SOLAS Navigation Equipment Overview
SOLAS Chapter V sets out the minimum navigation equipment requirements for ships on international voyages. Requirements vary based on vessel type, tonnage, and construction date.
Equipment Requirements by Vessel Size
Ships of 150 GT and above - Magnetic compass (or equivalent) - Pelorus or compass bearing device - Echo sounding device - 9 GHz radar (X-band) with plotting aid
Ships of 300 GT and above - AIS (Automatic Identification System) Class A - 9 GHz radar with ARPA capability - GNSS receiver (GPS/DGPS) - Heading or track control system
Ships of 500 GT and above - Speed and distance measuring device (speed log) - Rudder angle indicator - Rate of turn indicator (ships of 50,000 GT and above) - Sound reception system
Ships of 3,000 GT and above - Second radar (3 GHz S-band recommended) - Two GNSS receivers - Automatic tracking aid (ATA or ARPA)
Ships of 10,000 GT and above - Rate of turn indicator - ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display)
Ships of 50,000 GT and above - Rate of turn indicator (mandatory)
Additional Requirements
Gyrocompass Required for ships of 500 GT and above. Must be THD (Transmitting Heading Device) capable and interfaced with radar and ECDIS.
VDR/S-VDR - VDR: Required on passenger ships and cargo ships of 3,000 GT and above (built on or after July 2002) - S-VDR: Required on cargo ships between 3,000-20,000 GT (built before July 2002)
BNWAS Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System required on all ships of 150 GT and above on international voyages.
LRIT Long Range Identification and Tracking required for all SOLAS ships.
EKS Marine Services
We supply, install, and maintain all SOLAS-required navigation equipment. Contact us for compliance verification and equipment upgrades.
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