19 Miscellaneous Equipment
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - The Workboat Code Edition 2 - 19 Miscellaneous Equipment

19 Miscellaneous Equipment

 19.1 Nautical Publications

19.1.1 Chartsfootnote and other nautical publications to plan and display the vessel's route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage should be carried. The charts must be of such a scale and contain sufficient detail to show clearly all relevant navigational marks, known navigational hazards and, where appropriate, information concerning ship's routeing and ship reporting schemes. Nautical publications may be contained within a consolidated publication. However, vessels operating in Area Category 6 need not carry publications.

19.1.2 An electronic chart plotting system, complying with the requirements detailed in Marine Guidance Note MGN 319 (M+F)footnote, or ECDIS, with suitable back-up arrangements may be accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this sub-paragraph.

19.1.3 All vessels of 25GT and greater should carry and complete an Official Log Book.

19.2 Signalling Lamp

A vessel should be provided with an efficient waterproof electric lamp suitable for signalling.

19.3 Radar Reflectorfootnote

19.3.1 A radar reflector should be mounted on the vessel, either passive or active (powered), that meets the standards laid down in BS EN ISO 8729-1footnote or BS EN 8729-2footnote respectively. Where neither of the above is practicable a reflector that meets the standards in BS EN ISO 8729:2010 should be mounted. The reflector should be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If the radar cross sectional area of the boat is larger than the passive reflector standard then the carriage of a reflector is unnecessary. The standard for reflectors is -1 for passive and -2 for active (also known as Radar Target Enhancer).

19.3.2 For Category 6 vessels only, where it is not practicable for an efficient radar reflector to be fitted, they must not put to sea in fog, and if visibility starts to deteriorate they are to return to shore.

19.4 Barometer

19.4.1 Other than a dedicated pilot boat, a vessel operating in Area Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 should carry a barometer, or other means to forecast the weather conditions e.g. Navtex receiver. Refer also to section 16.7.

19.5 Searchlight for Use During Search and Recovery

  • Vessels operating in Area Category 0, 1, 2, 3 or 5 should be provided with either:-

  • .1 the Signalling Lamp required by 19.2 above and a searchlight; or

  • .2 an efficient portablefootnote daylight signalling lamp with searchlight capability.

19.6 Wheelhouse Visibility

19.6.1 Sufficient horizontal and vertical arcs of visibility should be provided from the steering and control positions in the wheelhouse so as to avoid impeding the maintenance of a proper lookout as required by the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. See also 9.1.2.

19.6.2 Wheelhouse visibility should not be restricted by any cargo when in the secured stowed position.

19.7 Other SOLAS Chapter V Requirementsfootnote

19.7.1 All vessels should comply with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V below:

  • .1 Regulations V/31, V/32 and V/33 – Assistance to other craft. This requires the Master to let the Coastguard and any other vessels in the vicinity know if they encounter anything that could cause a serious hazard to navigation, if it has not already been reported. This can be fulfilled by calling the Coastguard on VHF, at the earliest opportunity. The Coastguard will then warn other vessels in the area. It also requires the Master to respond to any distress signal and help anyone or any boat in distress as best as they can;

  • .2 Regulation V/34 - Safe Navigation and avoidance of dangerous situations. This requires the Master to have a passage planfootnote for the intended voyage from berth to berth; and

  • .3 Regulation V/35 – Misuse of distress signals. This prohibits the misuse of distress signals.


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