Where a new radio signal transmitting device is being added to the ship's equipment a respective amendment to a Radio Station Licence should be produced, including a satellite EPIRB or a satellite tracker-transmitter for VDR float free capsule.
For existing ship, where VDR is already fitted on board, no amendments to the VDR equipment are required.
where a VDR system, or a float free capsule, are being replaced or upgraded on or after 01/07/2022 the BMA would recommend utilising an equipment compliant to the new standards as outlined in MSC.494(104) which effectively aligns the requirements applicable to a flat free capsule to those of the current EPIRB requirements per MSC.471(101).