Acts Online
GT Shield

Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

Regulations

Merchant Shipping (EPIRB Registration) Regulations, 2002

2. Interpretation

 

In these regulations any word or expression given a meaning in the Act has the meaning so given and, unless the context indicates otherwise—

 

"contravene"

in relation to a provision of these regulations, includes failing or refusing to comply with that provision;

 

"COSPAS-SARSAT satellite service

means a satellite aided search and rescue system designed to locate distress beacons transmitting in the 406 MHz band and on other frequencies;

 

"INMARSAT"

means the Organization established by the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization adopted on 3 September 1976;

 

"MID"

means Maritime Identification Digits, being the three digits within the MMSI that identify the country where the ship is registered;

 

"MMSI"

means Maritime Mobile Service Identity, being, in the case of an EPIRB, a nine-digit identification number made up of the three-digit MID followed by a six-digit identification number;

 

"operator"

in relation to a ship, includes the owner and any charterer, manager or agent of the ship;

 

"radio installation"

means any radio installation fitted on board a ship, including its associated antennas, interconnecting circuits and, where appropriate, sources of energy;

 

"satellite EPIRB"

means an emergency position-indicating radio beacon capable of transmitting a distress alert either through the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite service operating in the 406 MHz band or through the INMARSAT geostationary satellites operating in the 1.6 GHz band;

 

"survival craft"

means a craft capable of sustaining the lives of persons in distress from the time of abandoning ship;

 

"the Act"

means the Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951).