WHO ACCEPTS AMVER MESSAGES-A list of U.S. Coast Guard Radio Stations and Ocean Stations accepting AMVER messages, the frequencies and/or bands guarded by each, and their working frequency in each band is tabulated below: U. S. INTERDEPARTMENT RADIO ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2 HOURS AFTER SUNRISE UNTIL 2 HOURS BEFORE SUNSET. NIGHT - 2 HOURS BEFORE SUNSET UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER SUNRISE. (LOCAL TIME OF RADIO STATION) SCHEDULE MAY BE CHANGED DUE TO PROPAGATION. USED, NY- 31 OCTOBER of SAR capability and intentions of vessels is time-consuming. Communications must be held to a minimum during a distress. Many emergencies require immediate decisions and action. The AMVER Center provides much valuable information concerning those vessels participating in the AMVER program, thereby making possible more timely assistance during emergencies. AMVER PARTICIPANTS A vessel is a participant in the AMVER program when she sends a report to the AMVER Center during a passage. An AMVER participant is under no greater obligation to render assistance during an emergency than any vessel who has not made a report during the passage. There is no limitation as to the size of a vessel before she may participate in the AMVER program. This is determined by nature of passage and communication capability. SAR CHARACTERISTICS OF MERCHANT VESSELS In addition to the information generated from movement and position reports, the AMVER Center maintains data on the characteristics of active merchant vessels. This data which reflects SAR capability includes the following: Vessel name; international call sign; nation of registry; owner or operator; type or rig; type of propulsion; gross tonnage; length; normal cruising speed; radio schedule; HF and VHF radio frequencies; radio telephone installed; surface search radar installed; doctor normally carried. Vessels can assist the AMVER Center in keeping this data accurate by sending a complete report by message or letter, and then sending corrections as the characteristics change. The corrections may easily be included in regular AMVER reports as remarks. CONSTRUCTIVE COMPLIANCE AMVER messages which include the necessary information are considered to be in constructive compliance with provisions of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33, Part 124.10, as revised on 1 January 1962. This regulation requires, with certain exceptions, that the master or agent of each United States registered vessel and every foreign vessel arriving at a United States port (including the Great Lakes) from an off-shore passage, give advance notice to the U.S. Coast Guard at least 24 hours prior to arrival. The US. Code of Federal Regulations should be consulted to determine the exact current requirements, the exceptions, and the conditions of constructive compliance. The AMVER Center forwards pertinent information to the appropriate Coast Guard officials. AMVER SYSTEM COMMUNICATION NETWORK An effective communication network supports the AMVER System. It provides three routes for assistance messages as well as AMVER messages. Atlantic Merchant Vessel Report (AMVER) System, operated by the United States Coast Guard, is a maritime mutual assistance program which provides important aid to the development and coordination of search and rescue (SAR) efforts in the offshore areas of the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, north of the Equator and west of Prime Meridian. Merchant vessels of all nations making offshore voyages are encouraged to voluntarily send movement (sailing) reports and periodic position reports to the AMVER Center located at Coast Guard New York, via selected U.S. coastal, extra continental, or Ocean Station Vessel radio stations. Information from these reports is entered into an electronic computer which generates and maintains dead reckoning positions for the vessels while they are within the plotting area. Characteristics of vessels which are valuable for determining SAR capability are also entered into the computer from available sources of information. Appropriate information concerning the predicted location and SAR characteristics of each vessel known to be within the area of interest, is made available upon request to recognized SAR agencies of any nation, or persons in distress, for use during an emergency. Predicted locations are only disclosed for reasons related to maritime safety. These routes are: coastal, overseas, and Ocean Station radio stations. Propagation conditions, location of vessel, and message density will normally determine which station may best be contacted to establish communications. To insure that no charge is applied, all AMVER messages should be passed through specified government radio stations. Stations which currently accept AMVER messages and apply no coastal station, ship station, or landline charge are listed in the table accompanying this article together with respective call sign, location, frequency bands, and hours of guard. AMVER messages may be sent through commercial stations, but the Coast Guard cannot reimburse the sender for any charges applied. AMVER MESSAGE ADDRESS All AMVER messages are addressed to COAST GUARD NEW YORK, regardless of the station to which the message is delivered. AMVER MESSAGE TYPES AND FORMAT Any vessel of any nation departing on an offshore passage, a significant part of which is north of the Equator and west of the Prime Meridian (0° Longitude) in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico, is encouraged to become a participant in the AMVER System by sending appropriate AMVER messages in four types of formats illustrated. The messages may be transmitted at any convenient time as long as the information is accurate and the data corresponds to the time specified. The information may be estimated for a short time in the future, for the present, or for a short time past. The four types of reports are: TYPE 1 The complete Type 1 report consists of 9 parts and any pertinent remarks, and contains the information necessary to initiate a plot. It is called an initial AMVER message and may be considered a movement report or sailing plan. Type 1 reports may be sent immediately prior to departure, at departure, immediately after departure, or upon entering the Plotting Area, as soon as adequate communications can be established. If the point of departure is not within the Plotting Area, the initial Type 1 report should specify the estimated position, date, and time of entry into the Plotting Area, or a supplemental Type 1 or Type 2 report may be sent upon actual entry into the Plotting Area. TYPE D The Type D report is a deviation report and need include only information which differs from that previously reported. It is sent when the actual position will vary more than 25 miles from the position which would be predicted based upon data contained in previous reports. It may indicate a change of route, course, speed, or destination, and include any pertinent remarks. TYPE 2 The Type 2 report is considered a position report and includes the date and time of the position. It may contain additional entries and remarks. Experience has shown that occasional position reports are required during long passages to insure that the electronic computer will predict the posi tions within acceptable accuracy. It is not important that these position reports be sent at any particular time or location, but it is suggested that they be prepared at intervals of approximately fifteen degrees of latitude or longitude depending upon direction of advance. The revised diagram of the AMVER Plotting Area contains dashed lines at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 degrees of latitude and longitude to serve as a reminder that position reports are desired occasionally. Parts 6, 7, 8, and 9 may be omitted from the message if desired. It is no longer necessary that a Type 2 report be sent exactly at 67° W. longitude, however it may be continued if desired. TYPE 3 A Type 3 report is an arrival report, and is sent upon reaching the harbor entrance at port of destination if within the AMVER Plotting Area, or upon crossing out of the Plotting Area. Parts 6, 7, 8, and 9 may be omitted from the message if desired. Remarks may be included. If communications cannot be established to permit sending the Type 3 report, the electronic computer will automatically terminate the plot at the predicted time of arrival at the destination. However, the report is desired to increase the accuracy of the plot and Type 3 reports are especially desired upon arrival at the harbor entrance of United States ports. Only these four types of AMVER messages require specific formats. Other operational and administrative messages relating to the AMVER program may use the AMVER System. These may include such things as SAR characteristics of vessels. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Further information concerning the AMVER System may be obtained by writing to Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington 25, D.C., or by writing or visiting Commander, Eastern Area, U.S. Coast Guard, Custom House, New York 4, N.Y. Officers of the shipping industry and others concerned with maritime safety are welcome to visit the AMVER Center, Room 650A, in the Custom House. Visitors are preferred on weekdays between the hours of 0900 and 1600. The telephone number is currently 212-422-5700, extension 629. The TELEX address is 01-2043. The TWX address is 212-571-0593. AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS [EDITOR'S NOTE.-The following regulations have been promulgated or amended since the last issue of the PROCEEDINGS. A complete text of the regulations may be found in the Federal Register indicated at the end of each article. Copies of the Federal Register containing the material referred to may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D.C.] TITLE 46-SHIPPING Chapter 1 Coast Guard, Department of the Treasury [CGFR 62-48] PART 146-TRANSPORTATION OR STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES OR OTHER DANGEROUS ARTICLES OR SUBSTANCES AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS ON BOARD VESSELS Dangerous Cargoes The provisions of R.S. 4472, as amended (46 U.S.C. 170), require that the land and water regulations governing the transportation of dangerous articles or substances shall be as nearly parallel as practical. The provisions in 46 CFR 146.02-18 and 146.02-19 make the Dangerous Cargo Regulations applicable to all shipments of dangerous cargoes by vessels. The Interstate Commerce Commission in Change Order Nos. 55 and 56 has made changes in the ICC regulations with respect to definitions, descriptive names, classifications, specifications of containers, packing, marking, labeling, and certification for certain dangerous cargoes, which are now in effect for land transportation. Various amendments to the Dangerous Cargo Regulations in 46 CFR Part 146 have been included in this document in order that these regulations governing water transportation of certain dangerous cargoes will be as nearly parallel as practicable with the regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission which govern the land transportation of the same commodities. The amendments to 46 CFR Part 146 are considered to be interpretations of law, or revised requirements to agree with existing ICC regulations, or relaxations of previous requirements, or editorial in nature, and it is hereby found that compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act (re 3. On page 12134, third column, fifteenth line from bottom, the parenthetical phrase should read "(ICC17H, 37A)" instead of "(ICC-17A, 37A)". (Federal Register of December 20, 1962.) TITLE 46-SHIPPING Chapter I-Coast Guard Department of the Treasury [CGFR 62-52] VESSEL INSPECTION The purpose of this document is to publish editorial changes to the regulations in Chapter I of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, which will bring the wording up to date or into agreement with present practices or procedures. It is hereby found that compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act (respecting notice of proposed rule making, public rulemaking procedures thereon, and effective date requirements) is unnecessary or exempted by specific provisions in section 4 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 1003). The Federal Communications Commission requires the filing of a formal application on FCC Form 801, rather than by letter, when requesting a safety radiotelephony certificate or a safety radiotelegraphy certificate, which are issued under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948. The change in 46 CFR 2.01-25(b)(3) corrects the description of the procedures to be followed by inserting a reference to FCC Form 801. The amendment designated 46 CFR 2.50-40(k) describes another type of violations reported, which had been inadvertently omitted. The procedures applicable to the public with respect to the assessment, mitigation or remission of penalties for violations of the Dangerous Cargo Act and regu lations in 46 CFR Parts 146 and 147 are the same as for other violations of merchant marine safety laws. The amendment designated 46 CFR 10.02-5 (c) (2) is to remove an inconsistency with other requirements in the same paragraph, and provides that a "Certificate of Naturalization" may be one way in which a naturalized citizen proves citizenship, rather than requiring its submittal in addi period from six months to not less than one month before an applicant may be re-examined after failing an examination. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is permitted to designate an appropriate period of time based on the circumstances of the individual case. (Federal Register of December 28, 1962.) tion to a State Department passport EQUIPMENT APPROVED BY THE COMMANDANT or a commission in the United States Armed Forces. The applicants for licenses as merchant marine officers and motorboat operators are fingerprinted and the use of Coast Guard Form 2515 has been discontinued for this purpose and in lieu thereof the Coast Guard now uses FBI Form "Applicant." The amendments to 46 CFR 10.02-5 (i) (2), 10.13-17(b), 10.15-25 (c) (1), 10.20-3 (b) (1) and 10.25-7(e) (1) change the various references from Coast Guard Form 2515 to FBI Form "Applicant." The 1957 revision of State Department regulations transferred the requirements relating to seamen's wages to new parts. The cross references referring to State Department regulations following 46 CFR 16.05 and 16.10 are canceled as they are no longer needed. The amendments to 46 CFR 53.0350 (h), 55.17-20(a), 73.30-15(a) (2) and 95.20-25 (a) are editorial to bring references to other regulations up to date. The amendment to 46 CFR 57.10-5(d) (4) is editorial to clarify the requirements which had been applied incorrectly. This regulation regarding exhaust pipe for gasoline engine installations permits a flexible metallic hose to be used when necessary, and that only when flexible nonmetallic hose is used need the exhaust be watercooled. The amendment to 46 CFR 76.15-5 adds headings for the paragraphs regarding carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. The amendment to 46 CFR 187.0515(a) changes the mandatory waiting [EDITOR'S NOTE.-Due to space limitations, it is not possible to publish the documents regarding approvals and terminations of approvals of equipment published in the Federal Register dated December 29, 1962 (CGFR 62-47). Copies of these documents may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D.C.] AFFIDAVIT The following affidavits were accepted during the period from 15 November 1962 to 15 December 1962: Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co., Valve Division, 300 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, Pa., VALVES AND FITTINGS. Joseph Kopperman & Sons, Inc., 310-16 New St., Philadelphia 6, Pa., FITTINGS. Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co., Inc., 1302 W. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, Indiana, VALVES AND FITTINGS. Kraloy-Chemtrol Co., 402 W. Central Ave., Santa Ana, Calif., VALVES AND FITTINGS. 1 Currently listed in CG-190 for valves. The listing is hereby annotated to indicate that the listing includes fittings. 2 Currently listed in CG-190 dated 2 April 1962 under former name of Joseph Kooperman & Sons, Inc. Correction of name should be indicated for this company. ACCEPTABLE COVERED STEEL ARC WELDING ELECTRODES The following are additions to the list of electrodes which are acceptable to United States Coast Guard for use in welded fabrications. COUNCIL ACTIVITIES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Merchant Marine Council will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, 25 March 1963, commencing at 9:30 a.m. in the Departmental Auditorium, between 12th and 14th Streets on Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, D.C., for the purpose of receiving comments, views and data on the proposed changes in the vessel inspection rules and regulations and the navigation rules and regulations as set forth in Items I to X, inclusive, of the Merchant Marine Council Public Hearing Agenda, CG-249, dated 25 March 1963. This Agenda contains the specific changes proposed and, for certain items, the present and proposed regulations are set forth in comparison form together with the reasons for the changes. Copies of this Agenda are mailed to persons and organizations who have expressed a continued interest in the subjects under consideration and have requested that copies be furnished them. Copies of the Agenda will be furnished, upon request, to the Commandant (CMC), United States Coast Guard, Washington 25, D.C., so long as they are available. After the supply of extra copies is exhausted copies will be available, for reading purposes only, in Room 4104, Coast Guard Headquarters, or at the offices of the various Coast Guard District Commanders. Comments on the proposed regulations are invited. Written comments containing constructive criticism, suggestions, or views are welcomed. However, acknowledgement of the comments received or reasons why the suggested changes were or were not adopted cannot be furnished since personnel are not available to handle the necessary correspondence involved. Each oral or written comment is considered and evaluated. If it is believed the comment, view or suggestion clarifies or improves a proposed regulation or amendment, such proposal is changed accordingly and, after adoption by the Commandant, the regulations as revised are published in the Federal Register. Each person or organization who desires to submit written comments, data or views in connection with the proposed regulations set forth in this Agenda should submit them so that they will be received by the Commandant (CMC), United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington 25, D.C., prior to 22 March 1963. Comments, data or views may be presented orally or in writing at the Public Hearing before the Merchant Marine Council on 25 March 1963. In order to insure consideration of written comments and to facilitate checking and recording, it is essential that each comment regarding a section or paragraph of the proposed regulations be submitted on Form CG-3287, showing the section number (if any), the proposed change, the reason or basis, and the name, business firm or organization (if any), and the address of the submitter. A small quantity of Form CG3287 is attached to this Agenda. Additional copies may be reproduced by typewriter or otherwise, or may be obtained upon request from any Coast Guard District Commander. Each item in the Agenda has been given a general title, intended to encompass the specific proposals presented. It is urged that each item be read completely because the application of proposals to specific employment or types of vessels may be found in more than one item. For example, Item IV contains proposals applicable only to tank vessels, yet Items V and VII also contain proposals affecting tank vessels. The items in this Agenda are: V VI a. Remote shutdown of internal combustion engine driven cargo pumps on tank vessels b. Venting of cofferdams and void spaces of tank vessels c. Fireflighting equipment and precautions d. Bulk shipments of ethylene oxide e. Liquefied inflammable gases VESSEL OPERATIONS AND INSPECTION a. Manning of lifeboats and liferafts b. Manned seagoing barges: Rescue boat requirements c. Unmanned barges: Ring life buoy requirements d. Special construction, arrangement, and provisions for certain dangerous cargoes in bulk: Application; elemental phosphorous in water; sulfuric acid; hydrochloric acid; liquid chlorine; and anhydrous ammonia MARINE ENGINEERING a. Materials and allowable stresses b. Classification of piping systems c. Over pressure protective devices in exhaust lines of machinery d. Bilge piping to watertight compartments e. Arrangement of fuel oil service piping f. Fuel system requirements for diesel machinery located on deck g. Arc welding electrodes |