresses
its serious concern over the manner in which the EPIRB was
handled. The false distress alerts not only impose considerable
and unnecessary expenditures and wastage of manpower but
also have serious impact on real distress situation and
on safety of life at sea.
2. The Directorate General of Shipping
once again having noticed that excessive number of false
distress alert imposes a considerable and unnecessary burden
on rescue Co-ordination centers (RCCs), leading to adverse
effect on seafarers confidence in the GMDSS and serious?
impact on real distress situation, A. Draws attention of
ship owners, ship masters and crew to guidelines for the
avoidance of false distress alert as prescribed in IMO Resolution
A 814(19). B. Further draws attention of manufacturers,
suppliers and installers to above referred resolution. C.
Draws attention of ship owners, ship masters and crew to
IMO publication ?Procedures for Port State Control? wherein
it is stated that non-familiarity of master of crew members
with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety
of ships will be considered as evidence of clear ground
to conduct more detailed inspection. In view of rising number
of false distress alert, the Directorate has decided to
take following measures :-
(1) In accordance with above stated IMO
resolution, it is the responsibility of manufacturers, suppliers
and installers to ensure that the EPIRB is handled and transported
to and fro between ship and service center or between a
ship and a ship in a manner as prescribed. The approval
of service station granted by the Directorate would be suspended
/ cancelled if a false distress alert is activated during
the transportation of the EPIRB.
(2) A vessel would be subjected to detailed
inspection during port state control in case of reported
incidents of inadvertent transmission of false distress
alert without proper cancellation or repeated or deliberate
transmission of false distress alert on account of lack
of operational knowledge required by master & crew.
(3) Appreciating that the false distress
alerts not only impose considerable and unnecessary burden
on national exchequer by putting into service of coast guard
and / or aircraft but also adversely affect seafarer?s confidence
in GMDSS and can have serious impact on real life distress
situation and safety of life at sea, the Directorate, while
reiterating the views expressed in M.S. Notice Nos. 5 of
1998, 14 of 1998, 18 of 1998, 19 of 1998 and 7 of 1999,
cautions all concerned that when a false distress alert
is received and on investigation it is found that it has
been transmitted due to sheer negligence and carelessness
by the ship?s crew or agents of the servicing station and
all the monitoring agencies covering the vessel?s area of
operation are not immediately informed, then the recovery
of actual costs involved in putting into service of Search
and Rescue machineries will have to be borne by the defaulter
in addition to any fine that may be imposed.
(4) In case of Indian vessels, incidents
involving false distress must be reported to the Directorate
by ship owners, manufacturers, suppliers and installers
of EPIRBS.
Sd/-
( Capt. S. K. Mishra )
Nautical Surveyor
For Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India |
