Section 128 in The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Port Rules, 2004
128. Procedure for signal transmission and reception.
(a)Only Radio communications from ship to shore and shore to ship shall, (as per the provisions of the station licence) be accepted and public correspondence of any nature is excluded from this network.(b)Following are the salient features of the service-(i)distress messages or replies thereto.(ii)urgency messages or replies thereto.(iii)safety messages or replies thereto.(iv)port operation and ship movement services.(v)obs/ weather services.(vi)ship reporting system/information pertaining to position, course, speed etc.(vii)Govt, communications.(c)Relay system. - The station in-charge shall relay the messages where necessary.(d)Dispatch of signals to addressees. - All agents/ship owners or other addressees are to depute their messengers for collection of messages/signals from the Port Control Towers and Port Communication Centre.(e)Assigned frequencies and schedules for the A&N Port Communication Network: -Coastal Radio Stations and the Port Control Towers shall maintain watch on Day frequency from 0600 to 2000 hours and on night frequencies from 2000 to 0600 hours for HF/VHF Radio Telephones. Stations Posted two Operators shall maintain watch between 0500 to 2000 hours and station Posted with single Operator between 0830 to 1630 hrs.(f)Prohibition on HF Transmission: -No HF Transmission is permitted within the port limits and vessels at anchorage should maintain/constant/continuous watch on VHF channel allotted for port operations and ship movement service.(g)Prohibition of Transmission:-All vessels are forbidden to carry out unnecessary transmission of superfluous signals. Unauthorized transmission or reception of private nature is Prohibited.(h)Infringements/misuse:-Signal language/Marine vocabulary is to be used for Communication. No indecent/slang language is permitted on the circuits. Infringement of Radio Regulations/conventions shall be reported to the appropriate Authority. Whenever language difficulties arises, International code of signal shall be used.
