**Executive Summary**
This M.S. Notice 04 of 2012, dated February 9, 2012, concerns the implementation of June 2009 amendments to SOLAS 1974 regarding Carriage Requirements for a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) on Indian ships. It outlines the phased implementation of BNWAS fitting based on ship categories and deadlines, all relative to the first annual, periodical, or renewal survey after specific dates. The notice is issued by the Director General of Shipping under Section 406 of the Indian Merchant Shipping Act 1958 (as amended).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BNWAS Implementation on Indian Ships:**
* Indian ships of prescribed categories must be fitted with BNWAS, conforming to SOLAS performance standards.
* **Implementation Timelines:**
* Passenger ships: Not later than first survey after 1 July 2012.
* Cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards: Not later than first survey after 1 July 2012.
* Cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross tonnage: Not later than first survey after 1 July 2013.
* Cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage: Not later than first survey after 1 July 2014.
* **Exceptions:**
* The notice does not apply to warships, naval auxiliaries, government-owned non-commercial ships, fishing vessels, ships not mechanically propelled, wooden ships of primitive build, or ships to be permanently taken out of service within two years of implementation.
* **Exemption/Relaxation:**
* Ship owners/operators of ships being decommissioned may apply to the Directorate for exemption from BNWAS requirement at least 6 months prior to the deadlines.
* **Performance Standards:**
* BNWAS equipment must meet the performance standards specified in IMO Resolution MSC.128(75).
* **Type Approval:**
* Type approval certificates from the country of manufacture or from Recognized Organizations (ROs) authorized by the DGS will be accepted.
* **Second-hand Acquisitions:**
* Second-hand vessels will be considered as ordered for registration on their "keel laid date".
* **Ship Certification and Verification:**
* Indian ships will be inspected and surveyed by the Authorized Official of the Directorate, MMD, or the Recognized Organization approved by the Central Government.
* **Documentation:**
* The Record of Equipment (Form'E' or Form'P') must be updated to reflect BNWAS compliance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ship Masters / Ship Owners / Ship Managers/ Ship Operators**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for ensuring compliance with BNWAS requirements and implementation timelines.
* **Action Required:**
* Take appropriate measures to fully implement the amendments to SOLAS as per Regulation 19'2'2'3 of Chapter V.
**Directorate, MMD, or the Recognized Organization approved by the Central Government**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for the inspection and certification of ships to verify compliance with the notice.
* **Action Required:**
* Verify compliance during ship inspections and surveys and issue appropriate certificates accordingly.
Key Entities Referenced
SOLAS 1974: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974. This notice concerns amendments to SOLAS 1974 regarding Carriage Requirements for a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS).
Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS): A system implemented on Indian ships, with compliance requirements and performance standards as specified in the notice.
Indian Merchant Shipping Act 1958: The act under which the Director General of Shipping issues directives for Carriage of BNWAS on Indian ships.
Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 2012: Draft rules under consideration by the Government of India to incorporate provisions related to BNWAS.
M.S. Notice 04 of 2012
No:75 - NT (20) / 2011 Dated: 09th February 2012
Subject: June 2009 Amendments to SOLAS 1974 - Carriage Requirements for a
Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS), on Indian ships regarding.
Back ground:
1' The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) during its 86th Session had adopted the resolution MSC'282 on
5th June 2009 which contains various amendments to International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 74) including the said amendments for
fitment of BNWAS as per Reg' 19 of Chapter - V of SOLAS' i'e''Carriage
Requirements for ship borne navigational systems and equipment'' It is to be noted
that these amendments to SOLAS entered into force with effect from 01st January
2011 internationally'
Carriage of BNWAS on Indian ships under Regulation Ch' V 19 -SOLAS 1974
2' India has ratified/acceded to SOLAS 1974 and/or acceded to subsequent
protocols thereafter' It has been proposed to incorporate these provisions in the
new draft Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 2012 and this draft rules
is under consideration of Govt' of India for promulgation' This may however take
some time, therefore, in the interim, the Director General of Shipping issues the
directives in respect of Carriage of BNWAS on Indian ships, under Section 406 of
Indian Merchant Shipping Act 1958 (as amended) as conditions of granting GTL'
Under SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of Navigation, Regulation 19'2'2'3 &'4 has been
added in this regard' All Indian ships of prescribed categories are required to be
fitted with BNWAS in a phased manner, confirming to SOLAS performance
standards, as per requirements for compliance applicable to different categories of
ships and time frame for fitment as follows-
a) Passenger ships Not later than first Survey* after 1 July 2012;
b) Cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards Not later than first
Survey* after 1 July 2012;
c) Cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000
gross tonnage Not later than first Survey* after 1 July 2013;
d) Cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500
gross tonnage Not later than first Survey* after 1 July 2014;
Note: *Means the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewalsurvey in respect of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate in the case of passenger
ships, or the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate in the case of cargo ships'
Exceptions:
3' The requirements of this notice shall not be applicable to the following -
a) Warships, Naval Auxiliaries and other ships owned or operated only
on Govt' non commercial service;
b) Fishing vessel,
c) Ships not propelled by mechanical means;
d) Wooden ships of primitive built
e) ships which will be permanently taken out of service within two years
after the implementation date'
Owners/ operators of ships falling under 3 (e) may approach the Directorate for
grant of exemption/relaxation from BNWAS requirement at least 6 months in
advance of the prescribed deadlines'
Performance Standards for BNWAS:
4' For purpose of compliance with this MS Notice, all Indian ships fitted with
BNWAS equipment as specified above shall meet the performance
standards specified in Resolution MSC'128(75); set out by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO)' Type approval certificate issued by
Government of country of manufacture of equipment will be accepted' In
addition, the type approval certificate issued by RO's recognised by the
DGS will be accepted provided it has authority of the country in which, the
BNWAS is manufactured'
Second hand acquisition:
5' All such vessels shall be considered as if ordered for registration under
Indian flag vessel on day of their'keel laid date' for the purpose of this M'S' Notice
No' 04 of 2012' No favorable treatment shall be extended to second hand
acquisitions'
Ship Certification and Verification:
6' For the purpose of efficient and effective navigational systems, equipments
and associated arrangements including carriage of BNWAS equipment, the Indian
ship shall be inspected and surveyed by the Authorized Official of the Directorate,
MMD or the Recognized Organization approved by the Central Government toverify the compliance with this notice and on satisfactory completion of
inspection/survey, the ship shall be issued with appropriate certificate in
accordance with provision of M'S' Act 1958 (as amended)' The record of Equipment
(Form'E') of Cargo Ship Safety Equipment or Cargo Ship Equipment Certificate and
in case of Passenger Ship, the Record of Equipment of Passenger Ship Safety
Certificate (Form'P') as applicable, shall be updated to this affect'
Conclusion
7' Keeping in view the aforesaid amendments, the Ship Master / Ship Owners
/ Ship Managers/ Ship Operators and all concerned are hereby informed that
appropriate measures need to be taken by them to give full & complete effect to
these amendments as per Regulation 19'2'2'3 of Chapter V of SOLAS for
compliance with BNWAS requirements by the prescribed deadlines.
8' All concerned are therefore directed to adhere to this notice to enhance
efficiency of safety of navigation and maritime traffic.
9' This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping & Ex-
officio Addl. Secretary to Govt. of India.
sd/-
(Capt S.I. Abul Kalam Azad)
Nautical Surveyor