This part of IEC 61097 specifies the minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics and test methods with required test results for VHF radio installations capable of voice communication and digital selective calling as required by chapter IV of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

This document incorporates the applicable part of the performance standards included in IMO Resolution A.524(13) and MSC.511(105), the technical characteristics included in Recommendation ITU-R M.489-2 and Recommendation ITU-R M.493-16, and takes account of IMO Resolution A.694(17) which is associated with IEC 60945, and conforms with the ITU Radio Regulations where applicable.

When a requirement in this document is different from IEC 60945, the requirement in this document shall take precedence.

This document also takes account, as appropriate, of requirements for the presentation of navigation related information on shipborne navigational displays given in IMO Resolution MSC.191(79) and is associated with IEC 62288 and the requirements for bridge alert management given in Resolution MSC.302(87) associated with IEC 62923-1 and IEC 62923-2.

NOTE 1 All text of this document, whose wording is identical to that in IMO Resolutions and ITU-R Recommendations is printed in italics and the Resolution/Recommendation and clause numbers are indicated in brackets.

NOTE 2 This document introduces requirements, tests and their required results in the context of digital selective calling (DSC) as defined by ITU-R recommendations such as ITU-R M.493, and in the context of bridge alert management (BAM) as defined by IMO MSC.302(87) and IEC 62923-1. Certain terms, such as "alert", "warning" and "priority" can have different meanings depending on the context in which the term is used. The meaning of specific terms used in this document is as defined in the context of DSC unless specifically expressed otherwise. For example, the expression "BAM alert" is used to indicate that the term "alert" is used in the context of BAM in that instance. Annex E provides further specifications on mapping of signals between the context of DSC and the context of BAM.