This subpart applies to each self-propelled vessel.

(a) An emergency means of communication required by this subpart must—

(1) Be comprised of either fixed or portable equipment; and

(2) Provide common talking means of two-way voice communication and calling among the navigating bridge, emergency control stations, muster stations, embarkation stations, and other strategic positions listed in § 113.30-5.

(b) The means of communication and calling must be a reliable means of voice communication and must be independent of the vessel's electrical system.

(a) Communication. Each vessel must have a means of communication among the following:

(1) Navigating bridge.

(2) Steering gear room, if outside the engineroom.

(3) Alternative steering station if outside of the steering gear room.

(4) Engine control room, if the vessel has an engine control room.

(5) Maneuvering platform, if the vessel has no engine control room.

(6) Control room, if the vessel is a mobile offshore drilling unit.

(7) The engineering officers' accommodations, if the vessel is an automated, self-propelled vessel under § 62.50-20(f) of this chapter.

(b) Gyrocompass. Each vessel that has a master gyrocompass that is not in or next to the navigating bridge must have a means of communication between the master gyrocompass and the navigating bridge repeater compass.

(c) Radar. Each vessel that has a radar plan position indicator that is not in or next to the navigating bridge must have a means of communication between the navigating bridge and the radar plan position indicator.

(d) Emergency lockers. If the emergency equipment lockers or spaces used by the emergency squad are not next to the navigating bridge or, on a mobile offshore drilling unit, next to the control room, there must be a means of communication between the navigating bridge or control room and the emergency equipment lockers or spaces.

(e) Radio and radio direction finder. Communication to the radio and radio direction finder must meet the following requirements:

(1) Each vessel that has a radio installation must have a means of communication between the radio room, the navigating bridge, or, if the vessel is a mobile offshore drilling unit, the control room, and any other place from which the vessel may be navigated under normal conditions, other than a place that is only for emergency functions, a place that is only for docking or maneuvering, or a place that is for navigating the vessel in close quarters. A location that has the apparatus that is necessary to steer the vessel, give engine orders, and control the whistle, is a place from which the vessel may be navigated.

(2) If the operating position of the emergency radio installation is not in the compartment normally used for operating the main radio installation, there must be means of communication between the emergency radio room, the navigating bridge, or, if the vessel is a mobile offshore drilling unit, the control room, and any other place from which the vessel may be navigated under normal conditions; other than a place that is only for emergency functions, a place that is only for docking or maneuvering, or a place that is for navigating the vessel in close quarters.

(3) Each vessel equipped with radio direction-finding apparatus that is not in or next to the navigating bridge must have a means of communication between the navigating bridge and the direction-finding apparatus.

(4) The communication system required by this paragraph must be independent of all other systems on the vessel. The location of the termination of these systems is subject to approval by the Federal Communication Commission.

(f) Fire or smoke detecting systems. Each vessel equipped with a fire or smoke detecting system, if control units are not in the navigating bridge, must have means of communication between the navigating bridge and the stations where the control units are located.

(g) Lookout. Each vessel must have a means of communication between the navigating bridge and the bow or forward lookout station unless direct voice communication is possible.

(h) Engineroom local control station. Each self-propelled vessel equipped with control from the navigating bridge must have a means of communication between the local station for the control of the speed or direction of thrust of the propulsion machinery and the engine control room, unless an engine order telegraph is installed in accordance with § 113.35-3. Each communication station at a local control station must—

(1) Be on a circuit separate from any other station required by this section; and

(2) Provide the capability of reliable voice communication when the vessel is underway.

(i) Mobile offshore drilling units. Each non-self-propelled mobile offshore drilling unit must have a means of communication among the control room, drill floor, machinery space, and silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) room (if installed). Each column-stabilized mobile offshore drilling unit must have a means of communication between the ballast control room and the spaces that contain the ballast pumps and valves.

(a) The communications stations listed in § 113.30-5(a) through (d), (f), (g), and (i) and other communications stations for the operation of the vessel, such as the captain's and chief engineer's offices and staterooms, emergency power room, carbon dioxide (or other extinguishing agent) control room, and firepump room, must not be on the same circuit as communications stations installed to meet the requirements of §§ 113.30-5(e) and 113.30-5(h).

(b) If a communications station is in the weather and on the same circuit as other required stations, there must be a cut-out switch on the navigating bridge that can isolate this station from the rest of the stations, unless the system possesses other effective means of station isolation during a fault condition.

(c) No jack-box or headset may be on a communication system that includes any station required by this subpart, except for a station installed to meet 46 CFR 113.30-5(h) or 46 CFR 113.30-25(f).

(a) Multiple stations must be able to communicate at the same time.

(b) The loss of one component of the system must not disable the rest of the system.

(c) The system must be able to operate under full load for the same period of operation as required for the emergency generator. See 46 CFR 112.05-5, Table 112.05-5(a).

(d) Each voice-communication station device in the weather must be in a proper enclosure as required in 46 CFR 111.01-9. The audible-signal device must be outside the station enclosure.

(e) Each station in a navigating bridge or a machinery space must be in an enclosure meeting at least Type 2 of NEMA 250 or IP 22 of IEC 60529:2013 (both incorporated by reference; see § 110.10-1 of this subpart).

(f) In a noisy location, such as an engine room, there must be a booth or other equipment to permit reliable voice communication while the vessel is operating.

(g) In a space throughout which the voice communication station audible-signal device cannot be heard, there must be another audible-signal device or a visual-device, such as a light, either of which is energized from the final emergency bus.

(h) If two or more voice communication stations are near each other, there must be a means that indicates the station called.

(i) Each connection box must meet at least Type 4 or 4X of NEMA 250 or IP 56 of IEC 60529:2013.

(j) Voice communication cables must run as close to the fore-and-aft centerline of the vessel as practicable.

(1) No cable for voice communication may run through any space at high risk of fire such as machinery rooms and galleys, unless it is technically impracticable to route it otherwise or it must serve circuits within those spaces.

(2) Each cable running through any space at high risk of fire must meet 60331-11:2009 and 60331-21:1999 (both incorporated by reference; see § 110.10-1 of this subpart).

(k) If the communications system uses a sound-powered telephone, the following requirements also apply:

(1) Each station except one regulated by paragraph (d) of this section must include a permanently wired handset with a push-to-talk button and a hanger for the handset.

(2) The hanger must be constructed so that it holds the handset away from the bulkhead and so that the motion of the vessel will not dislodge the handset.

(3) Each talking circuit must be electrically independent of each calling circuit.

(4) No short circuit, open circuit, or ground on either side of a calling circuit may affect a talking circuit.

(5) Each circuit must be insulated from ground.