I, JAMES MITCHELL, Minister for Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 19 (1) (A) of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952 , (No. 29 of 1952) (inserted by section 11 (b) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1981 (No. 33 of 1981), and the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1983 (No. 40 of 1983), hereby make the following Rules:—

1 Citation.

1. These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Navigational Equipment) Rules 1985 and shall come into operation on the 16th day of September 1985.

GENERAL

2 Interpretation, revocation and application.

2. (1) In these Rules the following expressions have the following meanings respectively:

"constructed" in respect of a ship means a stage of construction where:

(a) the keel is laid; or

(b) construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; or

(c) assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1 per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less.

"fishing vessel" means a fishing boat within the meaning of section 370 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894;

"interference" in relation to any radio installation required by these Rules means the prejudicing by any emission or reflection of electro-magnetic energy of the fulfilment of the purposes of the installation;

"international voyage" means a voyage from a port in one country to a port in another country;

"maintenance" means any activity intended to keep an installation in satisfactory working condition and includes tests, measurements, replacements, adjustments and repair;

"Marine Notice" means a Notice described as such, issued by the Department of Communications;

"the Minister" means the Minister for Communications;

"the Organisation" means the International Maritime Organisation;

"Passenger Certificate Class IV" means a certificate issued under or pursuant to the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894-1983 for ships engaged on voyages (which are not international voyages) in partially smooth or in smooth and partially smooth waters.

"Passenger Certificate Class V" means a certificate so issued for ships engaged only on voyages (which are not international voyages) in smooth waters;

"Passenger Certificate Class VI" means a certificate so issued for ships engaged on voyages (which are not international voyages) with not more than 250 passengers on board, to sea, or in smooth or in partially smooth waters, in all cases in fine weather and during restricted periods, in the course of which the ships are at no time more than 15 miles, exclusive of any smooth waters, from their point of departure nor more than 3 miles from land;

"partially smooth waters" means the waters of the areas specified in column 3 of the Seventh Schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules, 1985 ( S.I. No. 274 of 1985 ) with the restriction, if any, as to time and type of vessel specified in that column in relation to those waters;

"passenger ship" means a ship carrying more than 12 passengers;

"pleasure craft" means a vessel primarily used for sport or recreation;

"proper officer" means an Irish Diplomatic or Consular Officer, a Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office or any person in a port in the State exercising the functions of such a Superintendent;

"radar watch" means observing displayed radar information, the frequency of observation depending upon the prevailing conditions;

"Restricted period" means a period falling wholly within the following limits:

( a ) from the 1st April to 31st October, both dates inclusive; and

( b ) between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset in the case of ships fitted with navigation lights conforming to the collision regulations and between sunrise and sunset in the case of any other ships;

"safe distance", in relation to a unit of equipment, means the minimum distance, approved by the Minister and specified on that unit, at which the unit should be installed from a magnetic compass, in order to minimise deviation to the compass;

"sea" does not include any partially smooth waters;

"smooth waters" means any waters not being the sea or partially smooth waters, and, in particular, means waters of any of the areas specified in column 2 of the Seventh Schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules, 1985;

"tanker" means a cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of a flammable nature;

"Tons" means gross tonnage and shall be:

( a ) for a ship having alternative gross tonnage under paragraph 12 of the Fourth Schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1984 ( S.I. No. 369 of 1984 ) the larger of those tonnages:

( b ) for a ship having its tonnage determined both under Part II and Regulation 16 of those Regulations its gross tonnage as determined under Regulation 16.

""unlimited trading area" means the trading area defined in the Second Schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Certification of Deck Officers) Regulations, 1981 ( S.I. No. 13 of 1981 ):

"Voyage" includes an excursion.

(2) References in these Rules to—

( a ) any performance standard adopted by the Organisation (referred to in Rules 10, 15, 18 (1), 27, 29, 31, 37, 39 and 43 hereof) or

( b ) any Performance Specification issued by the Department of Communications (referred to in Rules 18 (1), 31, 33 (3), and 37 hereof)

shall be construed respectively as references to

(i) the standards specified in Marine Notice No. 5 of 1985 as so adopted; and

(ii) the performance specifications specified in Marine Notice No. 5 of 1985;

and shall include a reference to any document amending any such standard or specification which is considered by the Minister to be relevant from time to time and is specified in a Marine Notice.

(3) The Merchant Shipping (Navigational Equipment) Rules 1983 ( S.I. No. 309 of 1983 ) are hereby revoked.

(4) These Rules shall apply in relation to ships (except pleasure craft and fishing vessels) which are:

( a ) sea-going ships registered in the State, other than passenger ships, of 150 tons or over; and

( b ) sea-going passenger ships registered in the state other than those having Passenger Certificates of Class V.

( c ) other sea-going ships of 150 tons or over while they are within the State or the territorial waters thereof.

(5) A rigidly connected composite unit of a pushing vessel and associated pushed vessel, when designed as a dedicated and integrated tug and barge combination, shall be regarded as a single ship for the purpose of these Rules.

3 Provision of navigational equipment installations.

3. (1) Every ship shall be fitted with a magnetic compass installation and comply with Part I of these Rules.

(2) Every ship of 500 tons or over but less than 1600 tons constructed on or after 1st September 1984 shall:

( a ) be fitted with a gyro compass installation and comply with Part II of these Rules;

( b ) be fitted with a radar installation and comply with Part III of these Rules;

( c ) be fitted with indicators showing the rudder angle, the rate of revolution and direction of thrust of each propeller and, if fitted with variable pitch propellers or lateral thrust propellers, the pitch and operational mode of such propellers. All these indicators shall be readable from the normal navigation control position.

(3) Every ship of 500 tons or over but less than 1600 tons when engaged on an international voyage shall:

( a ) if constructed on or after 25th May 1980 be fitted with an echo sounder installation and comply with Part IV of these Rules;

( b ) if constructed on or after 1st September 1984 be fitted with a speed and distance measuring installation and comply with Part V of these Rules.

Serviceability of installations.

(4) Every ship of 1600 tons or over, whenever constructed, shall:

( a ) be fitted with a gyro compass installation and comply with Part II of these Rules. Provided that this requirement shall apply to ships constructed before 1st September 1984, only when engaged on international voyages:

( b ) be fitted with a radar installation (or if the ship is of 10,000 tons or over, two radar installations), and comply with Part III of these Rules;

(5) Every ship of 1600 tons or over when engaged on an international voyage shall:

( a ) whenever constructed, be fitted with an echo sounder installation and comply with Part IV of these Rules;

( b ) if constructed on or after 1st September 1984 be fitted with a speed and distance measuring installation and comply with Part V of these Rules;

( c ) whenever constructed, be fitted with a direction finder installation and comply with Part VI of these Rules;

( d ) if constructed on or after 25th May 1980 be fitted with an installation for homing on the radiotelephone distress frequency (2128 kHz) and comply with Part VII of these Rules.

(6) ( a ) Every ship of 10,000 tons or over constructed on or after 1st September 1984, shall be fitted with an automatic radar plotting aid and comply with Part VIII of these Rules;

( b ) Ships constructed before 1st September 1984 shall be fitted with an automatic radar plotting aid and comply with Part VIII of these Rules as follows:

(i) tankers of 40,000 tons or over by 1st January 1985;

(ii) tankers of 10,000 tons or over but less than 40,000 tons by 1st January 1986;

(iii) ships, other than tankers, of 40,000 tons or over by 1st September 1986;

(iv) ships, other than tankers, of 20,000 tons or over but less than 40,000 tons by 1st September 1987;

(v) ships, other than tankers, of 15,000 tons or over but less than 20,000 tons by 1st September 1988.

(7) Every ship of 100,000 tons or over constructed on or after 1st September 1984 shall be fitted with a rate of turn indicator and comply with Part IX of these Rules.

4 Serviceability of installations.

4. (1) Each navigational equipment installation required by these Rules to be provided shall be in a satisfactory working condition whenever the ship goes to sea:

Provided that, except in respect of magnetic compass, direction-finding and homing installations, this requirement shall not apply when a ship is going to sea from a place at which prompt maintenance is not available or practicable without delaying the ship.

(2) Each navigational equipment installation required by these Rules shall be in a satisfactory working condition at all times when the ship is at sea unless there is a defect in an installation and maintenance is being carried out or is not practicable.

(3) Each navigational equipment installation required by these Rules shall, where practicable, be mounted in such a manner as to prevent the performance and reliability of the installation being adversely affected by vibration.

(4) Units of each navigational equipment installation required by these Rules shall, where practicable, be sited in positions which facilitate easy access for operation and maintenance.

5 Interference with other installations.

5. (1) At no time while the ship is at sea shall any interference or mechanical noise produced by any navigational equipment installation required by these Rules be such as to prevent the effective reception of radio signals.

(2) At no time while the ship is at sea shall any interference or mechanical noise produced by any equipment in the ship be sufficient to prevent the efficient operation of any navigational equipment installation required by these Rules.

(3) Units of navigational equipment installations, where practicable, shall not be installed closer to the ship's standard and steering compass than the appropriate safe distance marked on the unit. Where the safe distance is not marked on the unit, units shall not be installed closer to a magnetic compass than the distance specified in Marine Notice No. 26 of 1982 or any document amending the same which is considered by the Minister to be relevant from time to time and is specified in a Marine Notice.

6 Provision of electrical energy.

6. (1) There shall be provided in every ship at all times while the ship is at sea and at all reasonable times when she is in port, a supply of electrical energy suitable and sufficient for the operation of the navigational equipment installations required by these Rules, for testing purposes and for the charging of any rechargeable batteries which are a source of electrical energy for the navigational equipment installations.

(2) The supply of electrical energy shall not exceed the limits set out below:

AC supplies: variation from nominal voltage of ± 10%

variation from nominal frequency of ± 6%

DC supplies: variation from nominal voltage:

110/220V supplies, + 10%, -20%

24/32V supplies, + 30%, -10%

(3) readily accessible means shall be provided for isolating each navigational equipment installation from its source of electrical energy without causing any interruption to, or adversely affecting, the supply of electrical energy to any other equipment.

(4) Where a ship is required to be provided with two radar installations—

( a ) they shall be so installed that failure of either radar installation shall not cause the supply of electrical energy to the other radar installation to be interrupted or adversely affected; and

( b ) on ships constructed on or after 25th May 1980 both radar installations shall be capable of being operated one at a time, from the ship's emergency source of electrical energy, if provided.

7 Charging of batteries.

7. (1) If rechargeable batteries are provided on a ship as a source of electrical energy for any part of the navigational equipment installations, adequate means shall be provided on board the ship for the charging of such batteries from the ship's main source of electrical energy.

(2) Any such battery when not in use shall be capable of being fully charged within a period of not more than 16 hours by the means of charging required by paragraphs (1) of this Rule.

(3) When any such battery is float-charged whilst in use, the voltage used for charging the battery shall be within the limits set out in Rule 6 (2) above.

(4) If any navigational installation derives electrical energy for internal circuits from non-rechargeable batteries, failure of such batteries, where practicable, shall not cause malfunction of the installation. Where this is not practicable, the installation shall be provided with means to test the condition of such batteries.

8 Servicing and operating information.

8. Adequate information and instructions as to the use and maintenance of every navigational equipment installation required by these Rules shall be provided by the owner and shall be available at all times for use when the particular installation is being operated, tested or serviced.

9 Spares and tools.

9. For each navigational equipment installation required by these Rules there shall be supplied such special tools and equipment as are necessary for shipboard maintenance and such spares as are likely to be required for the duration of the intended voyage.

PART I—MAGNETIC COMPASS INSTALLATION

10 Magnetic compass performance standards.

10. Every magnetic compass installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standard adopted by the Organisation.

11 The magnetic compass installation.

11. (1) Except in the case of ships having Passenger Certificates of Class IV or VI the magnetic compass installation shall comprise:

( a ) a standard magnetic compass, fitted on the centre line of the ship and mounted on a binnacle.

( b ) a steering magnetic compass, fitted on the centre line of the ship and mounted on a binnacle, unless heading information provided by the standard compass required under (a) is made available and is clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering position:

( c ) adequate means of communication between the standard compass position and the normal navigation control position; and

( d ) means for taking bearings as nearly as practicable over an arc of the horizon of 360°.

(2) In the case of ships having Passenger Certificates of Class IV and VI the magnetic compass installation shall comprise one efficient magnetic compass at the steering position.

12 Adjustment of magnetic compasses.

12. Each of the magnetic compasses referred to in Rule 11 (1) shall be properly adjusted and its table or curve of residual deviations shall be available at all times.

13 Spare magnetic compass.

13. A spare magnetic compass, interchangeable with the standard compass, shall be carried in every ship of 150 tons and over to which these Rules apply, unless a steering compass mentioned in Rule 11 (1) (b) is fitted.

14 Emergency steering positions.

14. On ships of 150 tons and over which are provided with emergency steering positions, arrangements shall be made to supply heading information to such positions.

PART II—GYRO COMPASS INSTALLATION

15 Gyro compass performance standards.

15. Every gyro compass installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation.

16 Siting of gyro compass installation.

16. (1) The master compass shall be installed with its fore-and-aft datum line parallel to the ship's fore-and-aft datum line to within ± 0.5°.

(2) The compass card of the master compass, or a repeater of the heading information, shall be sited so that it is clearly readable by the helmsman when steering the ship.

(3) Where provided, repeaters used for taking visual bearings shall be installed with their fore-and-aft datum lines parallel to the ship's fore-and-aft datum line to within ± 0.5°.

(4) The master compass shall be sited so as to avoid, where practicable, excessive errors being caused to the gyro compass installation due to the ship rolling, pitching or yawning.

(5) Where in a gyro compass installation fitted on or after 1st September 1984, failure of one repeater could cause an error in any other repeater a readily accessible means shall be provided for isolating each repeater output from the master compass.

17 Provision of gyro repeaters.

17. On ships of 1,600 tons or over a gyro repeater or gyro repeaters shall be provided and shall be suitably placed for taking bearings as nearly as practicable over an arc of the horizon of 360°.

PART III—RADAR INSTALLATION

18 Radar performance standards and interswitching facilities.

18. (1) Every radar installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation and in respect of ships registered in the State, the radar installations shall, in addition, comply with the relevant performance specifications issued by the Department of Communications.

(2) Interswitching facilities

( a ) where such a radar installation includes additional radar units and facilities for interswitching, at least one arrangement of units when used together shall comply with all of the requirements of this Part of these Rules.

( b ) where two radar installations are required to be provided on a ship, they shall be so installed that each radar installation can be operated individually and both can be operated simultaneously without being dependent upon one another.

19 Provision of plotting facilities.

19. Facilities for plotting radar readings shall be provided on the navigating bridge of every ship required to be fitted with a radar installation. In ships of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards constructed on or after 1st September, 1984 the plotting facilities shall be at least as effective as a reflection plotter.

20 Radar watch.

20. (1) While a ship which is required to be fitted with a installation is at sea and a radar watch is being kept, the radar installation shall be under the control of a qualified radar observer, who may be assisted by unqualified personnel.

(2) In every such ship a record shall be kept in the deck log book of the times at which radar watch is commenced and discontinued.

21 Serviceability and maintenance of radar installations.

21. (1) The performance of the radar installation shall be checked before the ship proceeds to sea and at least once every four hours whilst the ship is at sea and radar watch is being maintained.

(2) Every ship of 1,600 tons or over required to be fitted with a radar installation which is going between the State and locations in the unlimited trading area or between locations in the unlimited trading area shall be provided with at least one officer or member of the crew adequately qualified to carry out radar maintenance.

Provided that:

( a ) if on an occasion on which a ship goes to sea, the officer or member of the crew adequately qualified to carry out radar maintenance is not carried because of illness, incapacity, or other unforeseen circumstances but all reasonable steps were taken to secure the carriage on that occasion of a duly qualified officer or crew member, the provisions of this Rule which require such a ship on such a voyage to carry an officer or crew member adequately qualified to carry out radar maintenance shall not, subject to compliance with the conditions in sub-paragraph (b) below, apply to the ship during a period beginning with the day on which the ship goes to sea and ending either 28 days later or with the day on which the ship sails from its next port of call, whichever is the later,

( b ) the conditions are that one such period shall not be followed immediately by any further period at sea during which the ship does not carry an officer or crew member adequately qualified to carry out radar maintenance and that the master when going to sea on such an occasion shall:

(i) notify by any means of communication available, a proper officer of his intention not to carry a suitably qualified officer or crew member; and

(ii) make an entry of that notification in the ship's official log.

22 Qualifications of radar observers and radar maintenance personnel.

22. (1) For the purposes of these Rules a person shall be deemed a "qualified observer" if he holds:

( a ) a valid Radar Observer's Certificate granted by the Minister or

( b ) a valid certificate of attendance granted at the conclusion of a radar simulator course which has been approved by the Minister, or

( c ) a valid Electronic Navigation Systems Certificate granted by the Minister, or

( d ) a certificate recognised by the Minister as being equivalent to any of the certificates mentioned in (a), (b) or (c).

(2) For the purposes of these Rules, an officer or crew member shall be deemed qualified to carry out radar maintenance if he holds:

( a ) A Radar Maintenance Certificate granted by the Minister, or

( b ) a certificate recognised by the Minister as being equivalent to either of the certificates mentioned in subparagraph (1) (a) or (1) (b) of this Rule, or,

( c ) a certificate of proficiency to carry out maintenance on specified types of radar installations granted at the conclusion of a radar manufacturer's course which has been approved by the Minister; or

( d ) a special certificate to carry out maintenance on specified types of radar installations issued by the Minister upon satisfactory written evidence that the applicant's employment, over a period of not less than 10 years between 25th May 1960 and 24th May 1980, has included the maintenance of marine radar installations.

23 Siting of radar installation.

23. (1) The antenna unit of the radar installation shall be sited so that satisfactory overall performance is achieved in relation to:

( a ) the avoidance of shadow sectors;

( b ) the avoidance of false echoes caused by reflections from the ship's structure; and

( c ) the effect of antenna height on the amplitude and extent of sea-clutter.

(2) The radar display shall be sited on the bridge from which the ship is normally navigated. The siting of one of the displays shall be such that:

( a ) an observer, when viewing the display, faces forward and is readily able to maintain visual lockout;

( b ) there is sufficient space for two observers to view the display simultaneously.

(3) The radar installation shall, where practicable, be mounted so as to prevent the performance and reliability of the installation being adversely affected by vibration and so that the installation will not, whilst in service normally be subject to greater vibration than that specified in the Marine Radar Performance Specification, issued by the Department of Communications.

24 Alignment of heading marker.

24. The radar reading marker (and stern marker if fitted) shall be aligned to within 1° of the ship's fore-and-aft line as soon as practicable after the radar installation has been installed in the ship. Where inter-switching facilities are provided, the heading marker shall be aligned with all arrangements of units. The marker shall be re aligned as soon as practicable whenever it is found to be substantially inaccurate.

25 Measurement of shadow sectors.

25. The angular width and bearing of any shadow sectors displayed by the radar installation shall be determined and recorded. The record shall be shown on a diagram adjacent to the radar display and be kept up to date following any change likely to affect shadow sectors.

26 Display sizes.

26. A radar installation required to be provided which is Display sizes. installed on board a ship on or after 1st September 1984 shall provide a relative plan display having an effective diameter, without external magnification, of not less than:

( a ) 180* millimetres of ships of 500 tons or over but less than 1,600 tons;

( b ) 250* millimetres of ships of 1,600 tons or over but less than 10,000 tons;

( c ) 340* millimetres in the case of one radar installation and 250 millimetres in the case of the other on ships of 10,000 tons or over.

*Display diameters of 180, 250 and 340 millimetres correspond respectively to 9, 12 and 16 inch cathode ray tubes.

PART IV—ECHO SOUNDER INSTALLATION

27 Echo sounder performance standards.

27. Every echo sounder installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation.

28 Siting of echo sounder installation.

28. (1) The transducer unit or units of such echo sounder installation shall be sited so as to avoid, where practicable, the vicinity of all underwater openings in, or projections from, the hull, such as plugs, anodes or other transducers, so that satisfactory overall performance is achieved.

(2) The echo sounder graphical display shall, where practicable, be sited on the bridge in a position to facilitate easy access and viewing, and where the effect of any lighting necessary for the equipment does not interfere with the keeping of an effective look-out.

PART V—SPEED AND DISTANCE MEASURING INSTALLATION

29 Speed and distance measuring equipment performance standards.

29. Every speed and distance measuring installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation.

30 Siting of speed and distance measuring installation.

30. (1) Where applicable, the transducer unit of the speed and distance measuring installation shall be sited so as to avoid, where practicable, the vicinity of all underwater openings in, or projections from, the hull, such as plugs, anodes or other transducers, so that satisfactory overall performance is achieved.

(2) Where a towed log is fitted, the position of the log register shall be selected so that the log line and its rotator when streamed are as clear as is practicable from disturbed water in the close vicinity of the ship and so that the rotation of the log line is not impeded by any part of the ship or its equipment.

(3) The display shall where practicable be sited on the bridge in a position to facilitate easy access and viewing and where the effect of any lighting necessary for the equipment does not interfere with the keeping of an effective look-out.

PART VI—DIRECTION-FINDER INSTALLATION

31 Direction-finder performance standards.

31. Every direction-finder installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation and in respect of ships registered in the State, the direction-finder installation shall, in addition, comply with the relevant performance specification issued by the Department of Communications.

32 Interference with reception.

32. (1) Radio antennas installed in any ship required to be fitted with a direction-finder installation which rise above the base of, and are within 17 metres horizontal distance of, the loop antennas of the direction-finder installation shall be isolated whenever bearings are being obtained by the direction-finder installation:

Provided that such radio antennas which do not cause significant errors in the accuracy of the bearings obtained by the direction-finder installation need not be isolated.

(2) Any ship fitted on or after 25th May 1980 which a direction-finder installation shall be provided with a communal antenna system for all broadcast receivers in respect of which it is impracticable to erect efficient and properly installed antennas which:

( a ) are outside a radius of 17 metres from the direction-finder antennas; or

( b ) do not rise above the base of the direction-finder antennas; or

( c ) can be lowered quickly and stowed easily when the direction-finder is in use.

33 Siting of direction-finder installation.

33. (1) The direction-finder shall be so sited that efficient suing of determination of radio bearings by means of the direction-finder will not be affected by extraneous noises.

(2) ( a ) The direction-finder antenna system shall be mounted in such a manner that the efficient determination of radio bearings by means of the direction-finder will be affected as little as possible by the proximity of antennas, derricks, wire halyards and other large metal objects.

( b ) Adequate precautions shall be taken to protect the cables connecting the direction-finder antenna system with the receiver forming part of the direction-finder installation from the ingress of water and from damage, including any which might be caused by excess heat.

(3) The direction-finder installation shall, where practicable, be mounted so as to prevent the performance and reliability of the installation being adversely affected by vibration and so that the installation will not, whilst in service, normally be subject to greater vibration than that specified in the relevant performance specification for the climatic and durability testing of maritime radio equipment, issued by the Department of Communications.

34 Means of communication.

34. (1) In every ship required to be fitted with a direction finder installation an efficient two-way means of calling and voice communications shall be provided between the reciever forming part of the direction-finder and the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

(2) In every such ship an efficient means of signalling shall be provided for use when calibrating or taking check bearings of the direction-finder installation between the receiver forming part of the direction-finder installation and the place on the ship from which visual bearings are taken.

(3) If the direction-finder installation is not installed in the ship's radiotelegraph operating room and radio antennas on the ship are required by Rule 32 (1) of these Rules to be isolated, means shall be provided at the direction-finder operating position to indicate when such antennas are isolated.

35 Calibration.

35. (1) The master of every ship required to be fitted with a direction-finder installation shall cause the direction-finder installation to be calibrated in accordance with this Rule as soon as practicable after it has been installed in the ship and whenever any change is made in the position of the direction-finder antenna system.

(2) ( a ) The direction-finder installation shall be calibrated by two persons, one being experienced in the taking of radio bearings and the other experienced in the taking of visual bearings. The calibration shall be carried out by taking simultaneous radio and visual bearings of a transmitter, and such bearings shall be taken at intervals of not greater than 5 degrees throughout 360 degrees on a frequency between 283.5 kHz and 315 kHz.

( b ) Calibration tables and curves, which enable radio bearings obtained by the direction-finder installation to be adjusted to within two degrees of the correct bearing, shall be prepared on the basis of the bearings taken in accordance with paragraph (2) (a) of this Rule.

( c ) Following satisfactory calibration and the preparation of calibration tables and curves, a Certificate of Calibration of Direction-finder shall be completed in the form specified in the First Schedule to these Rules.

( d ) On each occasion that an arrangement of cargo carried above deck level varies significantly from an arrangement in respect of which the direction-finder installation has been calibrated, check bearings shall be taken, if practicable, to determine whether any substantial inaccuracy in the direction-finder installation is being caused by the arrangement of cargo. Where substantial errors are found, further check bearings shall be taken to establish a correction curve.

(3) The master of every such ship shall cause the calibration tables and curves prepared in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Rule to be verified by means of not less than 4 check bearings in each quadrant.

( a ) at intervals not exceeding 12 months; and

( b ) whenever any change is made in any structure or fitting on deck or in any rigging or antenna above deck which is likely to affect the accuracy of the direction-finder.

If such verification shall show that the calibration tables or curves are substantially inaccurate, the master of the ship shall cause the direction-finder to be recalibrated as soon as practicable in the manner specified in paragraph (2) and (3) of this Rule.

(4) In addition, bearings shall be taken in each quadrant, where practicable at intervals not exceeding 12 months, on a frequency at about 500 kHz. These bearings should not be substantially inaccurate after being corrected by use of the calibration curves.

36 Records of calibration and verification.

36. The master of every ship required to be fitted with a Records of direction-finder installation shall cause the following records calibration and to be kept in a place accessible to any person operating the direction-finder, and to be available for inspection at any reasonable time by a surveyor of ships:

( a ) a list or diagram indicating the position, on the most recent occasion on which the direction-finder was calibrated, of the antennas and all movable structures on board the ship which might affect the accuracy of the direction-finder;

( b ) the calibration tables and curves which were prepared on the most recent occasion on which the direction-finder was calibrated;

( c ) a Certificate of Calibration signed by the persons making the calibration relating to the most recent occasion on which the direction-finder was calibrated; and

( d ) a record, in the form specified in the Second schedule to these Rules of check-bearings taken for the verification of calibration, the bearings being numbered in the order in which they were taken.

PART VII—INSTALLATION FOR HOMING ON THE RADIOTELEPHONE DISTRESS FREQUENCY (2128 kHz)

37 Homing equipment performance standards.

37. Every homing installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation and in respect of ships registered in the State, the homing installations shall, in addition, comply with the relevant performance specifications issued by the Department of Communications.

38 Siting of homing installation.

38. (1) The homing equipment shall be so sited that efficient determination of radio bearings by means of the equipment will not be affected by extraneous noises.

(2) The antenna system shall be mounted in such a manner that the efficient determination of radio bearings by means of the homing equipment will be affected as little as possible by the proximity of antennas, derricks, wire halyards and other large metal objects.

(3) Adequate precautions shall be taken to protect the cables connecting the antenna system with the receiver forming part of the homing installation from the ingress of water and from damage, including any which might be caused by excess heat.

PART VIII—AUTOMATIC RADAR PLOTTING AID INSTALLATION

39 Automatic radar plotting aid performance standards.

39. Every automatic radar plotting aid installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation.

40 Siting and other requirements of automatic radar plotting aid installations.

40. (1) Where the automatic radar plotting aid installation is provided as an additional unit to a radar installation it shall be sited as close as is practicable to the display of the radar with which it is associated.

(2) Where the automatic radar plotting aid installation forms an integral part of a complete radar system that radar system shall be regarded as one of the radar installations required by Rule 3 (4) (b) and accordingly shall comply with the relevant requirements of Part III of these Rules.

(3) The automatic radar plotting aid installation shall be interconnected with such other installations as is necessary to provide heading and speed information to the automatic radar plotting aid.

41 Use of an automatic radar plotting aid to assist in the radar watch.

41. When at any time on or after 1st September 1984 a ship fitted with an automatic radar plotting aid is at sea and a radar watch is being kept on the automatic radar plotting aid, the installation shall be under the control of a person qualified in the operational use of automatic radar plotting aids, who may be assisted by unqualified personnel.

42 Qualification of observers using an automatic radar plotting aid to assist in keeping a radar watch.

42. For the purpose of Rule 41 of these Rules a person shall be deemed to be qualified in the operational use of automatic radar plotting aids if he holds:

( a ) a valid Electronic Navigation Systems granted by the Minister, or

( b ) a valid Automatic Radar Plotting Aids Certificate granted by the Minister, or

( c ) a certificate recognised by the Minister being equivalent to any of the certificates mentioned in (a) or (b).

PART IX—INSTALLATION OF A RATE OF TURN INDICATOR

43 Rate of turn indicator performance standards.

43. Every rate of turn indicator installation required to be provided shall comply with the performance standards adopted by the Organisation.

44 Siting of rate of turn indicator installation.

44. The display shall, where practicable, be sited on the bridge in a position to facilitate easy access and viewing, and where the effect of any lighting necessary for the equipment does not interfere with the keeping of an effective look-out.

PART X—EXEMPTIONS

45 Exemptions.

45. The Minister may grant to individual ships or classes of ships exemptions of a partial or conditional nature from any of the provisions of Rules 3-44 of these Rules.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Rule 35(2)(c)

Certificate of Calibration of Direction-Finder

We, the undersigned, hereby certify that we have today—

( a ) calibrated, in accordance with Part VI of the Merchant Shipping (Navigational Equipment) Rules 1985 the direction-finder installed in the

s.s.	............................................................ ............................................................ .................................
m.v

( b ) handed to the master of that ship tables of calibration corrections:

( c ) adjusted the said direction-finder so that the readings taken thereby, when corrected with such tables, differ from the correct bearings by no more than plus or minus two degrees.

We hereby further certify that the master of the said ship has been furnished with a list of diagram indicating the position, at the time of such calibration, of the antennas and of all movable structures on board the ship which might affect the accuracy of the direction-finder.

	................................ Radio Observer
	............................... Visual Observer
	...................... Date

SECOND SCHEDULE

Record of Check-Bearings taken by means of the Direction-Finder

Rule 36(d)

Serial Number of Bearings

Date

Times (GMT(UTC) and Ship's)

Ship's Approximate Position

Distance from Transmitter

Direction Finder Bearing of Name and frequency

Direction-Finder Relative Bearing Correct for QE

Ship's Head by Compass 0/360°

Total Compass Error

½ Convergency Applied

Ship's Head Corrected (True)

True Bearing by Direction-Finder [Col. (8) and Col. (12)]

True Bearing by Visual Check or Calculation (whether Visual or Calculation to be indicated; if by Calculation, the method to be stated)

Correction required to make Col. (13) equal Col. (14) (indicating whether - or +

Signature of Observer or Observers

Latitude

Longitude

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 2nd day of September, 1985.

JAMES MITCHELL,

Minister for Communications.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Rules revoke the Merchant Shipping (Navigational Equipment) Rules 1983 ( S.I. No. 309 of 1983 ) and re-enact the provisions of that Instrument with amendments necessary to give effect to the Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 which were adopted by the International Maritime Organisation on 20th November 1981 and came into force internationally on 1st September 1984.

The Rules contain new requirements relating to magnetic compasses, speed and distance measuring, homing on the radio telephone distress frequency, automatic radar plotting aids and rate of turn indicators. The requirements relating to echo-sounding, gyro-compass and radar installations are revised; and installations required by the Rules are required to conform to relevant performance standards adopted by the International Maritime Organisation relating to ship-borne navigational equipment and in addition, in relation to some installations fitted on vessels registered in the State, to relevant performance specifications issued by the Department of Communications.