EPIRB’s

(1) Every ship of less than 300 gross tonnage shall, by February 1, 1999 carry at least one satellite emergency position indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) which shall be capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar orbit satellite Merchant Ships (Registration) 213 service operating on the 406mhz band or, through the geostationary satellite service operation in the 1.6 Ghz band. (2) In lieu of meeting the requirements of this regulation, such ships engaged on voyages solely within sea area Al as defined in chapter IV of the 1974 SOLAS Convention may carry at least one VHF emergency position indicating radio beacon (VBF EPIRB) which shall be capable of transmitting a distress alert using digital selective calling (DSC) on VHF channel 70 and providing for locating by means of a radar transponder operating in the 9ghz band. (3) The satellite EPIRB and VHF EPIRB referred to in subregulations (1) and (2) shall be– (a) installed in an easily accessible position; (b) ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival (c) capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat; and (d) capable of being activated manually.