CIRCULAR LETTER
MSC/Circ.1038

GUIDELINES FOR GENERAL RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS

(adopted on 21 May 2002)

The Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR), at its sixth session (18 to 22 February 2002), prepared Guidelines for General Radiocommunication which Member Governments are invited to bring to the attention of their relevant maritime Administrations, for information and action, as appropriate.

ANNEX.

GUIDELINES FOR GENERAL RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS.

1. Terminology.

1.1 General radiocommunications means operational and public correspondence traffic which could include safety related traffic other than distress, urgency and safety messages. Operational traffic could include ship movement, medical advice weather reports and other traffic related to the safe navigation of the ship, conducted by radio (SOLAS Chapter IV regulation 2.1.5).

1.2 Public correspondence means any telecommunications, which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission (ITU Radio Regulations, provision No. S1.116).

1.3 Alternative radiocommunication system means a communication system available to individuals or to ships in areas where no maritime VHF/MF public correspondence services are available.

2. Criteria.

2.1 The ship must be fully equipped for all GMOSS functions in all waters where it is sailing.

2.2 The alternative radiocommunication system or systems used for general radiocommunications in A1/A2 areas where no maritime VHF/MF public correspondence services are available should: