Bridge equipment

1. Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

• Function: Integrates electronic navigational charts with real-time ship data.
• Use: Navigation, route planning, and monitoring.
• Limitations: Requires regular updates of electronic charts and can be affected by software glitches.
• Maintenance: Ensuring charts are up-to-date, regular software updates, and system checks.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • Newly Built Ships: All newly built passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage (GT) and upwards, and newly built cargo ships of 3,000 GT and upwards engaged on international voyages must be fitted with ECDIS.
  • Existing Ships: Existing cargo ships of 10,000 GT and upwards must also be fitted with ECDIS.
• Redundancy Requirements: IMO performance standards require the overall system to include both a primary ECDIS and an adequate, independent back-up arrangement to ensure the safe takeover of ECDIS functions without resulting in a critical situation. The back-up system should be capable of displaying chart information, route planning, and route monitoring

 

2. Radar (RAdio Detection And Ranging)

• Function: Detects and measures the range, angle, and velocity of objects.
• Use: Navigation, collision avoidance, and traffic monitoring.
• Limitations: Can be affected by weather conditions, sea clutter, and electronic interference.
• Maintenance: Regular calibration, cleaning of the antenna, and software updates.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for ships of 300 gross tonnage (GT) and above.
  • Passenger Vessels: Must be fitted with a 9 GHz Radar and an electronic plotting aid.
  • Redundancy Requirements: Ships of 3000 GT and above must carry a second radar, typically a 3 GHz Radar, which must be functionally independent of the primary radar.

3. Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Function: Provides accurate location data using satellites.
• Use: Navigation, position fixing, and timing.
• Limitations: Signal blockage by obstacles, multipath errors, and reliance on satellite availability.
• Maintenance: Regular checks of the GPS receiver, ensuring antenna is clear of obstructions, and updating software.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for all ships irrespective of size to have a receiver for a global navigation satellite system or a terrestrial radio navigation 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.

4. Magnetic Compass

• Function: Provides directional heading based on Earth's magnetic field.
• Use: Navigation and steering.
• Limitations: Can be affected by magnetic interference from the ship's structure and electrical equipment.
• Maintenance: Regular adjustment (compass swinging), ensuring no nearby magnetic materials, and keeping deviation tables up to date.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for all ships of 150 gross tonnage (GT) and above.
  • Redundancy Requirements: Ships of 150 GT and above must carry a spare magnetic compass.

5. Gyro Compass

• Function: Provides directional heading based on the Earth's rotation.
• Use: Navigation and steering.
• Limitations: Can be affected by rapid accelerations and decelerations.
• Maintenance: Regular checks and calibration to ensure accuracy.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for all ships of 500 GT and above.
  • Redundancy Requirements: Ships of 500 GT and above must have a gyro repeater or heading display at the main steering position.

6. Automatic Pilot (Auto Pilot)

• Function: Automatically steers the ship along a set course.
• Use: Reduces the workload on the helmsman, especially during long voyages.
• Limitations: Requires regular monitoring and adjustments to maintain the desired course.
• Maintenance: Regular checks and calibration to ensure proper functioning.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for all ships of 10,000 GT and above.
  • Redundancy Requirements: Ships of 10,000 GT and above must have a heading control or track control system

7. Echo Sounder

• Function: Measures the depth of water beneath the vessel using sound waves.
• Use: Navigation in shallow waters, avoiding underwater obstacles, and verifying charted depths.
• Limitations: Accuracy can be affected by the type of seabed, water conditions, vessel speed, and nearby fish or marine life.
• Maintenance: Regular calibration, cleaning of the transducer, and checking for accurate readings. Inspect connections and cables regularly for damage.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for ships of 300 gross tonnage (GT) and above under SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19.

8. NAVTEX (Navigational Telex)

• Function: Receives navigational warnings and meteorological information via automated broadcasts.
• Use: Enhancing situational awareness and safety at sea by providing timely updates on navigational hazards, weather forecasts, and maritime safety information.
• Limitations: Dependent on the availability of NAVTEX stations and signal reception. Coverage may vary, especially in remote areas.
• Maintenance: Regular checks of the receiver, ensuring proper antenna alignment, and updating software. Test reception periodically to ensure system functionality.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required for ships engaged on international voyages under SOLAS Chapter IV Regulation 7.

9. Aldis Lamp

• Function: A handheld signaling lamp used for visual communication, typically using Morse code.
• Use: Communicating with other vessels or shore stations when radio communication is not possible or in distress situations. Often used as a backup method of communication.
• Limitations: Limited range and effectiveness in poor visibility conditions such as fog, rain, or heavy sea conditions. Requires a line of sight between the communicating parties.
• Maintenance: Regular checks of the lamp and lens for cleanliness and damage, ensuring the bulb is functional, and keeping spare bulbs and batteries on hand. Test the operation periodically.
• SOLAS Requirements:
  • All Ships: Required under SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 for visual signaling apparatus.