Currently, all power-driven harbour and pleasure craft are required as a condition of their harbour or pleasure craft licences, to be fitted with either an IMO-compliant AIS Class A/B transponder or a MPA-approved HARTS transponder.
To enhance navigation safety and security within the port of Singapore, the MPA will require all power-driven harbour and pleasure craft to be fitted with an IMO-compliant AIS Class A/B transponder 1 and an ECS 2. With effect from 1 January 2017, MPA-approved HARTS transponder will no longer be in service.
MPA will be providing AIS-B transponders and ECSs (for craft with an electrical power supply) to existing power-driven harbour and pleasure craft registered before 1 July 2016.
MPA will also fund the cost of equipment and installation; and the cost of maintenance for the first two years from the date of installation.
The new requirement for MPA licensed harbour and pleasure craft will take effect from1 Jan 2017.
To ensure a smooth implementation, MPA will schedule the installation and testing of the equipment on harbour and pleasure craft from 15 Nov 2015. All craft owners/operators will be notified in advance on full details of installation including the date, time and location.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.12 of 2015 dated 4 November 2015