The Department of Transport draws attention to the Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules 2026 (S.I. No. 125 of 2026), which were signed into law on 1 April 2026 and came into force on the same date.
The rules implement the revised Chapter IV of the annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention), and replace existing radio rules.
The major consequences of this revision include and are not limited to the following:
General radiocommunications are now a separate functional requirement from GMDSS, but are still mandatory for all ships at sea.
Every ship, while at sea, is now required to maintain, where practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16. By doing so, non-SOLAS vessels should, when in distress, be able to alert GMDSS-fitted ships.
Further details can be found in Marine Notice No 18 of 2026, attached below.
