Digital Selcall (Hansard, 7 November 1996)

Mr. Bowls

I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to, my hon. friend.

Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Barry Field, dated 7 November 1996: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the introduction of Digital Selcall, how it affects the use of VHF and our consultations with the RNLI on this subject. The Agency awarded a contract for Digital Selcall, more properly known as VHF Digital Selective Calling (VHF (DSC)), to GEC-Marconi Communications Ltd. on 3 October to supply and fit equipment at 105 sites around the UK coastline. Her Majesty's Coastguard will begin to be equipped with VHF (DSC) from mid-January with the aim of completing in February 1999 to coincide with the start date for full implementation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), of which VHF (DSC) forms a part. On 1 February 1999 GMDSS will become a requirement for all SOLAS Convention vessels over 300 Tonnes. As VHF radio, in particular the VHF Distress Channel 16, is essential for the voice response to VHF (DSC) digital alerts, there are no plans to phase it out. The total number of UK vessels with VHF licences is over 51,000 of which nearly 48,000 are pleasure vessels. Vessels which do not come under GMDSS legislation are not required to fit VHF (DSC). HM Coastguard is particularly anxious that non-compatibility of distress frequencies should not constitute a risk to the safety of non SOLAS Convention vessels which do not install VHF (DSC) equipment, and Ministers have already given a commitment not only to ensure that HM Coastguard maintains a listening watch on Channel 16 post I February 1999, but also that all SOLAS Convention ships in the UK search and rescue area should be encouraged to maintain watch on channel 16 where possible for as long as necessary. In addition to that the Coastguard Agency together with the Marine Safety Agency are presently pushing for agreement by the International Maritime Organisation and the World Radio Conference that channel 16 should continue to be monitored and used as a calling frequency for some time after 1 February 1999. Although RNLI lifeboats are not subject to SOLAS, the requirements for GMDSS have been discussed at liaison meetings between the Coastguard Agency and the RNLI. I understand that all the RNLI's All Weather Lifeboats will be fitted with both VHF and M/F DSC equipment. The existing distress frequencies distress frequencies will continue to be used as they are at present for distress communications. Communications between RNLI lifeboats and HM Coastguard will not be affected by the introduction of the GMDSS.