Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules, 1939.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

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paragraphs: These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules, 1939.
2 Interpretation
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paragraphs: The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), applies to these Rules.
3 Application of these Rules.
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paragraphs: (1) These Rules apply to every ship to which the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, applies.
(2) In these Rules the word "ship" means a ship to which these Rules apply.
4 Classification of ships
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paragraphs: For the purposes of these Rules, ships shall be classified in the following manner, that is to say :—
(a) passenger steamers of 3,000 tons gross tonnage or upwards and ships, not being passenger steamers, of over 5,500 tons gross tonnage (in these Rules referred to as ships belonging to class I),
(b) passenger steamers of under 3,000 tons gross tonnage and ships, not being passenger steamers, of not more than 5,500 and not less than 3,000 tons gross tonnage (in these Rules referred to as ships belonging to class II),
(c) ships, not being passenger steamers, of less than 3,000 and not less than 1,600 tons gross tonnage (in these Rules referred to as ships belonging to class III).
5 Saving for other rules
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paragraphs: Nothing in these Rules shall be deemed to relieve the owner of a ship from compliance with the provisions of any other rules for the time being in force in relation to wireless telegraphy on ships.
6 Revocation
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paragraphs: The Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules, 1920, and the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules Amendment Rules, 1926 (Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 28 of 1926), are hereby revoked.
PART II. THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPH INSTALLATION.
7 Normal range, etc
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paragraphs: (1) In this Part of these Rules, the expression "normal range" used in relation to a transmitter means the distance in nautical miles that signals on a frequency of 500 kilocycles (wavelength : 600 metres) can be transmitted by means of such transmitter over sea in day-time under normal conditions and circumstances so as to be clearly perceptible by means of a receiver employing a rectifier of the crystal type without amplification devices.
(2) In this Part of these Rules—
(a) references to the reckoning of the normal range of a transmitter shall be construed as meaning the reckoning of such normal range in relation to the power of such transmitter in metre amperes in the case of type B, or fully modulated type A2 transmitters, on the assumption that 100, 80 and 50 nautical miles correspond respectively to 60, 45 and 25 metre amperes and that the number of metre amperes is determined by multiplying the actual height in metres of the aerial, at its highest point above the deepest load water line of the ship in which such transmitter is provided, by the current in amperes measured at the base of the aerial, and
(b) references to the proving by test of the normal range of a transmitter shall be construed as meaning the proving of such normal range by test with a wireless telegraphy station designated by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs as a standard station for marine wireless telegraphy range tests.
8 Provision of wireless apparatus
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paragraphs: Every ship shall be provided with efficient wireless transmitting and receiving apparatus (in these Rules referred to as the apparatus) of a type approved by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
9 Conditions with which the apparatus is to comply
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paragraphs: The apparatus shall comply with the following conditions, that is to say :—
(a) it shall be capable of transmitting—
(i) waves of type A2 on frequencies of 500 kilocycles, 375 kilocycles, and either 425 kilocycles or 480 kilocycles (wavelengths; 600 metres, 800 metres and either 706 metres or 625 metres), or
(ii) waves of type B on frequencies of 500 kilocycles, 375 kilocycles, and 425 kilocycles (wavelengths : 600 metres, 800 metres, and 706 metres),
(b) it shall be capable of receiving on all frequencies either from 1,000 kilocycles to 15 kilocycles (wavelengths : 300 to 20,000 metres) or, where the Minister for Industry and Commerce (with the concurrence of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs) has, in his discretion, so authorised, from 1,000 kilocycles to 150 kilocycles (wavelengths : 300 to 2,000 metres),
(c) it shall be capable of receiving by means of a rectifier of the crystal type,
(d) it shall be capable of permitting changes of frequency and, when communication is established, changes from transmission to reception and from reception to transmission to be made as rapidly as possible,
(e) the transmitter shall have a note frequency of at least 100,
(f) the normal range of the transmitter shall be such as complies with the following requirements, that is to say :
(i) when such normal range is reckoned, it shall be not less than 100 nautical miles, and
(ii) when such normal range is proved by test, it shall be not less than 150 nautical miles,
(g) it shall be provided with an independent source of electrical energy sufficient to maintain continuous full operation for a period of at least six hours without recourse to the propelling power of the ship or the main electricity system of the ship,
(h) all dangerous parts shall be screened or effectively isolated, and
(i) it shall not, on or after the 1st day of January, 1940, use waves of type B unless the full power measured at the terminals of the alternator is less than 300 watts.
10 Provision of emergency apparatus
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paragraphs: It shall not be obligatory for the apparatus to comply with the conditions mentioned in paragraph (g) of the next preceding Rule if there is provided a second efficient wireless transmitting apparatus (in these Rules referred to as the emergency apparatus) of a type approved by the Minister and which—
(a) complies with the conditions mentioned in paragraphs (e), (g), (h) and (i) of the next preceding Rule, and
(b) also complies with the following conditions, that is to say :
(i) it shall be capable of transmitting waves of type A2 or B on a frequency of 500 kilocycles (wavelength : 600 metres),
(ii) it shall be capable of being put into operation rapidly,
(iii) in the case of a ship belonging to class I, the normal range of the transmitter shall be such as complies with the following requirements, that is to say :
(I) when such normal range is reckoned, it shall be not less than 80 nautical miles, and
(II) when such normal range is proved by test, it shall be not less than 120 nautical miles,
(iv) in the case of a ship belonging to class II or class III, the normal range of the transmitter shall be such as complies with the following requirements, that is to say :
(I) when such normal range is reckoned, it shall be not less than 50 nautical miles, and
(II) when such normal range is proved by test, it shall be not less than 75 nautical miles,
11 The wireless telegraph room
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paragraphs: (1) A room (in these Rules referred to as the wireless telegraph room) shall be provided on every ship for the exclusive accommodation of the apparatus and the emergency apparatus (if any).
(2) The wireless telegraph room shall be placed in a position—
(a) as high as is practicable above the deepest load water line of the ship, and
(b) where there will be no interference, by extraneous noise or otherwise, with the proper reception of wireless signals.
(3) The wireless telegraph room shall be provided with—
(a) efficient means of communication with the bridge of the ship by voice-pipe, telephone or some other means,
(b) a reliable clock with a seconds hand,
(c) a reliable emergency light,
(d) sufficient tools to make minor adjustments to the apparatus, and
(e) a reasonable quantity of spare apparatus and spare parts.
12 Position of independent source of electrical energy
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paragraphs: Any independent source of electrical energy provided in accordance with these Rules in respect of the apparatus or the emergency apparatus shall be placed in a position of the greatest possible safety and as near the wireless telegraph room as is practicable.
13 Maintenance of batteries
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paragraphs: Where the apparatus or the emergency apparatus contains any batteries, such batteries shall be maintained in a fully charged condition and a statement that this requirement has been fulfilled shall be inserted by the master in the ship's official log book each day.
14 Provision of direction finder
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paragraphs: (1) Every ship which is a passenger steamer of 5,000 tons gross tonage or upwards shall be provided with an efficient direction finding apparatus (in these Rules referred to as the direction finder).
(2) The direction finder shall be capable of—
(a) receiving clearly perceptible signals on frequencies of 500, 385 to 365 and 320 to 285 kilocycles (wavelengths : 600, 779 to 822 and 938 to 1,053 metres), and
(b) taking bearings of other wireless telegraphy stations from which true bearing and direction may be determined.
(3) Efficient means of communication shall be provided between the direction finder and the bridge of the ship.
15 Electric power to be available
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paragraphs: On every ship there shall be available, while such ship is at sea, a supply of electric power from the ship's dynamo sufficient for operating the apparatus over the normal range specified in these Rules, for charging any batteries forming part of the apparatus and for operating the direction finder (if any).
PART III. THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPH SERVICE.
16 Meaning of approved auto-alarm
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paragraphs: In this Part of these Rules, the expression " approved auto-alarm " means an apparatus of a type approved by the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs for automatically receiving and registering a wireless telegraphic signal consisting of a series of twelve dashes sent in one minute, the duration of each dash being four seconds and the duration of the space between each consecutive dash being one second.
17 Meaning of qualified operator and qualified watcher
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paragraphs: (1) In this Part of those Rules, the expression " qualified operator " means a person—
(a) who holds—
(i) in case he is carried on a ship registered in Ireland, a certificate of proficiency in radio telegraphy, of the first or second class granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs or granted by the authority empowered in that behalf by the legislature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa or Newfoundland and recognised by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs as equivalent to the like certificate granted by him, or
(ii) in case he is carried on a ship not registered in Ireland, a certificate showing that he is a qualified operator granted or accepted by the competent authority in the country in which such ship is registered and, where such certificate was not granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, recognised by that Minister as equivalent to the like certificate granted by him.
and
(b) who, if he has been unemployed as a qualified operator for a prolonged period, satisfies the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs by re-examination or otherwise (if so required to do) that he still holds the qualifications described in the certificate which he holds.
(2) In this Part of these Rules, the expression " qualified watcher " means a person—
(a) who holds—
(i) in case he is carried on a ship registered in Ireland, a watcher's certificate granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs or granted by the authorityempowered in that behalf by the legislature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa or Newfoundland and recognised by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs as equivalent to the like certificate granted by him, or
(ii) in case he is carried on a ship not registered in Ireland, a watcher's certificate granted or accepted by the competent authority in the country in which such ship is registered and, where such certificate was not granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, recognised by that Minister as equivalent to the like certificate granted by him,
and
(b) who, if he has been unemployed as a qualified watcher for a prolonged period, satisfies the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs by re-examination or otherwise (if so required to do) that he still holds the qualifications described in the certificate which he holds.
18 Carrying of qualified operators and qualified watchers
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paragraphs: One qualified operator shall be carried on every ship and, except where the ship is fitted with an approved auto-alarm, there shall also be carried—
(a) in the case of a ship belonging to class I whose hours at sea normally exceed 8 but do not normally exceed 48, one qualified watcher or another qualified operator, and
(b) in the case of a ship belonging to class I whose hours at sea normally exceed 48, two qualified watchers or a qualified watcher and another qualified operator or two other qualified operators.
19 Previous experience necessary in the case of certain qualified operators
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paragraphs: (1) Where a ship registered in Ireland carries only one qualified operator, he shall have had at least three months previous experience at sea as a qualified operator.
(2) Where a ship registered in Ireland carries more than one qualified operator, the chief qualified operator shall have had at least three months previous experience at sea as a qualified operator.
20 Wireless telegraphy watches
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paragraphs: Wireless telegraphy watches shall be maintained on board every ship registered in Ireland while such ship is at sea in accordance with the following provisions, that is to say :
(a) if such ship is not fitted with an approved auto-alarm and is either a ship belonging to class II whose hoursat sea do not normally exceed 8 or a ship belonging to class I or if such ship is fitted with an approved auto-alarm, such watches shall be maintained continuously.