Radio watches

(1) Every ship fitted with VHF radiotelephone installation in accordance with regulation 105 shall at sea maintain a continuous listening watch on the navigation bridge. (a) on 156.8 (Channel 16) when practicable; or (b) for such periods and channels as may be required within an area under the jurisdiction of the Administration of a coastal state. (2) Each ship which is fitted with a radiotelephone station in accordance with regulation 104 shall, for safety purposes while Merchant Ships (Registration) 206 at sea, maintain continuous watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver, using a loudspeaker, a filtered loudspeaker or radio-telephone auto alarm. Where the radiotelephone station is equipped in accordance with regulation 9.1.2 of chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, a continuous watch need not to be kept. (3) Each ship referred to in subregulation (2) shall carry a qualified radiotelephone operator (who may be the master, or the Mate)