Sec.  80.1083   Ship radio installations.

   (a) Ships must be provided with radio installations capable of complying
   with the functional requirements prescribed by  Sec. 80.1081 throughout its
   intended voyage and, unless exempted under  Sec. 80.1071, complying with the
   requirements of  Sec. 80.1085 and, as appropriate for the sea area of areas
   through which it will pass during its intended voyage, the requirements of
   either  Sec.  Sec. 80.1087, 80.1089, 80.1091, or 80.1093.

   (b) The radio installation must:

   (1) Be so located that no harmful interference of mechanical, electrical or
   other origin affects its proper use, and so as to ensure electromagnetic
   compatibility and avoidance of harmful interaction with other equipment and
   systems;

   (2) Be so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety and
   operational availability;

   (3) Be protected against harmful effects of water, extremes of temperature
   and other adverse environmental conditions;

   (4) Be provided with reliable, permanently arranged electrical lighting,
   independent of the main and emergency sources of electrical power, for the
   adequate illumination of the radio controls for operating the radio
   installation; and

   (5) Be clearly marked with the call sign, the ship station identity and
   other codes as applicable for the use of the radio installation.

   (c) Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels required for navigational
   safety must be immediately available on the navigating bridge convenient to
   the conning position and, where necessary, facilities should be available to
   permit radiocommunications from the wings of the navigating bridge. Portable
   VHF equipment may be used to meet the latter provision.

   (d) A Shipborne Integrated Radiocommunication System (IRCS) may be utilized
   to integrate all GMDSS equipment into a standard operator's console. Such
   installation must be type accepted in accordance with  Sec. 80.1103 and meet the
   requirements of IMO Assembly Resolution A.811(19), “Performance Standards
   for a Shipborne Integrated Radiocommunication System (IRCS) When Used in the
   GMDSS,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995. IMO Assembly Resolution
   A.811(19) with Annex is 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 this standard 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 IMO standards can be purchased from Publications,
   International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR,
   United Kingdom.

   (e) In passenger ships, a distress panel shall be installed at the conning
   position. This panel shall contain either one single button which, when
   pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radiocommunications
   installations required on board for that purpose or one button for each
   individual installation. The panel shall clearly and visually indicate
   whenever any button or buttons have been pressed. Means shall be provided to
   prevent inadvertent activation of the button or buttons. If the satellite
   EPIRB is used as the secondary means of distress alerting and is not
   remotely activated, it shall be acceptable to have an additional EPIRB
   installed in the wheelhouse near the conning position.

   (f) In passenger ships, information on the ship's position shall be
   continuously and automatically provided to all relevant radiocommunications
   equipment to be included in the initial distress alert when the button or
   buttons on the distress panel is pressed.

   (g) In passenger ships, a distress alarm panel shall be installed at the
   conning position. The distress alarm panel shall provide visual and aural
   indication of any distress alert or alerts received on board and shall also
   indicate through which radiocommunication service the distress alerts have
   been received.

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  68 FR 46976 , Aug. 7, 2003;  69 FR 64679 , Nov. 8, 2004]