Resolution A.954(23)
PROPER USE OF VHF CHANNELS AT SEA
(adopted
on 5 December 2003)
THE
ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING
Article 15 0) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and
guidelines concerning maritime safety,
RECOGNIZING
that proper use of VHF radiocommunication channels contribute to safety of life
at sea and efficiency of navigation,
RECOGNIZING
ALSO that misuse of VHF radiocommunication channels may cause serious interference
to essential communications and is a potential danger to safety at sea,
CONSIDERING
that the risk of misuse of VHF Radiocommunication channels is more likely when
VHF equipment is operated by persons not trained in its proper use,
RECALLING
that the Radio Regulations* require that the service of every ship
radiotelephone station shall be controlled by an operator holding a certificate
issued or recognized by the Government concerned,
______________
* Radio Regulations means the Radio Regulations
annexed to, or regarded as being annexed to, the most recent international
Telecommunications Convention which is in force at any time.
RECALLING
ALSO that, for the certification of masters, chief mates and officers in charge
of a navigational watch, the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, requires
knowledge of procedures used in radiotelephone communications and ability to
use radiotelephones in particular with respect to distress, urgency, safety and
navigational messages,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
seventy-fifth session,
1.
ADOPTS the Guidelines on the Use of VHF at Sea set out in the Annex to the
present resolution;
2.
INVITES Governments to ensure that all persons on board controlling the
operation of VHF equipment shall have knowledge of procedures used in
radiotelephone communications and ability to use radiotelephones in particular
with respect to distress, urgency, safety and navigational messages;
3.
INVITES ALSO Governments to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of
all concerned;
4.
INVITES ALSO Governments to take appropriate action to ensure that VHF channels
are used correctly;
5.
AUTHORIZES the Maritime Safety Committee to keep the Guidelines under review
and amend them as appropriate;
6.
REVOKES resolution A.474(XII).
Annex.
PROPER USE OF VHF CHANNELS AT SEA
GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF VHF AT SEA
1. VHF COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
Before
transmitting, think about the subjects which have to be communicated and, if
necessary, prepare written notes to avoid unnecessary interruptions and ensure
that no valuable time is wasted on a busy channel.
Listen
before commencing to transmit to make certain that the channel is riot already
in use. This will avoid unnecessary and irritating interference.
VHF
equipment should be used correctly and in accordance with the Radio
Regulations. The following in particular should be avoided.
.1 calling on Channel 16 for
purposes other than distress, urgency and very brief safety communications when
another channel is available;
.2 communications not
related to safety and navigation on port operation channels;
.3 non-essential
transmissions, e.g. needless and superfluous signals and correspondence;
.4 transmitting without
correct identification;
.5 occupation of one
particular channel under poor conditions;
.6 use of offensive
language.
Repetition
of words and phrases should be avoided unless specifically requested by the
receiving station.
When
possible, the lowest transmitter power necessary for satisfactory communication
should be used.
1.6
Automatic identification systems (AIS)
AIS
is used for the exchange of data in communication with shore-based facilities
and also in ship-to-ship communications. The purpose of AIS is to help identify
vessels; assist in target tracking; simplify information exchange (e.g. reduce
verbal reporting); and provide additional information to assist situation
awareness. AIS may be used together with VHF voice communications. AIS should
be operated in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Onboard Operational
Use of Shipborne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)".
1.7
Communications with shore stations
1.7.1
On VHP channels allocated to the port operations service the only messages
permitted are restricted to those relating to the operational handling, the
movement and the safety of ships and, in emergency, to the safety of persons;
as the use of these channels for ship-to-ship communications may cause serious
interference to communications related to the movement and safety of shipping
in port areas.
1.7.2
Instructions given on communication matters by shore stations should be obeyed.
1.7.3
Communications should be carried out on the channel indicated by the shore
station. When a change of channel is requested, this should be acknowledged by
the ship.
1.7.4
On receiving instructions from a shore station to stop transmitting, no further
communication should be made until otherwise notified (the shore station may be
receiving distress or safety messages and any other transmissions could cause
interference).
1.8
Communications with other ships
1.8.1
VHF channel 13 is designated by the Radio Regulations for bridge-to-bridge
communications. The ship called may indicate another working channel on which
further transmissions
should
take place. The calling ship should acknowledge acceptance before changing
channels.
1.8.2
The listening procedure outlined in paragraph 1.2 should be followed before
communications are commenced on the chosen channel.
1.9.1
Distress calls/messages have absolute priority over all other communications.
When receiving them all other transmissions should cease and a listening watch
should be kept.
1.9.2
Any distress call/message should be recorded in the ship's log and passed to
the master.
1.9.3
On receipt of a distress message, if in the vicinity, immediately acknowledge
receipt. If not in the vicinity, allow a short interval of time to elapse
before acknowledging receipt of the message in order to permit ships nearer to
the distress to do so.
1.10.1
In accordance with the Radio Regulations VHF channel 16 may only be used for
distress, urgency and very brief safety communications and for calling to
establish other communications which should then be conducted on a suitable
working channel.
1.10.2
Whenever possible, a working frequency should be used for calling. If a working
frequency is not available, VHF channel 16 may be used for calling, provided it
is not occupied by a distress call/message.
1.10.3
In case of a difficulty in establishing contact with a ship or shore station,
allow adequate time before repeating the call. Do not occupy the channel
unnecessarily and try another channel.
If
communications on a channel are unsatisfactory, indicate change of channel and
await confirmation.
If
spelling becomes necessary (e.g. descriptive names, call signs, words that
could be misunderstood) use the spelling table contained in the International
Code of Signals, the Radio Regulations and the IMO Standard Marine
Communication Phrases (SMCP).
The
words "I" and "You" should be used prudently. Indicate to
whom they refer.
Example:
- Seaship, this is Port
Radar, Port Radar, do you have a pilot?
- Port Radar, this is
Seaship, I do have a pilot.
Every
ship, while at sea, is required to maintain watches (Regulation on Watches in
Chapter IV of SOLAS, 1974, as amended). Continuous watchkeeping is required on
VHF DSC channel 70 and also when practicable, a continuous listening watch on
VHP channel 16.
2. VHF COMMUNICATION PROCEDURE
When
calling a shore station or another ship, say the name of that shore station
once (twice if considered necessary in heavy radio traffic conditions) followed
by the phrase "This is" and the ship's name twice, indicating the
channel in use.
Example:
- Port City, this is
Seastar, Seastar, on Channel 14.
2.2.1
When communicating with a ship whose name is unknown but