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

Regulations

Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Training and Certification) Regulations, 2013

Annexes

Annex 1 : Watchkeeping Principles and Arrangements for Ships other than Fishing Vessels

Part 3 : Watchkeeping at sea

Division 4 - Principles to be observed in keeping a radio watch

Purchase

1 General

Masters and radio watchkeeping personnel shall comply with the following provisions to ensure that an adequate safety radio watch is maintained while the ship is at sea. In complying with this annex, account shall be taken of regulation 16 and the radio regulations.

2 Watch arrangements

In deciding the arrangements for the radio watch, the master of every ship shall:

(1)	ensure that the radio watch is maintained in accordance with the relevant provisions of the radio regulations;

(2)	ensure that the primary duties for radio watchkeeping are not adversely affected by attending to radio traffic not relevant to the safe movement of the ship and safety of navigation; and

(3)	take into account the radio equipment fitted on board and its operational status.

3 Performing the radio watch

(1)	The radio operator performing radio watchkeeping duties shall:

(a)	ensure that watch is maintained on the frequencies specified in the radio regulations; and

(b)	while on duty, regularly check the operation of the radio equipment and its sources of energy and report to the master any observed failure of this equipment.

(2)	The requirements of the radio regulations relating to the keeping of a radiotelegraph or radio log, as appropriate, shall be complied with.

(3)

The maintenance of radio records, in compliance with the requirements of the radio regulations, is the responsibility of the radio operator designated as having primary responsibility for radio communications during distress incidents. The following shall be recorded, together with the times at which they occur:

(a)	a summary of distress, urgency and safety radio communications;

(b)	important incidents relating to the radio service;

(c)	where appropriate, the position of the ship at least once per day;

(d)	a summary of the condition of the radio equipment, including its sources of energy.

(4)	The radio records shall be kept at the distress communications operating position, and shall be made available for inspection by the master, a surveyor, or any duly authorised officer carrying out port State control.