Amendments To The Convention On The International Maritime Satellite Organisation (Inmarsat)
Source:
Preamble
At the end of the Preamble, the following new paragraph is added:
Affirming that a maritime satellite system shall also be open for aeronau tical communication for the benefit of aircraft of all nations,
ARTICLE 1 Definitions
In Article 1, the following new paragraph (h) is added:
(h) "Aircraft" means any machine that can derive support in the atmosph ere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the a ir against the earth's surface.
ARTICLE 3 Purpose
Article 3, paragraphs (1) and (2) are replaced by the following text:
(1) The purpose of the Organization is to make provision for the space segment necessary for improving maritime communications and, as practicable, aeronautical communications, thereby assisting in improving communications for distress and safety of life, communications for air traffic services, the efficiency and management of ships and aircraft, maritime and aeronautical public correspondence services and radiodetermination capabilities.
(2) The Organization shall seek to serve all areas where there is need for maritime and aeronautical communications.
ARTICLE 7 Access to Space Segment
Article 7, paragraphs (1) and (2) are replaced by the following test:
(1) The INMARSAT space segment shall be open for use by ships and aircraf t of all nations on conditions to be determined by the Council. In determining such conditions, the Council shall not discriminate among ships or aircraft on the basis of nationality.
(2) The Council may, on a case-by-case basis, permit access to the INMARSAT space segment by earth stations located on structures operating in the marine environment other than ships, if and as long as the operati on of such earth stations will not significantly affect the provision of service to ships or aircraft.
ARTICLE 8 Other Space Segments
Article 8, paragraph (1) is replaced by the following text:
(1) A Party shall notify the Organization in the event that it or any person within its jurisdiction intends to make provision for, or initiate the use of, individually or jointly, separate space segment facilities to meet any or all of the maritime purposes of the INMARSAT space segment, to insure technical compatibility and to avoid significant economic harm to the INMARSAT system.
ARTICLE 12 Assembly-Functions
Article 12, sub-paragraph (1)(c) is replaced by the following text:
(c) Authorize, on the recommendation of the Council, the establishment of additional space segment facilities the special or primary purpo se of which is to provide radiodetermination, distress or safety se rvices. However, the space segment facilities established to provid e maritime and aeronautical public correspondence services can be u sed for telecommunications for distress, safety and radiodeterminat ion purposes without such authorization.
ARTICLE 15 Council-Functions
Article 15, paragraphs (a), (c) and (h) are replaced by the following text:
(a) Determination of maritime and aeronautical satellite telecommunicat ions requirements and adoption of policies, plans, programmes, proc edures and measures for the design, development, construction, esta blishment, acquisition by purchase or lease operation, maintenance and utilization of the INMARSAT space segment, including the procur ement of any necessary launch services to meet such requirements.
(c) Adoption of criteria and procedures for approval of earth stations on land, on ships, on aircraft, and on structures in the marine env ironment for access to the INMARSAT space segment and for verificat ion and monitoring of performance of earth stations having access t o and utilization of the INMARSAT space segment. For earth stations on ships and aircraft, the criteria should be in sufficient detail for use by national licensing authorities, at their discretion, for type-approval purposes.
(h) Determination of arrangements for consultation on a continuing basi s with bodies recognized by the Council as representing shipowners, aircraft operators, maritime and aeronautical personnel and other u sers of maritime and aeronautical telecommunications.
ARTICLE 21 Inventions and Technical Information
Article 21, sub paragraphs (2)(b) and (7)(b)(i) are replaced by the following text:
(2) (b) The right to disclose and to have disclosed to Parties and Signator ies and others within the jurisdiction of any Party such inventions and technical information, and to use and to authorize and to have authorized Parties and Signatories and such others to use such inve ntions and technical information without payment in connexion with the INMARSAT space segment and any earth station on land, ship or a ircraft operating in conjunction therewith.
(7) (b) (i) Without payment in connexion with the INMARSAT space segment or any earth station on land, ship or aircraft operating in conjunction therewith.
ARTICLE 27 Relationship with other International Organizations
Article 27 is replaced by the following text:
The Organization shall co-operate with the United Nations and its bodies dealing with the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and Ocean Area, its Special ized Agencies, as well as other international organizations, on matters of common interest. In particular the Organization shall take into account the relevant international standards, regulations, resolutions, procedures and recommendations of the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Organization shall observe the relevant provisions of the International Telecommunication Convention and regulations made thereunder, and shall in the design, development, construction and establishment of the INMARSAT space segment and in the procedures established for regulating the operation of the INMARSAT space segment and of earth stations give due consideration to the relevant resolutions, recommendations and procedures of the organs of the International Telecommunication Union.
ARTICLE 32 Signature and Ratification
Article 32, paragraph (3) is replaced by the following text:
(3) On becoming a Party to this Convention, or at any time thereafter, a State may declare, by written notification to the Depositary, to which Registers of ships, to which aircraft operating under its authority, and to which land earth stations under its jurisdiction, the Convention shall apply.
ARTICLE 35 Depositary
Article 35, paragraph (1) us replaced by the following text:
(1) The Depositary of this Convention shall be the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization.
