Sec. 80.1061  Special requirements for 406.025 MHz EPIRBs.

    (a) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section, 
406.025 MHz EPIRBs must meet all the technical and performance standards 
contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services 
document titled ``RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite 
Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs)'' dated July 31, 
1987, with editorial updates of December 31, 1987 (RTCM Recommended 
Standards). This RTCM document is incorporated by reference in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a). The document is available for 
inspection at Commission headquarters in Washington, DC or may be 
obtained from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, Post 
Office Box 19087, Washington, DC 20036.
    (b) The 406.025 MHz 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 406.025 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 type acceptance application for a 406 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-MVI), U.S. Coast 
Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001.
    (1) After a 406.025 MHz EPIRB has been certified by the recognized 
test facilities the following information must be submitted in duplicate 
to the Commandant (G-MVI), 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 COSPAS/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

[[Page 165]]

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 type acceptance application for a 406.025 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/NESDIS, SARSAT Operations 
Division, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Washington, DC 20233. The 
registration card must request the owner's name, address, telephone 
number, type of ship, alternate emergency contact and include the 
following statement: ``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 406.025 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 Secs. 2.925, 
2.926 and 2.1003 of this chapter, each 406.025 MHz EPIRB must be 
provided on the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or 
label containing the following statement: ``The owner of this 406.025 
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 Operations Division, E/SP3, Federal 
Building 4, Washington, D.C. 20233.'' 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 406.025 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.
[ 53 FR 37308 , Sept. 26, 1988, as amended at  56 FR 11517 , Mar. 19, 1991; 
 59 FR 35269 , July 11, 1994]

      Subpart W--Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

                           General Provisions

    This subpart contains the rules applicable to the Global Maritime 
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Every ship of the United States 
subject to part II of title III of the Communications Act or the Safety 
Convention must comply with the provisions of this subpart. The rules in 
this subpart are to be read in conjunction with the applicable 
requirements contained elsewhere in this part; however, in case of 
conflict, the provisions of this subpart shall govern with respect to 
the GMDSS. For the purposes of this subpart, distress and safety 
communications include distress, urgency, and safety calls and messages.

    Source:   57 FR 9065 , Mar. 16, 1992, unless otherwise noted.


    Note:  No provision of this subpart is intended to eliminate, or in 
anyway modify, other requirements contained in this part with respect to 
part II of title III of the Communications Act.


[[Page 166]]