MARINE NOTICE 13/2011
Receipt of Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
Purpose
The purpose of this Marine Notice is to advise that all ships transiting NAVAREA X or otherwise approaching the Australian coast should ensure that they can receive all Maritime Safety Information (MSI) necessary for the intended voyage.
Masters are reminded that they should ensure their Inmarsat-C Enhanced Group Calling (EGC) receivers are configured to receive MSI messages for the NAVAREA X and coastal warning areas appropriate to their intended voyage. In addition, the types of MSI to be received within the coastal warning areas need to be selected (e.g. navigational warnings).
It should be noted that ships may need to receive MSI whilst in port.
Background
MSI, as defined in Regulation IV/2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74), as amended, includes navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts, and other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships.
The Australian Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology promulgate MSI for NAVAREA X through the Inmarsat-C EGC service. Such MSI is received on board ships as a SafetyNET message. The Australian coastal area is divided into eight areas, denoted by the letters A to H. More information on MSI is provided in the Admiralty List of Radio Signals (ALRS) Volumes 3 and 5, the Australian Seafarers Handbook, the Australian Annual Notices to Mariners, Australian GMDSS Handbook and the IMO SafetyNET Manual.
MSI receiving capability is part of the mandatory equipment required to be carried on board ships under the provisions of SOLAS 74, Chapter IV (Radiocommunications) as amended.
Possible problems with the receipt of MSI
Problems with the receipt of MSI can arise. Some manufacturers use the term NAVTEX instead of SafetyNET in their user manuals for Inmarsat-C terminals, and this can cause confusion. Australia uses the Inmarsat’s SafetyNET EGC as the primary means of promulgating MSI. Australia does not provide a NAVTEX service.
It has been reported that some shipboard Inmarsat-C EGC receivers have not been correctly configured for the proper selection of EGC messages. It is important to ensure that the appropriate coastal warning areas are selected on shipboard Inmarsat-C terminals.
Ships can also obtain the latest MSI from RCC Australia via the internet. In order to obtain such MSI information by way of an automated email response, enter your email address at the URL below:
www.amsa.gov.au/Search_and_Rescue/Distress_and_Safety_Communications/Maritime_Safety_Information.asp
It is recommended that ships compare the receipt of MSI via the internet with that received via SafetyNET.
Further enquiries regarding the proper receipt of MSI can be addressed to:
Manager
Ship Inspections and Registration
Maritime Operations Division
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Graham Peachey
Chief Executive Officer
19 August 2011
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601
File: 2011/731