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Written question asked by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 January 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 January 2021. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Friday, 15 January 2021 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Merchant Shipping: Radio Frequencies

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Goldie on 10 December 2020 (HL10934), what tests they have conducted with British merchant ships contacting UK maritime authorities using (1) High Frequency, or (2) Single Side Band, radio communications from the (a) North Atlantic, (b) South Atlantic, (c) Indian, and (d) Pacific, oceans since the closure of Portishead radio station.

Answer

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has not conducted any specific testing of radiocommunications with UK merchant ships.

Under the Safety of Life At Sea Convention, it is the responsibility of operators of merchant ships to ensure that those ships carry communications equipment that is consistent with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which provides an internationally operated maritime communications service.

UK-registered and regulated ships must have radio installations capable of GMDSS communications to shore for their sea areas of operation. In ocean regions they may choose to have either High Frequency (HF) radio or satellite communications, and in polar regions HF is mandatory.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL11793
Session
2019-21
Related items
Submarines
Thursday, 10 December 2020
Written questions
House of Lords
Merchant Shipping: Navigational Aids
Friday, 5 February 2021
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Closures Merchant shipping Radio frequencies Testing Portishead
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk