SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA

(SOLAS)
• Trip: Southampton, UK, to New York City, US.
• On her maiden voyage, she carried 2,224 passengers and crew.
• It only carried enough lifeboats for 1,178 people.
• It brought aboard an estimated 705 survivors.
• The disaster was greeted with worldwide shock and outrage at the huge loss
of life and the regulatory and operational failures that had led to it. Public
inquiries in Britain and the United States led to major improvements in
maritime safety. One of their most important legacies was the establishment
in 1914 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
 SOLAS CONVENTIONS
SOLAS 1914
 November 12, 1913
 Signed on January 20, 1914 at London
 Minimum standards for radio communication
and lifesaving equipment on passenger ships
SOLAS 1929
 April 16, 1929
 Requirements for safety measures on cargo ships, in addition to passenger
ship requirement, ship construction, lifesaving equipment, fire prevention
and fire fighting, wireless telegraphy equipment, navigation aids and rules
to prevent collisions. It entered into force in 1933.
 Passive Fire Protection: fire proofing and fire prevention
SOLAS 1948
 Fire detection and fire extinguishing
SOLAS 1960
 It was adopted on 17 June 1960 and entered into force on 26
May 1965
 Active Fire Protection: Ship structures stability, machinery
and electrical system, navigation, fire safety, carriage of
dangerous cargo, ship management, other safety related
subjects
SOLAS 1974
 21 October to 1 November, 1774 and entered into force in
1980
 It included not only the amendments agreed up until that
date but a new amendment procedure - the tacit acceptance
procedure- designed to ensure that changes could be made
within a specified period of time.
 NTC Radio Operator Licensing
Code Type Classification
PHN Radiotelephone Class A
Class B
Class C
RTG Radiotelegraph Class A
Class B
Class C

RTY Radioteletype
 Elements of Examination
• Element 1: Basic Law, Provisions of the Radio Laws and Regulations;
• Element 2: Basic Theory and Practice: Technical matters appropriate for
every class of license;
• Element 3: Radiotelephone: additional matters, both legal and
technical including radiotelephone theory and practice;
• Element 4: Advanced Radiotelephone: Theory and Practice applicable
to broadcast station operation;
• Element 5: Radiotelegraph: additional matters, both legal and
technical, including radiotelegraph theory and practice;
• Element 6: Advanced Radiotelegraph: Radiotelegraph theory and
practice of wider scope, particularly with respect to ship radio matters
(direction finders, auto-alarms, ship radiotelephone stations, etc.)

• A passing average of 70% is required on all elements of a written

examination; provided, that no rating shall be below 50% in any elements.
Radiotelephone third class operator license:
• Ability to transmit and receive spoken messages in
English.
• Written Examination Elements 1 and 2.

Radiotelephone second class operator license:

• Ability to transmit and receive spoken messages in
English
• Written Examination Elements 1, 2 and 3.

Radiotelephone first class operator license:

• Abilty to transmit and receive spoken messages in
English.
• Written Examination Elements 1, 2, 3 and 4.
 The following radio stations may be operated
by a first class radiotelephone operator :
• The radiotelephone station of any ship with a power of
100 watts or less.
• Low power (50 watts or less) ship radiotelephone
stations.
• A land base radiotelephone station.
• A fixed point-to-point radiotelephone station.
• A land mobile radiotelephone station.
• Aircraft stations equipped with a radio-telephone
installation but not equipped for radiotelegraphy.
• Coastal radiotelephone stations.
• Broadcast and Television stations.
 A second class radiotelephone operator may
operate the following :

• Radiotelephone ship station with a power not

exceeding 100 watts.
• Land mobile radiotelephone station.
• Fixed point-to-point radiotelephone station.
• Broadcast and television stations.
• Land base radiotelephone stations.
 A third class radiotelephone operator may
operate the following :

• Land mobile radiotelephone stations.

• Relay broadcast stations.
• Other radiotelephone stations provided there
is compliance with the restrictions provided
by the Regulation ( D.O. No. 5, Sec. 21a)
 APPLICATION A B C
The radiotelephone station of any ship with a power of 100 / /
watts or less.
Low power (50 watts or less) ship radiotelephone stations. /
A land base radiotelephone station. / /
A fixed point-to-point radiotelephone station. / /
A land mobile radiotelephone station. / / /
Aircraft stations equipped with a radio-telephone installation /
but not equipped for radiotelegraphy.
Coastal radiotelephone stations.
Coastal radiotelephone stations. /
Broadcast and Television stations. / /
Relay broadcast stations. /
Other radiotelephone stations provided there is compliance /
with the restrictions provided by the Regulation ( D.O. No. 5,
Sec. 21a)
Radiotelegraph third class operator license:
• Transmitting and receiving code test of sixteen code groups per
minute.
• Written Examination Elements 1,2 and 5

Radiotelegraph second class operator license:

• Ability to transmit and receive spoken messages in English.
• Transmitting and receiving code test of sixteen code groups per
minute.
• Written Examination Elements 1,2,5 and 6.

Radio-Telegraph first class operator license:

• Ability to transmit and receive spoken messages in English.
• Transmitting and receiving code test of twenty five words per
minute; plain language; and twenty code groups per minute.
• Written Examination Elements 1,2,5 and 6.
 A first class radiotelegraph operator may
operate the following radio stations :

• Ship radiotelegraph stations;

• Relay broadcast stations;
• All classes of radiotelegraph stations;
• All classes of radiotelephone stations whose
power do not exceed 100 watts output
 A second class radiotelegraph operator may
operate the following radio stations;

• Ship radiotelegraph stations (however, a first

class radiotelegraph operator is usually
preferred to operate a ship radio-telegraph
stations);
• All classes of radiotelephone stations whose
power do not exceed 300 watts output;
• Relay broadcast stations.
 A third class radiotelegraph operator's license
may operate the following radio stations :
• Ship radiotelegraph stations of ships for which radiotelegraph installation
is not made compulsory by law or international agreement.
• Radiotelephone stations of ships and aircraft for which only a restricted
radiotelephone operator's certificate is required.
• Other classes of radiotelephone stations and facsimile service, provided
that:
• The operator is prohibited from making adjustments that may result in
improper transmitter operation.
• The equipment is so designed that none of the operations necessary to be
performed during the course of normal rendition of service may cause off-
frequency operation or result in any authorized radiation.
• Any needed adjustment of the transmitter which may affect proper
operation of the station are regularly made by or in the presence of an
operator holding a first or second class license, either telephone or
telegraph, who shall be responsible for the proper operation of the
equipment.
Radioteletype operator license (authorized to
operate radioteletype printer):
• Ability to transmit and receive messages by
radioteletype.
• Written Examination Element 1.
Suspension of Radio Operator License
(FCC)
• Failure to carry out a lawful order of the master
or person lawfully in charge of a ship or aircraft
• Willfully damaging or permitting radio apparatus
to be damaged
• Transmitting superfluous radio communications
or signals, obscene language, false or deceptive
signals or call signs not assigned by the authority
• Willfully or maliciously interfering with any radio
communications
• Obtaining or helping anyone to
obtain an operator license by
fraudulent means
 Causes for the suspension or revocation of an
operator's license (NTC)

• Violating any provision of Act No. 3846 (Also Act 3396) as amended or any
regulations promulgated thereunder;
• Making any false statement in the application for a license or in any
reports required to be submitted by these regulations;
• Failing to comply with the conditions under which a license is issued; and
• Maliciously and intentionally causing damage to the radio equipment in a
radio station.

RA #3846: An Act Providing for the Regulation of Radio Stations and Radio
Communications in the Philippine Islands, and for Other Purposes

• Note : Before an operator's license will be revoked or suspended, he must

be given a hearing.
 PRIORITY OF RADIO MESSAGES
Condition Definition Radiotelephony Radiotelegraphy
Call Word Call Word
Distress serious or imminent danger and Mayday SOS
requires immediate assistance
Urgency safety issue concerning a person on Pan Pan XXX
board
Safety station is facing a navigation warning Security TTT
or meteorological warning
CALLING AN EMERGENCY:

“ Callword (3x), the captain of the ship gives the name of

the station he is addressing, then the ship callsign and
type. He follows this with nature of the emergency, his
intentions, his position and altitude, and any other useful
information such as the number of people on board of
the ship. (also for pilot)
 Example:
• Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!Southampton
approach, this is Autoair 3, a Piper Malibu. We
have a complete engine failure, attempting
forced landing at Beaulieu disused airfield.
Current position is one mile north of
Lymington, altitude 1500 feet, heading 340.
Two people on board.
Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan!Bristol Approache,
this is G-Dash, A Rockwell Commander. We
have rough running engine, and are diverting
to Bristol Airport. Present position is one mile
west abeam Cleveland, Flight Level 50, Heading
160. Three people on board.
 OPERATIONAL RADIO CODES:
Radio Code Description Subjective Response
Clear The transmission is ended and you expect no “I have no further traffic.”
response.
Wilco The message has been received and you will “I have received the message
comply. and I will comply.”
Break It is the reply to be acknowledged when pausing “I am changing from one part
briefly for station copying message. of the message to another.”
Over It is used to indicate a response is expected. It “Go ahead.”
informs the other station operator that it is now
his or her turn to speak.
Roger It is used when all of a transmission has been “I have received your
received and understood. message.”
Repeat It is used if only a part of the message is heard “I have received the first part
and need to be repeated. of the message only.”
Out The communication is ended. “I have completed my
communication and I do not
expect to transmit again.”
Standby The line for communication is free, “Wait for another call.”
International Phonetic Alphabet
It is a system of substituting words for corresponding
letters and allows messages to be transmitted and
received through noisy conditions.
LETTER ITU/ICAO ALTERNATIVE LETTER ITU/ICAO ALTERNATIVE

A Alpha Able, Adam N November Norway, Nancy

B Bravo Baker O Oscar Ocean, Otto

C Charlie Cocoa P Papa Peter, Pacific

D Delta Dog, David Q Quebec Queen

E Echo Easy, Edward R Romeo Roger, Radio

F Foxtrot Fox, Frank S Sierra Sugar, Susan

G Golf George, Gulf T Tango Thomas, Tokyo

H Hotel Henry U Uniform United, Union

I India Item, Ida, Italy V Victor Victory, Victoria

J Juliette Japan, Jig W Whiskey Willie, William

K Kilo King, Kilowatt X X-ray Xylophone

L Lima Love, Lewis Y Yankee Yoke, Young

M Mike Mexico, May Z Zulu Zebra, Zed, Zanzibar

 Flag Semaphore
• Flag semaphore (from the Greek sema meaning sign
and the verb phero meaning to bear; altogether the
sign-bearer) is the telegraphy system conveying
information at a distance by means of visual signals
with hand-held flags, rods, disks, paddles, or
occasionally bare or gloved hands.
• It has been described as 'Optical telegraph'.
Red and yellow flags (the OSCAR
flags) are used at sea

While in land use, the flags are blue

and white (or the PAPA) flag.
 Downfall of the System:
• They had no secrecy. Everyone within visual
distances could see the message and
therefore react to it. This proved to be one of
the design’s most fatal wartime attributes.

• They were practically invisible at night time

and during heavy fog and rain.
 CHARACTERS:
note: semaphore characters are presented as they would appear when facing the signalman

Rest / Space Numerals Attention A B

C E
D F G
Acknowledge/Correct (8x) Error

J or Letters K
H I L
Letters / Position Sign Invitation to Transmit

M N O P Q

R S T U V

W X Y Z
 Global maritime Distress and Safety System
(GDMSS)
• The Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) is an
internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of
equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety
and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.

• GMDSS consists of several systems, which are intended to perform

the following functions:
– alerting (including position determination of the unit in distress),
– Search and rescue coordination,
– locating (homing),
– maritime safety information broadcasts,
– general communications,
– and bridge-to-bridge communications.
 Components of GMDSS
1. Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Cospas-Sarsat is an international satellite-based search and rescue system,
established by Canada, France, the United States, and Russia. These four countries
jointly helped develop the 406 MHz Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB), an element of the GMDSS designed to operate with Cospas-Sarsat system.
These automatic-activating EPIRBs, now required on SOLAS ships, commercial fishing
vessels, and all passenger ships, are designed to transmit to alert rescue coordination
centers via the satellite system from anywhere in the world.

2. NAVTEX
Navtex is an international, automated system for instantly distributing maritime safety
information (MSI) which includes navigational warnings, weather forecasts and
weather warnings, search and rescue notices and similar information to ships.

3. Inmarsat
Satellite systems operated by the Inmarsat, overseen by IMSO, International Mobile
Satellite Organization are also important elements of the GMDSS. The Inmarsat
provides ship/shore, shore/ship and ship/ship store-and-forward data and email
messaging, the capability for sending preformatted distress messages to a rescue
coordination center
 GMDSS Sea Areas
• a. Sea Area A1
An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which
continuous digital selective calling (Ch.70/156.525 MHz) alerting and radiotelephony
services are available. Such an area could extend typically 30 nautical miles (56 km) to
40 nautical miles (74 km) from the Coast Station.

• b. Sea Area A2
An area, excluding Sea Area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one
MF coast station in which continuous DSC (2187.5 kHz) alerting and radiotelephony
services are available.For planning purposes this area typically extends to up to 180
nautical miles (330 km) offshore during daylight hours, but would exclude any A1
designated areas. In practice, satisfactory coverage may often be achieved out to
around 400 nautical miles (740 km) offshore during night time.
• c. Sea Area A3
An area,excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an INMARSAT
geostationary satellite. This area lies between about latitude 76 Degree
NORTH and SOUTH,but excludes A1 and/or A2 designated areas. Inmarsat
guarantee their system will work between 70 South and 70 North though it
will often work to 76 degrees South or North.
• d. Sea Area A4
An area outside Sea Areas A1, A2 and A3 is called Sea Area A4. This is
essentially the polar regions, north and south of about 70 degrees of
latitude, excluding any A1 or A2 areas.
***END OF TOPIC***