Radiocommunications (Maritime Licensing) Amendment Instrument 2024 (No. 1)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority makes the following instrument under subsections 110A(2) and 132(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
Adam Suckling
[signed]
Member
Samantha Yorke
[signed]
Member/General Manager
Australian Communications and Media Authority
1 Name
This is the Radiocommunications (Maritime Licensing) Amendment Instrument 2024 (No. 1).
Note: The Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed free of charge at www.legislation.gov.au.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsections 110A(2) and 132(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
4 Amendments – Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Coast Licence) Determination 2015
The instrument that is specified in Schedule 1 to this instrument is amended as set out in the applicable items in that Schedule.
5 Amendments – Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Ship Licence) Determination 2015
The instrument that is specified in Schedule 2 to this instrument is amended as set out in the applicable items in that Schedule.
6 Amendments – Radiocommunications (Maritime Ship Station – 27 MHz and VHF) Class Licence 2015
The instrument that is specified in Schedule 3 to this instrument is amended as set out in the applicable items in that Schedule.
Schedule 1—Amendments – Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Coast Licence) Determination 2015
(section 4)
Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Coast Licence) Determination 2015 (F2015L01283)
1 Subsection 1.4(1) (note)
Insert:
2 After section 6.14
Insert:
6.15 VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) – ship station Class B non assigned
If a licensee operates a maritime coast station for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications, the licensee must operate the station:
(a) subject to item 1 of Schedule 9 – on a frequency mentioned in column 2 of an item in Schedule 9; and
(b) using a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 3 of the item; and
(c) for a purpose mentioned in column 4 of the item (if any); and
(d) in accordance with the limitations mentioned in italics in column 4 of the item (if any).
3 At the end of Schedule 8
Add:
Schedule 9 VHF Data Exchange System (VDES)
(section 6.15)
Note: A frequency mentioned in column 2 of an item in this Schedule applies to the sending of a transmission and the receipt of a transmission, unless the frequency is accompanied by the suffix ‘Tx’ (which refers only to the sending of a transmission) or ‘Rx’ (which refers only to the receipt of a transmission).
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
Item | Frequency band (Channel number) | Maximum transmitter output power | Purpose (Limitations) |
1201 | 157.200 MHz Rx 161.800 MHz Tx (24) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1202 | 157.225 MHz Rx 161.825 MHz Tx (84) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1203 | 157.250 MHz Rx 161.850 MHz Tx (25) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1204 | 157.275 MHz Rx 161.875 MHz Tx (85) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications |
1205 | 157.200 MHz (1024) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications |
1206 | 157.225 MHz (1084) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications |
1207 | 157.250 MHz (1025) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications |
1208 | 157.275 MHz (1085) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications |
1209 | 161.800 MHz (2024) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1210 | 161.825 MHz (2084) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1211 | 161.850 MHz (2025) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1212 | 161.875 MHz (2085) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
1 Use of channels
A licensee may operate a radiocommunications device using more than one channel specified in column 2, so long as:
(a) the channels used have a contiguous bandwidth of:
(i) 50 kHz; or
(ii) 100 kHz; or
(iii) 150 kHz; and
(b) the use of the channels is consistent with Appendix 18 of the ITU Radio Regulations.
Schedule 2—Amendments – Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Ship Licence) Determination 2015
(section 5)
Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Maritime Ship Licence) Determination 2015 (F2015L00288)
1 Subsection 1.3(1)
Insert:
AMRD (short for autonomous maritime radio device) means a station in the maritime mobile service which is mobile, operates at sea and transmits independently of a maritime ship station or a maritime coast station, which may also be temporarily moored.
Note 1: The definition of AMRD is taken from the International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2135-1. Recommendation ITU-R M2135-1 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
Note 2: The International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2135-1 divides AMRD into AMRD Group A and AMRD Group B. AMRD Group A is defined in that Recommendation to be AMRD that enhance the safety of navigation. The operation of man overboard (Class M) devices that are AMRD Group A may be authorised by the Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence 2016, or another class licence that replaces that instrument. The Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence 2016 is a legislative instrument and is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au. Recommendation ITU-R M2135-1 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
AMRD Group B means AMRD that do not enhance the safety of navigation (AMRD which deliver signals or information which do not concern the navigation of the vessel or do not complement vessel traffic safety in waterways).
Note: The definition of AMRD Group B is taken from the International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2135-1. Recommendation ITU-R M2135-1 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
2 Subsection 1.3(1) (note to the definition of DSC)
Omit ‘selectivecall’, substitute ‘selective call’.
3 Subsection 1.3(1) (definition of Enhanced Group Calling)
Repeal the definition.
4 Subsection 1.3(1) (definition of Inmarsat)
Repeal the definition.
5 Subsection 1.3(1)
Insert:
recognised mobile-satellite service means a mobile-satellite service that is:
(a) recognised by the International Maritime Organization for use in the GMDSS; and
(b) operated in accordance with the Radio Regulations.
Note: The International Maritime Organization recognises mobile-satellite services for use in the GMDSS under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
6 Subsection 1.3(1) (note)
Insert:
7 Paragraph 2.8(a)
Before ‘on a frequency’ insert ‘subject to clause 12.1 of Part 12 of Schedule 2’.
8 Paragraph 3.14(a)
Before ‘on a frequency’ insert ‘subject to clause 12.1 of Part 12 of Schedule 2’.
9 Paragraph 5.12B(a)
Before ‘on a frequency’ insert ‘subject to clause 12.1 of Part 12 of Schedule 2’.
10 Schedule 2, Part 2, items 212 to 215
Repeal the items, substitute:
212 | 160.900 MHz (2006) | 25 watts pY
| MCS LCS
|
| Experimental use for future applications |
212a | 160.900 MHz (2006) | 100 mW EIRP | AMRD Group B |
| Experimental use for future applications |
213 | 160.900 MHz (2006) | 100 mW EIRP | AMRD Group B | AIS | The height of the antenna used by the transmitter must not exceed 1 m above the surface of the sea |
214 | 161.975 MHz (AIS 1) | 12.5 watts pY
| Maritime ship stations MCS LCS
| AIS | Locating and safety-related messaging |
215 | 162.025 MHz (AIS 2) | 12.5 watts pY | Maritime ship stations MCS LCS | AIS
| Locating and safety-related messaging |
216 | 1626.5 MHz–1646.5 MHz Tx 1530 MHz–1545 MHz Rx | Not applicable | Earth stations Maritime ship stations | Provider of a recognised mobile-satellite service | Distress and safety communications for the GMDSS |
217 | 1621.35 MHz–1626.5 MHz | Not applicable | Earth stations Maritime ship stations | Provider of a recognised mobile-satellite service | Distress and safety communications for the GMDSS |
11 Schedule 2, Part 3, item 350
Repeal the item, substitute:
350 | 1625.5 MHz–1647.5 MHz Tx 1525.0 MHz–1545.0 MHz Rx | Terminal type C: 12 dBW EIRP
| Terminal type C: 12 dBW EIRP
| Earth stations | The licensee must give priority to the reception of distress, urgency and safety messages over public correspondence |
12 Schedule 2, Part 3, item 356
Repeal the item.
13 Schedule 2, Part 12
Repeal the table, substitute:
Column 1 Item | Column 2 Frequency band (Channel number) | Column 3 Maximum transmitter output power | Column 4 Purpose (Limitations) |
1 | 157.200 MHz Tx 161.800 MHz Rx (24) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
2 | 157.225 MHz Tx 161.825 MHz Rx (84) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
3 | 157.250 MHz Tx 161.850 MHz Rx (25) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
4 | 157.275 MHz Tx 161.875 MHz Rx (85) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
5 | 157.300 MHz Tx 161.900 MHz Rx (26) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications in accordance with any limitations that apply for channels 1026, 2026, 1086 and 2086 |
6 | 157.325 MHz Tx 161.925 MHz Rx (86) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications in accordance with any limitations that apply for channels 1026, 2026, 1086 and 2086 |
7 | 157.200 MHz (1024) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
8 | 157.225 MHz (1084) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
9 | 157.250 MHz (1025) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
10 | 157.275 MHz (1085) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
11 | 161.800 MHz (2024) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
12 | 161.825 MHz (2084) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
13 | 161.850 MHz (2025) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
14 | 161.875 MHz (2085) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
15 | 157.300 MHz (1026) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
16 | 157.325 MHz (1086) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
17 | 161.900 MHz (2026) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
18 | 161.925 MHz (2086) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
14 Schedule 2, Part 12
After the table, insert:
12.1 Use of channels
(1) A licensee may operate a radiocommunications device using more than one channel specified in column 1, so long as:
(a) the channels used have a contiguous bandwidth of:
(i) 50 kHz; or
(ii) 100 kHz; or
(iii) 150 kHz; and
(b) the use of the channels is consistent with Appendix 18 of the ITU Radio Regulations.
15 Schedule 3, item 4
Omit ‘The watch must be kept using Enhanced Group Calling over the Inmarsat C system’.
Schedule 3—Amendments – Radiocommunications (Maritime Ship Station – 27 MHz and VHF) Class Licence 2015
(section 6)
Radiocommunications (Maritime Ship Station – 27 MHz and VHF) Class Licence 2015 (F2015L01197)
1 Subsection 4(1)
Insert:
AMRD (short for autonomous maritime radio device) means a station in the maritime mobile service which is mobile, operates at sea and transmits independently of a maritime ship station or a maritime coast station, which may also be temporarily moored.
Note 1: The definition of AMRD is taken from the International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2135-1. Recommendation ITU-R M2135-1 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
Note 2: The International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2135-1 divides AMRD into AMRD Group A and AMRD Group B. AMRD Group A is defined in that Recommendation to be AMRD that enhance the safety of navigation. The operation of man overboard (Class M) devices that are AMRD Group A may be authorised by the Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence 2016, or another class licence that replaces that instrument. The Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence 2016 is a legislative instrument and is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au. Recommendation ITU-R M2135-1 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
AMRD Group B means AMRD that do not enhance the safety of navigation (AMRD which deliver signals or information which do not concern the navigation of the vessel or do not complement vessel traffic safety in waterways).
Note: The definition of AMRD Group B is taken from the International Telecommunication Union’s Radiocommunication Sector’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2135-1. Recommendation ITU-R M2135-1 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.
2 Paragraphs 20(a) and (b)
Repeal the paragraphs, substitute:
(a) subject to item 2.11.1 of Schedule 2 – on a frequency mentioned in column 2 of an item in Part 2.11 of Schedule 2; and
(b) using a transmitter output power not exceeding the power mentioned in column 3 of the item (if any); and
(c) for a purpose mentioned in column 4 of the item (if any); and
(d) in accordance with the limitations mentioned in italics in column 4 of the item (if any).
3 Schedule 2, Part 2.2, item 12
Repeal the item, substitute:
12 | 160.900 MHz (2006) | 25 watts pY | MCS LCS | Experimental use for future applications |
12A | 160.900 MHz (2006) | 100 mW EIRP | AMRD Group B | Experimental use for future applications |
12B | 160.900 MHz (2006) | 100 mW EIRP | AMRD Group B AIS | The height of the antenna used by the transmitter must not exceed 1 m above the surface of the sea |
4 Schedule 2, Part 2.2, item 15
Repeal the item, substitute:
15 | 1626.5 MHz-1646.5 MHz Tx
1530 MHz-1545 MHz Rx | Not applicable | Earth stations Maritime ship stations | Distress and safety communications for the GMDSS |
16 | 1621.35 MHz-1626.5 MHz | Not applicable | Earth stations Maritime ship stations | Distress and safety communications for the GMDSS |
5 Schedule 2, Part 2.11
Repeal the table (including the text at the end of the table), substitute:
Column 1 Item | Column 2 Frequency band (Channel number) | Column 3 Maximum transmitter output power | Column 4 Purpose (Limitations) |
1 | 157.200 MHz Tx 161.800 MHz Rx (24) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
2 | 157.225 MHz Tx 161.825 MHz Rx (84) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
3 | 157.250 MHz Tx 161.850 MHz Rx (25) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
4 | 157.275 MHz Tx 161.875 MHz Rx (85) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship communications |
5 | 157.300 MHz Tx 161.900 MHz Rx (26) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications in accordance with any limitations that apply for channels 1026, 2026, 1086 and 2086 |
6 | 157.325 MHz Tx 161.925 MHz Rx (86) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications in accordance with any limitations that apply for channels 1026, 2026, 1086 and 2086 |
7 | 157.200 MHz (1024) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
8 | 157.225 MHz (1084) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
9 | 157.250 MHz (1025) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
10 | 157.275 MHz (1085) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
11 | 161.800 MHz (2024) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
12 | 161.825 MHz (2084) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
13 | 161.850 MHz (2025) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
14 | 161.875 MHz (2085) | 25 watts pY | Shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communications Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications If the station is used for ship-to-satellite or satellite-to-ship communications, the communications must not interfere with or affect any shore-to-ship or ship-to-ship communications |
15 | 157.300 MHz (1026) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
16 | 157.325 MHz (1086) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
17 | 161.900 MHz (2026) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
18 | 161.925 MHz (2086) | 25 watts pY | Ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communications The station must not be used for a terrestrial transmission for VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) communications |
2.11.1 Use of channels
A person may operate a radiocommunications device using more than one channel specified in column 1, so long as:
(a) the channels used have a contiguous bandwidth of:
(i) 50 kHz; or
(ii) 100 kHz; or
(iii) 150 kHz; and
(b) the use of the channels is consistent with Appendix 18 of the ITU Radio Regulations.