Are you ready for BNWAS..?

BNWAS, or Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System, is a safety system made mandatory in amendments to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 and adopted on 5th June 2009 by Resolution MSC.282(86).
As outlined in the performance standards MSC.128(75) - "The purpose of the bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) is to monitor bridge activity and detect operator disability which could lead to marine accidents.

The system monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and automatically alerts the Master or another qualified OOW if for any reason the OOW becomes incapable of performing the OOW's duties. This purpose is achieved by a series of indications and alarms to alert first the OOW and, if he is not responding, then to alert the Master or another qualified OOW. Additionally, the BNWAS may provide the OOW with a means of calling for immediate assistance if required. The BNWAS should be operational whenever the ship's heading or track control system is engaged, unless inhibited by the Master."

BNWAS is required to be installed on all newbuild vessels with keels laid either on or after 1st July 2011. Existing vessels will be required to retrofit the system at the first survey after the dates outlined in the regulations depending on the vessel type and size.

Are you prepared for this implementation..?

If not, SRH proves that can be a valued partner once again, by providing a reliable BNWAS solution.

For more info download attachement or visit SRH MARINE WEBSITE www.srhmar.com

NAVITRON NT990 BNWAS
Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System

Fully compliant with IMO Resolution MSC.128(75) & IEC 62616 and with both Notified Body (Germanischer Lloyd) & Classification Society (RMRS & CCS) Type Approvals, the Navitron NT990BNWAS can be supplied as a basic system to operate proprietary alarm units (where appropiate) or, as an expanded system complete with alarm selector switch and individual officer cabin and crew call audible alarm units etc.
In either case, the NT990BNWAS provides a safety monitor requiring regular acknowledgement (Reset) by the duty watch personnel at time intervals between 3 and 12 minutes which can be specified and set by the master or OOW as considered appropriate.

The chosen time interval (3 - 12 mins) is security protected by means of key switch selection as is the operating mode which may be set:

* Permanently ON
* Permanently OFF
* AUTO mode (automatically activated by power up of other equipment such as Autopilot / Track Control system etc)

Once activated, completion of the specified timeout period (3 - 12 mins) will automatically generate a Bridge visual alarm (15 secs) followed by a Bridge audible alarm (15 secs) which is tone and volume adjustable during installation.

Alarm cancellation and commencement of a new timing period will occur whenever the BNWAS 'Reset' button is operated on the main unit or when other Wheelhouse / Bridge located Resets (or optional Movement Detectors) are activated.

Failure to 'Reset' the system during the 30 second Bridge visual / audible alarm period will result in automatic 'Officer Call' alarm activation which, in an expanded system, can be routed to the appropriate duty officer cabin alarm unit. If the officer call alarm stage is not acknowledged within a selectable 90 sec to 3 minute period, a final stage Crew Call will automatically be generated.

In the event of a sudden crisis situation requiring immediate Officer assistance, the NT990BNWAS also features an 'Emergency Call' facility which may be operated at any stage of the timing cycles.

Further built in security and error management provisions include 'Tamper' and 'Power Fail' alarm indications fully commensurate with MSC.128(75) and IEC 62616.

The NT990BNWAS is suitable for vessels of all types and tonnages and can be supplied for both 115 / 230 VAC (DB2) and 24 Vdc (DB1) power supply applications.