Pursuant to the provisions of the 1974 International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and its amendments; and relevant Philippine radiocommunications laws, rules and regulations on maritime communication, specifically that of Department Orders 2001-46 and 2001-47, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) hereby promulgates the following rules and guidelines in the installation of NAVTEX receiver and EPIRB navigational aids, to wit:

I. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) - A satellite-aided measurement system that enables a ship to locate its position anytime, anywhere expressed in degrees and minutes of latitude and longitude.

1.2 NAVTEX - is a system for the broadcast and automatic reception of maritime safety information such as but not limited to navigational/meteorological warnings, search and rescue information, urgent information by means of narrow band direct printing telegraphy.

1.3 Satellite Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) - an earth station in the mobile-satellite service, the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations. A radio beacon when activated transmits the geographical coordinates of the unit in distress expressed in degrees and minutes of latitude and longitude intended to be received by the COSPAS-SARSAT System.

1.4 COSPAS-SARSAT System - A satellite-aided search and rescue system for locating distress vessels by the use of low-altitude near polar-orbiting satellites and designed to locate distress satellite EPIRB beacons.

II. SCOPE/COVERAGE

The following vessels/ships are required to be equipped with the NAVTEX Receiver and Satellite EPIRB navigational equipments

2.1 Passenger and General Cargo Vessels 150 Gross Tonnage and above;

2.2 Tankers and High Speed Crafts;

2.3 Fishing Vessels 75 Gross Tonnage and above; and

2.4 Tugboats Pushing Pulling Barges.

III. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

All navigational aids equipment must be duly licensed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in compliance with existing maritime radio laws, rules and regulations and this Circular.

IV. DATE OF MANDATORY COMPLIANCE

All vessels/ships referred to in No. II of this circular is mandated to comply with the installation and the maintenance at all times of a NAVTEX Receiver and Satellite EPIRB navigational equipment, commencing from the hereunder specified dates:

4.1 Installation of the Satellite EPIRB - on or before 30 June 2002;

4.2 Installation of the NAVTEX Receiver - on or before 30 September 2002.

No extension of the period shall be granted. Non-compliance with this mandatory date requirement shall subject the owner of ship/vessel to administrative and penal sanctions, in accordance with law.

V. ADMINISTRATIVE AND PENAL SANCTIONS

Non-compliance and/or violation of any of the provisions of this Circular and other laws, rules and regulations of this Commission shall subject the violator/respondent to the imposition of appropriate administrative and penal sanctions, in accordance with law.

VI. REPEALING CLAUSE

This supersedes any and all existing Orders, Circulars, Memoranda or any part thereof inconsistent herewith.

VII. EFFECTIVITY

This circular takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and three (3) certified copies furnished the UP Law Center.

Adopted: 14 Jan. 2002

(SGD.) ELISEO M. RIO, JR.

Commissioner

(SGD.) KATHLEEN G. HECETA



(SGD.) ARMI JANE R. BORJE



Deputy Commissioner



Deputy Commissioner