Sec.  80.306   Provisions governing the radiotelegraph watch.

    Link to an amendment published at  69 FR 64673 , Nov. 8, 2004.

   (a) The radio officer must use the main or reserve receiver, and
   either headphones or a loudspeaker to keep the watch on 500 kHz.

   (b) During the watch, the radio officer may temporarily interrupt the
   required watch on 500 kHz while transmitting or receiving signals or
   messages to or from a station but only if it is not feasible to
   simultaneously handle such traffic and listen on 500 kHz by split
   headphones or a loudspeaker. The watch on 500 kHz must, however,
   without exception be maintained during the silence periods.

   (c) During this watch, on vessels subject to the Communications Act
   and the Safety Convention on international voyages, the radio officer
   may discontinue listening when handling traffic on other frequencies
   or performing other essential radio duties, but only if it is
   impracticable to listen by split headphones or loudspeaker. The watch
   must always be maintained by a radio officer using headphones or
   loudspeaker during the silence periods. The term "essential radio
   duties" in this rule includes urgent repairs of radiocommunication
   equipment used for safety or radio navigational equipment by order of
   the master.

   (d) When authorized by the master, the radio officer may perform
   maintenance repair of communications, navigation or other electronic
   equipment outside of the radiotelegraph room, provided that the
   listening watch on 500 kHz can be maintained by headphones,
   loudspeakers, portable receivers, or other suitable means. The watch
   on 500 kHz must be maintained in the radiotelegraph room during the
   silence period.