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MINISTRY OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
(Shipping Wing)
New Delhi, the 19th June, 1997
G.S.R. 289.—Whereas a draft the Merchant Shipping, (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 1996 was published as required by section 356, read with section 458, of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) and in suppression of Merchant Shipping (distress Message and Navigational Warnings) Rules, 1964, in the Gazette of India, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (I) dated 11.5.96 under the notification of the Govt. of India vide GSR 202 dated 26.4.96 for the information of all persons likely to be affected thereby inviting objections or suggestions in respect of said draft rules within a period of forty-five days from the date on which copies of the notification as published in the Gazette of India were made available to the public;
And whereas the said Gazette was made available to the public on 11.5.96;
And whereas no objection or suggestion has been received.
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 356, read with section 458 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely :-
1. Short title, commencement and application,--
(1) These rules, may be called Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 1997.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in these rules, these rules shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
(3) They shall apply to all sea-going Indian ships, and ships other than Indian ships while they are within the territorial waters of India :
Provided that these rules shall not apply to,-
(i) ships not propelled by mechanical means,
(ii) sailing vessels registered under Part XV of the Act:
(iii) fishing vessels registered under Part XVA of the Act; and
(iv) pleasure yachts.
(v) ships employed in trades or operations where bridge arrangements and navigational equipments as may be approved by the Director General of Shipping is provided to suit special navigational and operational requirements.
2. Definitions--
In these rules unless the context otherwise requires,--
(a) "Act" means the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958);
(b) "approved" means approved by the Director General of Shipping;
(c) "automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA) means a radar provided with automatic means for acquisition and plotting of targets and complying with the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards;
(d) "bridge" means the area from which the navigation and control of the vessel is exercised and includes the wheel house chart room and the bridge wings complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards;
(e) "collision regulations" means the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Collision at Sea) Regulations, 1975;
(f) "constructed" in relation to a ship, means a stage of construction where--
(i) the keel is laid; or
(ii) construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; or
(iii) assembly of that ship commenced comprising of at least 50 tons of 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material whichever is less;
(g) "echo sounding device" means equipment used for determining depth of water and complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards;
(h) "emergency steering position" means position on a ship from which vessel can be steerd in the event of a breakdown of the transmission system, used for operation of the steering gear, between the navigation bridge and the steering gear compartment;
(i) "gyro compass" means direction showing equipment using principle of gyroscope and complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards;
(j) International Maritime Organisation standards means recommendations, guidelines or standards approved and published by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation and as amended from time to time.
(k) "International code of signals" means the code of signals approved by the International Maritime Organisation used by communication of safety, emergency and distress messages.
(l) "magnetic compass" means an equipment complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation standards.
(m) "merchant ship search and rescue manual" means the manual published by International Maritime Organisation to provide guidance for the conduct of search and rescue operations at sea;
(n) "mile" means a nautical mile of 1853.144 metres.
(o) "Notices to Mariners" means the notice published by the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India and includes Navarea warning and annual notices;
(p) "radar installation" means installation used for collision avoidance and navigation and complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards;
(q) "radar direction finding apparatus" means equipment for finding direction of an incoming radio signal and complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation standards.
(r) "radio regulation" means the radio regulation annexed to the International Telecommunications Convention, 1982;
(s) "rate of turn indicator" means equipments showing the rate at which the ships is turning and complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards.
(t) "routeing system" means system of one or more routes or routeing measures aimed at reducing the risk of collisions and groundings and may include traffic separation scheme, 2-way routes, recommended tracks, areas to be avoided, inshore traffic zones, roundabouts, precautionary areas, deep water routes established by the International Maritime Organisation.
(u) "Schedule" means a Schedule to these rules.
(v) "speed and distance indicator" means equipment indicating speed of the vessel and distance steamed by the ship over water and complying with the ship over water and complying with the requirements of the relevant International Maritime Organisation Standards.
PART I
Navigational and Safety Communication
3. Communications—(1) All navigational and safety communications shall be performed units one or more of the following :
(a) procedure specified in the Radio regulations when using the radio telegraphy or radio telephony with or without digital selective calling facility or narrow band direct printing of the procedure specified by International Maritime Satellite Organisation when using satellite based systems.
(b) Codes prescribed in the International Code of signals when language difficulties are experienced.
(c) Standard marine navigational vocabulary when communicating by telephony in the English language.
(2) Every ship of 150 tons gross tonnage and above shall, in addition to the requirements of Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules, 1983 carry for the purposes of navigational and safety communications
(a) a set of International Code Flags.
(b) international code of signals
(c) IMO publication on the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary.
(d) Signalling lamp complying with the requirements of the relevant IMO Standard.
(e) means to transmit distress signals specified in annex IV of Collision Regulations.
(3) Where in any communication a date and time is to be indicated same shall be in universal co-ordinated time (UTC).
4. Distress Message.—(1) Whenever the Master of a ship has reached a conclusion that his ship is in imminent danger which could result in loss of ship or loss of life, he shall send a "distress" message to all ships and coast stations within the range of his communication systems in plain language (preferably in English).
(2) Such message shall be preceded by appropriate code indicating "distress" and shall be transmitted using procedures prescribed in the Radio Regulations.
(3) When sending such messages, at least the following information shall be included :-
(a) Date and time when signal was originated ;
(b) position of the ship;
(c) circumstances leading to distress; and
(d) if the ship is to be abandoned, availability of survival crafts and prevailing whether conditions.
(4) Master of every ship who has ordered "abandon ship" shall order, simultaneously, activation of the auto keying device provided under the Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules, 1983 and the emergency Position Indicating Radio beacon provided as per requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules, 1991.
5. Urgency messages.—(1) Whenever the Master of a ship has reason to believe that his ship or the life of any person on board is in danger and there is need for alterting coast stations and other ships but the danger is not sufficiently grave to require abandonment of the ship or immediate assistance of any kind, he shall send an "urgency" message. such signal shall where practicable, be addressed to a specific coast radio station or to another ship known to be in the vicinity. Such signal may also be used when the master of a ship desires to issue varnings that circumstances are such that it may become necessary for him to send out a "distress" message at a later stage. In such cases, however, the signal need not be addressed to a specific station and the circumstances be indicated clearly.
(2) Such messages shall be preceded by the appropriate code indicating "urgency" and shall be transmitted using procedure prescribed in the Radio Regulations.
(3) When sending such messages at least the following information shall be included :
(i) time, date and position of the ship,
(ii) course, speed and original destination of the ship,
(iii) nature of problem on board with as many details as practicable.
(iv) whether any assistant is likely to be required and if so the nature of such assistance.
(v) whether the ship has been diverted towards, nearest port and if so the name of port expected time and date of arrival at the port and
(vi) efforts being made to control the adverse situation and results of such efforts.
(4) After sending a message in compliance with sub-rule (1), the Master shall send further messages every hour, if practicable and in any case at intervals of not more than 3 hours. At least the following information shall be included in such messages :-
(i) time, date and position of the ship,
(ii) course and speed.
(iii) change in situation, if any, on board.
(5) If the Master of the ship who has sent a message in compliance with sub-rule (1) has reached the conclusion that the ship or life of any person on board is no m ore in danger or the precautionary action ceases to be necessary or if the ship has reached a port, he shall at once send a message to the coast radio station and ships in area canceling such "urgency" message.
6. safety messages.—(1) When the Master of ship meets with--
(i) Ice,
(ii) derelict,
(iii) Storm or tropical revolving storm or mid Latitude depression.
(iv) subfreezing air temperature associated with winds of 68 kms/hour or more causing ice accretion on structure,
(v) winds of 95 kms/hour or more for which no storm warning is received,
or
(vi) any other direct danger to navigation,
he shall send a "safety" message by all possible means at his disposal to ships in the vicinity and to the nearest coast radio station with whom he can communicate, with a request to re-transmit the same to the appropriate authority.
(2) Such message shall be preceded by the appropriate code indicating "safety" and shall be transmitted either in plain language in English or by means of the International code of signals or by using the meteorological weather code using procedures prescribed in the Radio Regulations.
(3) When sending such messages, the following information shall be included, namely :-
(a) in case of ice, derelict or danger observed,
(i) kind of ice, derelict or danger observed,
(ii) position of danger when last observed
(iii) time and date when danger was last observed, and
(iv) rate and direction of drift, if any,
(b) in case of tropical revolving storm or mid-latitude depression--
(i) a statement that storm or depression has been encountered or is developing or exists in the neighbourhood of the ship,
(ii) time, date and position of the ship when observation was made,
(iii) barometric pressure, corrected in hectopascals (hpa)
(iv) barometric tendency during the past 3 hours,
(v) true wind direction and force,
(vi) state of the sea (smooth, mild, rough, high),
(vii) swell height (slight, mild, heavy), true direction from which it is coming, period and length (short average, long),
(viii) true course and speed of the ship,
(ix) nature and intensity of precipitation during the past 3 hours (slight, intermittent, continuous) and the state of visibility (good, moderate, poor),
(x) nature and extent of cloud cover (blue sky, partially cloudy, overcast), and
(ix) air and sea temperatures,
(c) in case of winds of 95 kms/hour or more for which no storm warning has been received, the message shall contain similar information as given in clause
(b) of this sub rule, and
(d) in case of sub-freezing air temperature associated with winds of 68 kms/hour or more, causing ice accretion on superstructure--
(i) date, time and position of the ship when the observation was made,
(ii) air and sea temperatures, and
(iii) wind force and direction.
(4) Whenever a Master has sent a safety message in compliance with clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-rule (3) as the case may be, he may make further observations and transmit the same hourly, if practicable. He shall, in any case, report such observations at intervals of not more than 3 hours so long as the ship remains under the influence of the storm or depression.
(5) Master of any ship on receiving a message transmitted in accordance with this rule shall proceed with up-utmost caution and when necessary alter course and or speed so as to navigate clear of the danger reported. When ice is reported, the Master shall proceed at moderate speed and adopt all possible means to detect the present and navigate with caution.
7. Action to be taken on receipt of distress' or 'urgency' Communications.—(1) The Master of a ship on receipt of a message transmitted in accordance with rule 4 or 5 shall forthwith acknowledge the same giving his own position, course, speed and destination.
(2) Where the transmitting ship has indicated the likely requirement of assistance, the Master of the receiving ship shall subject to provision of Section 355 or 355-A of the Act shall indicate whether he is in a position to render such assistance and the facilities available with him for that purpose.
(3) After communicating the information as prescribed in sub-rules (1) and (2) the Master of receiving ship shall cause a continuous listening watch to be maintained on frequencies mutually agreed.
(4) Where after receiving the urgency message or any updating message following such urgency message the Master of the receiving ship does not receive any further messages and he has reasons to believe that the circumstances on board the transmitting ship may have deteriorated, he shall transmit a suitable message to the nearest Rescue Coordination Centre or coast radio station giving all information available and shall be guided by advice rendered by such center or radio station.
8. Every ship in addition to entries required to be made in the official log book by Section 214 of the Act shall also make the following entries :
(a) Every safety, urgency or distress message transmitted by the ship and circumstances warranting same.
(b) Every urgency or distress message received by the ship and action taken thereon.
(c) Every incidence reported under the provision of sub-rule (3) of rule 11.
9. Search and Rescue Operation.—Every ship proceeding to the assistance of a vessel or aircraft in distress, in compliance with Section 355 of the Act, when required to join a search and rescue operation, shall be guided by the provisions of the Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual and by the instructions given by the concerned Rescue Coordination Centre.
10. Merchant Ship Reporting System.—(1) All Indian ships in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean North of 300S shall report their position, once daily to the Indian ship position and information reporting system (INSPIRES) described in the annual notices to mariners..
(2) Every Indian ship, hen on voyage from one port to another outside the area specified in sub-rule 1 of this rule shall report its position, once daily to a ship reporting system established for the area under the provisions of International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1969. In areas where no such system is available every Indian ship shall as far as possible report its position to INSPIRES or to its owners.
(3) Every ship shall make a report whenever a harmful substance is observed at sea or any ship is seen to be discharging a harmful substance in contravention of the International Convention of Prevention of Pollution at Sea 1973 or its protocol of 1978. Such report shall use the appropriate reporting format specified in the INSPIRES and shall transmit the same to the nearest coast radio station or rescue co-ordination center.
11. Routeing systems--
(1) Every ship shall follow routeing systems wherever established.
(2) Where due to circumstances beyond his control the master of a ship is unable to navigate strictly as directed by a routeing, every precaution shall taken to ensure safety of navigation of all ships in the area including transmission of a 'safety' message to indicate the same. Every such incidence shall be recorded in the official log book and reported to the Principal Officer at the earliest opportunity.
(3) Every violation of a routeing system reported by the appropriate authority or a port state, whether reported by a master or not, shall be investigated by the Principal Officer. The Principal Officer shall also take into account investigation conducted by any other Administration, if any. Report of every such investigation shall be submitted to the Director General.
PART II
WATCHKEEPING ORGANISATION
12. General—Unless otherwise specified, this part shall apply to all seagoing ships registered under Part V of the Act.
13. Bridge Design--
(1) Every ship shall be provided with a bridge.
(2) The layour of the Bridge shall be inspected and approved by Nautical Adviser when the ship is first registered under the Indian registry. Any ship already registered as an Indian ship when these rules come into force shall be inspected and compliance shall be ensured as far as possible. Structural alteration to such ships shall be specified only where safety of navigation is likely to be affected advserly.
14. Manning of Ships--
(1) Every ship shall be manned by certificate as required under Section 76 of the Act.
(2) Every ship shall be issued with a manning certificate in the form prescribed in First Schedule. Every such certificate shall be valid for a period of not more than five years.
15. Navigational Watchkeeping--
(1) Every ship shall be manned by certificate officers as required under Section 76 of the Act.
(2) Composition of watch shall be such as to ensure that personnel on watch can deal with all possible. Emergencies, In any case an helmsman and a watchkeeping officer shall be available on the bridge at all times. While keeping watch the navigational watchkeeping officer shall follow the basic principles to be observed in keeping navigational watch as specified in the relevant IMO standard.
16. Engine room Watchkeeping--
(1) A safe engineering watch shall be maintained at sea at all times.
(2) Composition of watch shall be such as to ensure that personnel on watch can deal with all possible emergencies. The watchkeeping shall follow the basic principles to be observed in keeping an engineering watch as specified in the relevant IMO standard.
17. Manoeuvring capability—Every ship shall be provided with information on its manoeuvring capability. In particular, the following information shall be displayed conspicuously on the bridge, namely :--
(a) type of engines and mode of control (i.e. Bridge control, telegraph etc.) :-
(b) a table showing relation between speed through water and revolution per minute of propeller;
(c) revolution per minute of engines at which conventional engine movements of slow, half and full ahead and astern are fixed;
(d) a diagram showing turning circle with details;
(e) estimated stopping distances and time taken for the same at full speed and at half speed when in fully loaded and in ballast condition ;
(f) details of each stop trials;
(g) time required to put rudder over from hand over or one side to hard over on the other with two motors and one motor only.
18. Nautical Publication--
(1) Every ship shall carry adequate and upto date charts, sailing directions list of Lights, notice to marners, tide tables and all other nautical publications for the intended voyage, including the largest scale charts available for coastal navigation.
(2) The limits of the intended voyage for which the nautical publication are adequate shall be indicated on the Record of safety equipment.
(3) Where a ship is required to deviate from the limits of the intended voyage on account of distress or other such causes, the master may do so provided safety of the ship is not thereby endangered.
(4) Where undated nautical publications are not available at a port, the Principal Officer may permit the vessel to sail to the next port where such publications are available only if it is safe to do so.
19. Bridge procedure:-
(1) Master of every ship shall prepare standing orders for keeping a safe watch, and such standing orders shall include--
(a) instruction with respect to availability of main engines;
(b) procedure to be followed in keeping a safe watch;
(c) composition of a watch and the circumstances in which it may be altered;
(d) procedure to be followed while navigating in pilotage waters, restricted waters or in areas of high traffic density and poor visibility;
(e) procedure to be followed when encountering poor visibility or detenioration in weather, and
(f) instructions to call the master at any time when in doubt.
(2) Master of every ship shall ensure that a passage plan for intended voyage is prepared, scrutinized and available to he Watch Keeping Officer at all times when the vessel is on its voyage, such plan shall be monitored and updated where necessary during the progress of voyage and the said passage plan shall show, but not limited to the following on the chart or on any other similar document :-
(a) times of sunrises and subset;
(b) times of height water and low water estimated, if in coastal waters;
(c) estimated distances on various courses and estimated times of arrivals at the positions where alteration of course is planned;
(d) _____________ and shoals that need special attention.
(e) particulars of areas where the master desires to take over the navigation of the ship personally.
(f) the specified route to follow __________________________ visibility and the use of radar and other navigational aids.
(g) if any navigational equipment is working below its normal performance standard, the details thereof,
(h) heavy traffic areas and areas where large number of fishing/sailing vessels are likely to be encountered and areas of strong currents.
(i) process of calling additional assistance for watch keeping.
(3) The manuals and other information relating to the use of navigation equipment shall be available on the bridge for use of the watch keeping officers.
(4)(a) in the observance of his duties the officer of the watch shall be responsible at all times for safe navigation of the ship,
(b) Where necessary the officer of the watch shall call another officer to assist him in his navigational duties. The officer of watch shall be at liberty to call the master at any time.
(c) where another officer or master is called on the bridge, the officer on watch shall continue to be responsible for the safe navigation until master of such other officer informs him specifically that he has assumed responsibility of the watch.
5(a) every watchkeeping officer shall strictly comply with the collision regulations.
(b) where due to non-observance of such rules by one of the ships, a close quarter situation develops, whether resulting in a collision or not, details of such events and the identity of both ships shall be reported to the Principal Officer who shall investigate every such report and submit his findings to the Director General.
6. every officer on watch shall keep a good lookout which shall include--
(a) an alert visual and aural lookout to ensure a full grasp of the current situation including the presence of ship, landmarks in the vicinity and position of the ship at any time ;
(b) close observation of the movements and compass bearing of approaching vessels ;
(c) identification of ship and shore-light ;
(d) the need to ensure that the course is steered accurated with or without into pilot and that wheel orders are correctly executed when on manual steering.
(e) observation of the radar and echo sounder display and
(f) observation of changes in weather, visibility and the state of sea.
(7) Changing over the Watch--
(a) The relieving Officer of the Watch shall ensure that members of his watch are fully capable of performing their duties and in particular that they are adjusted to night vision. He shall not take over the watch until his vision is fully adjusted to the light conditions and he has personally satisfied himself regarding--
(i) standing orders and other special instructions relating to the navigation of the vessel;
(ii) the position, course, speed and draught of the vessel;
(iii) prevailing and predicted tides, currents, weather, visibility and the effect of these factors upon course and speed;
(A) the operational condition of all navigational and safety equipment;
(B) errors of gyro and magnetic compasses;
(C) the movement of vessels in the vicinity;
(D) conditions and hazards likely to be encountered during the watch;
(E) the possible effects of heel, trim, water density and squat on underkeel clearance.
(b) when at the time the Officer of the watch is to be relived, a manoeuvre or other action to avoid any hazard is taking place, the relief of the watch shall be deterred until such action is completed.
(c) The Officer of the watch shall not hand over the watch to the relieving officer if he has any reason to believe that the later is under any disability which would preclude him from carrying out his duties effectively. In every such case, the Master shall be informed before handing over the watch.
(8) The Officer of the watch shall make regular checks to ensure that--
(a) the helmsman or the automatic pilot is steering the correct course;
(b) the standard compass error is checked at least once a watch and, when possible, after any major alteration of course;
(c) the standard and gyro compasses are compared frequently and repeaters synchronized;
(d) the automatic pilot is steering effectively; and
(e) the navigation and signal lights and other navigational equipment are functioning properly.
(9) Navigation in Coastal Waters—The Officer of the Watch shall identity positively all relevant navigation marks. Position of the ship shall be determined at intervals whose frequency shall, at the discretion of the Master, depend upon factors such as distance from nearest hazard, accuracy of position fixing systems, speed of ship and set experienced. In cases such as a planned approach to an anchorage, or harbours entrance, position shall be plotted continuously. Whenever circumstances allow and particularly when in doubt positions shall be checked using alternate position fixing system.
(10) Restricted visibility—When restricted visibility is encountered or suspected, the officer of the watch shall comply with the collision regulation making proper use of engines lookout, radar and helm.
(11) Pilotage Waters.—The presence of a pilot shall not relieve the Master or the Officer of the watch from their duties and obligations towards safe navigation. The mater and the watch keeping officer shall familiarize themselves with the navigational plan of the pilot for the intended passage including docking and berthing procedure. They shall co-operate closely with the pilot and maintain an accurate check on the vessel's position and movements. Alterations of course and/or changes in wheel and/or engine orders shall be transmitted through the Omcer of the Watch. If the Master or the officer on which is in any doubt as to the pilot's actions or intentions, he shall seek clarification from the pilot and it still in doubt take corrective action where necessary.
20. Navigational Records—Master of every ships shall in order to provide an emcient record of the navigation passage maintain at least the following records.
(i) Chronometer error.
(ii) Weather reports.
(iii) Deviation of magnetic compass.
(iv) Night orders.
(v) Correction to Nautical Publication.
(vi) Maintenance and breakdowns of navigational equipment.
(vii) Dany navigational log (Mates log).
21. Automatic Pilot—(1) Automatic pilots, where fitted shall comply with the requirements of the relevant IMO standard.
(2) Master of every vessel fitted with automatic pilot shall cause the manual steering to be tested after prolonged use of automatic pilot and in any case at least two hours before the vessel is expected to manouevre on manual steering.
(3) Alteration of courses with the help of an automatic pilot when other ships are in sight of one another shall be avoided. Alteration of courses in compliance with collision regulations shall be effected by manual steering only.
(4) In areas of high traffic density or in conditions of restricted visibility or in all other hazardous navigational situations, if an automatic pilot is in use it is requested to establish manual control of the ship's steering instantaneously, if the occasion arises in any case qualified helmsman shall at all times be available to take over control of manual steering.
22. Operation of steering gear :
In areas where navigation demands special caution and whenever the ship is being manoeuvred in pilotage or restricted waters or in areas of high traffic density or in a routeing system, more than one steering gear power unit shall be in operation when such units are capable of simultaneous operation.
23. Steering gear tests and drills :
(1) Within 12 hours before departure, the ship's steering gear shall be checked and tested.
The test procedure shall include, where applicable, the operation of the following :-
(a) the main steering gear;
(b) the auxiliary gear;
(c) the steering gear control in the systems;
(d) steering capability from the navigation bridge as well as from the remote steering location in the vicinity of the steering gear.
(e) the emergency power supply where available;
(f) he rudder angle indicators in relation to the actual position of the rudder;
(g) communications between he bridge and the remote steering location;
(h) the steering gear power unit failure alarms; and
(2)(a) Simple operating instructions with a block diagram showing the change over procedures for remote steering gear control systems and steering gear power units shall be permanently displayed on the navigating bridge and in the steering gear compartment.
(b) All ship's officers concerned with the operation of maintenance of steering gear shall be familiar with the operation of the steering systems fitted on the ship and with the procedures for changing over from one system to another.
(3) In addition to the routine checks and tests prescribed in sub-rule (1) and (2) of this rule emergency steering drills shall be conducted at least once every three months in order to practice emergency steering procedures.
(4) These dolls shall include direct control from within the steering gear compartments, the communication procedure with the navigating bridge and where applicable the operation or alternative power supplies.
(5) Every ship on regular frequent voyages of less than 24 hours may carry out the detail tests specified in sub-rule (1) and (2) of this rule at least once every week. In any case operational tests shall be carried out before departure.
(6) The date upon which the checks and tests prescribed in sub-rule (1) and (2) of this rule at least once every week. In any case operational tests shall be carried out before departure.
PART III
Navigational equipment-General requirements.
24. Initial installation—(1) Every ship while installing any Electronic navigational equipment required by these rules shall,
(a) install such equipment complying with the general requirements for electronic navigational aids specified in the relevant IMO standard in addition to the requirements specified in these rules
(b) install only such equipment as has been type approved provided any equipment approved by any other Administration party to the International Convention for Safety of Life Sea 1974 may also be granted type approval where the details of such equipment and certificates of approval granted by such Administration are submitted to the Director General.
(c) provide a suitable and efficient source of power supply for the operation of the equipment specified in these rules and for the purposes of testing and charging of any batteries. The source of electrical energy shall be available at all times when the ship is at sea and at all reasonable times when the ship is in port. The supply of electrical energy shall not exceed the limits set out below :-
(i) AC-Supply
Voltage variation + 10%
frequency variation+ 6%
(ii) DC-Supply
110 to 220V+10% to – 20%
24/32W+30% to – 10%
(d) carry operating and servicing manuals for each equipment complying with the following
(i) in the case of equipments where the design is such that fault diagnosis and repairs on bread ship is possible down to component level, the manual should provide full circuit diagrams, component layouts, and component parts list,
(ii) in the case of equipment containing complex modules in which fault diagnosis and repair down to component level is not practicable, the manual should contain sufficient information to enable a defective complex module to be diagnosed, identified and replaced. The requirements of sub-clause (i) should be met in respect of other modules and these discrete components which do not form part of modules.
(e) carry tools measuring instruments and spare parts specified in the Second Schedule.
(f) provide adequate safe access to all navigational equipments specified in these rules so that they can be maintained or adjusted in situ. Such access shall also be provided for maintenance and adjustment of Radar and Direction Finder Antennae.
(2) Were a ship has changed its registration and has required Indian registry for the first time, navigation equipment in use on board such ships shall be considered to have complied with these rules provided :
(a) such equipment has been accepted by the administration under which the ship was registered previously and
(b) such equipment complies with the relevant IMO standard.
25. Siting of navigational equipment—(1) No unit which has not been type approved for mounting in an exposed position or in a position which normally permits the entry of moisture or water shall not be installed in exposed position.
(2) The accuracy of ships magnetic compasses shall be safeguarded while installing any navigation or communication equipment.
(3) Safe distance at which an approved equipment be placed from a standard and magnetic compass in order not to affect the accuracy of such compass shall be clearly marked on such equipment or be stated on the certificate of approval. While installing such equipment safe distance shall be strictly maintained : Provided that when it is impracticable to maintain the safe distances, the Director General may allow such reduced distances where the actual effects on the compass in shown to be stable and such that it can be corrected by compass adjustment.
(4) Safe distances specified for the equipment do not take into account the structures required to be added for installation of such equipment. Where such structures are necessary safe distances shall be determined and the equipment installed at such distance.
(5) Storage of spare parts, for equipment shall also comply with the safe distance requirement specified for the equipment for which the spares are stored.
(6)(a) Where radio interference from any such equipment is likely to affect the radio communications, such equipment should be widely separated from the radio communication system.
(b) electrical interference or mechanical noise produced by navigational installation shall not affect efficient operation of other equipment.
(c) noise from navigation installation shall not disturb the members of the crew either on or off duty.
(d) navigation equipment shall not be installed in position where excessive heat and/or fumes may cause failure or undue maintenance difficulties.
(e) navigational equipment including antenna where practicable be mounted so as to prevent the performance and reliability of the installation being adversely affected by vibration,
(f) every equipment shall be designed to provide safe guards which either prevent access to high voltages by means of isolating switches, door switches or similar devices or ensure that access is possible only by means of a tool such as key spanner or screw driver.
(g) where RF of X-radiation is likely to present a hazard to personnel, warning notices shall be displayed on the equipment showing safe distances. Similar warning shall be shown in the handbook for such equipment.
(h) approved safe distance plan showing location of equipment and its distance from magnetic compasses and other equipments shall be carried on board.
26. Maintenance of Navigational equipment—(1) Every reasonable step shall be taken to maintain navigational equipment prescribed in these rules in efficient working order. Malfunctioning of an equipment shall not make the ship unseaworthy or a reason for delaying the ship in port where--
(i) an installation similar to that specified in the regulation is provided additionally and is in good working order ; or
(ii) there is no appropriate repair agency in the port;
(iii) spare parts are not readily available in that port,
(2) Where navigational equipment is malfunctioning:
(i) a ship on International voyage may be permitted to sail to the next port where such repairs or availability of spare parts is feasible,
(ii) a ship on coasting voyage of India may be permitted to sail without such equipment for a period one month. The Principal Officer may, on consideration of the circumstances extend this period to a maximum of three months.
(3) The performance of the radar installation shall be checked before the ship proceeds to sea and at least once every watch whilst the ship is at sea.
(4) Every foreign going ship of 1600 tons or over required to be fitted with a radar installation, shall be provided with at least one officer or member of crew adequately qualified to carry out radar maintenance Provided that :
(a) If on an occasion on which a ship goes to sea, such officer or member of the crew is not carried because of illness incapacity or other unforeseen circumstances, the provision of this rule shall not apply for a period one week or the duration of the voyage to the next port of call whichever is later. One such period shall not immediately by following by another period at sea.
(b) on every such occasion the master or the owner shall notify the Principal Officer of his inability to carry a suitably qualified person for this purpose and make an entry in the official log book to that effect.
(5) While a ship which is required to be fitted with a radar installation is at sea and a radar watch is being kept, the radar installation shall be under the control of Master or a certified Watch Keeping Officer.
(6) For the purposes of these rules, an officer or crew member shall be deemed qualified to carry out radar maintenance if he holds :
(a) a Radar Maintenance Certificate.
(b) a certificate recognized by Director General as being equivalent to the certificates mentioned in clause (a) or
(c) a certificate of proficiency to carry out maintenance on specified types of radar installations granted at the conclusion of a radar manufacturer's course.
PART IV
NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT CARRIAGE REQUIREMENT
27. Ships of 150 tons gross tonnage and above.—(1) This rule applied to ships of 150 tons gross tonnage and above.
(2) Every such ship shall carry :
(a) a standard magnetic compass fitted on the center line of the ship and mounted on a binnacle ;
(b) steering magnetic compass fitted on the center line of the ship and mounted on a binnacle or an arrangement by which heading information provided by the standard compass required under (a) is made available and is clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering position.
(c) where a standard and steering compass is fitted, adequate means of communication between the standard compass position and the normal navigation control position.
(d) means for taking bearings as nearly as practicable ever an are of the horizon of 3600 provided ships of less than 300 tons gross tonnage lying on the coasting trade of India may be granted relaxation from the above requirement where it is considered that total compliance shall be impracticable.
(3) Every magnetic compass referred to in sub-rule 2 shall be properly adjusted and its table or curve of residual deviation shall be available at all times on the bridge.
(4) Such table or curve of residual deviation shall be checked for accuracy once at least every twelve months or through record of compass deviations maintained as per requirements of rule 20. Where a ship has undergone substantial structural changes or alteration which are likely to affect such table or curves or where large residual deviations are observed, the magnetic compass shall be readjusted and a new table or curve of residual deviation shall be made available.
(5) Every such ship shall also carry a spare magnetic compass inter-changeable with the standard compass; provided where the ship is fitted with a steering magnetic compass and a gyro compass this requirement need not be complied with.
(6) Information with respect to the ship's heading shall be made available by suitable means at the emergency steering position, where provided.
(7) Every ship, shall carry a sextant and a chronometer.
(8) Every such ship shall carry an aneroid barometer or a mercury barometer calibrated by an appropriate officer of the Indian Heterological department.
28. Ships of less than 150 tons gross tonnage.—(1) This rules applies to ships of less than 150 tons gross tonnage.
(2) Every such ship shall comply with the provisions of rule 27 as far as practicable. Every such ship, shall in any case, be provided with a steering compass and efficient means for :
(a) taking bearings.
(b) measuring depth of water, and
(c) measuring distance steamed.
29. Ships of 500 gross tonnage and above.—(1) This rules applied to ships of 500 tons gross tonnage and above.
(2) Every such ship shall comply with the provisions of rule 27 and in addition shall carry :
(a) master gyro compass or a gyro repeater clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering position ;
(b) radar installation along with facilities for plotting radar bearings which, as far as possible, shall be as effective as a reflection plotter ;
(c) device for indicating speed and distance ;
(d) indicator showing the rudder angle, the rate of revolution of each propeller and in addition, if fitted with wariable pitch propeller or lateral thrust propeller, the operational mode of each such propeller. All such indicators shall be readable from the conning position and
(e) an echo sounding device.
30. Ships of 1600 gross tonnage and above. –(1) This rule applies to ships of more than 1600 tons gross tonnage engaged on International voyages or on voyages which extend more than 500 miles.
(2) Every ship shall comply with the provisions of rule 29 and in addition shall carry,
(a) a gyro repeater or repeaters suitably placed for taking bearings, as nearly as practicable, over an arc of the horizon of 3600
(b) radio direction finding apparatus.
(2) Every ship shall carry the equipment specified in rule 30 and in addition shall comply with this rule.
(3) Every such ship shall carry,
(a) two radar installations, each capable of being operated independently of the other,
(b) at least one of the radar installations specified in clause (a) of this sub-rule shall be equipped to operate on 9 Ghz frequency to defect survival craft radar transponder beacons,
(c) an automatic radar plotting aid,
(d) an device to indicate speed and distance through the water.
(4) Ships of 1,00,000 tons gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1st September 1984, shall, in addition, be fitted with a rate of turn indicator.
32. Provisions of Pilot Ladder.—(1) Every ship shall be provided with a pilot ladder or other safe and convenient mean which shall comply with the requirement of the relevant IMO standard.
33. Maintenance and use of a pilot Ladder and other appliances.—(1) The pilot ladder and other appliances required to be carried on board under rule 32 shall be kept in good condition and shall be reserved for the embarkation and disembarkation of pilots and officials or other persons while a ship is arriving or leaving a port.
(2) Pilot ladder and other appliances such as mechanical hoists shall be used whenever a pilot or Harbour Master embarks or disembarks from a ship. No other ladder other than pilot ladder shall be used for such purposes.
PART V
Miscellaneous Requirements
34. Emergency towing arrangements for tankers.—(1) Every tanker, chemical carrier and Gas carrier or vessels carrying hazardous and noxious substances of 50,000 tons deadweight or more shall be provided with an emergency towing arrangements in compliance with the relevant International Maritime Organisation standard.
(2) Every tanker or chemical carrier and gas carrier of more than 1,00,000 tons deadweight or more shall also be provided with such towing arrangements at the stern.
(3) Every such towing arrangements shall at all times be pre-rigged and so stored that it can be brought into use with the least power requirements.
35. Equivalents and Exemptions.—(1) The Central Government may, if it considers unreasonable or unnecessary to require a standard magnetic compass, exempt classes of ships from these requirements if the nature of the voyage, the ship's proximity to land or the type of ships does not warrant a standard compass. In any case, however, every such ship shall be provided with a steering compass.
(2) The Central Government may exempt a ship of less than 500 gross tonnage from the requirements of the radio direction finder equipment. Every such grant of exemption shall take into account that the radio direction finder equipment is necessary both as navigation equipment and as an aid to locating ships, aircrafts and survival craft.
(3) Any of the equipment specified in these rules and installed on board ships on or after 1st September, 1984 shall conform to the relevant IMO standard. Equipment fitted prior to 1st September 1984, shall be exempted from full compliance with the IMO standard provided the equipments generally meet the requirements of the functional criteria.
(4) If the application of the requirements of these rules necessitates structural alterations to a ship constructed before 1st September 1984, an extension of the time limit for fitting the required equipment shall be granted taking into account the 1st Scheduled dry-docking of such a ship.
(5) Except as provided elsewhere in these rules, the Central government may grant to individual ships exemptions of a partial or conditional nature when any such ship is engaged on a voyage where a maximum distance from the ship to a shore, the length and nature of the voyage, the absence of general navigation hazards, and other conditions affecting safety are such as to render the full application of these rules unreasonable or unnecessary. Grant of every such exemption shall take into account the effect such exemptions may have upon the safety of all other ships.
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