FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

6.6.7 Replacement Technologies (radio, other or none)
Sea area A2 is defined as an area within range of a shore based MF DSC station. This
varies between 90 km at the low frequency end of the MF range at 300 kHz and 750 km
at the upper end. Range is also dependent on time of day with the greatest ranges being
achieved after the hours of darkness. Technologies that might replace MF maritime
communications include VHF communications, low power HF communications or satellite
based systems. Mandatory carriage requirements within the range for SOLAS vessels
include a 2182 kHz watch receiver and an MF radio installation capable of transmitting
and receiving DSC and radio telephony.
Public correspondence is no longer provided by UK coast stations and GMDSS DSC
includes MF at 2187.5 kHz with 2182.0 kHz used as an associated telephony frequency
with the MF SAR frequency at 2596 kHz. There are then 11 frequencies between 1641
and 2719 kHz used for MSI broadcasts. Popular MF inter-ship simplex frequencies
include 2048 kHz, 2065 kHz, 2079 kHz and 2096.5 kHz.
In principle there would seem to be scope for considering some changes to the way the
MF band is utilised in the UK especially on any remaining UK allotments within the 1985
ITU Region 1 Plan for maritime services. However it is unlikely that the 11 MSI
frequencies could be vacated quickly on safety grounds although safety broadcasts could
no doubt be accommodated by other means.
Let us examine the cost of equipping one segment of the maritime industry, perhaps the
most vulnerable to additional costs; the fishing industry. MF intership voice
communications has traditionally been used by fishing fleets to maintain contact with
other vessels as well as for other safety related activities. The 2002 Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) list of registered UK fishing vessels includes
945 fishing vessels greater than 10 metres and 3598 vessels less than 10 metres. Let us
assume around 4500 in total. Most vessels of less than 10 metres would fish within VHF
range of each other and would probably be within VHF range of the coast. Many vessels
would also be already fitted with VHF maritime equipment. Vessels of over 10 metres in
length are more likely to operate in fishing grounds remote from the UK and may require
the extended range of MF but in this case they would be remote from the UK.
In summary many of the communications requirements of inshore fleets might be
accommodated at VHF but in later sections we will also be examining the same question,
the cost of alternative means of communication in respect of alternatives to VHF. In terms
of commercial and safety communications it is feasible that low data rate satellite
communications could provide a replacement and it is likely that this would need to be
additional expenditure for most fishing vessels. Equipment costs would be in the order of
£ 2500 however a ship owner would need to pay for installation registration charges and
monthly usage rates. This is likely to be a total replacement cost to the industry of around
£15M.
A cheaper option could be to use foreign automatic MF/HF maritime Email services
especially if they become accepted as part of the GMDSS in which case a modern HF
transceiver with DSP and computer control would be required. A large upfront initial
expenditure of around £3000 – £4000 would be required. There would again be
subscription charges and the cost of messages but these are less than the cost of circuit
switched satellite connections.
In reality there is probably no substitute for basic distress MF DSC/telephony and intership
voice telephony on a small fishing vessel with the comfort of being able to solicit
advice and help from friends and colleagues in a difficult situation.
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