What is Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System (BNWAS)?
Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) is designed 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 his 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."
The new product Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System is specifically designed to comply with
SOLAS Regulation V/19 as amended by
MSC.282(86) requiring a BNWAS to be installed on all new and existing ships. The system also meets the requirements of the performance standards set out by
MSC.128(75) & IEC 62616.
The system comprises of either a bulkhead-mounted or console mounted control panel with an onboard PIR (Passive Infra-Red) movement detector. The system is modular to accommodate any bridge size and layout with additional PIRs and/or manual resets both inside the bridge and weatherproof versions for the bridge wings.
For vessels under Lloyd’s Register classification, the system is also available with just manual reset functionality rather than PIRs to meet with LR Type Approval requirements.
Type approved by all major classification societies
BNWAS is the world’s first system fully type approved by all major classification societies. This means that if your fleet has ships of different class, you have no need to worry about the risk of a classification society rejecting equipment that is approved by another society or incurring additional certification costs that can be more than the cost of equipment itself.
What arrangements will you need to make?
Under the new amendments to
SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19 newly contracted vessels need to have the system fitted, while existing tonnage must at the latest fit at the first survey from the dates below:
VARIOUS CONFIGURATIONS
- Minimum Compliance Package:
1 x BNWAS Control panel
1 x Illuminated BNWAS push-button reset
1x 1st Stage audible alarm for bridge
1x 2nd Stage audible alarm for captain/officer cabin
1x 3rd Stage audible alarm for officer and mess rooms
- Advised Configuration – vessels over 15,000dwt - (minimum crew disruption):
1 x BNWAS Control panel – Event Logging with SD Card
1 x Illuminated BNWAS push-button reset
1 x 360˚ Ceiling Mounted PIR sensor
2 x Corner Mounted PIR sensors
2 x IP65 Rated External Bridge Wing Push Button Reset
1x 1st Level audible alarm for bridge
3x 2nd Level audible alarm for captain/officer cabin
3x 3rd Level audible alarm for officer and mess rooms
1 x Installation cable pack – (3 cables types, 350m of cable)
