ItoS - SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of navigation

Legend / Explanation of abbreviations:

• COLREG: International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended

• FSS: International Code for Fire Safety Systems

• IACS: International Association of Classification Societies

• IMO: International Maritime Organisation

• LSA: International Life-Saving Appliances Code

• NSI: Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate

• RO: Recognised Organisation

• S-Band: 3 GHz and 10 cm

• SOLAS: the International Convention for the Safety of ife at Sea, 1974, and its protocol of 1988: articles, annexes and certificates, as amended

• X-Band: 9 GHz and 3 cm

Performance Monitor extra radar

With regard to SOLAS regulation V/18.7, for ships built on or after 24 September 2012, the NSI requires any radar equipment, installed in addition to the radar equipment required to meet the requirements of SOLAS regulation V/19, to:

1. conform to the performance standard set out in the annex to 'Revised Recommendation on performance standards for radar equipment' (resolution MSC.192(79)); and

2. be equipped with a performance monitor, unless it is demonstrated that a performance monitor cannot practically be installed, for which an exemption may be granted by the NSI on a case-by-case basis.

(S-)VDR- and its capsule float-free arrangement batteries

With reference to the requirements of SOLAS regulations V/18.81,2 and V/20 and based on what is stated in Resolution MSC.333(90) - Revised performance standards for shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), as amended by Resolution MSC.494(104).

Replacement of the battery

The replacement of the battery within the (S-)VDR, or its float-free arrangements, is to be carried out:

• in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; and/or

• at the time of the annual performance test if the battery has passed its expiry date.

The internal VDR battery shall be replaced by the manufacturer or a person authorized by the VDR manufacturer.

The battery of the capsule float-free shall be replaced by the manufacturer or a person authorized by the (S-)VDR- or if applicable, the EPIRB manufacturer.

The shipowner shall monitor the need of replacement in the planned maintenance program on board and ensure replacement of the battery at the required time. Replacement parts shall be as per original type approval (certificate).

Sailing with an expired battery

In case a ship sails with an expired battery due to force majeure, the situation shall be dealt with as if the (S-)VDR is temporarily out of order. Reference is made to ItoRO no. 07 - Exemptions permitted to be issued by the Recognized Organization without prior consultation of the NSI, item g) (S-)VDR malfunctioning.

Nautical charts (ECDIS) and nautical publications in digital format

With regard to SOLAS regulation V/19.2.1.4, V/19.2.1.5 and V/27, the NSI:

1. permits a second electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) as an equivalent to the appropriate portfolio of paper charts, also when sailing in the raster chart display system (RCDS) mode in waters for which only raster navigational charts (RNCs) are available, provided that the conditions, as set out in the Netherlands equivalent arrangement (XQ9818), have been met.

2. permits nautical publications to be of a digital format;  

3. requires the back-up arrangements for nautical publications to comply, where relevant to nautical publication, with the requirements as set out in the appendix 6 of the 'Revised performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS)', as set out in the annex to resolution MSC.232(82) , as follows:

   1. The back-up arrangement for nautical publications may consist of a data storage facility including means of presenting and printing;  

   2. The back-up arrangement should be independent from the main facility and preferably be located close to or on the navigation bridge;    

   3. The main computer should, as a minimum, meet the standards, as set out in the IEC 60945 standard, as amended;

   4. The back-up arrangement should meet the EMS requirements as set out in the IEC 60945 standard;  

   5. The computers shall meet any requirements as stated by the supplier of the digital nautical publication at all times;

   6. Displays, screens and peripherals should be visible, dimmable and clearly readable at all times;

   7. Software used on the main as well as the back-up arrangement may differ in format as long as it is compatible with the software used for the nautical publication;

   8. Both the main as well as the back-up arrangement should be capable of printing;

   9. Both the main as well as the back-up arrangement should have up to date antivirus software installed;

   10. Both the main as well as the back-up arrangement should be kept up to date on a weekly basis with software updates and updates for the publications; and

   11. In case the software is installed on a network, via a LAN application, this network should be redundant.

Sound reception system

With regard to SOLAS regulation V/19.2.1.8, the NSI:

1. requires a sound reception system to be type approved;

2. does not consider other means equivalent to a sound reception system to enable the officer in charge of the navigational watch to hear sound signals and determine their direction;  

3. defines:

   1. a totally enclosed bridge as a bridge without open bridge wings, meaning that bridge wings form an integral part of an enclosed wheelhouse;

   2. a catwalk as an extension to a deck outside a totally enclosed bridge wide enough to allow the safe passage of a person; and

4. prohibits a catwalk to be considered as an open bridge wing.

Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems

With regard to SOLAS regulation V/19.2.2.4, and taking into account SOLAS regulation V/20.2 as well as Regulation Safety Seagoing Vessels article 24.2 and article 41a , the NSI:

1. requires a bridge navigational watch alarm system installed on or after 1 July 2009 and prior to 1 July 2011 to fully comply with the Performance standards for a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) - (resolution MSC.128(75);  

2. exempts bridge navigational watch alarm systems installed prior to 1 July 2009 from full compliance with the Performance standards for BNWAS (resolution MSC.128(75)), provided that:

   1. the bridge navigational watch alarm system complies with the requirements as set out in Notice to Shipping 234/1988, which may be demonstrated by a functional check, type approval certificate or any documentation; or

   2. it concerns vessels transferred to Netherlands flag register from a register of another Administration, provided the BNWAS was approved by the Administration of the previous flag and demonstration of compliance with the applicable requirements of that Administration in force before 1 July 2009 may be effected in a similar way;

the following remark has been included in the ship's Record of Safety Equipment: 'Existing BNWAS, installed before 1 July 2009, which complies with national requirements at time of installation and is consequently, in accordance with article 41a of the Regulation safety seagoing vessels, exempted from full compliance with resolution MSC.128(75).'

Further, the NSI:

3. requires a bridge navigational watch alarm system installed prior to 1 July 2011 on a ship fitted with a simplified voyage data recorder (S-VDR) to be interfaced with the S-VDR, unless the bridge navigational watch alarm system does not provide, nor can be modified to provide for the input data to be recorded by the S-VDR, as declared by the manufacturer of the bridge navigational watch alarm system (or similar evidence demonstrating that the required data is not available and that the BNWAS cannot be adapted for this); and

4. requires, as an interim measure and pending a revision of the Performance standards for a BNWAS (resolution MSC.128(75), the automatic operation mode of a bridge navigational watch alarm system, if it is available, not to be used, as set out in Guidance on the BNWAS auto function (MSC.1/Circ.1474).

Shipborne radar installations

To comply with SOLAS chapter V/19, regarding shipborne radar installations, ships shall be fitted with radar equipment as follows:

1 Ships constructed before 01-07-2002

1. Cargo ships of 300 GT and upwards when engaged on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 GT and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size shall be fitted with a radar installation capable of operating in the 9 GHz frequency band3.

2. All ships of 10.000 GT and upwards shall be fitted with two radar installations, each capable of being operated independently of the other. At least one of the radar installations shall be capable of operating in the 9 GHz frequency band4.

1.1 Recommendation for ships of 10.000 GT and upwards

The NSI strongly recommends ships mentioned in paragraph 1b. to be fitted with a 3 GHz radar as second mandatory radar next to the required 9 GHz radar.

1.1.1 Replacement of radar installation for ships of 10.000 GT and upwards

Where a shipowner, contrary to paragraph 1.1, when replacing one of the two installed 9 GHz radars, intends to refit the ship with two 9 GHz radars, the NSI requests the shipowner to follow the procedure as mentioned under paragraph 3.

Acceptance of the well-founded proposal, as sent to the RO, by the NSI is required.

2 Ships constructed on or after 01-07-2002

1. Cargo ships of 300 GT and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size shall be fitted with a 9 GHz radar, or other means to determine and display the range and bearing of radar transponders and of other surface craft, obstructions, buoys, shorelines and navigational marks to assist in navigation and in collision avoidance5.

2. All ships of 3000 GT and upwards shall be fitted with a 9 GHz radar and a 3 GHz radar, or where considered appropriate by the Administration a second 9 GHz radar, or other means to determine and display the range and bearing of other surface craft, obstructions, buoys, shorelines and navigational marks to assist in navigation and in collision avoidance. The two radar installations shall be functionally independent6.

2.1 Requirement for ships of 3.000 GT and upwards

The NSI requires ships mentioned in paragraph 2b. to be fitted with a 3 GHz radar as second mandatory radar next to the required 9 GHz radar.

2.1.1 Fitting of two 9 GHz radar installations on ships of 3.000 GT and upwards

Where a shipowner would want to request the RO to consider it to be appropriate to fit the ship with two 9 GHz radars the procedure under paragraph 3 shall be followed.

Only after confirmation of acceptance of the proposal by the RO the ship can be fitted with two 9 GHz radars.

3 Fitting a ship with 2 radars operating in the 9 GHz frequency band

Where a shipowner deems it appropriate and intends to fit the ship with two 9 GHz radars, instead of a 9 GHz and a 3 GHz radar, a well-founded proposal has to be sent to the RO for consideration. This proposal shall contain at least the following information:

1. the ship type;

2. the general lay-out of the ship [and the cargo to be carried];

3. the foreseen geographical sailing areas of the ship throughout the ship's time in service, including:

   1. the average, minimum and maximum weather conditions likely to be encountered in those geographical sailing areas

   2. the traffic density likely to be encountered in those geographical sailing areas;

4. the shipborne navigational systems and equipment carried by the ship in addition to the radar installations; and

5. a risk assessment, including a gap analysis of the difference between the use of a radar installation capable of operating in the 9 GHz frequency band and a radar installation capable of operating in the 3 GHz frequency band, for (but not limited to) the forementioned information.

Pilot transfer arrangement

With regard to SOLAS regulation V/23.3.2 and V/23.3.3.1.4, for ships where:

1. the distance from sea level to the point of access to, or egress from, the ship exceeds 9 m;

2. it is intended to embark and disembark pilots by means of the accommodation ladder, or other equally safe and convenient means in conjunction with a pilot ladder; and

3. such equipment is capable of being transferred for use on either side of the ship,

the NSI requires:

1. due allowance to be made for an adverse list of up to 15˚ when transferring the equipment; and

2. the accommodation ladder to comply with the 'Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation' (MSC.1/Circ.1331).

• Informatietype: Informatie voor uitvoering
• Documentsoort: Nieuwsbrief
• Toegangsrechten: Intern
• Identificatie: PUC_1347_14
• Versie: 6
• Datum beschikbaarheid: 26-01-2024
• Geldigheid van: 26-01-2024
• Wijzigingsdatum: 26-01-2024
• Titel: ItoS - SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of navigation
• Organisatie: Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport
• Taal: Engels
• Onderwerp: Veiligheid / Safety
• Hoofdtaak: Koopvaardij / Merchant Shipping
• Thema: Zeevaart / Seagoing ships / Information / National Instruments - (Informative) / Information to Shipping / SOLAS Convention - Decisions and Interpretations