IEC 63269-2022 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 63269:2022 — Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems — Maritime survivor locating devices (man overboard devices) — Minimum requirements, methods of testing and required test results. The standard defines minimum operational, constructional and documentation requirements and the test methods and pass/fail criteria for AMRD Group A man‑overboard (MOB) devices that support AIS and/or DSC technologies and are intended for alerting and locating persons in the water.

Abstract

IEC 63269:2022 is an international standard in three modules (Module A — general requirements; Module B — AIS technologies; Module C — DSC technologies). It incorporates applicable ITU technical characteristics and, where relevant, the ITU Radio Regulations, and specifies requirements for coexistence of AIS and DSC within a single MOB device. Only equipment meeting all three modules can be classified as AMRD Group A and be authorized to operate on AIS channels 1 and 2 and DSC channel 70.

General information

• Status: Current international standard (published and in force).
• Publication date: 25 May 2022.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — TC 80 (Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems).
• ICS / categories: 47.020.99 (Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2022).
• Number of pages: 117 (base IEC publication — national/adopted EN versions may show different printed page counts).

Scope

Specifies minimum requirements, methods of testing and required test results for AMRD Group A man‑overboard (MOB) devices intended for alerting and locating in accordance with IMO definitions and ITU recommendations (notably ITU‑R M.2135 and ITU‑R M.493 Class‑M). The standard covers operational behaviour, construction, documentation, electromagnetic and radio performance, coexistence of AIS and DSC functions, and the test procedures and acceptance criteria that ensure interoperable, certificable MOB equipment.

Key topics and requirements

• Three‑module structure: Module A (general requirements), Module B (AIS implementations), Module C (DSC implementations).
• Mandatory minimum performance and constructional criteria for AMRD Group A devices (durability, buoyancy, activation modes, user interface, marking and documentation).
• Defined test methods and required test results for radio performance, receiver sensitivity, transmitter characteristics, and RF coexistence.
• Requirements for coexistence and correct operation when AIS and DSC functions are integrated in a single unit.
• Alignment with ITU technical recommendations and consideration of ITU Radio Regulations for spectrum and signalling behaviour.

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers of MOB (man‑overboard) devices, marine electronics integrators, test laboratories, certification bodies, maritime authorities, flag administrations, shipbuilders and procurement officers who need to specify or verify AMRD Group A capability. Mariners, safety officers and search‑and‑rescue organizations rely indirectly on equipment designed and certified to this standard. National standards bodies and conformity assessment entities use the IEC text when adopting equivalent EN/ISO national standards.

Related standards

Closely related references include ITU‑R M.2135 and ITU‑R M.493 (radio performance and Class‑M definitions), applicable IMO instruments (as cited in the IEC text), and other IEC maritime standards dealing with shipborne radiocommunication, AIS and marine equipment testing. The IEC 63269 text is mirrored by EN IEC adoptions and national identical standards (EN IEC 63269:2022 / BS EN IEC 63269:2022 and other national publications).

Keywords

man overboard, MOB, maritime survivor locating device, AMRD Group A, AIS, DSC, maritime radiocommunication, ITU, IMO, test methods, IEC 63269, maritime safety

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 63269:2022 is an international technical standard that specifies minimum requirements, test methods and required test results for maritime survivor locating (man‑overboard) devices, particularly AMRD Group A devices using AIS and/or DSC technologies.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers operational and construction requirements, documentation, electromagnetic and radio performance, procedures for laboratory and field testing, acceptance criteria, and rules for coexistence of AIS and DSC within a single MOB device. The document is arranged in three modules (A, B and C) addressing general, AIS‑specific and DSC‑specific aspects respectively.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of MOB devices and maritime electronics, test houses and conformity assessment bodies, national maritime administrations and classification societies, shipbuilders and maritime procurement and safety officers. SAR and rescue coordination entities rely on compliant devices in operational use.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 63269:2022 is the first edition (Edition 1.0, published 25 May 2022) and is listed as the current IEC publication with a stated stability date to 2026. National adoptions (EN/BS/other) are in force where published. Users should check national regulations and recent regional decisions affecting permitted equipment, since some regulatory changes (for example relating to AIS Class‑M device capabilities and DSC acknowledgement handling) have created compliance deadlines and restrictions in certain jurisdictions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The standard itself is modular (Modules A, B and C) rather than a multi‑part numbered series. It sits within the body of IEC maritime radiocommunication standards maintained by TC 80 and is intended to be used alongside ITU and IMO provisions referenced in the text. National and regional adoptions are published as EN IEC or identical national standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Man overboard, MOB, maritime survivor locating device, AMRD, AIS, DSC, test methods, IEC 63269, maritime radiocommunication, ITU.