What is the minimum equipment fit on a 500 GT cargo ship?

SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.1 requires: a magnetic compass with means to take bearings (e.g. azimuth circle), a transmitting heading device, ARPA/radar (X-band) with electronic bearing line, ECDIS or paper charts, GNSS / EPFS (Electronic Position-Fixing System), a sound reception system if the bridge is fully enclosed, signal lights and shapes, daylight signalling lamp, ICS Code, COLREG poster. From 500 GT add a second radar, gyrocompass, AIS, BNWAS.

Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System. SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.2.3 requires it on cargo ships ≥150 GT and passenger ships. Operating modes: Manual on / Automatic on (engaged when autopilot active) / Off (only with master's specific consent). When the OOW does not interact with the bridge equipment for the dormant period (typically 3-12 minutes), a first-stage audio alert sounds; if not acknowledged within 15 seconds, the alert escalates to backup officer and master.

When is VDR required?

Voyage Data Recorder is required by SOLAS V Reg. 20 on every passenger ship and on every cargo ship ≥3,000 GT. Records: bridge audio, VHF, radar image, ECDIS image, ship's heading, speed, position, rudder/engine commands, hull openings, accelerations, structural response, wind, time. Continuous loop ≥12 hours (newer S-VDR ≥48 hours). Float-free protective capsule survives 28 days deep submersion.

What does e-navigation add?

IMO's e-navigation strategy (resolution MSC.85/26/Add.1) is integrating digital navigation services across ship and shore: standardised maritime service portfolios (MSPs), updated S-100 ENC framework, harmonised data exchange, route exchange between vessels and shore VTS. Roll-out is incremental — current ECDIS supports the ENC and many connected services; future MSPs will provide route-exchange and dynamic UKC.

What is the difference between INS and IBS?

Integrated Navigation System (INS) — sensors and data processing combined into a single workstation with graphical display; performance standards in MSC.252(83). Integrated Bridge System (IBS) — integration extends to ship-control and monitoring (e.g. engine, alarm management, sensors) with multiple workstations; performance standards in MSC.64(67) Annex 1. Modern bridges are typically INS or IBS; small ships have stand-alone instruments instead.

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.

Last verified 4 months ago