Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsMerchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations, 2002Part 3 : Non-GMDSS Requirements28. Sources of energy (VHF radiotelephone installation) |
| (1) | At all times while a ship to which this Part applies is at sea and at all reasonable times when it is in port, there must be available a source of energy sufficient to operate the VHF radiotelephone installation at its nominal rated output power. |
| (2) | Where batteries are provided as a source of energy for any part of the VHF radiotelephone installation, they must have the capacity required by subregulation (1) and must be maintained at all times while at sea in such condition as to be able to supply continuously for at least six hours a total current equal to the sum of— |
| (a) | the current consumption of the VHF receiver; and |
| (b) | one fifth of the current consumption of the VHF transmitter. |
| (3) | In every ship to which this Part applies, being a fishing vessel of 24 metres or more in length or a passenger ship, means must be provided, where practicable, to operate the VHF radiotelephone installation from an alternative source of energy situated in the upper part of the ship, unless the source of energy referred to in subregulation (1) is situated there. The alternative source of energy may be the reserve source of energy required by regulation 34(3), in which case the VHF usage thereof is to be limited to distress, urgency and safety communications. |
| (4) | Where provision is made for operating the VHF radiotelephone installation from alternative sources of energy, clearly indicated means must be provided for rapid changing from one source of energy to another. |