18.1 Navigational Equipment

  18.1.1 A vessel should be fitted with the following:

• .1 A properly adjusted standard magnetic compass or other means, independent of any power supply, to determine the ship's heading.

• .2 In a steel vessel, it should be possible to correct the compass for co-efficients B, C and D, and heeling error.

• .3 The magnetic compass or repeater should be so positioned as to be clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering position. It should also be provided with an electric light, the electric power supply of which should be of the twin wire type.

  18.1.2 A vessel should be fitted with, the following additional equipment:

• .1 an echo sounder;

• .2 a receiver for a global navigation satellite system or a terrestrial radio-navigation system, or other means suitable for use at all times throughout the intended voyage to establish and update the ship's position by automatic means;

• .3 speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and distance through the water;

• .4 a gyro compass or spare magnetic compass bowl;

• .5 a rudder angle indicator; and

• .6 a 9 GHz radar.

  18.1.3 For vessels of less than 300GT the equipment specified in 18.1.1 and 18.1.2 need not be of an approved type.

  18.1.4 Means should be provided for taking bearings as near as practicable over an arc of the horizon of 360°. This requirement may be met by the fitting of a pelorus compass, or, on a vessel other than a steel vessel, with a hand bearing compass.

  18.1.5 For vessels under 300GT the requirements of 18.1.2.4 may be met by the use of a fluxgate compass, provided that a suitable back up power supply is available to power the compass in the event of failure of the main electrical supply. Where such a compass incorporates a capability to measure magnetic deviation by undertaking a calibration routine, and where the deviation figures are recorded within the device, a deviation card is not required.

  18.1.6 Attention should be paid to magnetic effects on magnetic compasses, including fluxgate compasses, when operating in Polar Regions. (i.e. north of 70° N, or south of 70° S).

  18.1.7 All vessels of 300GT and over should be fitted with an approved automatic identification system (AIS) in accordance with SOLAS Chapter V. The AIS should:

• .1 provide automatically to appropriately equipped shore stations, other ships and aircraft, information including the ships identity, type, position, course, speed, navigational status and other safety related information;

• .2 receive automatically such information from similarly fitted ships;

• .3 monitor and track ships; and

• .4 exchange data with shore-based facilities.

  18.1.8 All vessels of 300GT and over, unless operating solely within sea area A1, should be fitted with a Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system to automatically transmit the identity of the ship; the position of the ship, (latitude and longitude); and the date and time of position provided.

The required shipborne equipment should as a minimum:

• .1 be capable of automatically, and without human intervention on board the ship, transmitting the ship’s LRIT information at 6-hour intervals to an LRIT Data Centre;

• .2 be capable of being configured remotely to transmit LRIT information at variable intervals;

• .3 be capable of transmitting LRIT information following receipt of polling commands;

• .4 interface directly to the shipborne global navigation satellite system equipment, or have internal positioning capability;

• .5 be supplied with energy from the main and emergency source of electrical power; and

• .6 be tested for electromagnetic compatibility taking into account the recommendations developed by the IMO.

The current list of Authorised Testing Application Service Providers (ATASP’s) are contained in Marine Information Note MIN 343, as may be amended.

  18.1.9 All vessels should be fitted with a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS), in accordance with SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 as follows:

  18.1.9.1 Vessels of 150 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2011;

  18.1.9.2 Vessels of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey after 1 July 2013; and

  18.1.9.3 Vessels of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey after 1 July 2014.

  18.1.9.4 A bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) installed prior to 1 July 2011 may subsequently be exempted from full compliance with the standards adopted by the IMO, at the discretion of the Administration.

The bridge navigational watch alarm system should be in operation whenever the ship is underway at sea.

  18.1.10 Vessels of 3000 GT and over should comply with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19.