5 Operational Requirements
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.74(69) - Adoption of New and Amended Performance Standards - (Adopted on 12 May 1998) - Annex 4 - Amendments to Resolution A.224(VII) - Performance Standards for Echo Sounding Equipment - Annex - Recommendation on Performance Standards for Echo-Sounding Equipment - 5 Operational Requirements

5 Operational Requirements

5.1 Functionality

5.1.1 Range of depth

 Under normal propagation and sea bed reflectibility conditions the equipment should be capable of measuring any clearance under the transducer between 2 m and 200 m.

5.1.2 Range scales

 The equipment should provide a minimum of two range scales one of which, the shallow range, should cover a range of 20 m, and the other, the deep range, should cover a range of 200 m.

5.1.3 Main display

 The primary presentation should be a suitable graphical display which provides the immediate depth and a visible record of soundings. The displayed record should, show at least 15 min of soundings.

5.1.4 Other displays

 Other forms of display may be added but these should not affect the normal operation of the main display.

5.1.5 Pulse repetition rate

 The pulse repetition rate should not be slower than 12 pulses per minute on the deep range and 36 pulses per minute on the shallow range.

5.1.6 Roll and pitch

 The performance of the equipment should be such that it will meet the requirements of these performance standards when the ship is rolling ± 10° and/or pitching ± 5°.

5.1.7 Multiple installations

  5.1.7.1 More than one transducer and associated transmitter-receiver may be fitted.

  5.1.7.2 If more than one transducer is used:

  • means should be available to display the depths from the different transducers separately; and
  • a clear indication of the transducer(s) in use should be provided.

5.1.8 Data storage

 It should be possible to record on paper recording or other means the information about:

  • the depth(s), and
  • the associated time for 12 h.

There should be means to retrieve the recorded information.

5.2 Accuracy

5.2.1 Accuracy of measurement

 Based on a sound speed in water of 1,500 m/s, the tolerance of the indicated depth should be either:

  • ± 0.5 m on the 20 m range scale, respectively ± 5 m on the 200 m range scale; or
  • ± 2.5% of the indicated depth,

whichever is greater.

5.2.2 Discrimination

 The scale of display should not be smaller than 5.0 mm per metre depth on the shallow range scale and 0.5 mm per metre depth on the deep range scale.

5.3 Malfunctions, alarms and indications

5.3.1 Depth alarm

 An alarm signal - both visual and audible with mute function - should be provided when the water depth is below a preset value.

5.3.2 Failure or reduction in power supply

 Alarm signals, both visual and audible (with mute function) to the navigator on the watch should be provided to indicate failure or a reduction in the power supply to the echo sounder which would affect the safe operation of the equipment.


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