Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence Variation 2008 (No. 1)1
Radiocommunications Act 1992
The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY makes this Variation under section 134 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
Dated 18th December 2008
CHRIS CHAPMAN
Member
CHRIS CHEAH
Member
Australian Communications and Media Authority
1              Name of Variation
                This Variation is the Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence Variation 2008 (No. 1).
2              Commencement
                This Variation commences on the day after it is registered.
3              Variation of Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence 2006
                Schedule 1 varies the Radiocommunications (Emergency Locating Devices) Class Licence 2006.
Schedule 1        Variations
(section 3)
  
[1]           Subsection 3 (1), after definition of Act
insert
AS/NZS 4280.1 means AS/NZS 4280.1:2003, 406 MHz satellite distress beacons Part 1: Marine emergency position‑indicating radio beacons (EPIRB) (IEC 61097‑2:2002, MOD), published by Standards Australia International, as in force from time to time.
AS/NZS 4280.2 means AS/NZS 4280.2:2003, 406 MHz satellite distress beacons Part 2: Personal locator beacons (PLBs), published by Standards Australia International, as in force from time to time.
AS/NZS 4330 means AS/NZS 4330:2006: 121.5 and 243.0 MHz emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) including EPIRBS, published by Standards Australia International, as in force from time to time.
AS/NZS 4869.1 means AS/NZS 4869.1:2005: Maritime Survivor Locating Systems (MSLS) – Operating on 121.5 MHz, published by Standards Australia International, as in force from time to time.
[2]           Subsection 3 (1), definition of distress beacon
omit
[3]           Subsection 3 (1), definition of emergency locating device, paragraphs (a) and (b)
substitute
                (a)    a satellite distress beacon; or
               (b)    an MSLS; or
                (c)    an AIS‑SART.
[4]           Subsection 3 (1), after definition of emergency locating device
insert
homing signal means a radiocommunication intended to facilitate locating a transmitting device by aircraft, vessels or persons on the ground.
locating aid            means a station used for the purposes of search and rescue operations, and includes:
                (a)    an MSLS; and
               (b)    an AIS‑SART.
[5]           Subsection 3 (1), definition of MSLS (maritime survivor locating system), paragraph (b)
omit
an
insert
a satellite
[6]           Subsection 3 (1), definition of MSLS (maritime survivor locating system), paragraph (e)
substitute
                (e)    it complies with AS/NZS 4869.1;
[7]           Subsection 3 (1), after definition of MSLS transmitter
insert
satellite distress beacon means a radiocommunications device:
                (a)    that is an earth station in the mobile satellite service, the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations; and
               (b)    to which one or more of the following standards is applicable:
                          (i)    AS/NZS 4330;
                         (ii)    AS/NZS 4280.1;
                         (iii)    AS/NZS 4280.2.
[8]           Subsection 3 (2), note
substitute
Note 1   For the definitions of AIS‑SART, COSPAS‑SARSAT System and EPIRB, see the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.
Note 2   For the definition of other expressions used in this Class Licence, see the Act, the Radiocommunications Regulations 1993 and the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.
[9]           After section 3
insert
3A           Purpose of Class Licence
                The purpose of this Class Licence is to authorise the operation of a range of emergency locating devices that are satellite distress beacons and locating aids.
Note 1   Each type of emergency locating device has advantages and disadvantages that are usually associated with the circumstances of its use.
Note 2   A satellite distress beacon operating on 406 MHz, if properly maintained, is capable of alerting Search and Rescue authorities through the COSPAS‑SARSAT network of satellites from almost any open‑air location. The use of a satellite distress beacon is particularly appropriate if a vessel is located away from busy coastal shipping channels. The time taken to organise a rescue will depend on the locating of the satellite distress beacon and the availability of suitable search and rescue resources.
Note 3    A locating aid is a short range device that depends on the availability of shipping, aircraft or land resources that are both appropriately fitted and within radiocommunications range of the locating aid. A locating aid used in conjunction with a parent vessel receiving installation is particularly useful in a man‑overboard situation during which immediate rescue action involving the parent vessel is usually necessary.
[10]         Paragraph 4 (2) (a)
before
distress
insert
satellite
[11]         Paragraph 4 (2) (b)
omit
MSLS.
insert
MSLS;
[12]         After paragraph 4 (2) (b)
insert
                (c)    an AIS‑SART.
[13]         Section 5
substitute
5              Class Licence — satellite distress beacon
         (1)   This Class Licence authorises a person to operate a satellite distress beacon mentioned in paragraph 4 (2) (a) if the person meets either or both of the requirements mentioned in subsections (2) and (3).
         (2)   A requirement is that the person operates the beacon:
                (a)    for the purpose of transmitting to the COSPAS‑SARSAT System; and
               (b)    on either of the following frequency ranges or frequencies:
                          (i)    406 – 406.1 MHz;
                         (ii)    until 31 January 2009 — 121.5 MHz or 243.0 MHz.
         (3)   A requirement is that the person operates the beacon for the purpose of transmitting a homing signal and if the beacon complies with:
                (a)    either or both AS/NZS 4280.1 and AS/NZS 4280.2 — the person operates the beacon on either of the following frequencies:
                          (i)    121.5 MHz;
                         (ii)    243.0 MHz; and
               (b)    AS/NZS 4330 — the person operates the beacon:
                          (i)    on either of the following frequencies:
                                   (A)     121.5 MHz;
                                   (B)     243.0 MHz; and
                         (ii)    during the period starting at the commencement date of this Class Licence and ending on 31 January 2010.
5A           Class Licence — locating aid
         (1)   This Class Licence authorises a person to operate a locating aid mentioned in paragraph 4 (2) (b) if the person operates it on any of the following frequencies:
                (a)    121.5 MHz;
               (b)    156.8 MHz;
                (c)    156.525 MHz.
         (2)   This Class licence authorises a person to operate a locating aid mentioned in paragraph  4 (2) (c) if the person operates the locating aid on either of the following frequencies:
                (a)    161.975 MHz;
               (b)    162.025 MHz.
Note
1.       All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See http://www.frli.gov.au.