1. The Government has recently notified the Society that they are taking steps to establish Sea Area A1 (the area within 30 miles of Singapore) and Sea Area A2 (the area within 200 miles of Singapore but outside Sea Area A1) around their coastal waters, and ships plying solely within Sea Area A1 may be fitted with GMDSS equipment for Sea Area A1 and ships plying solely within Sea Areas A1 and A2 may be fitted with GMDSS equipment for Sea Areas A1 and A2.

2. Qualifications and number of radio personnel required on board Singapore flag GMDSS ships are given in NK Technical information No.169 of 20 October 1995.
The Government has, however, notified the Society of the change of the qualifications and number of radio personnel required on board Singapore flag SMDSS ships, which are reproduced below for your reference.

Radio Personnel Required on Board Singapore Flag GMDSS Ships

Sea Areas Required Radio Personnel
Sea Area A1 One person (non-exclusive* person) holding at least a GMDSS Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC)
Sea Areas A1+A2 One person (non-exclusive*) holding a GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC)
Sea Areas A1+A2+A3 Minimum two persons (non-exclusive*) holding GMDSS GOC, or One person (exclusive**) holding a GMDSS GOC
*:"Non-exclusive"means the person not employed exclusively for the purpose of carrying out duties of distress and safety radiocommunications and other routine radiocommunications. However, one of them if two are carried or otherwise that one person shall be designated to have primary responsibility for radiocommunications during distress incidents.
**:"Exclusive"means the person employed exclusively as an officer for the purpose of carrying out duties of distress and safety radiocommunications and other routine radiocommunications. The person shall have the primary responsibility for radiocommunications during distress incidents.

The End

Department in Charge : Material and Equipment Department
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