Sec.  80.1061   Special requirements for 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB stations.

   (a)  Notwithstanding  the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section,
   406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs must meet all the technical and performance standards
   contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services document
   entitled RTCM Paper 77–02/SC110–STD, “RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz
   Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs),” Version 2.1,
   dated June 20, 2002 (RTCM Recommended Standards). The RTCM Recommended
   Standards  are  incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal
   Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5
   U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of the RTCM Recommended Standards
   can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street,
   SW,  Washington,  DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National
   Archives  and  Records  Administration  (NARA). For information on the
   availability  of  this  material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to:
   http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_loc
   ations.html. The RTCM Recommended Standards can be purchased from the Radio
   Technical Commission for Maritime Services, 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 600,
   Alexandria,  VA  22314.  Phone  703–684–4481;  Fax 703–684–4229; email
   wtadams@rtcm.org. 

   (b) The 406.0–406.1 EPIRB must contain as an integral part a “homing” beacon
   operating only on 121.500 MHz that meets all the requirements described in
   the RTCM Recommended Standards document described in paragraph (a) of this
   section. The 121.500 MHz “homing” beacon must have a continuous duty cycle
   that may be interrupted during the transmission of the 406.0–406.1 MHz
   signal only. Additionally, at least 30 percent of the total power emitted
   during any transmission cycle must be contained within plus or minus 30 Hz
   of the carrier frequency.

   (c) Prior to submitting a certification application for a 406.0–406.1 MHz
   radiobeacon, the radiobeacon must be certified by a test facility recognized
   by one of the COSPAS/SARSAT Partners that the equipment satisfies the design
   characteristics  associated  with the measurement methods described in
   Appendix B of the RTCM Recommended Standards. Additionally, the radiobeacon
   must be certified by a test facility recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard to
   certify that the equipment complies with the U.S. Coast Guard environmental
   and operational requirements associated with the test procedures described
   in Appendix A of the RTCM Recommended Standards. Information regarding the
   recognized test facilities may be obtained from Commandant (G-MSE), U.S.
   Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW, Washington, DC 20593–0001.

   (1) After a 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB has been certified by the recognized test
   facilities the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the
   Commandant (G-MSE), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW, Washington, DC
   20593–0001:

   (i) The name of the manufacturer or grantee and model number of the EPIRB;

   (ii) Copies of the certificate and test data obtained from the test facility
   recognized by a COPAS/SARSAT Partner showing that the radiobeacon complies
   with  the  COSPAS/SARSAT  design  characteristics  associated with the
   measurement  methods  described  in Appendix B of the RTCM Recommended
   Standards;

   (iii)  Copies  of the test report and test data obtained from the test
   facility recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard showing that the radiobeacon
   complies  with  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard  environmental and operational
   characteristics  associated  with the measurement methods described in
   Appendix A of the RTCM Recommended Standards; and

   (iv) Instruction manuals associated with the radiobeacon, description of the
   test  characteristics  of the radiobeacon including assembly drawings,
   electrical  schematics,  description  of parts list, specifications of
   materials and the manufacturer's quality assurance program.

   (2) After reviewing the information described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
   section  the  U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the
   radiobeacon satisfies all RTCM Recommended Standards.

   (d) A certification application for a 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB submitted to the
   Commission must also contain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard letter that
   states the radiobeacon satisfies all RTCM Recommended Standards, a copy of
   the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s).

   (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
   Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager for the 406.025 MHz
   COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be programmed in each EPIRB unit to
   establish  a  unique  identification for each EPIRB station. With each
   marketable EPIRB unit, the manufacturer or grantee must include a postage
   pre-paid  registration card printed with the EPIRB identification code
   addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, E/SP3, Federal Building 4,
   Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746–4304. The registration card
   must request the owner's name, address, telephone number, type of ship,
   alternate emergency contact and other information as required by NOAA. The
   registration card must also contain information regarding the availability
   to register the EPIRB at NOAA's online web-based registration database at:
   http://www/beaconregistration.noaa.gov. In addition, the following statement
   must be included: “WARNING—failure to register this EPIRB with NOAA before
   installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being issued to the
   owner.”

   (f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that each
   406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB be registered with NOAA before installation and that
   information be kept up-to-date. Therefore, in addition to the identification
   plate or label requirements contained in  Sec.  Sec. 2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter,
   each 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB must be provided on the outside with a clearly
   discernible permanent plate or label containing the following statement:
   “The  owner  of  this  406.0–406.1  MHz  EPIRB  must register the NOAA
   identification code contained on this label with the National Oceanic and
   Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose address is: NOAA, NOAA/SARSAT Beacon
   Registration,  E/SP3,  Federal  Building 4, Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road,
   Suitland, MD 20746–4304.” Vessel owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon
   change of vessel or EPIRB ownership, transfer of EPIRB to another vessel, or
   any other change in registration information. NOAA will provide registrants
   with proof of registration and change of registration postcards.

   (g) For 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs whose identification code can be changed
   after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plate or label must
   be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.

   [ 68 FR 46974 , Aug. 7, 2003, as amended at  69 FR 64678 , Nov. 8, 2004]