Resolution MSC.128(75)
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR A BRIDGE NAVIGATIONAL WATCH ALARM SYSTEM (BNWAS)
(adopted
on 21 May 2002)
THE
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,
RECALLING
Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING
ALSO resolution A.886(21), by which the Assembly resolved that the function of
adopting performance standards and technical specifications, as well as
amendments thereto shall be performed by the Maritime Safety Committee and/or
the Marine Environment Protection Committee, as appropriate, on behalf of the
Organization,
RECOGNIZING
that, many operational bridge-related marine accidents could be averted if an
effective and operational Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) was
fitted to vessels,
RECOGNIZING
FURTHER that, by the use of a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS)
warnings will be given in case of the incapacity of the watchkeeping officer
due to accident, sickness or in the event of a security breach, e.g. piracy
and/or hijacking,
NOTING
that the installation of such equipment is a relatively low-cost and an
effective means of avoiding operational navigational accidents,
RECOGNIZING
the need to prepare appropriate performance standards for BNWASs,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendation on the performance standards for BNWASs made by
the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation at its forty-seventh session,
1.
ADOPTS the Recommendation on Performance Standards for a Bridge Navigational
Watch Alarm System set out in the Annex to the present resolution;
2.
RECOMMENDS Governments to ensure that BNWASs installed on or after 1 July 2003,
conform to performance standards not inferior to those specified in the Annex
to the present resolution.
ANNEX.
RECOMMENDATION ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR A BRIDGE NAVIGATIONAL WATCH ALARM
SYSTEM
The
purpose of a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) is to monitor
bridge activity and detect operator disability which could lead to marine
accidents. The system monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW)
and automatically alerts the Master or another qualified OOW if for any reason
the OOW becomes incapable of performing the OOW's duties. This purpose is
achieved by a series of indications and alarms to alert first the OOW and, if
he is not responding, then to alert the Master or another qualified OOW.
Additionally, the BNWAS may provide the OOW with a means of calling for
immediate assistance if required. The BNWAS should be operational whenever the
ship's heading or track control system is engaged, unless inhibited by the
Master.
|
IMO resolution A.830(19) |
Code on alarms and
indicators |
|
IMO MSC/Circ.982 |
Guidelines on Ergonomic
Criteria for Bridge Equipment and Layout |
|
IMO resolution A.694(17) |
General Requirements* for
ship-borne radio equipment forming part of the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS) and for Electronic Navigational Aids |
_________
* IEC Publication 60945
Bridge
— Wheelhouse and bridge wings
4.1.1.1
The BNWAS should incorporate the following operational modes:
- Automatic (Automatically
brought into operation whenever the ship's heading or track control system is
activated and inhibited when this system is not activated)
- Manual ON (In operation
constantly)
- Manual OFF (Does not
operate under any circumstances)
4.1.2 Operational Sequence of Indications and
Alarms
4.1.2.1
Once operational, the alarm system should remain dormant for a period of
between 3 and 12 min (Td).
4.1.2.2
At the end of this dormant period, the alarm system should initiate a visual
indication on the bridge.
4.1.2.3
If not reset, the BNWAS should additionally sound a first stage audible alarm
on the bridge 15s after the visual indication is initiated.
4.1.2.4
If not reset, the BNWAS should additionally sound a second stage remote audible
alarm in the back-up officer's and/or Master's location 15 s after the first
stage audible alarm is initiated.
4.1.2.5
If not reset, the BNWAS should additionally sound a third stage remote audible
alarm at the locations of further crew members capable of taking corrective
actions 90 s after the second stage remote audible alarm is initiated.
4.1.2.6
In vessels other than passenger vessels, the second or third stage remote
audible alarms may sound in all the above locations at the same time. If the
second stage audible alarm is sounded in this way, the third stage alarm may be
omitted.
4.1.2.7
In larger vessels, the delay between the second and third stage alarms may be
set to a longer value on installation, up to a maximum of 3 min, to allow
sufficient time for the back-up officer and/or Master to reach the bridge.
4.1.3.1
It should not be possible to initiate the reset function or cancel any audible
alarm from any device, equipment or system not physically located in areas of
the bridge providing proper look out.
4.1.3.2
The reset function should, by a single operator action, cancel the visual
indication and all audible alarms and initiate a further dormant period. If the
reset function is activated before the end of the dormant period, the period
should be re-initiated to run for its full duration from the time of the reset.
4.1.3.3
To initiate the reset function, an input representing a single operator action
by the OOW is required. This input may be generated by reset devices forming an
integral part of the BNWAS or by external inputs from other equipment capable
of registering physical activity and mental alertness of the OOW.
4.1.3.4
A continuous activation of any reset device should not) prolong the dormant
period or cause a suppression of the sequence of indications and alarms.
Means
may be provided on the bridge to immediately activate the second, and
subsequently third, stage remote audible alarms by means of an "Emergency
Call" push button or similar.
The
alarm system should be capable of achieving the timings stated in section 4.1.2
with an accuracy of 5% or 5s, whichever is less, under all environmental
conditions.
The
means of selecting the Operational Mode and the duration of the Dormant Period
(Td) should be security protected so that access to these controls should be
restricted to the Master only.
4.4 Malfunctions, alarms and indications
If
a malfunction of, or power supply failure to, the BMW AS is detected, this
should be indicated. Means shall be provided to allow the repeat of this
indication on a central alarm panel if fitted.
5.1.1
A protected means of selecting the operational mode of the BNWAS.
5.1.2
A protected means of selecting the duration of the dormant period of the BNWAS.
5.1.3
A means of activating the "Emergency Call" function if this facility
is incorporated within the BNWAS.
5.1.4
Reset Facilities.
Means
of activating the reset function should only be available in positions on the
bridge giving proper look out and preferably adjacent to visual indications.
Means of activating the reset function should be easily accessible from the
conning position, the workstation for navigating and manoeuvring, the
workstation for monitoring and the bridge wings.
5.2 Presentation of Information
5.2.1
Operational Mode
The
operational mode of the equipment should be indicated to the OOW.
5.2.2
Visual Indication.
The
visual indication initiated at the end of the dormant period should take the
form of a flashing indication. Flashing indications should be visible from all
operational positions on the bridge where the OOW may reasonably be expected to
be stationed. The colour of the indication(s) should be chosen so as not to
impair night vision and dimming facilities (although not to extinction) should
be incorporated.
5.2.3
First Stage Bridge Audible Alarm.
The
first stage audible alarm which sounds on the bridge at the end of the visual
indication period should have its own characteristic tone or modulation
intended to alert, but not to startle, the OOW. This alarm should be audible
from all operational positions on the bridge where the OOW may reasonably be
expected to be stationed. Ibis function may be engineered using one or more
sounding devices. Tone/modulation characteristics and volume level should be
selectable during commissioning of the system.