Navgard system ready to meet BNWAS demand

Navgard is claimed to offer a relatively low cost and effective means of avoiding operational navigational accidents and can also double as a bridge security system in port. A BNWAS is intended to monitor bridge activity and detect any operator disability that could lead to shipping 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 duties through accident, illness or security breach (such as piracy and/or hijacking). This is accomplished by a series of visual and audible indications and alarms. The BNWAS may provide the OOW with a means of calling for immediate assistance if required. A BNWAS should be operational whenever the ship’s heading or track control system is engaged, unless inhibited by the master.

Forthcoming new amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19, mandate BNWAS installations on over 100,000 ships. Such a system will be mandatory for all new ships on delivery, while existing tonnage is required to retrofit the equipment ‘at the first survey’.

BIMCO advises its members to consider fitting systems at drydockings before the mandatory implementation date, and not to wait until annual surveys within the compliance window. The agreement of the ship’s flag administration is required to postpone retrofitting beyond this date. Martek’s own research prior to the launch if Navgard suggests that although two-thirds of shipowners were aware of the requirement to fit BNWAS, the vast majority had not investigated the market, or had a preferred supplier. System cost was the most important criterion likely to influence their decision, above even type approval and technology.Although some planned to fit the equipment sooner, just over 40% would be doing so at the next drydocking, with 16% waiting until the final compliance date.

Type approvals have been gained from Lloyd’s Register, ABS, DNV, Bureau Veritas, RINA, the Russian Register, China Register and Indian Register.