DET NORSKE VERITAS

DET N ORSKE VERITAS AS

Maritime Technology and
Production Centre
Systems & Components
To: All SIO and NB stations and Veritasveien 1
Whom it may concern 1322 Høvik
Norway
Tel: +47 67 57 99 00
Fax: +47 67 57 99 11
http://www.dnv.com
From: MTPNO379 - Nautical Safety and Communication Systems Org. No: NO 945 748 931 MVA

Your ref.: Our ref.: Date:

MTPNO379/BEHOF 2002-12-12

Installation of Automatic Identification Systems (AIS class A)- DNV Interpretations -

The intention of this document is to give DNV Surveyors, Owners and Yards guidelines for
installation of AIS onboard DNV classed vessels.

1 DNV involvement
For vessels where DNV issue the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate or the Passenger Ship
Safety Certificate the AIS installation will be scope for DNV approval and survey. DNV may accept
exceptions from these guidelines on a case by case basis.
DNV will require the documentation given in 4.1 for plan approval and perform an onboard survey to
verify compliance with the requirements. DNV may also offer an extended service for customers if
requested, see 4.2.
For other vessels DNV may accept the Flag States approval of the installation and if so, DNV will only
require documents for our files.

2 Carriage requirement
All ships above 300 GRT, on international voyages, and all passenger ships, irrespective of size, and
all cargo ships above 500 GRT shall carry AIS, as follows:
Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002
Ships engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002
• Passenger ships, not later that 1 July 2003
Tankers, not later than first survey for safety equipment on or after 1 July 2003
Ships, other than passenger and tankers,
of 50000 gross tonnage and upwards, not later than 1 July 2004
of 10000 gross tonnage but less than 50000 gross tonnage, not later than 1 July 2005
of 3000 gross tonnage but less than 10000 gross tonnage, not later than 1 July 2006
of 300 gross tonnage but less than 3000 gross tonnage, not later than 1 July 2007
Ships not engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002,
not later than 1 July 2008.
This was the original implementation date of SOLAS Ch.V 2000 Ammendments.
Please note that the Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security held in London in
December 2002 adopted amendments to accelerating the implementation of AIS.

Head Office: Veritasveien 1, 1322 Høvik, Norway

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3 Type approval
The AIS should be type approved and installed according to IMO performance standard for AIS
(Resolution MSC 74(69) Annex 3), IEC 61993-2 and IEC 60945.
The installation shall be in compliance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations, applicable
ITU-R Recommendations and general requirements as in resolution A.694 (17).

4 Document requirements
DNV will require the documentation given in 4.1 for plan approval. DNV may also offer an extended
service for customers if requested, see 4.2.

4.1 Normal approval

Following documents should be submitted for approval:
• Type approval certificate for the AIS issued by an recognised authority/accredited authority
4.2 Extended DNV involvement
Following drawings/ documents may be submitted for approval in beforehand for the AIS installation
if the customer wants a pre-approval before the final installation survey onboard:
• Cable plan/ block diagram identifying all interfaced equipment.
• The interface between all equipment and the AIS, e.g. method, protocol, format, checks, data rate.
• Location of the AIS Display unit, VHF antenna and GPS antenna.
• Information about power supply to the AIS
• Type approval certificate for the AIS issued by a recognised authority

Such pre-approval will be individual invoiced.

5 Location of AIS components

All AIS components should be installed according to AIS manufactures installation guidelines.

IMO Draft installation guideline (NAV 48/19 Annex 17):

5.1 VHF Antenna Installation

The antenna should not be installed close to any large vertical obstruction.
The antenna should be placed in an elevated position that is as free as possible with a minimum of 2m
in horizontal direction from constructions made of conductive materials.
The antenna should be installed safely away from interfering high-power energy sources like radar and
other transmitting radio antennas, preferably at least 3m away from and out of the transmitting beam.
Ideally there should be only one antenna on the same level. The antenna should be mounted directly
above or below the shops primary VHF antenna, with no horizontal separation and with a minimum of
2m vertical separation. If it is located on the same level as other antennas, the dostance apart should be
at least 10m.
For cable type and lengths see manufacturer’s instructions.
(Double screened coaxial cables equal or better than RG214 is recommended).

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5.2 GNSS Antenna Installation.

The antenna should be installed where it has clear view of sky; the objective is to see the horizon
freely through 360 degree and 5 to 90 degrees above the horizon.
Locate the antenna at least 3meter away from and out of the transmitting beam of high-power
transmitters (e.g. Radar beam +-12.5 degree, Inmarsat,) This includes the ships own AIS VHF antenna
if it is designed and installed separately.
For cable type and lengths see manufacturer’s instructions.

5.3 Display/Operator unit

For class notation 1A1 the Minimum Keyboard and Display unit (MKD) should be available to the
navigator at the position from which the ship is normally operated.
Requirements for class notation NAUT-OC and NAUT-AW:
The display/operator unit (MKD) may be located at the workstation for navigation (as a part of a type
approved (d)GPS display) if the AIS information also is available at the workstation for Traffic
surveillance and manoeuvring. (This display system may be navigational equipment capable of
processing and displaying AIS information such as ECDIS, radar or remote a MKD)
AIS system failure and operational warnings should be incorporated in the central alarm system.

6 Dynamic data input

-Ship Position
-Course over ground (COG)
-Speed over ground (SOG)
-Heading (See Solas requirements)
-Rate of turn (where available)

7 Power supply
The AIS and associated sensors should be powered from the ship's main source of electrical energy. In
addition, it should be possible to operate the AIS and associated sensors from an alternative source of
electrical energy.

8 Antenna arrangement drawing.

Please note that for retrofit installations the antenna arrangement drawing should be updated in order
to comply with the Radio regulations.

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