Date : 07th March, 2005

NT BRANCH CIRCULAR NO. NT/RADIO/01/2005

SUBJECT : REGISTRATION OF EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACONS (EPIRBs)

1. In accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Distress and Safety Radio Communication) Rules, 1995 every EPIRB should be programmed with the Maritime Mobile Service Identification (MMSI) number allotted by the Directorate General of Shipping. All Indian ships have the MMSI number with a prefix of 419 followed by six (6) digits.
    

2. It is imperative that all EPIRBs should be programmed with this number and be registered with the Indian National Mission Control Centre (INMCC), Bangalore. Such registration shall be carried out after filling up and submitting the duly approved registration format of INMCC, Bangalore.
    

3. It has come to the notice of the Directorate that many EPIRBs installed and used on Indian ships are not registered with INMCC. This is not only against the principles of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Convention and the Merchant Shipping (Distress and Safety Radio Communication) Rules 1995, but also hinders the process of identification and extending rescue in the time of need. It has also been observed that the ships, after transfer of registry (to Indian or Foreign owners), or upon being scrapped are not only failing to inform the same to INMCC, Bangalore, but also the new ships continue to have the same MMSI number/Call sign, etc. Such irregularities have created repeated confusion with Search and Rescue (SAR) agencies all over.
    

4. In view of the circumstances explained, all Indian shipowners' are hereby advised to register the EPIRBs on their vessels with INMCC and de-register/cancel the same as and when the ships are being handed over to new owners/upon change of registry or the vessel/s being scrapped. This information must also be passed to the Directorate so that records may be updated. It is reiterated that till de-registration, any inadvertent release/false alerts from the registered EPIRB remains the responsibility of the registered owner.
    

5. Ship owners are urged to take immediate action for the safety of ships in particular, and extend help to all safety agencies concerned.

Sd/-
(Capt. V. Baijal)
Dy. Nautical Adviser to the Govt. of India-cum-
Sr. Dy. Director General (Technical)