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aid location. A copy of the certificate of compliance issued by the testing facility, stating the date of
compliance and the applicable performance standards, shall be retained on board the ship.

9 The automatic identification system (AIS) shall be subjected to an annual test. The test shall
be conducted by an approved surveyor or an approved testing or servicing facility. The test shall
verify the correct programming of the ship static information, correct data exchange with connected
sensors as well as verifying the radio performance by radio frequency measurement and on-air test
using, e.g., a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). A copy of the test report shall be retained on board the
ship.

Regulation 19
Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems and equipment

1 Application and requirements

Subject to the provisions of regulation 1.4:

1.1 Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002 shall be fitted with navigational systems and
equipment which will fulfil the requirements prescribed in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.9.

1.2 Ships constructed before 1 July 2002 shall:

.1 subject to the provisions of paragraphs 1.2.2, 1.2.3 and 1.2.4, unless they comply fully
with this regulation, continue to be fitted with equipment which fulfils the requirements
prescribed in regulations V/11, V/12 and V/20 of the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 in force prior to 1 July 2002;

.2 be fitted with the equipment or systems required in paragraph 2.1.6 not later than the
first survey after 1 July 2002 at which time the radio direction-finding apparatus
referred to in V/12 (p) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
1974 in force prior to 1 July 2002 shall no longer be required;

.3 be fitted with the system required in paragraph 2.4 not later than the dates specified
in paragraphs 2.4.2 and 2.4.3; and

.4 be fitted with the system required in paragraph 2.2.3, as follows:

.1 passenger ships irrespective of size, not later than the first survey * after
1 January 2016;

.2 cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards, not later than the first
survey* after 1 January 2016;

.3 cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross
tonnage, not later than the first survey* after 1 January 2017; and

.4 cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage,
not later than the first survey* after 1 January 2018.

The bridge navigational watch alarm system shall be in operation whenever the
ship is underway at sea.

The provisions of paragraph 2.2.4 shall also apply to ships constructed before 1
July 2002.

*
Refer to the Unified interpretation of the term first survey referred to in SOLAS regulations (MSC.1/Circ.1290).
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1.3 Administrations may exempt ships from the application of the requirement of paragraph 1.2.4
when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation
date specified in subparagraphs 1.2.4.1 to 1.2.4.4.

2 Shipborne navigational equipment and systems

2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:

.1 a properly adjusted standard magnetic compass, or other means, independent of any

power supply to determine the ship's heading and display the reading at the main
steering position;

.2 a pelorus or compass bearing device, or other means, independent of any power

supply to take bearings over an arc of the horizon of 360°;

.3 means of correcting heading and bearings to true at all times;

.4 nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the
intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage. An
electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as meeting
the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph. Ships to which paragraph 2.10
applies shall comply with the carriage requirements for ECDIS detailed therein;

.5 back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of subparagraph .4, if this

function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic means; *

.6 a receiver for a global navigation satellite system or a terrestrial radionavigation system,

or other means, suitable for use at all times throughout the intended voyage to
establish and update the ship’s position by automatic means;

.7 if less than 150 gross tonnage and if practicable, a radar reflector, or other means, to
enable detection by ships navigating by radar at both 9 and 3 GHz;

.8 when the ship’s bridge is totally enclosed and unless the Administration determines
otherwise, a sound reception system, or other means, to enable the officer in charge of
the navigational watch to hear sound signals and determine their direction;

.9 a telephone, or other means, to communicate heading information to the emergency

steering position, if provided.

2.2 All ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size shall, in
addition to the requirements of paragraph 2.1, be fitted with:

.1 a spare magnetic compass interchangeable with the magnetic compass, as referred to

in paragraph 2.1.1, or other means to perform the function referred to in paragraph
2.1.1 by means of replacement or duplicate equipment;

.2 a daylight signalling lamp, or other means to communicate by light during day and
night using an energy source of electrical power not solely dependent upon the ship's
power supply.

*
An appropriate folio of paper nautical charts may be used as a back-up arrangement for ECDIS. Other back-up
arrangements for ECDIS are acceptable (see appendix 6 to resolution A.817(19), as amended and MSC.232(82)).
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.3 a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS), as follows:

3.1 ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of
size constructed on or after 1 July 2011;

3.2 passenger ships irrespective of size constructed before 1 July 2011, not later
than the first survey* after 1 July 2012;

3.3 ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2011, not
later than the first survey* after 1 July 2012;

3.4 ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross tonnage
constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July
2013; and

3.5 ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage
constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July
2014.

The bridge navigational watch alarm system shall be in operation whenever the ship is
underway at sea;

.4 a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) installed prior to 1 July 2011 may
subsequently be exempted from full compliance with the standards adopted by the
Organization, at the discretion of the Administration.

2.3 All ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size shall, in
addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph 2.2, be fitted with:

.1 an echo sounding device, or other electronic means, to measure and display the
available depth of water;

.2 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 avoidance;

.3 an electronic plotting aid, or other means, to plot electronically the range and bearing
of targets to determine collision risk;

.4 speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and distance
through the water;

.5 a properly adjusted transmitting heading device, or other means to transmit heading

information for input to the equipment referred to in paragraphs 2.3.2, 2.3.3 and 2.4.

2.4 All ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages and cargo ships
of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships
irrespective of size shall be fitted with an automatic identification system (AIS), as follows:

.1 ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002;

.2 ships engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002:

.2.1 in the case of passenger ships, not later than 1 July 2003;

*
Refer to the Unified interpretation of the term “first survey” referred to in SOLAS regulations (MSC.1/Circ.1290).
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.2.2 in the case of tankers, not later than the first survey for safety equipment * on
or after 1 July 2003;

.2.3 in the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 50,000 gross
tonnage and upwards, not later than 1 July 2004;

.2.4 in the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 300 gross
tonnage and upwards but less than 50,000 gross tonnage, not later than the
first safety equipment survey† after 1 July 2004 or by 31 December 2004,
whichever occurs earlier; and.

.3 ships not engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002, not later
than 1 July 2008.

.4 The Administration may exempt ships from the application of the requirements of this
paragraph when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years
after the implementation date specified in subparagraphs .2 and .3.

.5 AIS shall:

5.1 provide automatically to appropriately equipped shore stations, other ships and
aircraft information, including the ship's identity, type, position, course, speed,
navigational status and other safety-related information; Refer to regulation I/8

5.2 receive automatically such information from similarly fitted ships;

5.3 monitor and track ships; and

5.4 exchange data with shore-based facilities.

.6 The requirements of paragraph 2.4.5 shall not be applied to cases where international
agreements, rules or standards provide for the protection of navigational information;
and

.7 AIS shall be operated taking into account the guidelines adopted by the Organization. ‡
Ships fitted with AIS shall maintain AIS in operation at all times except where
international agreements, rules or standards provide for the protection of navigational
information.

2.5 All ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of
paragraph 2.3 with the exception of paragraphs 2.3.3 and 2.3.5, and the requirements of paragraph
2.4, have:

.1 a gyro compass, or other means, to determine and display their heading by shipborne
non-magnetic means, being clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering
position. These means shall also transmit heading information for input to the
equipment referred in paragraphs 2.3.2, 2.4 and 2.5.5;

*
Refer to regulation I/8.
†
The first safety equipment survey means the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewal survey for
safety equipment, whichever is due first after 1 July 2004, and, in addition, in the case of ships under construction, the initial
survey.
‡
Refer to the Guidelines for on-board operational use of shipborne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) adopted by the
Organization by resolution A.917(22), as amended by resolution A.956(23).
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.2 a gyro compass heading repeater, or other means, to supply heading information

visually at the emergency steering position if provided;

.3 a gyro compass bearing repeater, or other means, to take bearings, over an arc of the
horizon of 360º, using the gyro compass or other means referred to in subparagraph
.1. However ships less than 1,600 gross tonnage shall be fitted with such means as far
as possible;

.4 rudder, propeller, thrust, pitch and operational mode indicators, or other means to
determine and display rudder angle, propeller revolutions, the force and direction of
thrust and, if applicable, the force and direction of lateral thrust and the pitch and
operational mode, all to be readable from the conning position; and

.5 an automatic tracking aid, or other means, to plot automatically the range and bearing
of other targets to determine collision risk.

2.6 On all ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, failure of one piece of equipment should not
reduce the ship's ability to meet the requirements of paragraphs 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.4.

2.7 All ships of 3000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of
paragraph 2.5, have:

.1 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, which are functionally independent of those
referred to in paragraph 2.3.2; and

.2 a second automatic tracking aid, or other means to plot automatically the range and
bearing of other targets to determine collision risk which are functionally independent
of those referred to in paragraph 2.5.5.

2.8 All ships of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the requirements
of paragraph 2.7 with the exception of paragraph 2.7.2, have:

.1 an automatic radar plotting aid, or other means, to plot automatically the range and
bearing of at least 20 other targets, connected to a device to indicate speed and
distance through the water, to determine collision risks and simulate a trial
manoeuvre; and

.2 a heading or track control system, or other means, to automatically control and keep
to a heading and/or straight track.

2.9 All ships of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall, in addition to meeting the requirements
of paragraph 2.8, have:

.1 a rate-of-turn indicator, or other means, to determine and display the rate of turn; and

.2 a speed and distance measuring device, or other means, to indicate speed and
distance over the ground in the forward and athwartships direction.

2.10 Ships engaged on international voyages shall be fitted with an Electronic Chart Display and
Information System (ECDIS) as follows:

.1 passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after

1 July 2012;
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.2 tankers of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1 July 2012;

.3 cargo ships, other than tankers, of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed on
or after 1 July 2013;

.4 cargo ships, other than tankers, of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than
10,000 gross tonnage constructed on or after 1 July 2014;

.5 passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2012,
not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2014;

.6 tankers of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2012, not later
than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2015;

.7 cargo ships, other than tankers, of 50,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed
before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2016;

.8 cargo ships, other than tankers, of 20,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than
50,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey*
on or after 1 July 2017; and

.9 cargo ships, other than tankers, of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards but less than
20,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2013, not later than the first survey*
on or after 1 July 2018.

2.11 Administrations may exempt ships from the application of the requirements of paragraph 2.10
when such ships will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the implementation
date specified in subparagraphs .5 to .9 of paragraph 2.10.

3 When "other means" are permitted under this regulation, such means must be approved by
Administration in accordance with regulation 18.

4 The navigational equipment and systems referred to in this regulation shall be so installed,
tested and maintained as to minimize malfunction.

5 Navigational equipment and systems offering alternative modes of operation shall indicate the
actual mode of use.

6 Integrated bridge systems† shall be so arranged that failure of one sub-system is brought to
immediate attention of the officer in charge of the navigational watch by audible and visual alarms,
and does not cause failure to any other sub-system. In case of failure in one part of an integrated
navigational system,‡ it shall be possible to operate each other individual item of equipment or part
of the system separately.

Regulation 19-1
Long-range identification and tracking of ships

1 Nothing in this regulation or the provisions of performance standards and functional

requirements§ adopted by the Organization in relation to the long-range identification and tracking of

*
Refer to the Unified interpretation of the term “first survey” referred to in SOLAS regulations (MSC.1/Circ.1290).
†
Refer to resolution SN.1/Circ.288 – Guidelines for bridge equipment and systems, their arrangement and integration (BES).
‡
Refer to resolution MSC.86(70), annex 3 as amended - Performance standard for Integrated navigational systems and
Adoption of the revised performance standards for Integrated Navigation Systems (INS) (resolution MSC.252(83)).
§
Refer to the Revised Performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of
ships, (resolution MSC.263(84) as amended).
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ships shall prejudice the rights, jurisdiction or obligations of States under international law, in
particular, the legal regimes of the high seas, the exclusive economic zone, the contiguous zone, the
territorial seas or the straits used for international navigation and archipelagic sea lanes.

2.1 Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, this regulation shall apply to the
following types of ships engaged on international voyages:

.1 passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft;

.2 cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage* and upwards; and

.3 mobile offshore drilling units.

2.2 The term “ship”, when used in paragraphs 3 to 11.2, includes the passenger and cargo ships,
the high-speed craft and the mobile offshore drilling units which are subject to the provisions of this
regulation.

3 This regulation establishes provisions to enable Contracting Governments to undertake the

long-range identification and tracking of ships.

4.1 Ships shall be fitted with a system to automatically transmit the information specified in
paragraph 5 as follows:

.1 ships constructed on or after 31 December 2008;

.2 ships constructed before 31 December 2008 and certified for operations:

2.1 in sea areas A1 and A2, as defined in regulations IV/2.1.12 and IV/2.1.13; or

2.2 in sea areas Al, A2 and A3, as defined in regulations IV/2.1.12, IV/2.1.13 and
IV/2.1.14;

not later than the first survey of the radio installation after 31 December 2008;

.3 ships constructed before 31 December 2008 and certified for operations in sea areas
Al, A2, A3 and A4, as defined in regulations IV/2.1.12, IV/2.1.13, IV/2.1.14 and
IV/2.1.15, not later than the first survey of the radio installation after 1 July 2009.
However, these ships shall comply with the provisions of subparagraph .2 above whilst
they operate within sea areas A1, A2 and A3.

4.2 Ships, irrespective of the date of construction, fitted with an automatic identification system
(AIS), as defined in regulation 19.2.4, and operated exclusively within sea area A1, as defined in
regulation IV/2.1.12, shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this regulation.

5 Subject to the provisions of paragraph 4.1, ships shall automatically transmit the following
long-range identification and tracking information:

.1 the identity of the ship;

.2 the position of the ship (latitude and longitude); and

*
The gross tonnage to be used for determining whether a cargo ship or high-speed craft is required to comply with the
provisions of this regulation shall be that determined under the provisions of the International Convention on Tonnage
Measurement of Ships, 1969 irrespective of the date on which the ship or high-speed craft has been or is being
constructed.
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.3 the date and time of the position provided.

6 Systems and equipment used to meet the requirements of this regulation shall conform to
performance standards and functional requirements * not inferior to those adopted by the
Organization. Any shipboard equipment shall be of a type approved by the Administration.

7 Systems and equipment used to meet the requirements of this regulation shall be capable of
being switched off on board or be capable of ceasing the distribution of long-range identification and
tracking information:

.1 where international agreements, rules or standards provide for the protection of

navigational information; or

.2 in exceptional circumstances and for the shortest duration possible where the
operation is considered by the master to compromise the safety or security of the ship.
In such a case, the master shall inform the Administration without undue delay and
make an entry in the record of navigational activities and incidents maintained in
accordance with regulation 28 setting out the reasons for the decision and indicating
the period during which the system or equipment was switched off.

8.1 Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 8.2 to 11.2, Contracting Governments shall be able to
receive long-range identification and tracking information about ships, for security and other
purposes as agreed by the Organization, as follows:

.1 the Administration shall be entitled to receive such information about ships entitled to
fly its flag irrespective of where such ships may be located;

.2 a Contracting Government shall be entitled to receive such information about ships

which have indicated their intention to enter a port facility, as defined in regulation XI-
2/1.1.9, or a place under the jurisdiction of that Contracting Government, irrespective
of where such ships may be located provided they are not located within the waters
landward of the baselines, established in accordance with international law, of another
Contracting Government; and

.3 a Contracting Government shall be entitled to receive such information about ships

entitled to fly the flag of other Contracting Governments, not intending to enter a port
facility or a place under the jurisdiction of that Contracting Government, navigating
within a distance not exceeding 1,000 nautical miles of its coast provided such ships
are not located within the waters landward of the baselines, established in accordance
with international law, of another Contracting Government; and

.4 a Contracting Government shall not be entitled to receive, pursuant to subparagraph

.3, such information about a ship located within the territorial sea of the Contracting
Government whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.

8.2 Contracting Governments shall specify and communicate† to the Organization relevant details,
taking into account the performance standards and functional requirements adopted by the
Organization, to enable long-range identification and tracking information to be made available
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 8.1. The Contracting Government concerned may, at any
time thereafter, amend or withdraw such communication. The Organization shall inform all
Contracting Governments upon receipt of such communication together with the particulars thereof.

*
Refer to Revised performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships
(resolution MSC.263(84), as amended). .
† Refer to Guidance on the implementation of the LRIT system (MSC.1/Circ.1298).
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9.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 8.1.3, the Administration shall be entitled, in
order to meet security or other concerns, at any time, to decide that long-range identification and
tracking information about ships entitled to fly its flag shall not be provided pursuant to the
provisions of paragraph 8.1.3 to Contracting Governments. The Administration concerned may, at
any time thereafter, amend, suspend or annul such decisions.

9.2 The Administration concerned shall communicate, pursuant to paragraph 9.1, such decisions
to the Organization. The Organization shall inform all Contracting Governments upon receipt of such
communication together with the particulars thereof.

9.3 The rights, duties and obligations, under international law, of the ships whose Administration
invoked the provisions of paragraph 9.1 shall not be prejudiced as a result of such decisions.

10 Contracting Governments shall, at all times:

.1 recognize the importance of long-range identification and tracking information;

.2 recognize and respect the commercial confidentiality and sensitivity of any long-range
identification and tracking information they may receive;

.3 protect the information they may receive from unauthorized access or disclosure; and

.4 use the information they may receive in a manner consistent with international law.

11.1 Contracting Governments shall bear all costs associated with any long-range identification and
tracking information they request and receive. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 11.2,
Contracting Governments shall not impose any charges on ships in relation to the long-range
identification and tracking information they may seek to receive.

11.2 Unless the national legislation of the Administration provides otherwise, ships entitled to fly its
flag shall not incur any charges for transmitting long-range identification and tracking information in
compliance with the provisions of this regulation.

12 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 8.1, the search and rescue services of
Contracting Governments shall be entitled to receive, free of any charges, long-range identification
and tracking information in relation to the search and rescue of persons in distress at sea.

13 Contracting Governments may report to the Organization any case where they consider that
provisions of this regulation or of any other related requirements established by the Organization
have not been or are not being observed or adhered to.

14 The Maritime Safety Committee shall determine the criteria, procedures and arrangements for
the establishment, review and audit of the provision of long-range identification and tracking
information to Contracting Governments pursuant to the provisions of this regulation.

Regulation 20
Voyage data recorders*

1 To assist in casualty investigations, ships, when engaged on international voyages, subject to

the provisions of regulation 1.4, shall be fitted with a voyage data recorder (VDR) as follows:

.1 passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002;

*Refer to Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) (resolution A.861(20), as amended),
Recommendation on Performance Standards for Shipborne Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) (resolution MSC.333(90)) and
Guidelines on voyage data recorder (VDR) ownership and recovery (MSC/Circ.1024).