1 July 2007 - SVDR for existing cargo ships between 3.000-20.000 gt

All cargo ships (constructed before 1 July 2002) between 3.000 -20.000 gt shall install a type approved S-VDR installation at the first dry docking after 1 July 2007 and not later than 1 July 2010. For cargo vessels (constructed before 1 July 2002) from 20.000 gt and upwards the starting date was 1 July 2006 and the latest compliance date is 1 July 2009.

31 December 2008 - Closing of Inmarsat-A service

Inmarsat A provides two-way direct-dial phone connection as well as fax, telex and data services at rates between 9.6kbps up to 64kbps. Inmarsat A services will cease to be supported on December 31, 2007, and is being replaced by our state-of-the art digital services. For more information please refer to IMO Maritime Safety Committee Circular MSC Circ.1076 dated 19/6/2003.

1 July 2008 - New requirements for radars on SOLAS ships

All radars fitted on board SOLAS ships after July 1st 2008 have to meet the applicable IMO Performance Standard MSC.192(79). Not only the technical parameters of radar equipment are more stricter defined, also the carriage requirement for the various sizes/categories of ship/craft has been amended. Radars with an effective diameter of 180 mm is applicable to SOLAS vessels < 500 gt. Radars with an effective diameter of 250 mm is applicable to SOLAS vessels between 500-10.000gt and High Speed Craft < 10.000 gt Radars with an effective diameter of 320 mm is applicable to SOLAS vessels > 10.000 gt Such newly installed radars shall be interfaced with A gyro compass or a transmitting heading device (THD) A speed and distance measuring equipment (SDME) An electronic position-fixing system (EFPS) An Automatic Identification System (AIS)

1 July 2008 - ECDIS on High Speed craft

High-speed craft shall be fitted with an ECDIS as follows: craft constructed on or after 1 July 2008; craft constructed before 1 July 2008, not later than 1 July 2010.

31 December 2008 - Long Range Identification and Tracking

All new ships (passenger ships, cargo ships of 300gt and upwards, MODU’s and High Speed Craft) shall be equipped with a Long Range Identification and Tracking System. For existing ships of the same categories the compliance date is at the first radio survey after 31 December 2008.

1 February 2009 - COSPAS/SARSAT terminates 121,5 MHz EPIRB detection

The International Cospas-Sarsat System will cease satellite processing of 121.5/243 MHz beacons from 1 February 2009. All beacon owners and users should begin taking steps to replace their 121.5/243 MHz beacons with 406 MHz beacons as soon as possible. A good time to consider purchasing a 406 MHz beacon is when the battery on your 121.5 MHz beacon needs replacing. Typically, batteries need replacing about every five years. The sooner you upgrade, the better the service that the Cospas-Sarsat System can provide you if your beacon is activated in a distress event. Beginning in 2009, only 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. This affects all maritime beacons (EPIRBs), all aviation beacons (ELTs) and all personal beacons (PLBs).