BNWAS
Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System
New IMO regulations, implemented through the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), will soon require the carriage of a Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) on most ocean going vessels. Under the terms of the amendments to SOLAS Chapter V, regulation 19, adopted with Resolution MSC.282(86), new build cargo ships over 150gt and all new passenger ships of any size, constructed after July 1st 2011 will have to be equipped with a BNWAS. Equally all existing cargo ships over 3,000gt will have to be equipped with a BNWAS by July 1st 2012.
The purpose of the Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) is to ensure that a vessel is under the control of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) at all times and to ensure that the wheelhouse is never unmanned.
The OOW must reset the BNWAS within a set time period. The BNWAS is essential for companies running a "one man bridge" operation, where the vessel is reliant on one OOW to ensure the vessel continues on a safe passage. Should the OOW become unable to interact with the BNWAS the system will enter a sequence of alarm stages: Stage 1 - Audible and visual alarm local to the wheelhouse only. Stage 2 - Additional audible and visual alarm in chosen Officer's quarters. Stage 3 - Additional audible alarm ship-wide.
In addition to the standard "push to reset" controls the KW810 has the option of the KW810-P Motion Sensor. When the sensor detects movement of the OOW it will automatically reset the BNWAS counter, leaving the OOW free to carry out his normal duties without the concern of resetting the BNWAS manually every 3-12 minutes.