Updates to the RMRS rules after 1 January 2024

Revised requirements in connection with the recent modernization of the GMDSS and the replacement of the text of Chapter IV “Radio communications” of the SOLAS-74 MK.
These changes apply when approving technical documentation for ships whose construction or conversion contract was concluded on 01/01/2024 or after this date, in the absence of a contract - for ships whose keels are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on 01/01/2024 or after this date , as well as when reviewing and approving technical documentation for radio equipment, the application for consideration of which was received on or after 01/01/2024.

after 01/01/2024	2023
1.2 DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
The text of the definitions has been changed: An emergency radio beacon (EPIRB) is a transmitter operating in the frequency range 406.0 - 406.1 MHz, capable of transmitting a distress signal via satellite to a rescue coordination center and transmitting signals to determine location at the scene of an incident.	Emergency radio beacon (EPIRB) is a station in the mobile service, the radiation of which serves to facilitate search and rescue operations.
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an international radiocommunication system performing the functions defined in regulation 4.1.1 of Chapter IV "Radiocommunications" of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS-74).	The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an international radiocommunication system developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the requirements for which are included in the 1988-1989 Amendments. to Chapter IV “Radiocommunications” of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (MK SOLAS-74) and to this part of the Rules.
Sea area A3 is an area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage area of ​​a recognized mobile satellite service (RMSS), supported by a ship earth station (SES) installed on a ship, providing a continuous distress alert capability.	Sea area A3 is an area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage area of ​​geostationary INMARSAT satellites that provide continuous distress alert capability.
A new definition has been added: Recognized Mobile Satellite Service (RMSS) is a service that operates via a satellite system and is recognized by the IMO for use in the GMDSS.
The definitions were removed: COSPAS-SARSAT is an international system for searching and rescuing ships and aircraft in distress, using a system of satellites in circumpolar orbits. Polar Satellite System - A system based on satellites launched into circumpolar orbits that receives and relays distress alerts from satellite EPIRBs and determines their location.
2.3 POWER SUPPLIES
2.3.4 The backup source of electrical energy must ensure simultaneous operation of radio equipment depending on the navigation areas for which the ship is equipped, as well as any of the additional loads mentioned in 2.3.7 and 2.3.8 for at least: .1 hour per all ships intended for navigation within the internal and/or external roadsteads of the port water area , as well as on ships with an emergency source of electrical energy that supplies power to radio equipment, if such a source fully meets all the relevant requirements of Part XI “Electrical Equipment” of the Classification and Construction Rules sea ​​vessels; .2 six hours on all other ships	2.3.4 The backup source of electrical energy must provide simultaneous operation of the radio equipment depending on the sea area or sea areas for which the ship is equipped, as well as any of the additional loads referred to in 2.3.7 and 2.3.8 for at least: .1 one hour on ships having an emergency source of electrical energy, if such source fully meets all relevant requirements of Part XI “Electrical Equipment” of the Rules for the Classification and Construction of Sea-Going Ships; . 2 six hours on ships that do not have an emergency source of electrical energy that fully complies with all relevant requirements of Part XI “Electrical Equipment” of the Rules for the Classification and Construction of Sea-Going Ships; .3 one hour on all vessels intended for navigation within the internal and/or external roads of the port waters.
2.5 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF RADIO EQUIPMENT
2.5.3 If the operability of the equipment is ensured by its duplication, then the duplication should include for sea areas: A1 - VHF radiotelephone station with DSC; A2 - VHF radiotelephone station with DSC and MF radiotelephone station with DSC; A3 - a VHF radiotelephone station with DSC and either a PPSS SES or a MF/HF radio installation, while the PPSS SES with less coverage will determine the coverage area of ​​the A3 sea area as the main system; A4 - VHF radiotelephone station with DSC and MF/HF radio installation.	2.5.3 If the operability of the equipment is ensured by its duplication, then the duplication for sea area A1 should include a second VHF radio installation, and for sea areas A1 and A2, in addition to the above-mentioned radio equipment, a second MF radio installation or a ship earth station of a recognized mobile satellite should be included services. Duplication for sea areas A1, A2 and A3, and A1, A2, A3 and A4 is ensured by including in the equipment a second VHF radio installation, as well as a PPSS SES with an RGV receiver specified in 2.1.1.
2.5.8 Each ship operating in sea areas A3 or A4, regardless of the methods of maintenance and repair of radio equipment, must always have: .1 technical descriptions and operating and maintenance manuals for each type of radio equipment and chargers issued by the equipment manufacturer, in English or the working language of the ship's crew;	2.5.8 Each ship performing voyages in sea areas A1, A2 and A3 or A1, A2, A3 and A4, regardless of the methods of maintenance and repair of radio equipment, must always have: .1 technical descriptions and operating and maintenance manuals for each type of radio equipment and chargers in English
3.3 PLACEMENT OF RADIO EQUIPMENT ON THE NAVIGATION BRIDGE
3.3.10 A free-floating EPIRB must be placed in accordance with 3.5.	3.3.10 The satellite EPIRB of the COSPAS-SARSAT system must be placed in accordance with 3.5.
3.3.13 On passenger ships operating in sea areas A2, A3 or A4 , the following requirements must additionally be met: .1 a distress warning panel must be installed on the navigation bridge. This panel shall contain either one button which, when pressed, will give a distress alert to all radio installations required on board for this purpose, or one button for each individual radio installation. This panel must clearly and clearly indicate that a button or buttons have been pressed.	3.3.13 On passenger ships, the following requirements must additionally be met: .1 a distress warning panel must be installed on the navigation bridge. This panel shall contain either one button which, when pressed, will give a distress alert to all radio installations required on board for this purpose, or one button for each individual radio installation. This panel must clearly and clearly indicate that a button or buttons have been pressed.
If a free-floating EPIRB is used as a second independent means of distress alerting and is not remotely operated, an additional EPIRB shall be provided and installed near the radio communications station (see 3.5.1) .2 The ship's position information shall be continuously and automatically be sent to all relevant radio communications equipment for inclusion in the initial distress alert when a button or buttons on the distress alert panel are pressed; .3 an alarm panel indicating the receipt of a distress alert should be installed at the radio communication work station. This panel must provide a visual and audible indication of the receipt of the distress alert and also indicate through which radio service the alert was received; .4 on the navigation bridge, in a visible place , VHF two-way radiotelephone communication equipment with aircraft should be located , which can be either stationary or portable	If a COSPAS-SARSAT satellite EPIRB is used as a second independent means of distress alerting and is not remotely activated, then an additional COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB must be provided , installed near the radio communications operating station (see 3.5.1); .2 the ship's position information should be continuously and automatically transmitted to all relevant radiocommunication equipment for inclusion in the initial distress alert when a button or buttons are pressed on the distress alert panel; . 3 The alarm panel for receiving a distress alert must be installed at the radio communications station. This panel shall provide visual and audible indication of the receipt of the distress alert and shall also indicate through which radio service the alert was received.
3.4 LOCATION OF VHF TWO-WAY RADIOTELEPHONE EQUIPMENT AND VHF TWO-WAY RADIOTELEPHONE EQUIPMENT WITH AIRCRAFT
3.4.2 Fixed VHF two-way radiotelephone communication equipment of the lifeboat should be located in such a way that its functionality is not impaired when the lifeboat is filled with water to the level of the upper cans	3.4.2 Fixed VHF two-way radiotelephone communication equipment of the lifeboat must be located in accordance with the requirements of Part II "Life-saving appliances" in such a way that its functionality is not impaired when the lifeboat is filled with water to the level of the upper cans
3.5 POSITIONING OF EMERGENCY RADIO BEACONS
3.5.1 An emergency radio beacon (ERB) intended for use as a second independent means of giving a distress alert and not operated remotely should be installed near the ship's control position so that it can be immediately accessed for issuing a distress alert, detachable by hand and easily carried into any lifeboat or life raft by one person. 3.5.2 A free-floating EPIRB must be installed on the open deck so that it does not move in extreme conditions and floats freely when the ship is flooded. It must be immediately accessible for detachment and manual distress alerts and capable of being quickly and conveniently carried into any lifeboat or liferaft by one person. 3.5.3 Each EPIRB installation location must have a clearly visible symbol in accordance with the provisions of IMO resolution A.1116(30).	3.5.1 A COSPAS-SARSAT satellite distress beacon intended for use as a second independent means of alerting in the event of a distress alert and not being activated remotely should be installed near the ship's control position so that it can be immediately accessed for alerting purposes. in distress, can be separated by hand and can be easily carried into any lifeboat or life raft by one person. 3.5.2 A free-floating satellite emergency radio buoy of the COSPAS-SARSAT system must be installed on the open deck so that it does not move in extreme conditions and floats freely when the ship is flooded. It must be immediately accessible for detachment and manual distress alerts and capable of being quickly and conveniently carried into any lifeboat or liferaft by one person. 3.5.3 Each emergency beacon installation location must have a clearly visible symbol in accordance with the requirements of Part II "Life-saving appliances".
3.6 PLACEMENT OF DEVICES TO INDICATE THE POSITION OF THE VESSEL AND LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE PURPOSES
3.6.1 Each ship shall be provided with at least one device for indicating the position of life-saving appliance for search and rescue purposes: a radar transponder or an AIS transmitter. The device for indicating the location of a life-saving appliance for search and rescue purposes must be installed in such a place that it can be quickly transferred to any collective life-saving appliance other than the raft or rafts required by 4.1.1.4, Part II "Life-saving appliances". Alternatively, one device indicating the location of a life-saving appliance for search and rescue purposes shall be installed in each collective life-saving appliance, except as required by 4.1.1.4, Part II Life-Saving Appliances. On ships equipped with at least two search and rescue locating devices and equipped with free-fall lifeboats, one of the search and rescue locating devices shall be located in the free-fall lifeboat , and the other must be located in the immediate vicinity of the navigation bridge in such a way that it can be used on board and be ready for transfer to any collective survival craft. 3.6.2 Each location of a vessel position indicating device and search and rescue life-saving appliance (radar transponder or AIS transmitter) shall have a clearly visible symbol in accordance with the provisions of IMO resolution A.1116(30).	3.6.1 The placement of devices for indicating the location of the ship and life-saving appliances for search and rescue purposes (radar transponders or AIS transmitters) must meet the requirements of Part II “Life-saving appliances”. 3.6.2 Each location of a device for indicating the position of a ship and a life-saving appliance for search and rescue purposes (radar transponder or AIS transmitter) must have a clearly visible symbol in accordance with the requirements of Part II "Life-Saving Appliances".
3.7 INSTALLATION OF CABLE NETWORK
3.7.3 The radio equipment must be powered from the radio equipment distribution board in accordance with the requirements of Part XI “Electrical Equipment” of the Rules for the Classification and Construction of Sea-Going Ships. At the distribution board of radio equipment in outgoing feeders, switching and protective equipment must be provided for each type of radio equipment. Connecting consumers unrelated to radio equipment to the radio equipment board is not allowed.	3.7.3 The radio equipment must be powered from the radio equipment distribution board in accordance with the requirements of Part XI “Electrical Equipment” of the Rules for the Classification and Construction of Sea-Going Ships. The radio equipment distribution board must receive power from the main distribution board and the emergency distribution board via two independent feeders. At the distribution board of radio equipment in outgoing feeders, switching and protective equipment for each type of radio equipment must be provided. Connecting to the radio equipment switchboard consumers not related to the radio equipment is not allowed.
4.2 MF/HF ANTENNAS	4.2 MF ANTENNA
4.2.1 Antennas must provide the ability to tune transmitters to any frequency in the range and provide the required radio communication range. Receiving antennas can be of any type that meets the requirements of the Rules. 4.2.2 The antenna or pedestal mounting structure must withstand the load from rocking and vibration. 4.2.3 The wire antenna must have a device for quickly replacing it with a spare antenna and a device to prevent breakage under strong tension (for example, a safety loop with a mechanical fuse in the antenna cord). The breaking force of the mechanical fuse should be no more than 0.3 of the breaking force of the antenna rope. The safety device must provide sufficient tension relief on the antenna, but must not allow the antenna to touch the superstructure, rigging and hull of the vessel. A device to prevent breakage may not be provided if the antenna has a length not exceeding 25 m and is suspended between supports that are not subject to sudden fluctuations. 4.2.4 Whip antennas must be installed vertically as far as possible and located on an elevated place on the ship at a distance of at least 1 meter from conductive structures. 4.2.5 Pay attention to self-supporting vertical antennas and their swing radius. 4.2.6 The recommended minimum antenna length is 8 meters. 4.2.7 The wire from the base of the antenna to the antenna-matching device must be insulated and positioned as vertically as possible (at least an angle of 45° to the horizontal plane). 4.2.8 For the transmitting antenna, the recommended insulation resistance to ground should be more than 50 MΩ in dry weather and at least 5 MΩ in wet weather (the transmitter must be turned off when measuring).	4.2.1 The antenna must provide the ability to tune transmitters to any frequency in the range and provide the required radio communication range. Receiving antennas can be of any type that meets the requirements of the Rules. 4.2.2 When using an L- or T-shaped beam antenna, it must have a device for quickly replacing it with a spare antenna and a device to prevent breakage under strong tension (for example, a safety loop with a mechanical fuse in the antenna halyard). The breaking force of the mechanical fuse should be no more than 0.3 of the breaking force of the antenna rope. The safety device must provide sufficient tension relief on the antenna, but must not allow the antenna to touch the superstructure, rigging and hull of the vessel. A device to prevent breakage may not be provided if the antenna has a length not exceeding 25 m and is suspended between supports that are not subject to sudden fluctuations.
4.3 VHF ANTENNA
4.3.1 VHF antennas should be located, as far as possible, in a high and clear location, with a horizontal separation of at least 2 meters from structures made of conductive materials. Antennas must be far enough away from potential sources of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), such as LED navigation lights, to avoid degrading receiver performance. Vertical separation may be an effective mitigation measure. 4.3.2 VHF antennas must be vertically polarized. 4.3.3 Where possible, all VHF antennas should be located at different vertical levels. 4.3.4 The placement of mandatory VHF antennas should take precedence over mobile phone antennas. If they are located on the same level, then the distance between them should be at least 5 meters. 4.3.5 It is recommended to use a double shielded cable with a maximum attenuation of 3 dB. 4.3.6 All external coaxial cable connectors shall be watertight in design to prevent water from entering the antenna cable.	4.3.1 The VHF antenna must have vertical polarization and be installed in a place that is as free as possible and elevated above the deck, at a horizontal distance of at least 2 m from ship structures. 4.3.2 The antenna must be installed at the greatest height in such a way as to ensure effective radiation and reception of signals at all operating frequencies.
Also replacing the table in Appendix 3 “List of IMO resolutions and circulars, ITU recommendations, IEC and ISO standards, other external documents applicable when carrying out type approval work for ship radio equipment”
The navigation areas became separate A1, A2, A3, A4. That is, conditionally, a vessel can only sail in navigation areas A1, A4, bypassing A2, A3. Sea area A3 means the area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage area of ​​a recognized mobile satellite service supported by a ship earth station (SES) on board and in which continuous alerting is available. This means that sea area A3 is dependent on the specific Recognized Satellite Service (RMSS) SES equipment installed on the ship. For example, for a ship equipped with Inmarsat SES, sea area A3 for that ship will be from approximately 70°S. up to 70°N (i.e. coverage area of ​​the Inmarsat satellite system). For a ship equipped with Iridium SES, sea zone A3 will be the entire globe. If two SES are installed, then the SES with less coverage will determine the vessel's coverage area. VHF Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), which are not widely used, are no longer acceptable for GMDSS purposes. (Currently this is an option only for vessels certified for sea area A1 only.) These will need to be replaced with other acceptable equipment, such as a satellite EPIRB. Below are examples of the minimum equipment of ships depending on the navigation areas:
Radio equipment documentation received before the new regulations take effect will be valid until the end date. Due to changes, the rules do not need to be updated.