Bridge equipment — SOLAS V

SOLAS Chapter V Regulations 17 to 26 set out the minimum carriage and performance requirements for bridge equipment. Reg. 19 carries the equipment list scaled by ship size; Reg. 20 covers VDR; Reg. 22 covers navigation bridge visibility; Reg. 23 covers the pilot ladder. Compliance is verified at SEQ (Safety Equipment) survey, intermediate, and renewal special surveys.

Carriage by ship size

• All ships (Reg. 19.2.1): magnetic compass, transmitting heading device or compass; pelorus or other compass bearing device; means to correct compass error; signal lights and shapes; daylight signalling lamp; ICS Code; COLREG poster; SOLAS poster.
• ≥150 GT: echo sounder; X-band radar; sound reception system if enclosed bridge; rate-of-turn indicator (≥50,000 GT).
• ≥300 GT: AIS Class A; GNSS/EPFS receiver; second radar; ARPA performance for one radar.
• ≥500 GT: gyrocompass repeater(s); steering / heading control system; transmitting heading device interfacing with radar/AIS/ECDIS.
• ≥3,000 GT: two radars (one X-band, one S-band); ARPA on both; second-look BNWAS; VDR.
• ≥10,000 GT: rate-of-turn indicator; doppler speed log (water and ground); two independent gyrocompasses or alternative arrangements.

Detail: each item

• ARPA radar. Automatic Radar Plotting Aid; tracks ≥40 targets, alerts on CPA/TCPA breaches. Performance per IMO Resolution MSC.192(79).
• ECDIS. Electronic Chart Display and Information System; primary chart on a Type-Approved unit running ENC data; mandatory under SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.10 since 2018 phase-in. See chart updates.
• AIS Class A. Automatic Identification System; broadcasts identity, position, course, speed, heading every 2-10 seconds; receives from other AIS-fitted vessels. SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.4.
• GMDSS. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System; distress alert via VHF DSC, MF/HF DSC, or Inmarsat-C / Iridium GMDSS depending on Sea Area. SOLAS Ch. IV.
• Gyrocompass. Provides true heading independent of magnetic interference. SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.5.
• Magnetic compass. All ships, even with gyrocompass; backup. Adjusted at intervals not exceeding two years; deviation card maintained.
• Echo sounder. Continuous depth indication; alarm at minimum depth setting.
• Speed log. Water-speed and (≥10,000 GT) doppler ground-speed.
• BNWAS. Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System; performance standards in MSC.128(75). Cargo ≥150 GT, passenger.
• VDR / S-VDR. Voyage Data Recorder; passenger ships and cargo ≥3,000 GT. ≥48 hours circular recording on float-free capsule.
• EPFS. Electronic Position Fixing System — typically GPS or multi-GNSS; SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.4.
• Sound reception system. External microphones if the bridge is fully enclosed, so the OOW can hear sound signals from other vessels.
• Daylight signalling lamp + signal flags. ICS Vol. III alphabet; backup to VHF.

Annual checks

• · Magnetic compass adjusted within 24 months; deviation card current.
• · Gyrocompass alignment checked daily by transit bearings.
• · VDR / S-VDR annual performance test by accredited service provider.
• · ECDIS annual performance test (alarm test, route check, position-fixing accuracy).
• · BNWAS dormant-period setting verified during port stays.
• · AIS data integrity checked against actual vessel particulars at every port call.

Sources: SOLAS Chapter V (Safety of Navigation); IMO Resolutions MSC.192(79) (radar), MSC.232(82) (ECDIS), MSC.74(69) (AIS), MSC.128(75) (BNWAS), MSC.214(81) (S-VDR); IEC 61162 (digital interfaces). See also passage planning, ECDIS, GMDSS, AIS.