If you operate a Singapore-flagged vessel — from a bunker tanker to a private yacht — MPA requires certain radio equipment on board, kept in working order, and re-certified periodically. This guide covers what MPA actually checks for in 2026, what equipment is on the compliance list by vessel type, and where operators most often fail an inspection.

MPA’s compliance framework in short

MPA follows the SOLAS Chapter IV (Radiocommunications) framework, adapted for Singapore-flagged vessels. Requirements depend on:

1. The vessel’s size and category (SOLAS or non-SOLAS)
2. The GMDSS sea area the vessel operates in (A1, A2, A3, A4)
3. The vessel’s certificate type (Ship’s Radio Licence, Ship Station Licence)

Every SOLAS vessel needs an annual radio survey. Non-SOLAS vessels have lighter requirements but still need functional distress equipment.

GMDSS sea areas explained

GMDSS divides the world’s oceans into four sea areas based on distress alerting technology:

• Sea Area A1: within VHF coverage of a shore station (roughly 20-30 nautical miles). Requires VHF DSC.
• Sea Area A2: within MF coverage of a shore station (roughly 100-150 NM). Requires VHF DSC + MF DSC.
• Sea Area A3: within Inmarsat geostationary satellite coverage (between ~76°N and 76°S). Requires VHF DSC + MF DSC + Inmarsat C or equivalent.
• Sea Area A4: polar regions outside Inmarsat coverage. Requires HF DSC in addition to A1/A2 equipment.

Most Singapore-flagged vessels operate in A1, A3, or a mix. A pure coastal ferry may be A1-only. A tanker on the Persian Gulf run is A3.

Equipment checklist by vessel type

Small Singapore-flagged vessels (under 300GT, coastal)

• VHF radio with DSC Class D or higher, tuned to correct MMSI
• 406 MHz EPIRB (GMDSS-approved), registered with Singapore beacon registry
• SART (radar transponder) or AIS-SART, depending on vessel type
• Portable VHF handheld for survival craft
• Life raft with dedicated radio equipment

SOLAS Sea Area A1 vessels

• Fixed VHF DSC Class A
• Portable VHF x 2
• 406 MHz EPIRB, hydrostatic release
• Two AIS-SART or two SART
• NAVTEX receiver
• Battery backup for radio installation (6 hours minimum)

SOLAS Sea Area A3 vessels (most common for Singapore ocean-going)

Adds to A1 equipment:

• MF/HF radio with DSC and Radio Telex
• Inmarsat C terminal for Enhanced Group Calling, distress alerting, MSI
• Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)
• Long-range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) transmitter
• Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR) for vessels 3000 GT and above

Additional for Sea Area A4

• HF DSC and HF Radio Telex, in addition to A3 equipment

The radio survey process

Every Singapore-flagged SOLAS vessel undergoes an annual radio survey by an MPA-approved surveyor. The survey checks:

1. Physical presence and mounting of all required equipment
2. Battery capacity and independent power source
3. DSC functionality (a live test alert is sometimes issued)
4. EPIRB service dates and battery expiry
5. Radio operator certification of the master or radio officer
6. Radio log entries for the past 12 months
7. Antenna condition and grounding
8. Software or firmware currency

The vessel receives a Radio Safety Certificate valid for 12 months on passing.

Common inspection failures we see

Every year MPA inspectors flag the same issues repeatedly:

• EPIRB battery expired. Batteries have 5-year life. Nobody notices until the surveyor checks the label.
• Wrong MMSI programmed into VHF DSC — often because the vessel changed hands and the previous owner’s MMSI is still in the equipment.
• Inmarsat C not receiving MSI. Usually because the coast earth station registration lapsed or the equipment was disabled during dry dock and not re-enabled.
• Portable VHF batteries dead or wrong charger onboard.
• SART battery expired — 5-year life just like the EPIRB.
• Radio log missing entries — surveyors want to see routine weekly test entries, not just distress-related ones.

Cost of full compliance for a mid-size Singapore vessel

Indicative SGD costs for a Sea Area A3 vessel, in 2026:

Item	Cost (SGD)
Full radio survey	800-1,500
EPIRB replacement (every 5 years)	1,000-1,500
SART replacement (every 5 years)	800-1,200
Inmarsat C annual airtime + registration	600-900/year
Portable VHF (2 units)	400-700
Battery replacements (misc)	300-500/year

Budget SGD 3,000-5,000/year for a mid-size vessel to stay compliant, excluding capital equipment replacement cycles.

Get MPA-ready with Envisiondata

We supply MPA-compliant GMDSS equipment for Singapore-flagged vessels — EPIRB, SART, VHF DSC, MF/HF DSC, Inmarsat C, and Iridium GMDSS handsets. We also handle beacon registrations, MMSI programming, and radio survey preparation.

Related reading

• Iridium 9555 vs IsatPhone 2 for Singapore vessels
• Maritime IoT buyer’s guide

Get a quote

If your vessel is due for a radio survey or you’re building an MPA compliance checklist for your fleet, we can send a full equipment list with SGD pricing within one working day. Sales at Envisiondata Pte Ltd — sales@envisiondatasg.com — or WhatsApp Steve directly on +65 9088 4899.

How we can help

Compliance mistakes usually surface at the worst time: during a survey, a port state inspection or a charterer audit. We help owners get the equipment, licences and paperwork right before that happens.

• Free equipment and licence check for your vessel
• Supply of GMDSS, VHF, EPIRB, SART and AIS equipment
• Installation, programming and survey preparation
• Help with IMDA and MPA application steps

What happens when you contact us

1. Short call or meeting — we listen to how your vessels operate.
2. Vessel and route review — we check equipment, space, power, contracts and licensing.
3. Clear recommendation — a written proposal and SGD quote, with options.
4. Install and support — commissioning, testing and ongoing support.

Related: GMDSS sea areas explained