§ 80.965   Reserve power supply.

   (a) Each passenger vessel of more than 100 gross tons and each cargo vessel
   of more than 300 gross tons must be provided with a reserve power supply
   independent  of  the  vessel's normal electrical system and capable of
   energizing the radiotelephone installation and illuminating the operating
   controls at the principal operating position for at least 2 continuous hours
   under normal operating conditions. When meeting this 2 hour requirement,
   such reserve power supply must be located on the bridge level or at least
   one deck above the vessel's main deck.

   (b) Instead of the independent power supply specified in paragraph (a) of
   this section, the vessel may be provided with an auxiliary radiotelephone
   installation  having a power source independent of the vessel's normal
   electrical system. Any such installation must comply with § § 80.955, 80.956,
   80.957, 80.959, 80.961, 80.969 and 80.971, as well as the general technical
   standards contained in this part. Additionally, the power supply for any
   such auxiliary radiotelephone must be a “reserve power supply” for the
   purposes of paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of this section.

   (c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any batteries used as a
   reserve power supply for the required radiotelephone installation. A device
   must be provided which, during charging of the batteries, gives a continuous
   indication of charging.

   (d) The reserve power supply must be available within one minute.

   (e) The station licensee, when directed by the Commission, must prove by
   demonstration as prescribed in paragraphs (e)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this
   section that the reserve power supply is capable of meeting the requirements
   of paragraph (a) of this section as follows:

   (1) When the reserve power supply includes a battery, proof of the ability
   of  the  battery to operate continuously for the required time must be
   established by a discharge test over the required time, when supplying power
   at  the  voltage  required for normal operation to an electric load as
   prescribed by paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

   (2) When the reserve power supply includes an engine driven generator, proof
   of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit continuously
   for  the required time may be established by using as a basis the fuel
   consumption during a continuous period of one hour when supplying power, at
   the  voltage  required  for normal operation, to an electrical load as
   prescribed by paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

   (3) For the purposes of determining the electrical load to be supplied, the
   following formula must be used:

   (i) One-half of the current of the radiotelephone while transmitting at its
   rated output, plus one-half the current while not transmitting; plus

   (ii) Current of the required receiver; plus

   (iii) Current of the source of illumination provided for the operating
   controls prescribed by § 80.969; plus

   (iv) The sum of the currents of all other loads to which the reserve power
   supply may provide power in time of emergency or distress.

   (4) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (e) (1) and (2) of
   this  section, no part of the reserve power supply must have excessive
   temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any battery be
   below the 90 percent discharge point.

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