Bulletin No.: 09/2001

Date (Y-M-D): 2001-11-01

Subject: New Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon ( EPIRB ) Carriage Requirements for Commercial Vessels

Commencing the 1^st April 2002, all commercial vessels (including fishing vessels) that are 8 metres or more in length making Home Trade Class I,
Home Trade Class II, or Foreign voyages must carry a 406 MHz EPIRB (ref. S.13 - Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999). While this EPIRB may be float-free or manually-activated, the carriage of a float-free EPIRB is recommended where practicable.

As of 1^st April 2001, all commercial vessels (including fishing vessels) that are less than 20 metres (65 feet) in length, but 15 gross tonnage or more, making Home Trade Class I, Home Trade Class II or Foreign voyages were required to fit a float-free EPIRB .

Since 1989, all commercial vessels (including fishing vessels) 20 metres or more in length have required a float-free EPIRB on Foreign, Home Trade and Inland Waters voyages. Only Home Trade IV and Minor waters voyages are excluded from this requirement.

Registration

To be effective EPIRB s must be registered in the National SAR Secretariat's 406MHz beacon registry (telephone 1-800-727-9414 and facsimile 1-613-996-3746). EPIRB s purchased outside of Canada must be reprogrammed with a Canadian EPIRB identity. A list of EPIRB s approved for use in Canada is available on the Internet at http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/Ships-and-operations-standards/nav-saf-rad-com/gmdss-equipment.htm

Other Requirements

Float-free EPIRB s must not be fitted under ledges or structures that would impede their ability to float free.

Both manually-activated EPIRB s and float-free EPIRB s must be readily accessible so that in the event of an emergency, it is available for immediate use.

EPIRB s must be tested, using the "TEST" button, by the operator every 6 months. This test must be recorded in the radio log.

EPIRB battery packs and hydrostatic release units must be replaced per the manufacturer's recommendations.

To add or change your address, contact us at: marinesafety@tc.gc.ca

Owners of commercial vessels, registered and licensed, automatically receive Bulletins.