The Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1992

VHF radio watch

29.—(1) Each ship which is fitted with a VHF radiotelephone installation in accordance with this Part shall, while at sea, maintain a continuous listening watch on the navigating bridge on 156.8 MHz (VHF Channel 16).

(2) This listening watch may be discontinued—

(a) when the receiver is being used for traffic on a frequency other than 156.8 MHz;

(b) when the vessel is maintaining a watch on a frequency other than 156.8 MHz for the purpose of a port operation, ship movement or safety of navigation service;

(c) when, on the direction of the Master, the watch is being maintained elsewhere in the ship;

(d) when, in the opinion of the Master, the watch is prejudicial to the safety of the ship.

(3) Where the listening watch is discontinued pursuant to paragraph (2)(c) or (d), entries shall be made in the ship’s official log book of the times and duration for which the listening watch on the navigating bridge was discontinued and of the circumstances in which the watch was transferred elsewhere or in which the safety of the ship was prejudiced as the case may be.

(4) A written summary shall be maintained of all communications relating to distress, urgency and safety traffic received or transmitted on the VHF radiotelephone installation during the watch.