The term BNWAS is an acronym for the term Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System - a safety system made

mandatory in amendments to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 and adopted on 5th June 2009 by Resolution
MSC.282(86).
As outlined in the performance standards MSC.128(75) - "The purpose of the bridge navigational watch alarm system
(BNWAS) is to monitor bridge activity and detect operator disability which could lead to marine 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 the OOW's duties. This purpose is achieved by a
series of indications and alarms to alert first the OOW and, if he is not responding, then to alert the Master or another
qualified OOW. Additionally, the BNWAS may provide the OOW with a means of calling for immediate assistance if
required. The BNWAS should be operational whenever the ship's heading or track control system is engaged, unless
inhibited by the Master."

BNWAS Regulations
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19
The requirements making it mandatory to have a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) fitted to all
passenger and cargo vessels can be found in SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19.
The changes see the following subparagraph is added to paragraph 2.2:
.3 a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS), as follows:
.1 cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size constructed on or after 1
July 2011;
.2 passenger ships irrespective of size constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July 2012;
.3 cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey*
after 1 July 2012;
.4 cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2011,
not later than the first survey* after 1 July 2013; and
.5 cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2011, not
later than the first survey* after 1 July 2014.
The bridge navigational watch alarm system shall be in operation whenever the ship is underway at sea;
.4 a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) installed prior to 1 July 2011 may subsequently be exempted
from full compliance with the standards adopted by the Organization, at the discretion of the Administration."

All BNWAS that are to be installed to meet with this new regulation requirement must meet with the performance
standards set out in MSC.128(75).

BNWAS Performance Standards

MSC.128(75) - IMO BNWAS Performance Standards
The IMO set out the performance standards for a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) in Resolution MSC.128(75).
Click here to view a copy of these performance standards.
IEC 62616:2010 - International Performance Standards
IEC is the world's leading organisation of international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. IEC 62616:2010(E) specifies
the minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics and methods of testing, and required test results, for a bridge navigational watch
alarm system (BNWAS) as required by Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended.
These standards are heavily based on the IMO performances standards with a number of additions.

BNWAS Class/Flag Requirements

Quite often the regulations coming out of the IMO are open to interpretations and in these cases the different classification societies and flag
authorities will view the regulations in slightly different ways. Having more than one variation of the rules can be very confusing, especially if you
not all of your fleet are classed with the same society or under the same flag.
In this section we will give you information on any clarifications we find from the the classification societies or flag authorities regarding what they
require from vessels under their authority.

Class
ClassNK
ClassNK has stated:
"Regarding type approval of BNWAS, ClassNK does not issue a ClassNK type-approval certificate for BNWAS.
ClassNK does however accept a type-approval certificate issued by the Authorities and Flag States and also accepts MED Certificate as an
equivalent of the Authorities.
BNWAS should be complied with requirements of IMO Resolution MSC 128(75) and IEC62616 (FDIS).
ClassNK will verify a copy of the Certificate for BNWAS examined and certified by the above Standards and ensure the functions and locations of
alarms on boardthe ship."
ClassNK has released technical information to help clarify the criteria vessels under its class should meet with regards to the installation of bridge
navigational watch alarm systems (BNWAS).
Click here for more information on this clarification.
Korean Register
The Korean Register of Shipping has provided notification of the changes to SOLAS Ch 5 Reg 19 and have pointed to the performance standards as
set out in MSC.128(75).
Click here to download KRS guidance

Flag
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
MPA Singapore have issued a circular that directs those with Singapore vessels to the performance standards as set out in MSC.128(75).
Click here to download MPA Singapore circular

When Does BNWAS Affect You?

BNWAS is required to be installed on all newbuild vessels with keels laid either on or after 1st July 2011. Existing
vessels will be required to retrofit the system at the first survey after the dates outlined in the regulations depending
on the vessel type and size.
BIMCO Advice
BIMCO has advised its members to be aware that the first survey may not happen at the same time as a dry docking
and that as such owners should note that considerable work might be required for retrofitting a BNWAS which could
take a vessel out of service.
As such consideration should be given to fitting the system at their vessels' next dry docking ahead of the mandatory
implementation dates and not wait for annual surveys within the compliance window.
First Survey:

The first survey means the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewal survey,
whichever is due first after the date specified.

For a passenger ship, this is the first renewal survey for "Passenger ship safety survey"; for a cargo ship
(non-passenger ship), this is either the "Cargo ship safety equipment survey" or the "Cargo ship safety
survey" (combined survey - if the ship chooses to combine all SOLAS certificates in one).

For both passenger ships and cargo ships which are under construction, if the keel is laid before, but the
ship is delivered after, the date specified in the relevant regulation, the initial survey is the "first survey".

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Martek Marine's Type Approved

BNWAS
Navgard - BNWAS
Navgard is Martek Marine's BNWAS solution to the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19. The system has
been designed to meet the performance standards outlined in MSC.128(75) & IEC 62616.
Navgard will be the world's first and only BNWAS system fully type approved by all major classification societies.
Type Approvals are already held for:

ABS

RINA

Polish Register of Shipping

China Classification Society

Korean Register

DNV

Approvals are imminent for:

Indian Register

Lloyd's Register

Russian Register

Bureau Veritas

Germanischer Lloyd

By choosing a supplier with this extensive suite of approvals, you have no need to worry about the risk of a
classification society rejecting equipment that is approved by another society or incurring additional certification costs
that can be more than the cost of the equipment itself.
To find out more about Navgard BNWAS visit the Martek Marine website.