Blog Preview
Declaration of Indian Coastal Waters as Sea Area A1 & Sea Area A2 under GMDSS-reg
Applicable to:
Ship owners, Ship operators, Shipping managers, Ship Agents, Ship Masters, Recognized Organizations, Manufacturers, Surveyors, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), National Hydrographic Office (NHO), Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (Ministry of Communications), Maritime Training Institutes and other national and international concerned stakeholders.
Effective Date:
24th September 2026
Superseded Circulars:
None
Key Changes and Requirements
1. Sea Area Designation — SOLAS Convention
The Indian Coastal Waters are redesignated as Sea Area A1 or Sea Area A2, depending on the coverage range of the respective Coast Radio Stations (CRS).
- Sea Area A1: Coverage provided by 24 VHF and MF GMDSS compliant stations.
- Sea Area A2: Coverage provided by 8 VHF and MF GMDSS compliant stations.
2. Carriage Requirements — Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunication) Rules, 2026
Vessels shall carry equipment as prescribed for the Sea Area in which they operate. Harbour and Port Crafts operating within port/harbour limits shall carry equipment specified in Schedule XV under Rule 28.
II/4 Annexure I: List of Coast Radio Stations (MRCC & MRSC) for Sea Area A1 & Sea Area A2
Important Note
All stakeholders are guided by the declaration of Sea Areas A1 and A2 in the Indian Coastal Waters. Non-compliance may result in penalties as per the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
Want to learn and share your knowledge about the maritime world?
Explore the Blog app on Navvyx - Get maritime insights from across the world in one place.