BNWAS (NavWatch)

Your BNWAS compliance problem solved...

What is a BNWAS and why you need one?

The new amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19 adopted through MSC.282(86), mean you're faced with more new legislation to comply with. Your ships will now need to be fitted with a type approved 'Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System' (BNWAS) for your vessels' Classification Society. Your challenge is to select a system Type Approved to the new performance standards that is also simple and cost-effective to purchase, install and operate.

NavWatch is uniquely designed to solve these problems, by providing you with the simplest installed solution for your fleet - GUARANTEED! The system can be delivered with ALL the parts you need (including cables) in a single pack - what could be easier?

What arrangements will you need to make?

Under the new amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19 newly contracted vessels' need to have a system fitted, whilst existing tonnage must comply by the dates below:

What performance standards must the system be certified to?

The BNWAS system you choose must be Type Approved with the relevant Classification Society and the Approval must be in accordance with the latest performance standards IEC 62616 : 2010. You can be assured that NavWatch meets these standards.

Industry Advise to fit at your next dry docking

BIMCO has advised its members to fit systems at their vessels next dry docking ahead of the mandatory implementation dates and not wait for “annual surveys” within the compliance window.

“Ship operators should be planning to order BNWAS systems now. The main consideration should be ease of installation and avoiding disruption to operations” Marine Industry Commentator

BNWAS Buyers Guide

When should I consider planning for installing BNWAS?

Various industry commentators have highlighted that ship owners and operators should now be planning for installing BNWAS.

When should I fit BNWAS?

BIMCO has advised its members to fit systems at their vessels next dry docking ahead of the mandatory implementation dates and not wait for “annual surveys” within the compliance window, the work could be done whilst alongside or during passage.

Could we fit the system using our crew?

NavWatch is specifically designed to be easy to install with no need for special tools or expertise. It comes with all fixtures and fittings to enable you to install the system straight out of the box. NavWatch is the simplest system to install – Guaranteed

Should the system be Type Approved?

The requirement for a Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) is a mandatory requirement under SOLAS V / Regulation 19 and as such the system must be Type Approved.

What features will make the installation simpler?

• A single cable for all sensors / detectors
• The ability to accept different voltages
• Integral sensors on controller, with no need for cabling remote sensors on smaller bridges
• Simplified installation instructions with illustrations
• The option to bulkhead or console mount
• The use of PLC based systems

What maintenance should be carried out?

This is depended upon the technology. The NavWatch system from TGNS requires no regular maintenance, although other types of system may require maintenance.

What is the least stressful technology for the bridge staff?

A Danish study of several hundred BNWAS equipped vessels (The Danish flag mandated BNWAS systems several years ago) and found that bridge staff, were less stressed when a PIR system was installed compared with a manual push button type system.

Does the system include battery back-up?

The regulations make specific mention of a battery supply, whilst some systems may try to use this wording applicable to the ships own emergency 24 V dc supply, this is unlikely to be accepted by many surveyors or Class Societies. NavWatch has a battery backup.

Does the system include serial communication interface to your VDR?

Within NavWatch system optional extras - yes. The new performance standards published in 2010 (IEC 62616‐1 : 2010) specify that the system must communicate with the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR). The system will need to communicate in the specific communication protocol set down by the VDR regulations. NavWatch meets this requirement.

Does the system include a form of data logging in real time?

NavWatch is available with an SD-card to log all alarm event data in real time, giving you a permanent record of bridge activity. In the event of an incident on one of your ships, you could access the alarm and event data from the SD-card to give you a full log of exactly what was happening on the bridge at the time of the incident.

Does the system include a local PIR at the control panel?

The NavWatch control and alarm panel includes an integral PIR detector to enable confirmation of an active navigation watch during normal watch keeping operations.

Can we use a single cable?

If your BNWAS system can be installed wiring all peripherals to a central control panel with a single cable this will save you time and money during installation. In addition, if alarms and sensors use the same cable type this will make the installers job simpler. NavWatch can be installed using a single cable type.

What performance standard should the system be certified to?

In 2010 a new performance standard was published. The new standard IEC 62616‐1 : 2010 specifies new communication protocols as well as the existing standards and any system purchased should have proof that it is certified to these standards.