Merchant Shipping (Solas V - Navigation Bridge Visibility) (Construction) Rules 2021.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

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paragraphs: These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (SOLAS V - Navigation Bridge Visibility) (Construction) Rules 2021.
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paragraphs: In these Rules –
(a) the keel is laid,
(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;
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paragraphs: Every ship of 55 metres or more in length, constructed on or after 1 July 1998, shall comply with the following:
(a) the view of the sea surface from the conning position shall not be obscured by more than 2 ship lengths, or 500 metres, whichever is the less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side under all conditions of draught, trim and deck cargo;
(b) (i) no blind sector, caused by cargo, cargo gear or other obstructions outside of the wheelhouse forward of the beam which obstructs the view of the sea surface as seen from the conning position, shall exceed 10°,
(ii) the total arc of blind sectors shall not exceed 20°, and
(iii) the clear sectors between blind sectors shall be at least 5°,
however, in the view described in paragraph (a), each individual blind sector shall not exceed 5°;
(c) the horizontal field of vision from the conning position shall extend over an arc of not less than 225° that is from right ahead to not less than 22.5° abaft the beam on either side of the ship;
(d) from each bridge wing the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc at least 225° that is from at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the ship;
(e) from the main steering position the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc from right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the ship;
(f) the ship’s side shall be visible from the bridge wing;
(g) the height of the lower edge of the navigation bridge front windows above the bridge deck shall be kept as low as possible. In no case shall the lower edge present an obstruction to the forward view as described in these Rules;
(h) the upper edge of the navigation bridge front windows shall allow a forward view of the horizon, for a person with a height of eye of 1,800 millimetres above the bridge deck at the conning position, when the ship is pitching in heavy seas;
(i) windows shall meet the following requirements –
(i) to help avoid reflections, the bridge front windows shall be inclined from the vertical plane top out, at an angle of not less than 10° and not more than 25°,
(ii) framing between navigation bridge windows shall be kept to a minimum and not be installed immediately forward of any workstation,
(iii) polarized and tinted navigation bridge windows shall not be fitted, and
(iv) a clear view through at least two of the navigation bridge front windows and, depending on the bridge configuration, an additional number of clear-view windows shall be provided at all times, regardless of weather conditions;
(j) in relation to a ship contracted for construction on or after 1 January 2011, the IMO unified interpretations of SOLAS Chapter V (MSC.1/Circ.1350/Rev.1).
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paragraphs: (1) Every ship of 55 metres or more in length constructed before 1 July 1998 shall, where practicable, comply with the requirements of paragraphs 3(a) and (b) of Rule 3.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not require the making of structural alterations or the supply of additional equipment.
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paragraphs: (1) The MSO may exempt a ship of unconventional design from complying with these Rules.
(2) Each ship exempted under paragraph (1) shall make arrangements to achieve a level of visibility that is as near as practical to that prescribed in these Rules.
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paragraphs: Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (a), (c), (d) and (e) of Rule 3, a ship may undertake ballast water exchange provided that -
(a) the master has determined that it is safe to do so and takes into consideration any increased blind sectors or reduced horizontal fields of vision resulting from the operation to ensure that a proper lookout is maintained at all times,
(b) the operation is conducted in accordance with the ship’s ballast water management plan, taking into account the recommendations on ballast water exchange adopted by the IMO, and
(c) the commencement and termination of the operation are recorded in the ship’s ballast water record book.