MarAd To Fund Installation Costs For Defense Radio Gear On Merchant Ships

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) will fund the installation costs for U.S.-flag merchant ships of defense communications systems compatible with the Navy's "highest capacity system" when funds are available.

MarAd recently proposed rules to cover the application and approval process for this equipment, which includes a high-frequency transmitter, high-frequency receiver, radioteletype system with automatic error correction, maritime digital selective calling system, and a Marisat terminal.

The equipment is considered a national defense feature, and the owners will be encouraged to use it. Maintenance of the system will be charged to the owner's account.

A change in law last year allows such retrofitting.

Any owner of a U.S.-flag ship in excess of 1,000 gt may apply for reimbursement for the purchase and installation of the equipment. Estimated cost of the communication equipment was put at perhaps $120,000 per vessel.

Installation was believed to take up to two weeks, depending on existing wiring.

There are some 530 privatelyowned U . S . - f l a g ships large enough to be affected by this proposal.

The order of priority consideration is: U.S.-built, U.S.-flag 1. barge carriers 2. product tankers 3. self-sustaining dry cargo ships 4. ro/ro's 5. containerships 6. dry bulk cargo ships U.S.-flag 7. barge carriers 8. product tankers 9. self-sustaining dry bulk cargo ships 10. ro/ro's 11. containerships 12. dry bulk cargo ships

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 48, Oct 1981

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.