The requirements making it mandatory to have a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) fitted to all passenger and cargo vessels can be found in the amendments made to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 that were adopted by the IMO.
- cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships of any size constructed on or after 1 July 2011;
- passenger ships of any size constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey after 1 July 2012;
- cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey after 1 July 2012;
- cargo 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
- cargo 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 new Resolution MSC.350(92) now clarifies in SOLAS V, Reg.19.1.2.4, the implementation schedule for the carriage of BNWAS for ships constructed before 1 July 2002 as follows:
- passenger ships irrespective of size, not later than the first survey after 1 January 2016;
- cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards, not later than the first survey after 1 January 2016;
- 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
- cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage, not later than the first survey after 1 January 2018.
July 2011: new vessels in excess of 150 tonnes
July 2011: All passenger vessels
July 2012: All vessels in excess of 3,000 tonnes
July 2013: All vessels between 500 and 3,000 tonnes
July 2014: All vessels between 150 and 500 tonnes
The bridge navigational watch alarm system shall be in operation whenever the ship is underway at sea.
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