Version: 

2021.06.01
SMS / S-P-10.30.00 Navigational Equipment
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
1.             Scope
This Chapter is applicable to all vessels.
 
2.             Purpose
The purpose of this Chapter is to provide procedures for Bridge equipment.
 
3.             Responsibility
The Master shall have the overall responsibility for the bridge equipment.
The 2/O shall be responsible to carry out the maintenance as per maker’s manual/PMS and
upkeep of bridge equipment.

ED
Radio personnel shall be responsible for the maintenance of GMDSS and other radio equipment as
per maker's manual.
 
4.             Procedure
The Master and the OOW shall read and familiarize themselves with the  ‘Maker’s operating

LL
manual’ and ‘Ship specific work instructions’. In addition, the following points shall be borne in
mind.
 
4.1             GPS/ DGPS
Following usage instructions are recommended :

O
a) Antenna and other items are properly connected.
b) Check that there are no abnormal alarms.
TR
c) Datum; GNSS positions are generally referenced to the global datum WGS 84 but can be
tuned into other datum if necessary. The GNSS datum in use shall therefore be checked to
ensure that it is consistent with the area and chart in use. The position obtained by GNSS
can be plotted directly on such charts whose datum is WGS 84. Such charts contain the
legend “WGS 84”.
d) GNSS position displayed by both the GNSS shall be compared before plotting GNSS
N

position on chart. At first available opportunity, GNSS position shall be cross checked by
other means.
O

 
4.2             Automatic Identification System (AIS)
AIS shall be used primarily as an aid to navigation.
C

Following usage/precautions, instructions are recommended:-

a) Other vessels might not be fitted with AIS

N

b) AIS might be switched OFF on other vessels.

c) Accuracy of AIS information received is dependent on the data entered & transmitted.
d) Avoid using AIS information alone for Collision Avoidance.
U

e) The Master and OOW shall ensure that the AIS data is always updated and complies with
the local regulation.
f) AIS shall be kept ON at all times except where international agreements, rules or
standards provide for the protection of navigational information.
g) Some port authorities may request that the AIS is kept ON when ship is alongside.

Additionally for Gas Carriers and Tankers Only:-

a) When alongside a terminal or port area where HC gases MAY be present in

consultation with the terminal :-
i) The AIS shall be switched off , or
ii) The aerial isolated and the AIS given a dummy load.
 Version: 2021.06.01
SMS / S-P-10.30.00 Navigational Equipment
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
b) When alongside terminal or port areas where NO HC gases are likely to be present, , the
AIS should be switched to low power(if possible).
c) The use of AIS equipment may affect the security of the ship or the terminal at which it is
berthed. In such circumstances, the use of AIS may be determined by the port authority,
depending on the security level within the port. 
d) The AIS equipment should remain in use at all times including during STS operations
while underway or at anchor. The AIS equipment need not be set to low power output during
STS operations. 
e) Some port authorities/ terminals may request that the AIS is kept ON at an adequate
power level when ship is alongside, Single Point Mooring (SPM) or Multi Buoy Mooring

ED
(MBM)

 
4.3             Electronic charts
Refer to “ECDIS Operational manual” .
 

LL
4.4             Course Recorder (Dual Channel)

a) The course recorder shall be kept ON and synchronized at all times, unless the vessel is
in a dry dock.
b) Prior switching off Master must be informed.

O
c) The recorder papers shall be marked with date, time, location /position, whenever
switched ON ,at end of each watch and before departure/ arrival in port.
TR
 
4.5             Telegraph Printers

a) The printer shall be kept switched ON and synchronized at all times.

b) The recorder paper shall be marked with date, time, location /position, whenever switched
N

ON , at least daily and before departure/ arrival in port.

 
O

4.6             Echo Sounder

a) The Echo sounder shall always be used when making landfall and kept switched on in
C

coastal and pilotage waters.

b) The shallow water alarm if fitted shall be set to an appropriate safe depth.
c) The Echo sounder performance shall be verified at all ranges and scales against depth
N

shown on the navigational charts before departure. Echo sounder depth reading and charted
depth after due allowances for wave, tide, squat etc. shall be compared and recorded in the
Ship’s Log Book as confirmation of its performance.
U

d) The recorder paper shall be marked with date, time, location /position, whenever switched
ON, before departure/ arrival in port and when passing significant land and seamark.
e) Additionally, if there is no recorder paper fitted, the time of switching-ON of echo sounder
shall be recorded in the bell book and a record of depth shall be maintained with the same
interval as frequency of positon fixing applicable for that leg of passage plan.

 
4.7             Chart Plotter (PLOTNAVI etc.)

a) Appropriate GNSS datum is selected.

b) All charts data for intended voyages are pre-registered in the memory prior to use.
 Version: 2021.06.01
SMS / S-P-10.30.00 Navigational Equipment
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
c) Indicated light mark position shall be compared with the ship's positions fixed by another
method such as visual means or by radar to check its accuracy;
d) Re-setting the chart on plot table shall be conducted at least once a day if small scale
chart is being used continuously.

 
4.8             NAVTEX

a) Apart from NAV. and MET. warnings, the message type relevant to vessel shall be
selected. The NAVTEX shall be kept ON at all times.

ED
b) OOW shall ensure that required station, as per ALRS, relevant to navigational area of
vessel is selected.

 
4.9             VDR / S-VDR

LL
a) VDR / S-VDR shall be kept ON at all times.
b) Master and OOW shall be aware of the maximum recording capacity of the VDR / S-VDR
(in hours).
c) Work instructions (as per SMS "Z-P-05.30.00 Work Instructions") regarding saving and
retrieving of VDR / S-VDR data shall be displayed near the VDR / S-VDR.

O
d) Confirm the module location where data is saved of VDR/SVDR. In case of any doubt or
additional information, contact Company.
TR
 
4.10           Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT)
The LRIT system provides important data such as Identity, Position, date and time of position of the
Ship to Contracting Governments and other SAR services. It shall be kept ‘ON’ when the ship is at
sea at all times.
N

 
4.11           Sound reception system( SRS)
O

a) The SRS shall be kept switched "ON" at all times during Navigation.
b) The OOW shall check and adjust the microphone sensitivity & speaker volume so
that sound signals can be heard clearly.
C

c) The Monitor switch shall be switched "ON" under the following circumstances, so
that the speaker will always reproduce sound signals / external sounds. 
i) At all times when it is deemed necessary to set Minimum Watch
N

Level on the  Bridge to level 2 (as per S-071000-04FIG Watch Level -

Bridge )
ii) During all other conditions when it is deemed necessary by the
U

OOW and/or Master.

 
4.12           Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS)

a) BNWAS shall always be in operation whenever the ship is underway at sea, at anchor and
at all times except when the ship is alongside, in Dry-dock or at a repair facility.
Note: During Leaving Harbor testing of navigational equipment, although BNWAS may be
tested, it might be required to switch off till actual departure due to avoiding unnecessary
alarms.
b) The switching ON of the BNWAS shall be performed only by the Master. A record of
switching ON the BNWAS shall be maintained in the ship’s log book.
 Version: 2021.06.01
SMS / S-P-10.30.00 Navigational Equipment
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
c) The key or the password for the BNWAS shall be kept strictly confidential in the custody of
the Master.
d) The setting of the timer for the BNWAS Alarm shall be as per Master's discretion (basis
vessel's speed, Traffic density, visibility etc.).
e) The Master or back up officer receiving the Alarm/Alert call shall immediately proceed to
the Bridge and take necessary actions. If back up officer proceeds to the bridge, the Master
shall be notified about the reason for receiving the alarm.

 
4.13           Operation of Radar and ARPA/ TT

ED
4.13.1        Parallel Operation of Radars and ARPA/ TT
When the vessel is in coastal/ heavy traffic, confined waters Radar shall be in parallel operation at
all times. In open seas, single radar operation can be done on the consent of the Master. The
OOW shall not hesitate to operate radars in parallel in case of any doubt. 
 
4.13.2        Adjustment, Operation, and Confirmation
The Radar and ARPA/ TT shall be so adjusted that the images most appropriate for radar

LL
observation can be obtained depending on the Radar range to be used and environmental
conditions.
 
4.13.3        Initial Setting Mode of ARPA/ TT

O
The Master shall include in standing orders the standard of the initial settings such as CPA, TCPA,
Speed Input etc. of ARPA/ TT. If for some reason (weather, sea condition etc) the OOW changes
these settings, same shall be informed to the other OOW/Master during handing over of the watch.
It shall be ensured that for the purpose of “Collision Avoidance”, the ARPA/ TT  speed input is set
TR
to “Log speed” or in other words, “Speed over Water”.
 
4.13.4        Parallel Indexing(PI)
PI is an useful method of monitoring cross track tendency.The Master and the OOW shall use PI’s
extensively.
 
N

4.13.5        Radar Plotting

The OOW and the Master shall regularly practice manual Radar Plotting, as the same is very
useful in case of failure of ARPA.
O

 
4.13.6       Shadow Sector
The shadow sector of the Radars shall be clearly marked in the Radar Log Book (if provided) and
C

displayed next to the Radar. 

 
 
N

4.13.7        Others
Use of the Trial maneuver facility is highly recommended in determining early action to avoid a
close quarter’s situation.
U

 
4.14           Gyro Compass
4.14.1 The gyro compass and other peripheral equipment shall be continuously operated without a
meaningless shutdown except for inspection, maintenance, repair, etc. by the manufacturer.
 
4.14.2        Precautions for OOW
The OOW shall carry out the following:-

a) Every watch obtain Gyro error by celestial observations or other means.  If ascertaining
the error becomes impractical due to weather condition or heavy traffic, this fact shall be
recorded in ship’s Log-book;
b) Synchronize all repeaters with Master Gyro.
 Version: 2021.06.01
SMS / S-P-10.30.00 Navigational Equipment
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
c) Compare Compasses frequently during the watch. 

 
4.14.3        Start and Shutdown
Master’s permission shall be taken and maker’s instruction followed for such operation. Sufficient
settling time shall be allowed prior using the Gyro Compass
 
4.15           Magnetic Compass
4.15.1        Checks
The 2/O and the OOW shall :- .

ED
a) Check the Magnetic Compass deviation every watch.
b) Investigate if there is too much difference between the calculated deviation and the
deviation card.

 
4.15.2        Deviation Card

LL
a) In case the deviation exceeds five degrees, the Magnetic Compass shall be adjusted.
b) Annually or when compass is adjusted, the deviation card shall be renewed and posted on
the bridge.

 
4.15.3        Entry in Compass Log:- O
A Compass Error Book shall be maintained onboard. Whenever a Compass error is obtained, it
TR
shall be recorded in this Book.
 
4.16           AUTO PILOT for Steering system
4.16.1 When the auto-pilot mode is used, the following shall be kept in mind.
N

a) The OOW shall carry out the adjustments to weather and steering adjustments of the
automatic steering equipment as needed.
b) The OOW shall confirm the normal operation of the automatic steering equipment at
O

regular intervals by means of the indications of the steering angle indicator, course recorder,
etc.
c) Auto pilot shall not be used when navigating in:-
i) High density traffic area,
C

ii) Restricted visibility, 

iii) When any danger is anticipated during navigation.
N

 
4.16.2        Confirmation of Operations of Manual and Automatic Steering
Switching over between manual steering to automatic steering and vice versa  shall be made by
U

the Master or the OOW or under their supervision and same shall be logged in the ship's log book.
                                         
4.17           Maintenance of Navigational Equipment
The maintenance frequency of all the navigational and radio equipment shall be as per Maker’s
instructions. 
Additionally for Tankers and Gas Carriers:- Refer to "S-P-09.30.00 Fire/Explosion
Prevention" chapter regarding the restriction on the use of the bridge radio equipment.
 
4.18            Record Keeping
The 2/O shall keep:-
 Version: 2021.06.01
SMS / S-P-10.30.00 Navigational Equipment
Approved By: Head of G-SMSC
a) All the navigational recording records(Echo sounder recorder, Course recorder , telegraph
logger etc ) for 2 years,
b) Compass journal permanently

 
5.             Documentation
                Nil
 
6.             References
ECDIS Operational manual

ED
S-071000-02CHK Bridge Daily Checklist
S-032000-05CHK Bridge Familiarization Checklist (Example)
S-071000-04FIG Watch Level - Bridge )
S-P-09.30.00 Fire/Explosion Prevention

LL
O
TR
N
O
C
N
U