The 1988 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS specify in Regulation V/12(p) and (q) the requirements 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 Barbados 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 Barbados 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 Barbados ship are requested to submit the respective application accompanying documents of radionavigational equipment to be installed instead of a radio direction finder and radio equipment for homing, directly or through the nearest branch office, to the head 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 has been completed by the head office and installation of radionavigational equipment has been inspected by the branch office.

The Conditions for Exemption:
A ship of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards engaging on international voyages and complying with the following requirements:
(1) To be fitted with a radionavigational equipment suitable for use throughout its intended voyages (such as a GPS receiver or similar navigational system).
(2) for a ship constructed on or after 25th May 1980 and before 1st February 1999, to comply with the requirements of Chapter Ⅳ of the 1988 Amendments to the 1974 SOLAS concerning GMDSS.