NAV 44/3/1
ANNEX1
7 Communication requirements, frequencies on
which the reports should be transmitted
.1
The reporting system in the northeastern United States
will operate independently of the system in the
southeastern United States. The system in the
northeastern United States will operate year round, and
the system in the southeastern United States will operate
from 15 November through 15 April.
.2
The systems rely on the fact that all ships 300 gross
tons and greater will be required to be equipped with
direct printing radiotelegraphy capability after February
1, 1999. Thus, the systems will require ships to report
in standard format preferably through INMARSAT C . For
those ships using INMARSAT C, the message will be sent to
the shore-based authority described in section 9.1 and a
message will be automatically transmitted back to the
ship also via INMARSAT C. Ships reporting through SITOR
or other direct printing radiotelegraphy will receive the
same message from the shore-based authority described in
section 9.2.
.3
Ships not equipped with INMARSAT C will be required to
report in standard format to the shore-based authority
described in section 9.2, either through direct printing
radiotelegraphy or MF, HF, or VHF voice communication
systems.
.4
The language used for reports in the system will be
English, using the IMO Standard Marine Communication
Phrases where necessary. Standard phrases in a prescribed
format will be used in all radiotelegraph and
radiotelephone communications.
.5
Commercially sensitive information will be kept
confidential.
.6
The United States will review the ship reporting
systems no later than five years after their
implementation date, to examine advances made in ship
communication technologies and to ensure effective
operation of the systems.
8 Relevant rules and regulations in force
The United States has taken appropriate action
to implement international conventions to which it is a party
including, where appropriate, adopting domestic legislation
and promulgating regulations through domestic law. Relevant
laws in force include domestic legislation and regulations to
implement the International Convention on Collision
Regulations, the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, the
International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships, the International Convention on Oil Pollution,
Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, the Convention on
the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
arid Flora, the International Convention for the Regulation
of Whaling, and other treaties. Relevant domestic legislation
includes the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, the Endangered
Species Act, the Whaling Convention Act, the Marine Mammal
Protection Act, the Marine Protection Resources and
Sanctuaries Act, and a variety of other acts. In some cases,
rules have been promulgated including those relating
specifically to right whales or governing ship operations.
For example, a regulation has been promulgated which
prohibits most approaches within 500 yards (460 meters) of a
northern right whale. This regulatlon, as well as other
domestic law, is implemented and enforced consistent with
international law.
9 Shore-based Authority (radar, radio communications
facilities, personnel)
.1
The shore-based authority for those ships reporting
via INMARSAT C is the United States Coast Guard. The
e-mail address to be used for this reporting will be
provided well in advance of implementation of the systems
through Notices to Mariners.
.2
The small percentage of ships that do not have
INMARSAT C capabilities will be required to contact the
nearest Coast Guard communication station, either through
direct printing radiotelegraphy or MF, HF, or VHF voice
communications systems. The United States Coast Guard
maintains communication stations along the United States
east coast. Merchant mariners are familiar with these
stations. Information received from the ships will be
sent electronically to a central location for data
storage, handling, and retrieval.
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