|
In recent past, a large number of false
distress alerts have been received under GMDSS mainly from
EPIRBs. Since such distress alert is of global nature, all
search and rescue machinery has to be alerted. This includes
readiness and deployment of aircraft(s), surface crafts
for locating and rescuing the survivors.
As stated earlier, in most of such cases,
activation of EPIRB distress alarm proved to be inadvertent.
This has resulted in substantial wastage in operational
time, effort and expenditure. Indian Coast Guard has reported
that a large number of such false alarms were received during
the last three months alone.
This Directorate has decided to exercise
following measures in order to avert such false activation
of EPIRB. All ship owners, operators, masters, crew and
service stations are requested to comply with the following:
1. EPIRBs placed on board on or after 23.11.96
should be tamper proof and free of accidental transmission
as required by IMO Resolution No.A.810(19) (copy enclosed).
2. EPIRB should be located in protected
location away from areas exposed to water spray in bad weather
condition. Special precaution should be exercised while
cleaning operations are being carried out in this vicinity.
3. GMDSS (GOC) courses are now readily
available.Dispensation from GOC certificate will be considered
only if the ship owners produce evidence that the employed
operator was denied admission in at least two of the approved
institutes. In any case from 1.8.1998, at least one officer
on board every Indian ship has to have undergone GMDSS(GOC)
course and obtained certification and only then exemption
for vessel to sail without Second GMDSS (GOC) Operator will
be considered. After 1.2.1999, no further dispensation will
be considered.
4. Ship Owners/Operators are required to
ensure that on board training manual includes topic of inadvertent
activation of EPIRB. The responsibility of training and
educating the crew on above subject directly rests with
the Master of the vessel including cancellation of false
activation of EPIRB.
5. A suitable warning may be pasted on
EPIRB itself and on carton in case EPIRB is being transported
when in transit to/from service station to/from vessel for
the benefit of outside officer of Customs etc. on duty at
check posts.
6. All ship owners are hereby cautioned
that when a distress alert is received and on investigation
it is found that the false distress alert has been transmitted
due to insufficient precaution or negligence, and INMCC,
Bangalore or INMCC covering the vessel's area of operation
is not immediately informed, then recovery of actual costs
involved in pressing into service of Coast Guard and/or
aircraft may have to be borne by shipping company in addition
to any fine that may be imposed.
7. In case of Indian vessels, incidents
involving false alert should also be informed to this Directorate
without any delay by fax/telex/telephone.
All those concerned may take cognizance
of above notice.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Capt. S.K. Shukla)
Nautical Surveyor
Encls:
1.Contact Fax/Telephone/Telex numbers of INMCC, Bangalore.
2.Contact Fax/Telephone/Telex numbers of D.G. Shipping,
Mumbai.
3.Copy of IMO Resolution No.A.81O(19) with annexures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Fax / Telex / Telephone numbers
of INMCC and the D.G. Shipping.
1.INDIAN MISSION CONTROL CENTRE (INMCC),
BANGALORE.
Fax No :080 ? 839 4249 -Telex No:8452996
INMCC IN -Telephone No:080 ? 837 1857
2.DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
Fax No: 022 ? 261 3655 - Telex No: 011
? 86644 DGS IN - Telephone No : 261 3651 ? 2 ? 3 ? 4 |
