GUIDANCE FOR NAVIGATION BRIDGE SYSTEMS

CONTENTS

Chapter 2 SURVEYS OF NAVIGATION BRIDGE SYSTEMS ····················································· 1

2.2 Registration Surveys ··············································································································· 1
2.3 Registration Maintenance Surveys ·························································································· 3
Chapter 3 BRIDGE LAYOUT AND BRIDGE WORKING ENVIRONMENT ····························· 4
3.2 Bridge Working Environment ································································································· 4
Chapter 4 NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT ···················································································· 5
4.1 General ··································································································································· 5
4.2 Navigational Equipment ········································································································· 5
Chapter 5 ACCIDENT PREVENTION SYSTEMS ········································································ 6
5.1 General ··································································································································· 6
Chapter 6 BRIDGE WORK ASSIST SYSTEMS ············································································· 7
6.1 General ··································································································································· 7
6.2 Bridge Work Assist Systems ··································································································· 7

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 Chapter 2

GUIDANCE FOR NAVIGATION BRIDGE SYSTEMS

Chapter 2 SURVEYS OF NAVIGATION BRIDGE SYSTEMS

2.2 Registration Surveys

2.2.2 Shop Tests

“Electronic position-fixing systems” in 2.2.2(2) of the Rules includes GPS receivers, NNSS receivers, LORAN
receivers, DECCA receivers, etc.

2.2.3 Tests after Installation on Board

The following are to be verified at the tests after installation on board.
(1) Bridge layout and bridge working environment
The bridge layout and bridge working environment are adequate to the navigator to perform navigational duties
and other functions allocated to the bridge as well as to maintain a proper lookout from workstations on the
bridge.
(2) Navigational equipment
(a) Gyro compass repeaters
Each repeater compass is installed parallel with a centre line of the ship.
(b) Echo sounding systems
A measuring error is within a permissible range.
(c) Steering pump selector/control switches
The steering pumps are smoothly changed one another.
(d) Electrical power supply
i) When the main source of electrical power to the local distribution board for the navigational
equipment is off, the audible and visual alarm is initiated, and the electrical power supply to the board
is automatically switchedover to the emergency source.
ii) All primary functions of the navigational equipment are readily reinstated after a 30 seconds
interruption of the electrical power supply.
(3) Accident prevention systems (BRS1-ships and BRS1A-ships)
(a) Bridge safety system
The audible and visual alarm is initiated where the setting verification period elapses. The alarm can be
audible at any area on the bridge.
(b) Alarm and warning transfer system
The alarm and warning transfer system automatically transfers an alarm and warning which requires the
navigator response and which is not acknowledged on the bridge within 45 seconds to the master, to the
selected back-up navigator and to the public rooms. The alarm of the bridge safety system is also
transferred.
(c) System monitor
i) The indicator lamps in the master room showing the bridge safety system, and the alarm and warning
transfer system are functioning properly.
ii) The audible and visual alarms are initiated on the bridge and in the master room when the bridge
safety system, and the alarm and warning transfer system are malfunctioning.
(d) Electrical power supply
i) When the main source of electrical power to the local distribution board for the accident prevention
systems is off, the audible and visual alarm is given, and the electrical power supply to the board is
automatically switched over to the emergency source.
ii) All primary functions of the accident prevention systems are readily reinstated after 45 seconds

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Guidance for Navigation Bridge Systems

interruption of the electrical power supply.

(4) Bridge work assist systems
(a) Bridge information systems
The information display and alarm system deemed necessary for navigation and maneuvering are
functioning properly.
(b) ECDIS
A chart, ship’s position, planned route, radar and ARPA information are added to the display.
(c) System monitor
Audible and visual alarms for a malfunction of the bridge information systems, ECDIS and auto tracking
system are given.
(d) Electrical power supply
i) When the main source of electrical power to the local distribution board for the bridge work assist
systems is off, the audible and visual alarm is given, and the electrical power supply to the board is
automatically switched over to the emergency source.
ii) All primary functions of the bridge work assist systems are readily reinstated after 45 seconds
interruption of the electrical power supply.

2.2.4 Sea Trials

The following are to be verified during the sea trials.
(1) Bridge layout and bridge working environment
(a) The bridge layout and bridge working environment are adequate to the navigator to perform navigational
duties and other functions allocated to the bridge as well as to maintain a proper lookout from workstations
on the bridge under all navigating conditions day and night.
(b) The vibration level and the noise level satisfy the requirements of 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 of the Rules.
(2) Navigational equipment
Among the tests of the navigational equipment required by 2.2.4 of the Rules, verification of the pre-warning
required by 5.1.4-1 of the Rules (for BRS1-ships and BRS1A-ships only) and the following are to be included.
(a) An automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA)
i) Targets are acquired and the course and speed information for acquired targets are displayed by both
true and relative vectors.
ii) The bearing and range of the acquired target are displayed.
iii) The CPA and TCPA are displayed.
iv) An audible and visual alarm is initiated when any acquired target closes to a range or transits a zone
chosen by the navigator.
(b) Radars
i) The bearing and range of at least two objects (one of them is to be an object on shore) which appear
forward of the beam are displayed.
ii) A measuring error of the installed radar is not greater than the error which the radar originally has.
(c) Automatic steering systems
i) The heading direction of the ship is automatically maintained at the preset course.
ii) An audible and visual alarm is initiated when the rudder reaches a preset limit of angle.
iii) An audible and visual alarm is initiated when the heading direction of the ship is deviated exceeding a
preset amount of course deviation.
(d) Speed log systems
i) The speed and distance are indicated during the speed trial. The indicated speed is to be compared
with the result of the speed trial.
ii) The speed and distance are indicated when the ship is manoeuvring slowly, for example, during the
stopping test.
(e) Echo sounding systems
The water depth is recorded while the ship is manoeuvring.
(f) Whistle control systems
The fog signals are generated properly.

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 Chapter 2

(g) Internal communication systems

i) The internal communication system functions properly in the event of failure of the main electrical
power.
ii) The bridge has priority over the communication system.
(3) Accident prevention systems (BRS1-ships and BRS1A-ships)
In accordance with 2.2.3(3)(a) and (b).
(4) Bridge work assist systems (BRS1A-ships)
(a) In accordance with 2.2.3(4)(a) and (b).
(b) Auto tracking system
i) The auto tracking system performs automatic steering of the ship along a planned route on an
electronic chart.
ii) Automatic course changes occurs after acknowledgement by the navigator.
iii) When there is no acknowledgement at a waypoint, the course is maintained and the audible and visual
alarm is given.
iv) Change-over to manual steering mode is possible.

2.3 Registration Maintenance Surveys

2.3.1 Special Surveys

1 Methods of the function tests and the verification for the navigational equipment are in accordance with
2.2.3(2)(d) and 2.2.4(2). However, function tests of automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA) may be carried out by
simulation.
2 For BRS1-ships, methods of the function tests and the verification for the accident prevention systems are in
accordance with 2.2.3(3).
3 For BRS1A-ships, methods of the function tests and verification for the bridge work assist systems are in
accordance with 2.2.3(4).

2.3.2 Annual Surveys

1 Methods of the verification tests for the navigational equipment are accordance with 2.2.4(2). However,
verification of automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA) may be carried out by simulation.
2 For BRS1-ships, methods of the function tests and the verification for the accident prevention systems are in
accordance with 2.2.3(3)(a) to (c).
3 For BRS1A-ships, methods of the function tests and verification for the bridge work assist systems are in
accordance with 2.2.3(4)(a) to (c).

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Guidance for Navigation Bridge Systems

Chapter 3 BRIDGE LAYOUT AND BRIDGE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

3.2 Bridge Working Environment

3.2.2 Vibration
Permissible level of the vibration is referred to ISO Guideline 6954-1984(E) as a standard.

3.2.3 Noise
Permissible level of the noise is referred to IMO Resolution A. 468(12) as a standard.

3.2.7 Bridge Personnel Safety

Doors to the bridge wings may be held at least one middle position if a person is to be able to pass by at that
door position.

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 Chapter 4

Chapter 4 NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT

4.1 General

4.1.3 Electrical Power Supply

The requirements of 4.1.3 of the Rules may not apply to the following ships.
(1) Ships with a class notation of “Coasting Service”, “Smooth Water Service”, “Harbour Service” or equivalent
thereto.
(2) Ships with a gross tonnage less than 500 tons.

4.2 Navigational Equipment

4.2.1 General
Navigational equipment of which inadvertent operation leads to serious situation, for example a start/stop switch
of the steering gear, may require further means of protection to prevent from misoperation.

4.2.2 Navigational Equipment

1 It is recommended that an automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA) required by 4.2.2(1) of the Rules is arranged to
obtain information from each radar installed independently.
2 The term “An off-course alarm addressed to the navigator derived from a system independent from the
automatic steering system” specified in 4.2.2(5)(a) of the Rules means an alarm system alarmed by the deviation
given by a course sensor used for automatic steering system and another one independent form the system.
3 A whistle control system required by 4.2.2(12) of the Rules is to generate the fog signals and to initiate whistle
manually.
4 An automatic exchange telephone system may be used as an internal communication means required by
4.2.2(15) of the Rules.

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Guidance for Navigation Bridge Systems

Chapter 5 ACCIDENT PREVENTION SYSTEMS

5.1 General

5.1.4 Navigational Equipment

Alarm systems specified in 5.1.4-1 of the Rules may be alarmed by other navigational equipment specified in
4.2.2 of the Rules.

5.1.5 Electrical Power Supply

The requirements of 5.1.5 of the Rules may not apply to the following ships.
(1) Ships with a class notation of “Coasting Service”, “Smooth Water Service”, “Harbour Service” or equivalent
thereto.
(2) Ships with a gross tonnage less than 500 tons.

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 Chapter 6

Chapter 6 BRIDGE WORK ASSIST SYSTEMS

6.1 General

6.1.4 Electrical Power Supply

The requirements of 6.1.4 of the Rules may not apply to the following ships.
(1) Ships with a class notation of “Coasting Service”, “Smooth Water Service”, “Harbour Service” or equivalent
thereto.
(2) Ships with a gross tonnage less than 500 tons.

6.2 Bridge Work Assist Systems

6.2.1 General
The term “electronic charts deemed appropriate by the Society” means Electronic Navigation Chart (ENC). In
case where the ship navigates the area in which ENC is not issued, other electronic charts may be used subject to use
of paper charts.

6.2.2 Bridge Information Systems

In order to avoid lapses, misunderstanding etc., the information on the display of the bridge information systems
is to be grouped into subdivisions. As a guide, sizes of using characters are to be in accordance with ISO 8468.

6.2.3 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

The term “other functions deemed necessary by the Society” means functions specified in IMO Resolution
A.817(19).

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