GMDSS Batteries Requirements

In Compliance with Solas Ch-IV, Reg 13 (Gmdss Batteries Requirement)

A reserve source or sources of energy other than Ship’s main and Emergency sources of electrical power shall be capable of operating GMDSS equipment’s for:

(a) 1 h on ships provided with an emergency source of electrical power

(b) 6 h on ships not provided with an emergency source of electrical power

Note: The reserve source energy should also power emergency lighting fitted in the GMDSS console (reg 6.2.4)

Battery Charger:

When a means of automatically charging GMDSS batteries is provided , it should be capable of recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 h.

The following formula is recommended for determining the electrical load to be supplied by the reserve source of
energy for each radio installation required for distress conditions= 1/2 of the current consumption necessary for transmission + the current consumption necessary for reception + the current consumption of any additional loads.

Testing of GMDSS Batteries:

a. CAPACITY TEST: The capacity of the battery or batteries shall be checked, using an appropriate method, at intervals not exceeding 12 months, when the ship is not at sea. Same should be recorded in GMDSS log book. Pls Find below (download section) the excel sheet to create graphs for the same.

b. Monthly/Weekly : Switch off the AC power to GMDSS and operate the GMDSS for 1 hour (or 6 hours) to see if it can operate for around that time.

c.  Daily On load/Off load test of the batteries. Mention the voltage for the same in the Gmdss log book.