Regional Arrangement concerning the Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways

concluded in Basel between the Administrations of the following countries:

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Preamble

The undersigned delegates of the Administrations of the above-mentioned countries, willing to implement common safety principles and rules for people and goods on Inland Waterways, considering that the harmonisation of the radiotelephone service shall contribute to a safer navigation on Inland Waterways, particularly in case of bad weather conditions, having held a Regional Conference in Basel in accordance with Article S6 of the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), adopted by mutual consent, subject to the approval of this Arrangement, the following provisions concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways in Europe.

Chapter I

Terminology

Article 1 Definitions

In the present Arrangement, the terms not defined here in retain the meaning given to them in the Constitution, Convention and in the Radio Regulations (RR) of the International Telecommunication Union.

Radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways

International mobile VHF and UHF radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways.

The radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways enables the establishment of radiocommunications for specific purposes by using agreed channels and an agreed operational procedure (service categories).

The radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways comprises five service categories:

- ship-to-ship,

- nautical information,

- ship-to-port authorities,

- on board communications,

- public correspondence (service on a non-mandatory basis).

Service category ship-to-ship

Radiocommunications between ship stations.

Service category nautical information

Radiocommunications between ship stations and stations of the authorities responsible for the operational services on Inland Waterways. The stations of the above-mentioned

authorities can be either land stations or mobile stations.

Service category ship-to-port authorities

Radiocommunications between ship stations and stations of the authorities responsible for the operational services in Inland Ports. The stations of the above-mentioned authorities shall be preferably land stations.

Service category on board communications

Internal radiocommunications on board a ship or radiocommunications within a group of vessels being towed or pushed, as well as for line handling and mooring instructions.

Service category public correspondence

Radiocommunications between ship stations and the public national and international telecommunication networks.

Ship station

A mobile station in the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways located on board a ship, which is not permanently moored.

Contracting Administrations

Contracting Administrations are

- Administrations of the countries who have signed and approved the Arrangement (Article 6),

- Administrations of the countries who have acceded to the Arrangement and approved it (Article 8).

Chapter II

General provisions for the operation of the service

Article 2 Administrative provisions for ship stations

The administrative provisions for ship stations are dealt with in Annex 1.

Article 3 Use of frequencies

The VHF frequencies to be used have been chosen from Appendix S18 of the Radio Regulations and are numbered in accordance with that Appendix.

The UHF frequencies to be used have been chosen from No. S5.287 of the Radio Regulations.

The channels, transmitting frequencies, effective radiated power (ERP) or output power (OP) of equipment and service categories are shown in Annex 2.

Article 4 Operational and technical requirements of the radio equipment on board ships

The operational and technical requirements of the equipment on board ships are dealt with in Annex 3.

The equipment shall be of a type which is in accordance with Annexes 2 and 3.

Article 5 Operating procedures

Annex 4 contains provisions concerning the operating procedures.

Chapter III

Application of the arrangement

Article 6 Administrative Handling and Approval of the Arrangement

The Belgian Administration is entrusted with the handling of the general correspondence concerning the Arrangement.

The contracting Administrations shall notify their approval of the Arrangement as soon as practicable to the Belgian Administration.

The latter shall notify such approval to the other contracting Administrations.

Article 7 Execution of the Arrangement

The contracting Administrations declare that they adopt and will apply the provisions of the Arrangement, its Annexes, its Resolutions and, as far as practicable, its Recommendations.

With the exception of the service categories ship-to-ship and on board communications, the supply of services defined is left to the discretion of the contracting Administrations.

Article 8 Accession to the Arrangement

Any Administration which has not signed the Arrangement may at any time deposit an instrument of accession and approval to the Administration of Belgium, which shall immediately inform the other Administrations. Accession to the Arrangement shall be made without reservations and shall apply to the Arrangement as it stands at the time of accession.

Accession to the Arrangement and the approval will become effective on the date on which the instrument of accession and approval are received by the Belgian Administration.

Article 9 Revision of the Arrangement

The Arrangement shall be revised only by a conference of the contracting Administrations. Such a conference shall be convened at the request of at least two of the contracting Administrations sent to the Belgian Administration.

Article 10 Modification of the Annexes

Contracting Administrations shall be entitled to submit proposals for a modification of the Annexes of the Arrangement to the Belgian Administration. Such proposals shall contain a time schedule for implementation of the proposed modification. The Belgian Administration shall inform the other contracting Administrations within 60 days. All contracting Administrations shall respond in writing within 6 months to the proposed modifications. Agreement of contracting Administrations having not responded within this 6 months period shall be assumed. The Belgian Administration shall notify the other contracting Administrations of the accepted modification within 30 days.

Article 11 Denunciation of the Arrangement

Any contracting Administration shall have the right at any time to denounce the Arrangement by a notification sent to the Belgian Administration, which shall inform the other contracting Administrations. Such denunciation shall take effect after a period of six months from the date of receipt of the notification by the Belgian Administration.

Article 12 Coordination of frequency assignments

Frequency assignments and their coordination shall as far as practicable be made in accordance with the `Agreement between the telecommunication authorities on the coordination of frequencies between 29,7 MHz and 960 MHz for Fixed Service and Land Mobile Service, Vienna, 1993' in the latest version in force and for those countries that are not parties to the aforementioned Coordination Agreement, they shall as far as practicable be made in accordance with the Recommendation T/R 25-08 of the Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) or be made in accordance with bi- or multilateral agreements.

Article 13 Notification of this Arrangement to the ITU

In accordance with Article S6 of the Radio Regulations the Belgian Administration shall notify to the Secretary-General of the ITU the conclusion and content of this Arrangement and shall provide details of:

- any Administration which accedes to this Arrangement;

- any Administration which denounces this Arrangement;

- the expiry of the Arrangement.

Chapter IV

Final provisions

Article 14 Entry into force

The present Arrangement shall enter into force on 1 August 2000. It shall from this same date replace the Regional Arrangement concerning the Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways concluded in Brussels on 25 January 1996.

In witness whereof the undersigned Delegates of the Administrations of the countries mentioned above have, on behalf of their respective Administrations, signed the originals in each of the French, English and German language, of which, in case of dispute, the French text shall be authentic. These originals shall remain deposited in the Archives of the Belgian Administration and one certified copy in each language shall be forwarded to each contracting Administration.

Done at Basel, 6 April 2000.

Annex 1

Administrative provisions for ship stations

1. General

1.1 Ship Station Licences

For the establishment and for the operation of a ship station, it is necessary to be holder of a Ship Station Licence (hereinafter referred to as SSL), issued by the competent authority of the country where the ship is registered.

The SSL should be permanently on board the ship and shall be produced to any representative of the competent authority.

1.2 Operator's Certificates

The operation of a ship station shall be performed or controlled by a person holding a radio operator's certificate for the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways. Requirements concerning the acquisition and the issue of radio operator's certificates for the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways are contained in Annex 5.

The operator's certificates issued in accordance with the provisions of former Article 55 or Article S47 of the Radio Regulations shall also entitle the holder to operate a ship station.

1.3 Inspection

Before being put into operation the ship station may be subject to an inspection by the competent authority which issued the SSL. Afterwards, periodical inspections may be made by that authority.

In case of an inspection the competent authority shall issue a separate Certificate of Inspection, unless the SSL fulfils this purpose. This Certificate of Inspection, if any, shall be permanently available on board the ship and shall be produced upon request for examination.

The competent Administrations of countries which a ship visits may require the production of the SSL for examination. The person responsible for the station shall facilitate this examination. When the SSL cannot be produced or when other manifest irregularities are observed, the competent Administrations may inspect the radio installations in order to satisfy themselves that these conform to the conditions imposed by this Arrangement. In addition, inspectors have the right to request the production of the operator`s certificate held by the person operating the station, but proof of professional knowledge may not be demanded. When irregularities are found, the competent Administration may levy a charge to cover the cost of the inspection. The boatmaster of the ship should be informed accordingly.

When a competent Administration has found it necessary to adopt the course indicated above, the Administration of the country of registration of the ship station shall be so informed without delay. Further corrective measures, if needed, can be taken after consultation between the Administrations concerned.

2. Call signs of the ship stations

2.1 Each ship station participating in the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways shall have a call sign. The formation of ship call signs shall be in accordance with Article S19 of the Radio Regulations.

2.2 Ship stations participating in the Maritime Mobile Service shall, for the purpose of the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways, use their already assigned call sign.

2.3 In the service categories ship-to-ship, nautical information and ship-to-port authorities, the official name of the ship shall be used.

2.4 A call sign shall also be assigned to portable equipment used for the service category on board communications. The use of this call sign is on a non-mandatory basis.

ANNEX 2

Tables of channels, transmitting frequencies, effective radiated power (erp), output power (op) and service categories for inland waterways

1. Table 1

1.1 General remarks to table 1

1.1.1 The channels for service categories ship-to-ship and nautical information may also be used for vessel traffic systems by traffic centres.

1.1.2 In some countries, certain channels are used for another service category or other radio services. These countries are Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic (with exemption of channels 08, 09, 72, 74 and 86), Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Administrations concerned should make any possible attempt to make these channels as soon as possible available for the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways and the required service category.

1.2. Explanation of specific footnotes in table 1

a) In the countries mentioned under 1.1.2, it is strictly prohibited to use this channel.

b) This channel is not allowed to be used between Rhine km 150 and km 350.

c) In the Netherlands, this channel is used for on-scene communications during safety operations on the North Sea, IJsselmeer, Waddenzee, Ooster- and Westerschelde.

d) This channel may also be used for piloting, mooring, tugging and for other nautical purposes.

e) This channel is the first ship-to-ship channel, unless the competent authority has designated another channel. In the countries mentioned under 1.1.2, it is allowed that the output power is set to a value between 6 and 25 W until 1 January 2005.

f) In the countries mentioned under 1.1.2, this channel is used for service category ship-to-port authorities.

g) In the Netherlands, this channel is used by its national coastguard for communications during oil pollution operations on the North Sea and for safety messages for the North Sea, Waddenzee, IJsselmeer, Ooster- and Westerschelde.

h) This channel may be used only for service category on board communications.

i) This channel may be used only for communications between seagoing vessels and participating land stations in case of distress and safety communications within the maritime areas.

In the countries mentioned under 1.1.2, this channel may be used only for distress, safety and calling.

j) The output power shall be reduced automatically to a value between 0.5 and 1 W.

k) This channel may be used for communications with a social character.

l) In the Netherlands and Belgium, this channel may be used for transmitting messages concerning bunkering and victualling. The output power has to be reduced manually to a value between 0.5 and 1 W.

m) This channel may also be used for public correspondence.

n) This channel will be used for an automatic ship identification and surveillance system (AIS) capable of providing worldwide operating on seas and Inland Waterways.

o) The availability of this channel is on a voluntary basis. All existing equipment shall be capable of operating on this channel within a ten-year period after the entry into force of this Arrangement.

p) After permission of the competent authority, this channel may be used only for special events on a temporary basis.

q) In the Czech Republic this channel is used for service category nautical information.

r) In the Czech Republic this channel is used for service category ship-to-port authorities.

2. Table 2

2.1 Explanation of the footnotes to table 2

a) These frequencies may be used for service category on board communications. The use of these frequencies may be subject to national regulations of the Administrations concerned.

b) Where needed, equipment designed for 12.5 kHz channel spacing may also use these additional frequencies which may be introduced for on board communications. The use of these frequencies may be subject to the national regulations of the Administration concerned.

c) In the following countries the use of these frequencies is prohibited: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Romania, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

3. Equipment Power

3.1 Output Power (OP) for fixed VHF equipment using channels mentioned in table 1

In accordance with Annex 3 the output power for fixed VHF equipment shall be set to a value between 6 and 25 W, however:

a) the OP for frequencies designated for service categories ship-to-ship, ship-to-port and on board communications shall be limited automatically to a value between 0.5 and 1 W.

b) for nautical information the Administrations may demand OP reduction to a value between 0.5 and 1 W for vessels within their territory.

c) The OP for AIS shall not exceed 25 W.

3.2 Effective Radiated Power (ERP) for portable VHF equipment using channels mentioned in table 1

The ERP of the portable VHF equipment shall be set to a value between 0.1 and 1 W.

3.3 Effective Radiated Power (ERP) for portable UHF equipment using frequencies mentioned in table 2

The ERP for portable UHF equipment shall be set to a value between 0.2 and 2 W.

Annex 3

Operational and technical requirements of the equipment (see also note under 6)

1. General

a) The ship station used in the radiotelephone service for Inland Waterways may consist of either separate equipment for each of the service categories mentioned below or equipment for combinations of several of these:

- ship-to-ship

- nautical information

- ship-to-port authorities

- on board communications

- public correspondence (service on a non-mandatory basis).

b) A ship, which is equipped with and licensed for fixed VHF equipment in accordance with this Arrangement, is also allowed to use portable VHF/UHF equipment for the service category on board communication. The use of UHF equipment is as indicated in Annex 2.

c) The service category on board communications on small ships, as defined in the Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure (CEVNI), is prohibited.

d) If a ship station participates in several service categories and permanent watch is prescribed, simultaneous reception on al the channels actually used shall be ensured.

e) Dual watch is not allowed and shall be disabled.¹)

f) The radiotelephone equipment operating on Inland Waterways on the channels indicated in Annex 2 to the Arrangement shall comply with the following standards or for countries having implemented EU Directive 1999/5/EC comply with that Directive²):

- ETS 300 698 concerning fixed VHF equipment (channels mentioned in table 1 of Annex 2),

- EN 301 178 concerning portable VHF equipment (channels mentioned in table 1 of Annex 2),

- ETS 300 720 concerning portable UHF equipment (frequencies mentioned in table 2 of Annex 2).

In addition to these requirements, equipment shall conform to the relevant parts of the EN 60945, titled `Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems. General requirements - Methods of testing and required test results'.

g) To facilitate investigations on incidents regarding the safety of navigation it would be desirable to provide facilities for recording of radiocommunications.

2. Additional requirements for fixed VHF equipment

2.1 Push-to-talk switch

To operate the transmitter, a non-locking spring loaded push-to-talk switch shall be used. This switch may be operated by hand or foot.

2.2 Antennas

The antennas shall be omnidirectional in the horizontal plane.

Antennas with a gain <1.5 and < -3 dB related to a λ/2 dipole are not allowed.

The antennas shall be isolated, i.e. they should be installed at least 4 m away from all important metal masses exceeding them in height. The highest point of the antennas should not be higher than 12 m above the load waterline.

Suitable measures shall be taken to ensure adequate decoupling of the antennas between the various VHF equipment.

3. Additional requirements for portable VHF equipment on board

3.1 General

The use of portable VHF equipment is limited to the channels 15 and/or 17.

3.2 Batteries

The batteries may be an integral part of the equipment.

Primary and/or secondary batteries may be used.

If the equipment is fitted with secondary batteries, a suitable battery charger shall be recommended by the manufacturer.

3.3 Battery-charging devices

Battery-charging devices specifically designed for charging the batteries of the equipment shall comply with the relevant parts of EN 60945 for EMC requirements or for countries having implemented EU Directive 89/336/EEC comply with that Directive.

3.4 Effective radiated power (ERP) of the transmitter

Irrespective of the position of the output power switch (if any), the ERP shall remain within a value of 0.1 and 1 W.

4. Additional requirements for portable UHF equipment

4.1 The effective radiated ERP of the transmitter

The ERP shall be set to a value between 0.2 and 2 W.

5. Automatic Transmitter Identification System (ATIS)

ATIS is mandatory for all fixed and portable equipment and has to be in accordance with the technical requirements given in Annex B of ETS 300 698.

Administrations may allow radio equipment for stations where the reception of the ATIS-signals on the loudspeaker or handset can be suppressed by suitable technical measures.

6. Note

In some countries equipment is in use which does not completely fulfil the operational and technical requirements of this Annex. These countries are: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

This equipment may be used within these countries until 1 January 2005. The countries concerned should make every possible attempt to adjust this equipment to meet the requirements of this Annex.

¹) Except in the following countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, the Slovak Republic, Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

²) Equipment complying with these standards are presumed to comply with Directive 1999/5/EC.

Annex 4

Provisions concerning the operating procedures

1. General provisions

The general radiotelephone procedure for the Maritime Mobile Service provided in the Radio Regulations (S57) shall apply to radiotelephone communications and test transmissions of the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways.

The relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations are to be found in the Guide concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways mentioned in Resolution No. 1.

2. Special provisions

2.1 Languages

In communications between ship stations and land stations, the language of the country in which the land stations are situated shall be used.

In communications between ship stations, the language of the country in which the vessels concerned sail shall be used. In case of difficulties of understanding, the language specified in the appropriate Police Navigation Regulations has to be used. The languages German, French or any other suitable language may be used where no police regulation exists.

2.2 Watch

Each land station shall maintain a permanent watch during its service hours. The regulations issued by the competent authorities, if any, shall be observed in this connection.

2.3 Ship stations

Ship stations must at least be able to transmit and to receive on the channels for the service categories ship-to-ship, nautical information and ship-to-port authorities which are necessary for their service, taking into account the rules which may be imposed by the competent authorities.

2.4 Message content

In the service categories ship-to-ship, nautical information and ship-to-port authorities, the transmission of messages shall deal exclusively with the safety of human life, movement and the safety of ships.

2.5 Receipt of messages

Ship stations are obliged to acknowledge the receipt of a message addressed to them.

When it is necessary to spell out call signs, service abbreviations, words, figures or marks, the tables given in Appendix S14 the Radio Regulations shall be used.

Annex 5

Provisions for the acquisition, issue and mutual recognition of operator's certificates for the operation of ship stations

The operation of a ship station in the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways may only be performed or controlled by an operator holding a valid radio operator's certificate for the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways or an operator's certificate which entitles the holder to operate a ship station.

The procedure to get a radio operator's certificate shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. In an examination the applicant shall give proof of the knowledge enumerated below:

-provisions concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways (and in particular the provisions of the Guide concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways);

- control and operation of a VHF station within the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways;

- procedures for the safety of navigation on Inland Waterways;

- transmission and reception of messages within the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways.

2. The certificate shall be issued in accordance with Nos. S47.10 - S47.17 of Article S47 of the Radio Regulations; to facilitate the verification of certificates, these shall carry in addition to the text in the national language a translation preferable in the English language.

The operator's certificates issued in accordance with these conditions or with the former Article 55 or Article S47 of the Radio Regulations shall be recognised by all contracting Administrations without further restrictions.

Resolution no. 1

Guide concerning the radiotelephone service on inland waterways

The Regional Conference concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways (Basel, 6 April 2000),

considering

that it is of the greatest interest to the users of the radiotelephone service to have at their disposal an up-to-date operational guide,

resolves

- that the Central Commission for the navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) and the Danube Commission (DC) shall prepare a Guide concerning radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways according to an uniform model and publish it;

- that the competent Administrations shall submit to the CCNR and the DC the necessary contributions and supplements to the Guide concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways as quickly as possible;

- that Administrations shall take the necessary steps that the Guide is carried on board ships;

- that the contracting Administrations shall publish information supplementing the Guide concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways in appropriate form.

Resolution no. 2

Mutual recognition of type approvals or recognitions in the framework of the directive 99/5/ec on radio equipment and telecommunication terminals equipment covered by this arrangement

The Regional Conference concerning the radiotelephone service on Inland Waterways (Basel, 6 April 2000),

considering

- that the Inland Waterways are used by ships of the contracting Administrations and that such ships are normally provided with equipment meeting the technical characteristics;

- that it would be of advantage if the appropriate type approvals or recognitions in the framework of the Directive 99/5/EC of one country were also mutually recognized by other contracting administrations;

- that it appears reasonable to leave the radio equipment on board ships in case of changing the country of registration,

resolves

- that the Administrations shall mutually recognize their recognized or approved types of equipment if the operational and technical characteristics of the equipment concerned are in accordance with this present Arrangement or the established internationally applicable standards.