§ 80.1061   Special requirements for 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB stations.

   (a)  Notwithstanding  the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section,
   406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRBs must meet all the technical and performance standards
   contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services document
   entitled RTCM 11000.2 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), and must also
   comply with the standards specified in § 80.1101(c)(5).

   (b) The 406.0-406.1 EPIRB must contain as an integral part a “homing” beacon
   operating only on 121.500 MHz that meets all the requirements described in
   the RTCM Recommended Standards document described in paragraph (a) of this
   section. The 121.500 MHz “homing” beacon must have a continuous duty cycle
   that may be interrupted during the transmission of the 406.0-406.1 MHz
   signal only. Additionally, at least 30 percent of the total power emitted
   during any transmission cycle must be contained within plus or minus 30 Hz
   of the carrier frequency.

   (c) Prior to submitting a certification application for a 406.0-406.1 MHz
   radiobeacon, the radiobeacon must be certified by a test facility recognized
   by one of the COSPAS-SARSAT Partners that the equipment satisfies the design
   characteristics  associated  with the measurement methods described in
   COSPAS-SARSAT Standard C/S T.001 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), and
   COSPAS-SARSAT Standard C/S T.007 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7).
   Additionally, the radiobeacon must be subjected to the environmental and
   operational tests associated with the test procedures described in Appendix
   A of RTCM Standard 11000.2 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), by a test
   facility accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for this purpose. Information
   regarding  accepted  test  facilities  may be obtained from Commandant
   (CG-5214), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd St. SW., Stop 7126, Washington, DC
   20593-7126, http://www.uscg.mil.hq/cg5/cg5214/epirbs.asp.

   (1) After a 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB has been certified by the recognized test
   facilities the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the
   Commandant (CG-5214), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW., Stop 7126,
   Washington, DC 20593-7126:

   (2) After reviewing the information described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
   section  the  U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the
   radiobeacon satisfies all RTCM Recommended Standards.

   (d) A certification application for a 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB submitted to the
   Commission must also contain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard letter that
   states the radiobeacon satisfies all RTCM Recommended Standards, a copy of
   the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s).

   (e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
   Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager for the 406.0-406.1
   MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be programmed in each EPIRB unit to
   establish  a  unique  identification for each EPIRB station. With each
   marketable EPIRB unit, the manufacturer or grantee must include a postage
   pre-paid  registration card printed with the EPIRB identification code
   addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, NSOF, E/SPO53, 1315 East West
   Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910-9684. The registration card must request the
   owner's name, address, telephone number, type of ship, alternate emergency
   contact and other information as required by NOAA. The registration card
   must also contain information regarding the availability to register the
   EPIRB   at   NOAA's   online   web-based   registration  database  at:
   http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov. In addition, the following statement
   must be included: “WARNING—failure to register this EPIRB with NOAA before
   installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being issued to the
   owner.”

   (f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that each
   406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB be registered with NOAA before installation and that
   information be kept up-to-date. Therefore, in addition to the identification
   plate or label requirements contained in § § 2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter,
   each 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB must be provided on the outside with a clearly
   discernible permanent plate or label containing the following statement:
   “The  owner  of  this  406.0-406.1  MHz  EPIRB  must register the NOAA
   identification code contained on this label with the National Oceanic and
   Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose address is: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon
   Registration,  NSOF,  E/SPO53,  1315  East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD
   20910-9684.” Vessel owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon change of
   vessel or EPIRB ownership, transfer of EPIRB to another vessel, or any other
   change in registration information. NOAA will provide registrants with proof
   of registration and change of registration postcards.

   (g) For 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRBs whose identification code can be changed
   after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plate or label must
   be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.

   [ 68 FR 46974 , Aug. 7, 2003, as amended at  69 FR 64678 , Nov. 8, 2004;  73 FR 4488 , Jan. 25, 2008;  76 FR 67616 , Nov. 2, 2011;  79 FR 77918 , Dec. 29, 2014]

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Subpart W—Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

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General Provisions

   This subpart contains the rules applicable to the Global Maritime Distress
   and Safety System (GMDSS). Every ship of the United States subject to part
   II of title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must
   comply with the provisions of this subpart. The rules in this subpart are to
   be read in conjunction with the applicable requirements contained elsewhere
   in this part; however, in case of conflict, the provisions of this subpart
   shall govern with respect to the GMDSS. For the purposes of this subpart,
   distress and safety communications include distress, urgency, and safety
   calls and messages.

   Source:  57 FR 9065 , Mar. 16, 1992, unless otherwise noted.

   Note: No provision of this subpart is intended to eliminate, or in anyway
   modify, other requirements contained in this part with respect to part II of
   title III of the Communications Act.

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