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LARGE YACHT CODE 2
Large Yacht Code 2 Radio Requirements Chapter 16:
Requirements for Vessels Over 300 GT
LY2 Requirements
For vessels >300 GT, full compliance with SOLAS radio surveys is mandatory, with equivalences elsewhere. Short Range yachts have relaxations (e.g., reduced equipment, no damage stability assessments).
Radio Communications
SOLAS Chapter IV equivalence (Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate required); GMDSS by sea area (A1: VHF DSC; A2-A4: MF/HF DSC, Inmarsat); 1-hour reserve power (3 hours for <300 GT, but >300 GT aligns with SOLAS); EPIRB annual test/5-year service; LRIT for ≥300 GT; at least 2 VHF handhelds; qualified operator; maintenance (duplication/shore-based). Short Range: VHF only if within coverage.
Large Yacht Code 2 Radio Requirements
16.2 Radio communications: The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Each vessel should carry sufficient radio equipment to perform the following distress and safety communications functions throughout its intended voyage:
1. transmitting ship to shore distress alerts by at least two separate and independent means, each using a different radio communication service;
2. receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;
3. transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;
4. transmitting and receiving search and rescue coordinating communications;
5. transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;
6. transmitting and receiving signals for locating by radar;
7. transmitting and receiving maritime safety information;
8. transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications.
Sources of energy
16.2.5.1
There should be available at all times, while the vessel is at sea, a supply of electrical energy sufficient to operate the radio installations and to charge any batteries used as part of a reserve source, or sources, of energy for the radio installations.
16.2.5.2
A reserve source of energy, independent of the propelling power of the vessel and its electrical system, should be provided for the purpose of conducting distress and safety radio communications for a minimum of one hour in the event of failure of the vessel's main and emergency sources of electrical power, (3 hours minimum). An independent reserve source of energy should be provided for the purpose of conducting distress and safety radio communications for a minimum of 1 hour in addition to that provided by the emergency source of electrical power.
16.2.5.3
When a reserve source of energy consists of a rechargeable accumulator battery, a means of automatically charging such batteries should be provided, which is capable of recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 hours which should include a visual and audible charger failure device.
Watches
A vessel, while at sea, should maintain a continuous watch:
1. where practicable, on VHF Channel 16;
2. where practicable, on VHF Channel 13;
3. on VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC), on channel 70;
4. if fitted with an MF / HF radiotelephone, on the distress and safety DSC frequency 2187.5kHz;
5. for satellite shore-to-ship distress alerts, if fitted, with a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by the INMARSAT enhanced group calling system;
6. for broadcasts of maritime safety information on the appropriate frequency or frequencies, on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the vessel is navigating; normally using the International NAVTEX service or INMARSAT's enhanced group calling facility. (Further information may be obtained from the Admiralty List of Radio Signals volume 5.)
Radio Personnel
A vessel should carry at least one person qualified for distress and safety radiocommunication purposes, who should hold a certificate of competence acceptable to the relevant authority.