FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

for the purposes of distress and urgency only, and on the aeronautical auxiliary frequency
123.1 MHz for coordinated search and rescue operations, using class A3E emissions for
both frequencies (see also RR 5.200). They shall then comply with any special
arrangement between governments concerned by which the aeronautical mobile service
is regulated
6.11.4 Regulatory and Standardisation issues
The EPIRB has to comply with the Marine Equipment Directive; compliance with this
Directive guarantees automatically compliance with the relevant requirements in the
SOLAS Convention. It shall also comply with the standards and recommended practices
of ICAO, in this case Annex 10, Volume III, Part II, Chapter 5.
6.12 UHF – On Board Communications
6.12.1 Frequency Allocations (international and national)
In the maritime mobile service, the frequencies 457.525 MHz, 457.550 MHz, 457.575
MHz, 467.525 MHz, 467.550 MHz and 467.575 MHz may be used by on-board
communication stations. Where needed, equipment designed for 12.5 kHz channel
spacing using also the additional frequencies 457.5375 MHz, 457.5625 MHz, 467.5375
MHz and 467.5625 MHz may be introduced for on-board communications. The United
Kingdom has permitted the use of these additional four channels. The use of these
frequencies in territorial waters may be subject to the national regulations of the
administration concerned (RR No. 5.287). WRC-97 adopted the introduction of a channel
spacing of 12.5 kHz for maritime UHF on-board communications, to be used on a
voluntary basis.
The bands 456-459 MHz and 460-470 MHz are allocated world-wide to the fixed and
mobile services on a primary basis.
It should be noted that the frequencies 156.750 and 156.850 MHz (Appendix 18 to the
Radio Regulations, channels 15 and 17) are also available for on-board communications
subject to certain restrictions e.g. terminal power output.
On a national basis, other frequencies can be used, subject to successful coordination, if
so required. It is also likely that within Europe, licence exempt PMR446 equipment is also
used for on-board applications as well as on land.
6.12.2 Technology Description
On-board communications are voice communications and cover a wide range of
communication needs, such as internal communications on board one ship, with other
ships nearby and between one ship and its personnel on land, e.g. for mooring
operations. Low-power, hand-held equipment with frequency or phase modulation is
used. The characteristics of on-board equipment are specified in Recommendation ITU-R
M.1174 (incorporated by reference in the Radio Regulations). The UK is seeking
amendments to this recommendation in order to permit all types of data signals to be
transmitted.
6.12.3 Operational Requirements
On-board communications are not part of the GMDSS.
6.12.4 Regulatory and Standardisation Issues
On-board equipment has to comply with the R&TTE Directive.
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