Michael Finucane
Question:107 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if digital selective calling radios on pleasure crafts are mandatory. [26568/98]
Written Answers. - Safety at Sea.
Digital selective calling, or DSC, was introduced for merchant ships by the International Maritime Organisation, or IMO, on 1 February 1992, with the introduction of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, or GMDSS. The requirements for GMDSS equipment are contained within the IMO Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS, Convention, as amended in 1988. DSC is the primary distress alerting facility within that system.
DSC provides the facility to the seafarer of transmitting and receiving distress alerts, by electronic means, on the international maritime VHF DSC distress channel 70; on the international maritime medium frequency (MF) distress frequency 2,187.5 kilohertz; and on high frequency on dedicated DSC distress frequencies within the 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 Megahertz Maritime bands. DSC also enables the seafarer to maintain an electronic, radio watch on those international distress channels and frequencies. The GMDSS was designed to replace an "old" marine radiocommunications system which relied heavily on manual operation and aural radio watchkeeping.
With effect from 1 February 1999, all seagoing passenger and cargo ships, and certain fishing vessels must comply with the requirements of the GMDSS. These requirements are implemented by means of the Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules, 1992, and the EU Council Directive 97/70/EC on fishing vessel safety.
While pleasure craft are not required to comply with those rules the installation of DSC equipment on pleasure craft, suitable for its carriage, will certainly enhance safety. I understand that some pleasure craft already carry such equipment and, in conjunction with representatives of the recreational craft sector, my Department's safety services will continue to encourage its use, as appropriate.
With effect from 2002, all marine VHF radiocommunications equipment will be required to include DSC facilities. I understand that DSC equipment, suitable for use by owners-operators of pleasaure craft is currently being designed and manufactured. This equipment, whilst not having all of the facilities which are required for DSC equiment installed in compliance with the MS (Radio) Rules, has and will continueto have sufficient facilities to enble distresss, urgency and safety alerts to be transmitted and received. Such equipment will be a good deal cheaper and, therefore, more accessible than the mandatorily required equipment for merchant and certain finishing vessels.