Navigating a giant vessel is not at all an easy job and when it comes to situations of emergency, wherein the navigational officer has to make some quick decisions, the safety of the entire ship and its crew depends on that officer.
The Bridge Navigational Watch & Alarm System (BNWAS) is a safety system used on ships to ensure that the officer on watch is actively monitoring the navigation and the safety of the vessel.
The system helps prevent accidents due to human error, such as the officer becoming incapacitated, inattentive, or absent from the bridge for too long.
Key Features of BNWAS:
Monitoring Activity: BNWAS monitors the officer’s activity on the bridge by requiring periodic interaction with the system. The officer must reset the alarm within a set time interval, usually by pressing a button or operating certain navigational equipment.
Alarm Phases:
Pre-warning: If the officer does not reset the system within the set time interval (usually between 3 and 12 minutes), a visual and audible alarm will first be activated on the bridge.
Second-stage alarm: If no response is detected, the alarm is escalated to other designated areas, such as the Captain’s cabin or officer’s quarters.
Third-stage alarm: If the officer still does not respond, an alarm will sound throughout the vessel to alert the crew that immediate action is needed.
Purpose: The system ensures that the bridge is properly manned and that navigational duties are attended to at all times. It is especially important for preventing accidents in cases where the officer may have fallen asleep or become incapacitated.
Mandatory Compliance: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires BNWAS to be installed on various types of ships, including those governed by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations. The system became mandatory for passenger ships and vessels of certain sizes over the past decade.
Customization: The system’s time intervals, alarm sounds, and reset functions can usually be adjusted to fit the vessel’s specific operational needs.
