Safety Management System Manual

Section 05: Navigational Safety – Navigation Standards and Equipment

Navigation Standards
and
Equipment

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Section 05: Navigational Safety – Navigation Standards and Equipment

Table of Contents

1 Purpose 3
2 Scope 3
3 Responsibility, authority and accountability 4
4 Description 5
4.1 Navigational standards and audits 5
4.2 Navigational equipment 5
4.2.1 Use steering systems/autopilot 6
4.2.2 Gyro compass 6
4.2.3 Echo sounder 7
4.3 Radio communication equipment 7
4.4 Component or sub-component breakdowns 8
4.5 Charts and publications 8
4.5.1 Large corrections 9
4.5.2 Small corrections 10
5 Records 11
6 Related documents 11
7 Terms and definitions 11

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Section 05: Navigational Safety – Navigation Standards and Equipment

1 Purpose
The Company gives the highest priority to safe navigation practices and standards through the
provision of regularly updated and robust instructions, procedures and guidance: ensuring that the
latest legislation and best industry practices are implemented as early as is practicable.

Audits, inspections and monitoring are performed to confirm compliance and identify areas where
improvement is needed; corrective action is swiftly taken and verified.

In compliance with the ISM Code, and industry best practices referenced in this document, this
procedure has been developed and shall be used in association with in relation to management of
risk.

2 Scope
This procedure have been established to ensure:
• Ensure reliance is not placed on single position fixing systems or techniques;
• Instructions for effective passage planning for all stages of the voyage, including
information exchange with pilots and offshore installations, as applicable;
• Instructions for navigation in the proximity of offshore installations that include entry
procedures for established safety zones;
• All deck Officers receive appropriate training in ship handling and vessel-specific
familiarization, addressing maneuvering characteristics and operational control modes;
• Up-to-date copies of nautical publications, including revisions, amendments and chart
corrections, are consistently available;
• The performance of bridge equipment is monitored consistently, and that defect and
reliability reporting measures are in place;
• The performance and effectiveness of bridge management teams are monitored so
that any additional training needs (particularly those of junior Officers) are identified, and
that arrangements are made to provide the required training.

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Section 05: Navigational Safety – Navigation Standards and Equipment

3 Responsibility, authority and accountability

DP/QHSE Manager has the responsibility, authority and accountability for:
a) Ensuring the requirements of this procedure are implemented, applied and followed.

Technical Superintendent/Marine Superintendent has the responsibility, authority and

accountability for:
a) Ensuring that the requirements and expectations for navigation standards and
equipment are communicated and implemented onboard all vessels under his/her
jurisdiction.

b) Monitoring compliance with this procedure and liaising with the Master to best ensure all
practical means are addressed to support the Master executing his/her duties in respect of
this procedure.

Master has the responsibility, authority and accountability for:

a) Ensuring that all Officers are fully conversant with the bridge navigational and
communications equipment;
b) Conducting regular reviews off on-board compliance with navigational plans and
procedures including passage plans and checklists;
c) Ensuring that all appropriate actions are taken to maintain the safety of the crew, the
vessel and installations;
d) Ensuring the implementation of this procedure.

Bridge Watch Officers have the responsibility, authority and accountability for:
a) Applying this procedure.

Navigating Officer has the responsibility, authority and accountability for:

a) Correcting charts and publications.

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Section 05: Navigational Safety – Navigation Standards and Equipment

4 Description

4.1 Navigational standards and audits

The international navigational standards are set by IMO through instruments such SOLAS,
COLREG and STCW. Other organizations such as the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the
International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), the Nautical Institute and the Oil Companies
International Marine Forum (OCIMF/OVMSA) provide a valuable input to the safety of navigation
and industry best practices.

The maintenance of navigational standards and conducting of audits shall be carried out by suitably
qualified and experienced person(s). Those persons involved shall have considerable experience in
a senior position, Master or Chief Officer.

The Master is responsible for navigational standards (or his designated representative) shall
regularly review navigation practices/procedures through audit reports, plus any information from
independent inspections. He shall keep fully up to date with the latest legislation and with best
industry practices. This information shall be disseminated through regular communications with
the Company and Masters. He shall use all data gathered to ensure the maintenance of
navigational standards.

Formal, recorded navigational audit by the Company and Master shall be carried out at quarterly,
interspersed between shore based personnel and/or independent inspections: Checklist
HOSC/SMS/NAV/414 which includes company specific requirements, shall be used. The audit
shall be recorded and an audit report with the questionnaire, signed by the Master, shall be filed
onboard and copies sent to the Company’s Marine Superintendent.

In real terms, the Master shall continually monitor the standard of navigation on a daily basis
through (for example) checks on chart correction, and the adherence to passage plans.

Action points from all audits and inspections shall be followed up and monitored by the
Marine Superintendent.

4.2 Navigational equipment

The navigation equipment requirement is in general terms dependent on ship type, service and
gross tonnage.

Regardless of whether a vessel/unit is required by legislation to carry specific navigational

equipment, if equipment is fitted then it shall be operational. Such equipment may be a course
recorder, off-course alarm, voyage data recorder, electronic chart display or engine order
logger/printer etc. Random checks shall be made to ensure that equipment is operational.

The navigation equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’

instructions and records kept for verification.

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4.2.1 Use steering systems/autopilot

The OOW shall comply with the requirement for the operation and testing of the steering gear and
automatic pilot contained in SOLAS 1974, Chapter 5, Reg.: 19, 19-1 and 19-2.
Good care has to be taken to change over in due time from automatic steering to hand steering. The
OOW must not hesitate to call the Master on the bridge if required.
The OOW must following change over to autopilot monitor the vessel steering for sufficient time to
ensure the Autopilot is operating correctly.

Vessel steering systems shall be fully understood by Bridge Watch Officers and the Change
Over Procedure from automatic to manual and/or back up steering mode shall be posted on the
bridge in close proximity to the steering system and change over controls on both Forward and Aft
consoles.

The use of the autopilot shall be authorized by the Master in his Standing Orders or as required
under special circumstances.

The autopilot shall at all times be used responsibly with care and with due regard for the
prevailing conditions.

Master shall pay particular attention for use of Autopilot in the following situations:
• Within harbour or port limits;
• Whilst navigating narrow waterways (such as narrow rivers, channels etc);
• In areas of heavy traffic or other congestion (such as through anchorages etc);
• Within offshore oil and gas fields or other areas of concentrated offshore structures and
installations;
• In any other situation as deemed prudent to safe navigation.

Note: Auto Pilot is NOT to be used when vessel is within 500 meter zone or operating in the
vicinity of offshore facilities.

Electronic Navigational Aids

Navigational aids can provide accurate and convenient position reports, but they are fallible and
Masters should avoid relying upon a single piece of equipment as the sole means of ascertaining the
vessel's position. At least two means should be used whenever practicable. Adequate spares and
operational and maintenance manuals for such equipment must be kept onboard.

4.2.2 Gyro compass

A valuable navigational aid and should be used at all times when fitted to ascertain true course and
bearings. All errors must be recorded in the Compass Deviation Book.

Magnetic Compass
Usually used in the event of a failure of the gyro compass. Compass deviation must be recorded in
the Compass Deviation Book, together with the comparison of the steering compass. Compasses
should be readjusted periodically as required, and after structural alterations.

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Section 05: Navigational Safety – Navigation Standards and Equipment

The Master is responsible for renewing the deviation card for the magnetic compass annually.

Magnetic Compass Error shall be confirmed as being in general agreement with the
Deviation Card. Deviation curve(s) are to be displayed. Gyro and magnetic compass error logs shall
be maintained and updated by the Bridge Watch Officers.
Radar/ARPA
To be used at all times during passage particularly in congested waters and when there is restricted
visibility. It is important that navigators are familiar with correctly tuning for the particular radar
fitted onboard as well as its limitations with regard to blind spots. These should be checked
regularly and adjusted as required for the prevailing light, weather and sea conditions.

4.2.3 Echo sounder

A valuable navigational aid and should be used where appropriate particularly when approaching
port or areas of known shallows.

The echo sounder recorder shall be switched on prior to each approach to shallow water and port
entry and prior to departure and remain in operation while in shallow waters. The date and time of
switching on shall be marked on the recorder chart if applicable. In addition, the date and time of
passing significant land or seamarks shall be marked on the recorder if applicable .Many modern
electronic echo sounders have an in-built 24 hour memory that can be recalled. If an electronic
memory is not provided, the echo sounder shall be provided with a printed record.

4.3 Radio communication equipment

Every ship has to carry the basic equipment that is applicable to all waters, supplemented by
additional equipment that extends the ships communications capabilities according to the specific
waters in which she will sail.

In addition to the checks and tests detailed in Radio Watch Keeping, the following shall be checked
regularly:

• Lists of radio signals are the latest edition and corrected to date;
• Operating instructions for emergency transmitter/auto key to be clearly displayed;
• EPIRB and SARTs to be regularly tested and their locations clearly marked;
• Survival craft portable VHF radios to be in good working order and charged ready for use;
• Emergency batteries to be in good working order, fully charged and their condition and
testing logged;
• Handbook for GMDSS operations to be available;
• The radio and communications equipment shall be maintained in accordance
with the manufacturers’ instructions and records kept for verification.

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4.4 Component or sub-component breakdowns

All component or sub-component breakdowns shall be reported as required to the Master. The
Master shall determine the implications on the safe operation of the vessel and/or its role/tasks
referring to the critical equipment analysis as required.

The Master shall ensure that all appropriate action is taken to maintain the safety of the crew, the
vessel, other vessels or installations and the marine environment.

Any component or sub component breakdowns shall be reported via the Planned Maintenance
System as an “unscheduled maintenance job”.

A breakdown on a component under warranty is to be highlighted accordingly selecting

“claim” as unscheduled job type.

4.5 Charts and publications

All vessels shall be provided with the necessary charts and nautical publications required for
passage, at all times the largest scale charts available are to be used for coastal navigation to ensure
adequate detail is displayed for effective navigation.

It is important that Masters should plan ahead and if required charts are not available for a
particular passage they should notify their operations superintendent as soon as possible to supply
prior to sailing.

"Notice to Mariners" are sent to vessels at regular intervals, it is the Masters responsibility to ensure
all charts and publications onboard are up to date and correct and that a proper correction log is
being maintained . This duty can be delegated to an OOW but the Master remains responsible to
regularly inspect samples of corrected charts and the correction log to ensure both complete and an
adequate standard of corrections is being carried out.

Nautical charts and publications (light lists, nautical publications, instructions etc) shall be
maintained up to date with the latest corrections.

Charts and nautical publications that are out of date must be marked ‘CANCELLED’ removed from
the bridge. If they are being used for other purposes such as for training, they should be kept
separate from charts in use

The maintenance of updated information, charts and publications, published by Flag

administrations/IMO and maritime safety agencies is a statutory requirement.

The Company uses British Admiralty (BA) charts where available, however when no BA charts are
available alternative charts shall be supplied.

All local charts, which are non BA, will be treated with caution and their use subject to a more
detailed risk assessment to determine accuracy of information and validity.

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The Company has the responsibility for the provision of chart corrections and new editions of
publications to vessels which will be achieved through establishing a contract with a Chart Agent for
provision of appropriate corrections and supply of publications.

A record shall be maintained of chart corrections noted on each chart as a “small correction
notice” and separately in a specific Chart Correction Record Book.

Charts, Nautical Books, Notices to Mariners, and other documentation shall be studied before the
passage plan is established.

Large scale charts shall be used when planning navigation along the coast or in restricted
waters and smaller scale charts for navigation in the open sea.

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) have been installed on some vessels, and
for others installations are expected to be carried out to meet future IMO requirements.

To use ECDIS as a stand-alone system without paper charts, two fully independent, IMO type
approved vector chart systems are required.

Updates and corrections to ECDIS shall be electronic, in some cases automatic through Notice to
Mariners, and shall be arranged by the Marine Superintendent.

4.5.1 Large corrections

Large corrections shall be carried out as follows:

• Check the charts carried on board against the Index of Affected Charts in the Notices to
Mariners (NMs);
• Check which notices affect charts on board, and find the Notice in Section II;
• Check that the previous Notice has been applied to the chart (each chart has, at its bottom
left, a list of corrections written on it by whoever corrected the chart. This information is also
available in a separate Chart Correction Record Log that is maintained on board);
• If any charts have not been updated, they shall be corrected to the previous Notice
before the current notice is applied;
• Tracings are used to correct charts, when available;
• Corrections are made in indelible ink, ensuring that standard symbols are used, that the
correction is made neatly, accurately and does not obscure other information on the chart;
• After correction, an entry is made on the bottom left of the chart and the Chart Correction
Record Book.

NOTE: At the bottom of each Notice is a list of all charts affected by it as well as the previous
Notice, which affected that chart. The previous Notice may be sometimes years old, but this
information assists in confirming that the last correction(s) have been made on the chart in
question.

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4.5.2 Small corrections

Small corrections shall be carried out as follows:

• Sections III and IV are detached from the NMs and filed: these give a list of
Temporary and Preliminary Notices and Navigation Warnings still in force;
• Charts on board and in use in the present voyage are corrected for these Notices. The
correction is made in pencil because these Notices are not permanent and may change
quickly;
• While on passage, other Temporary and Preliminary Notices and Navigation Warnings
may be received on Navtex or VHF. Charts in use shall be corrected as the information is
received.

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5 Records
• Chart Correction Record Book
• Compass Error Logs
• Charts
• Nautical Publications
• Notices to Mariners
• Magnetic Compass Deviation Card

6 Related documents
• OSM Guidelines
• COLREGs
• ISM Code
• Manufacturers Maintenance Instructions
• Notice to Mariners

7 Terms and definitions

BA
British Admiralty

COLREGs
Collision Regulations

ECDIS
Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems

EPIRB
Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon

GMDSS
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

ICS
International Chamber of Shipping

IMCA
International Marine Contractors Association

IMO
International Maritime Organisation

ISM Code
International Safety Management Code

NTMs
Notices to Marines

OCIMF
Oil Companies International Marine Forum

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OSM
Operational Safety Management

SART
Search And Rescue Transponder

SOLAS
International Convention for the Safety of Life At Sea

STCW
Standards in Training, Certification and Watch-keeping

Sub-Component
Sub-component part of equipment

TBT
Tool Box Talk

VHF
Very High Frequency

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