The 1988 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS specify in Regulation V/12(p) and (q) therequirements for installation of a radio direction finder and radio equipment for homing, and for exemption from their installation under certain conditions.

In this respect, the Bahamas Government has just notified the Society that the Government permits the Society to grant exemption from installation of a radio direction finder and radio equipment for homing on board a Bahamas ship if it complies with certain conditions specified by the Government and to issue an exemption certificate to it.

Shipowners or shipbuilders who may wish to apply for exemption from installation of a radio direction finder and radio equipment for homing for a Bahamas ship are requested to submit the respective application accompanying documents of radionavigation equipment to be installed instead of a radio direction finder and radio equipment for homing, directly or through the nearest branch office, to thehead office of the Society.
The branch office will issue an exemption certificate exempting the installation of a radio direction finder and radio equipment for homing after the review of the documents is completed by the head office and installation of radionavigation equipment is inspected by the branch office.

The conditions for exemption specified by the Government are that a ship is:

(1) 1600 tons gross tonnage and upward engaging on international voyages, which fully complies with the requirement of Chapter Ⅲ and Chapter Ⅳ of the 1988 amendments to the 1974 SOLAS relating to GMDSS; and
(2) to be fitted with at least dual radionavigation equipment each suitable for use throughout its intended voyages (such as two GPSs).

The end