Arkhangelsk Branch News

Arkhangelsk sea areas A1 and A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations pass recertification

According to the results of the inspection by Rosmorrechflot, FSUE "Rosmorport" has obtained certificates No. GMDSS-3/1-3188-2020 of October 23, 2020No. GMDSS-3/1-3189-2020 of October 23, 2020 and No. GMDSS-3/1-3190-2020 of October 23, 2021 on compliance of the Arkhangelsk sea area A1 GMDSS, the Arkhangelsk sea area A2 GMDSS and the Arkhangelsk NAVTEX coast station respectively to the IMO Resolution A.801(19) and the requirements established by the order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 226 of July 23, 2015.

The sea areas A1 and A2 coast stations were put into operation in 2000, and the NAVTEX coast station followed in 2002. All three facilities were taken over by FSUE "Rosmorport" in 2004.

In 2015, the Arkhangelsk Branch completed the reconstruction of all coast stations. The following facilities built as part of the reconstruction of the GMDSS bodies on the approaches to the seaport of Arkhangelsk were put into operation: four WM-230 radio masts 34 m high, CV-051 radio mast 40 m high and a tower 30 m high. All of them are intended for placing radio navigation devices, such as new transmit-receivers and VHF and MF/HF-range aerials. New automated workplaces for GMDSS operators with modern computer equipment and software for managing the entire radio complex were installed in the sea stations control center as part of the reconstruction project.

In 2021, the FSUE "Rosmorport" Arkhangelsk Branch also provided technical re-equipment of the Arkhangelsk sea area A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations. The complex of the sea area A2 coast station systems has been supplemented with two transmitters and two MF-band receivers of the maritime mobile service, works on modernization of the radio center power supply system have been carried out. As part of the re-equipment, a new redundant T-antenna was installed to transmit NAVTEX service messages on the 518 kHz international frequency, which resulted in improving the reception and transmission of messages to vessels in the coverage areas of the corresponding coast stations.

From 2000 to the present time, the coast stations have successfully undergone 5 occasional inspections, and the enterprise has obtained the certificates confirming their compliance to the current requirements for the operation of such facilities.

The Arkhangelsk sea area A1 GMDSS coast station consists of a communications control center, base radio station No. 1 located in the city of Arkhangelsk, and base radio station No. 2 located on the island of Mudyug in the Dvina Bay of the White Sea. The operating range of the sea area A1 coast station operating in the VHF-range of the maritime mobile service is 25 nautical miles.

The Arkhangelsk sea area A2 GMDSS coast station consists of a communications control center, receiving radio center, which is located on the island of Mudyug, and a transmitting radio station "Iles", located near 23 km of the M-8 highway. The operating range of the sea area A2 coast station operating in the MF-range of the maritime mobile service reaches 66° north latitude in the White Sea mouth.

The NAVTEX coast station consists of a communications control center and a transmitting radio station "Iles". The operating range of the coast station is 127 nautical miles.

With the help of the sea areas A1 and A2 coast stations, the following actions are carried out in their coverage area:

- continuous radio watch and radio exchange with vessels in the VHF and MF-range of the maritime mobile service in digital selective call and radiotelephonic mode;

- operational communication between vessels and the Arkhangelsk marine rescue sub-center of the FSBI "Western Arctic MPA" for organizing of search and rescue operations;

- automated performing of distress, urgency and security call procedures using digital selective call technology with vessels in the White Sea.

With the help of the NAVTEX coast station, navigation and meteorological information is transmitted to vessels on the international frequency of the NAVTEX service.