Navigation Systems

Navigation & signal lights with controller

The masthead, side and stern lights that tell other ships what this ship is and which way it is heading, with a controller that alarms if any lamp fails.

ECDIS with independent backup arrangement

A navigation information system used for route planning and route monitoring with up-to-date official chart data and an adequate independent backup arrangement. The backup may be another ECDIS or an appropriate folio of paper charts.

Radars (X-band & S-band)

The ship's radars for detecting other vessels and land: X-band gives sharp short-range detail, S-band penetrates rain and sea clutter better; together they track targets for collision avoidance.

Gyro compass

A spinning-mass or fibre-optic compass that finds true north independent of the earth's magnetic field, feeding heading to the autopilot, radars and ECDIS.

Magnetic compass

The traditional magnetic compass, still required as the heading reference that works with no power at all.

Autopilot / track control

The system that steers the ship automatically — holding a heading, or in track mode following the planned route — relieving the helmsman on long passages.

GNSS / DGNSS receivers

Satellite navigation receivers giving continuous position; the differential version corrects the signal for higher accuracy. Nearly every bridge system consumes this position.

Echo sounder

An instrument that measures water depth under the keel with sound pulses — the direct guard against running aground.

Speed log (doppler / EM)

The instrument measuring the ship's speed through the water or over the ground, needed for navigation, radar calculations and the engine's performance picture.

AIS

The Automatic Identification System transponder that broadcasts the ship's identity, position and course to nearby ships and shore, and receives the same from others.

Voyage data recorder (VDR)

The ship's black box: it continuously records bridge audio, radar images, position and key data in a protected capsule for accident investigation.

BNWAS

The Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System — it requires the watch officer to confirm alertness at intervals and escalates alarms through the ship if there is no response.

Anemometer (wind sensor)

The sensor at the masthead measuring wind speed and direction, used for manoeuvring decisions and cargo-operation limits.

Bridge indicators (rudder / RPM / ROT)

The bridge repeaters showing actual rudder angle, propeller revolutions and rate of turn — the direct feedback the conning officer steers by.

Whistle & signalling control

The ship's whistle and its control, sounding the manoeuvring and fog signals the collision regulations require.

Sound reception system

Microphones that bring outside sound — fog signals of other ships — into a totally enclosed bridge, where the watchkeeper could not otherwise hear them.

Pilot transfer arrangement & pilot plug

The ladder and access equipment by which a pilot boards safely at sea, and the standard data plug that connects the pilot's own navigation unit to the ship's systems.

Integrated bridge / navigation network (INS)

The network that ties the bridge equipment into one integrated system with shared data and centralised alert management, standard on modern tonnage.

Daylight signalling lamp

A portable high-intensity lamp for signalling by light in daylight — a required means of visual communication independent of radio.

Bridge window wiper, clear-view and de-icing system

Wipers, spinning clear-view screens and window heating that keep the bridge windows transparent in rain, spray and ice — trivial-sounding, vision-critical.

Oil tankers

Chemical tankers

LNG carriers

LPG, ethylene, ethane, ammonia, CO2, hydrogen and gas-bunkering carriers

Bulk carriers and specialised dry-bulk carriers

General and specialised break-bulk cargo ships

Multipurpose, open-hatch, deck, heavy-lift and heavy-transport ships

Container ships

Ro-ro cargo and vehicle carriers

Refrigerated cargo ships

Fishing vessels, factory trawlers and live-fish carriers

Cruise and passenger ships

Ro-ro passenger ferries

PSV, AHTS, OSV/SOV and CTV

Cable, pipe, diving, subsea construction, WTIV and intervention vessels

Drillship, FPSO, FSO, FSU, FLNG and FSRU

Dredgers and hopper dredgers

Tugs, ERRV/standby, pilot and search-and-rescue craft

Research, hydrographic, seismic and icebreaking vessels

Large yachts and superyachts

Patrol and government service vessels