Regulation 6 - Navigating bridge visibility
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - SFV - International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels (The Torremolinos Convention)Regulations for the Construction and Equipment of Fishing Vessels - Chapter X - Shipborne Navigational Equipment and Arrangements - Regulation 6 - Navigating bridge visibility

Regulation 6 - Navigating bridge visibility

  (1) New vessels of 45 m in length and over shall meet the following requirements:

  • (a) The view of the sea surface from the conning position shall not be obscured by more than two vessel lengths, or 500 m, whichever is less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side irrespective of the vessel's draught and trim.

  • (b) No blind sector caused by fishing gear or other obstructions outside of the wheelhouse forward of the beam which obstructs the view of the sea surface as seen from tile conning position, shall exceed 10°. The total arc of blind sectors shall not exceed 20°. The clear sectors between blind sectors shall be at least 5°. However, in the view described in subparagraph (a) each individual blind sector shall not exceed 5°.

  • (c) The height of the lower edge of the navigating bridge front windows above the bridge deck shall be kept as low as possible. In no case shall the lower edge present an obstruction to the forward view as described in this regulation.

  • (d) The upper edge of the navigating bridge front windows shall allow a forward view of the horizon for a person with a height of eye of 1,800 mm above the bridge deck at the conning position when the vessel is pitching in heavy seas. However, the Administration, being satisfied that a 1,800 mm height of eye is unreasonable and impractical, may reduce the height of eye but not to less than 1,600 mm.

  • (e) The horizontal field of vision from the conning position shall extend over an arc of not less than 225°, that is from right ahead to not less than 22.5° abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.

  • (f) From each bridge wing the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc of at least 225°, that is from at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the vessel.

  • (g) From the main steering position the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc from right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the vessel.

  • (h) The vessel's side shall be visible from the bridge wing.

  • (i) Windows shall meet the following requirements:

    • (i) framing between navigating bridge windows shall be kept to a minimum and not be installed immediately forward of any workstation;

    • (ii) to help avoid reflections, the bridge front windows shall be inclined from the vertical plane top out, at any angle of not less than 10° and not more than 25°;

    • (iii) polarized and tinted windows shall not be fitted; and

    • (iv) a clear view through at least two of the navigating bridge front windows and depending on the bridge configuration, an additional number of clear view windows shall be provided at all times regardless of weather conditions.

  (2) Existing vessel shall, where practicable, meet the requirements of paragraph (1)(a) and (b). However, structural alterations or additional equipment need not be required.

  (3) On vessels of unconventional design which, in the opinion of the Administration cannot comply with this regulation, arrangements shall be provided to achieve a level of visibility that is as near as practicable to that prescribed in this regulation.

Parent topic: Chapter X - Shipborne Navigational Equipment and Arrangements
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