12.1 Navigation (General)
12.1.1 This chapter only covers items of navigational equipment which relate to the
navigation of the craft as distinct from the safe functioning of the craft. The
following paragraphs represent the minimum provisions for normal safe navigation unless
it is demonstrated to the Administration that an equivalent level of safety is achieved
by other means.
12.1.2 The navigational equipment and its installation should be to the satisfaction of
the Administration.
12.1.3 The information provided by navigational systems should be so displayed that the
probability of misreading is reduced to a minimum and should be capable of giving
readings to an optimum accuracy.
12.1.4 In applying the provisions of this chapter to small craft and those on restricted
voyages, the Administration should be guided by the provisions of regulation V/1.4 of
the Convention, while taking into account the navigational requirements and
characteristics of the craft relative to those of craft of similar size and purpose
covered by the Convention.
12.2 Compasses
12.2.1 Craft should be provided with a magnetic compass which is capable of operating
without electrical supply, and which may be used for steering purposes. This compass
should be suitably selected, mounted and fitted with the required correcting devices so
as to be suitable for the area of operation and speed and motion characteristics of the
craft.
12.2.2 The compass card or repeater, where fitted, should be capable of being easily
read from the position at which the craft is normally controlled.
12.2.3 Each magnetic compass should be properly adjusted and its table or curve of
residual deviations should be available at all times.
12.2.4 Care should be taken in siting a magnetic compass or magnetic sensing element so
that magnetic interference is eliminated or minimized as far as is practicable.
12.2.5 Passenger craft certified to carry 100 passengers or less should, in addition to
the compass recommended in 12.2.1, be provided with an instrument, suitable for the
speed and motion characteristics and area of operation of the craft, providing a heading
reference of accuracy at least equivalent to that provided by a magnetic compass.
12.2.6 Cargo craft and passenger craft certified to carry more than 100 passengers
should, in addition to the compass recommended in 12.2.1, be provided with a
gyro-compass or a system with equivalent effectiveness which should be suitable for the
speed and motion characteristics and area of operation of the craft.
12.3 Speed and Distance Measurement
12.3.1 Craft should be provided with devices to measure speed and distance through air
and water.
12.3.2 Speed- and distance-measuring devices on craft fitted with an automatic radar
plotting aid should be capable of measuring speed and distance through the water.
12.4 Echo-Sounding Device
Any WIG craft operated in shallow water should be fitted with an echo-sounding device
which will give an indication of depth of water to a sufficient degree of accuracy for
use when the craft is in the displacement mode.
12.5 Radar Installations
12.5.1 WIG craft intended for operation in conditions with restricted visibility or
during dark periods should be provided with at least one azimuth-stabilized radar
operating in the X-band (3 cm).
12.5.2 Craft of 450 gross tonnage and upwards or craft certified to carry more than 450
passengers should be provided with at least two radar installations one of which should
be capable of providing appropriate warnings for collision avoidance. A second radar may
also be provided in craft of less than 450 gross tonnage or certified to carry 450
passengers or less where environmental conditions so require.
12.5.3 At least one radar should be equipped with facilities for plotting which are at
least as effective as a reflector plotter.
12.5.4 Adequate communication facilities should be provided between the radar observer
and the person in immediate charge of the craft.
12.5.5 Each radar installation provided should be suitable for the intended craft speed,
motion characteristics and commonly encountered environmental conditions.
12.5.6 Each radar installation should be mounted so as to be as free as practicable from
vibration.
12.6 Other Electronic Positioning Systems
All craft should be fitted with appropriate electronic navigation equipment. This should
include, as a minimum, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, Automatic
Identification System (AIS), Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) and Electronic Chart
Display and Information System (ECDIS). In assisted craft and small cargo craft, where
the fitting of all of this equipment is impracticable, the Administration may accept
alternative means of meeting the functions of this equipment, provided that such
acceptance is shown by the SSA not to result in a hazardous or catastrophic effect.
12.7 Rudder Angle Indicator
Craft should be provided with an indicator showing the rudder angle for operation in the
displacement mode through to the planing mode. In craft without such a rudder, the
indicator should show the direction of steering thrust.
12.8 Aerodynamic Rate Of Turn Indicator
An aerodynamic rate-of-turn indicator for use in ground effect and other air-borne
operational modes should be provided unless the Administration determines otherwise.
Means should be provided to warn the operator if an operationally dictated maximum rate
of turn is being reached.
12.9 Searchlight
WIG craft intended for operation in conditions with restricted visibility or during dark
periods should be equipped with at least one adequate searchlight, which should be
controllable from the operating station.
12.10 Night Vision Equipment
When operational conditions justify the provision of night vision enhancement equipment,
such equipment should be fitted.
12.11 Steering Arrangement and Propulsion Indicators
12.11.1 The steering arrangement should be so designed that the craft turns in the same
direction as that of the wheel, tiller, joystick or control lever.
12.11.2 Craft should be provided with indicators showing the mode of the propulsion
system(s).
12.12 Automatic Steering Aid (Automatic Pilot Equipment)
12.12.1 Craft should, where appropriate, be equipped with automatic pilot equipment.
12.12.2 Provision should be made to change from the automatic to manual mode by an
override under the immediate control of the person in control of the craft.
12.13 Obstacle Detection and Avoidance System
WIG craft should be provided with an obstacle detection and avoidance system, if
required by the Administration, which is capable of at least:
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.1 processing data of the craft's position, heading and speed;
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.2 locating all fixed, floating and semi-submerged obstacles relative to the craft
position and the predicted course;
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.3 calculating a collision avoiding trajectory, including crash stop;
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.4 giving alarm to the operating compartment crew, if a collision-avoiding
manoeuvre is necessary; and
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.5 displaying the collision-avoiding trajectory in the operating compartment.
12.14 Automatic Identification System
12.14.1 Craft should be provided with an automatic identification system (AIS).
12.14.2 AIS should:
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.1 provide automatically to appropriately equipped shore stations, other vessels
and aircraft information, including the craft's identity, type, position, course,
speed, navigational status and other safety-related information;
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.2 receive automatically such information from similarly fitted vessels;
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.3 monitor and track vessels; and
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.4 exchange data with shore based facilities.
12.14.3 The requirements of 12.14.2 should not apply where international agreements,
rules or standards provide for the protection of navigational information.
12.14.4 AIS should be operated taking into account the guidelines adopted by the
Organization.
12.15 Voyage Data Recorder
12.15.1 To assist in casualty investigations, passenger craft of 150 gross tonnage and
upwards and cargo craft of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards should be provided with a
voyage data recorder (VDR). For smaller passenger craft, the Administration should apply
the standards for carriage of VDR as far as is reasonable and practicable.
12.15.2 The voyage data recorder system, including all sensors, should be subjected to
an annual performance test. The test should be conducted by an approved testing or
servicing facility to verify the accuracy, duration and recoverability of the recorded
data. In addition, tests and inspections should be conducted to determine the
serviceability of all protective enclosures and devices fitted to aid location. A copy
of the certificate of compliances issued by the testing facility, stating the date of
compliance and the applicable performance standards, should be retained on board the
craft.
12.16 Performance Standards
12.16.1 All equipment to which this chapter applies should be of a type approved by the
Administration. Subject to 12.16.2, such equipment should conform to performance
standards not inferior to those adopted by the Organization.
12.16.2 The Administration should require that manufacturers have a quality control
system audited by a competent authority to ensure continuous compliance with the type
approval conditions. Alternatively, the Administration may use final product
verification procedures where compliance with the type approval certificate is verified
by a competent authority before the product is installed on board craft.
12.16.3 Before giving approval to navigational systems or equipment embodying new
features not covered by this chapter, the Administration should ensure that such
features support functions at least as effective as those required by this chapter.
12.16.4 When equipment for which performance standards have been developed by the
Organization is carried on craft in addition to the equipment required by this chapter,
such additional equipment should be subject to approval and should, as far as
practicable, comply with performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the
Organization.