Section 15 Navigation and manoeuvring systems
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022 - Part 16 Control and Electrical Engineering - Chapter 2 Electrical Engineering - Section 15 Navigation and manoeuvring systems

Section 15 Navigation and manoeuvring systems

15.1 Steering systems

15.1.1 The requirements of Pt 16, Ch 2, 15.1 Steering systems 15.1.2 are to be read in conjunction with those in Pt 14, Ch 1 Steering Systems.

15.1.2 Two exclusive circuits, fed from the main source of electrical power and each having adequate capacity to supply all the motors which may be connected to it simultaneously are to be provided for each electric or electrohydraulic steering unit arrangement consisting of one or more electric motors. One of these circuits may pass through the emergency switchboard. For high speed craft, one of these circuits is to be fed either from the emergency source of electric power or from an independent power source located in such a position as to be unaffected by fire or flooding affecting the main source of power. See also Pt 14, Ch 1, 6 Control, monitoring and electrical equipment.

15.1.3 The main and auxiliary steering unit motors are to be capable of being started from a position on the navigating bridge and also arranged to restart automatically when power is restored after a power failure.

15.1.4 The motor of an associated auxiliary electric or electrohydraulic power unit may be connected to one of the circuits supplying the main steering unit.

15.1.5 Only short circuit protection is to be provided for each main and auxiliary steering unit motor circuit.

15.1.6 In craft of less than 1600 gross tonnage, if an auxiliary steering unit is not electrically powered or is powered by an electric motor primarily intended for other services, the main steering unit may be fed by one circuit from the main switchboard. Consideration would be given to other protective arrangements other than described in Pt 16, Ch 2, 15.1 Steering systems 15.1.5 for such a motor primarily intended for other services.

15.1.7 Each main and auxiliary steering unit electric control system which is to be operated from the navigating bridge is to be served with electric power by a separate circuit supplied from the associated steering gear power circuit, from a point within the steering unit compartment, or directly from the same section of switchboard busbars, main or emergency, to which the associated steering unit power circuit is connected. Each separate circuit is to be provided with short circuit protection only.

15.2 Thruster systems for manoeuvring

15.2.1 Where a tunnel or athwartship thruster is fitted solely for the purpose of manoeuvring, and is electrically driven, its starting and operation is not to cause the loss of any essential services.

15.2.2 In order to ensure that the thruster system is not tripped inadvertently whilst manoeuvring the craft, overload protection in the form of an alarm is to be provided for the electric motor and any associated supply converters, in lieu of tripping.

15.2.3 The thruster electric motor is not to be disconnected as part of a load management switching operation.

15.3 Navigation lights

15.3.1 Navigation lights are to be connected separately to a distribution board reserved for this purpose only and accessible to the officer of the watch. This distribution board is to be connected directly or through transformers to the emergency source of electrical power in compliance with, for passenger craft, Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.2 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger craft and for yachts that are 500 gt or more 3.2.7 and Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.2 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger craft and for yachts that are 500 gt or more 3.2.7.(b).(ii) and Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.2 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger craft and for yachts that are 500 gt or more 3.2.7 or, for cargo craft Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7 and Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.8.(b).(ii) and Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.8. An alarm is to be activated in the event of failure of a power supply from the distribution board.

15.3.2 Each navigation light is to be controlled and protected in each insulated pole by a switch and fuse or circuit-breaker mounted on the distribution board.

15.3.3 Provision is to be made on the navigating bridge for the navigation lights to be transferred to an alternative circuit fed from the main source of electrical power.

15.3.4 Each navigation light is to be provided with an automatic indicator giving audible and/or visual indication of failure of the light. If an audible device alone is fitted, it is to be connected to an independent source of supply, e.g. a battery, with means provided to test this supply. If a visual signal is used connected in series with the navigation light, means are to be provided to prevent extinction of the navigation light due to failure of the signal. The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to pilot boats, fishing boats and similar small vessels.

15.3.5 For navigation lights using light emitting diodes (consisting of multiple light sources) means to ensure that the overall luminous intensity of the navigation light is sufficient are to be provided in addition to the alarm to indicate the complete loss of the navigation light illumination required by Pt 16, Ch 2, 15.3 Navigation lights 15.3.4. For replacement navigation lights, see Pt 16, Ch 2, 1.5 Additions or alterations 1.5.5.

15.3.6 To satisfy Pt 16, Ch 2, 15.3 Navigation lights 15.3.5, an audible and visual alarm is to be activated to notify the Officer of the Watch that the luminous intensity of the light reduces below the level required by the IMO Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Alternative measures to ensure continuing acceptable performance of navigation lights using light emitting diodes may be considered that are in accordance with:

  • IMO Res. MSC.253(83), Performance Standards for Navigation Lights, Navigation Light Controllers and associated Equipment, and
  • EN 14744, Inland navigation vessels and sea-going vessels – Navigation light, or a relevant National or International Standard.

Where alternative measures are proposed that require periodic verification by personnel of the luminous intensity of navigation lights using light emitting diodes, details of the inspection implementation in the ships safety management system and acceptance by the National Administration requirements are to be submitted for consideration.

15.3.7 Navigation light power supply units installed to convert, control and/or monitor the distribution board power supply required by Pt 16, Ch 2, 15.3 Navigation lights 15.3.1 above for connection to the light source(s) (e.g. for LED type navigation lights) are, in the event of a short-circuit on the unit output, are to disconnect or limit the supply to prevent further damage and activate an alarm in the event of a short-circuit on the unit output side.

15.3.8 Navigation light power supply units are to be selfchecking, detecting failures of the unit itself and activating an alarm. These are to include:

15.3.9 The navigation light power supply failure alarms required by Pt 16, Ch 2, 15.3 Navigation lights 15.3.1 are not to be displayed as a group alarm. Other navigation light alarms may be grouped for each navigation light where means are provided for personnel to determine the cause of the alarm. Activation of more than one of the navigation light alarms as a result of a single failure is to be prevented.

15.3.10 Any statutory requirements of the country of registration are to be complied with and may be accepted as an alternative to the above.

15.4 Navigational aids

15.5 Stabilisation

15.5.1 Where the stabilisation of a craft is essentially dependent upon a single device which in turn is dependent upon a continuous supply of electrical power, the supply arrangements are to comply with Pt 16, Ch 2, 5.2 Essential services 5.2.3.

15.5.2 Where such systems are not dependent upon the continuous availability of electrical power, but one or more alternative systems not dependent upon the electrical supply are installed, a single circuit may be provided, with the protection and alarms required by Pt 16, Ch 2, 5.2 Essential services 5.2.3.


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