Nautical Wing
Safety of Navigation
The Directorate General of Shipping is India's competent authority for implementing SOLAS Chapter V. Unique among the SOLAS chapters, Chapter V applies to all ships on all voyages and governs navigational equipment, voyage planning, routeing, ship reporting, vessel traffic services, and the duties of both masters and the Indian State towards the safety of navigation at sea.
Navigational Equipment
Radar & AIS Tracking
Voyage Planning
State Obligations and Maritime Infrastructure
6 FunctionsNavigational WarningsSOLAS V Reg. 4
- Prompt dissemination of all navigational danger information to affected parties
- Communication to other interested States without delay
- IMO and IHO World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS)
- NAVAREA VIII coordination for the Indian Ocean region
- Navtex and SafetyNET broadcasting for coastal and ocean-going vessels
IMO Reference
Meteorological ServicesSOLAS V Reg. 5
- Collection, examination and exchange of meteorological observations from ships
- Storm, gale and tropical cyclone warnings issued at least twice daily
- Weather forecasts by terrestrial and satellite radiocommunication
- Facsimile and digital weather chart transmission for ships
- Voluntary Observing Ships programme for Indian Ocean data coverage
- Meteorological instrument calibration services available to ships
Search and Rescue ServicesSOLAS V Reg. 7
- Establishment and maintenance of SAR services within India's area of responsibility
- Distress monitoring, communication coordination and rescue operations
- Indian Coast Guard as the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre for India
- SAR co-operation plans to be carried on all passenger ships
- Periodic drills to test the effectiveness of SAR plans
- Life-saving signals prescribed for SAR communications at sea
IMO Reference
Hydrographic ServicesSOLAS V Reg. 9
- Hydrographic surveys adequate for the requirements of safe navigation
- Nautical charts, sailing directions, lists of lights, tide tables and nautical publications
- Notices to mariners to keep all charts and publications current
- Coordination with the National Hydrographic Office, Dehradun
- Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for ECDIS compliance on Indian ships
- Conformance to IHO standards S-57 and S-101 for chart production
IHO Reference
Aids to NavigationSOLAS V Reg. 13
- Provision of buoys, beacons, lighthouses and lightships where traffic warrants
- IALA buoyage system Region A applied in all Indian waters
- Timely advance notice before changes to any position-fixing systems
- Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships as the AtoN authority
- Differential GPS reference stations for coastal position corrections
Standards Reference
Vessel Traffic ServicesSOLAS V Reg. 12
- VTS established at major Indian ports and high-density traffic areas
- Enhances safety of life at sea, navigation efficiency and environmental protection
- Mandatory participation and compliance by all ships in designated VTS areas
- Port-operated VTS at Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai, Kandla and others
- VHF communication, radar surveillance and AIS data integration
IMO Reference
Routeing, Reporting and Manning
Ships' Routeing, Reporting Systems and Manning
3 FunctionsShips' Routeing SystemsSOLAS V Reg. 10
- Mandatory compliance with all IMO-adopted routeing systems
- Traffic Separation Schemes, two-way routes and recommended tracks
- Areas to be avoided, no-anchoring areas and inshore traffic zones
- Deep water routes and precautionary areas in the exclusive economic zone
- All deviations to be logged and reported; violations investigated by the Principal Officer
IMO Reference
Ship Reporting SystemsSOLAS V Reg. 11
- Indian Ship Reporting System for safety of life at sea and maritime domain awareness
- Mandatory for Indian ships of 100 GT and above in designated reporting areas
- Reporting of incidents involving dangerous goods, nuclear and harmful substances
- Compliance with international reporting systems of other contracting governments
- Participation in all adopted systems is free of charge to ships
IMO Reference
Ship ManningSOLAS V Reg. 14
- Safe Manning Document issued by the Registrar for every Indian ship
- All crew certified under STCW and holding valid Continuous Discharge Certificates
- English mandatory as the working language on all Indian ships
- All bridge-to-bridge and bridge-to-shore safety communications in English
- Working language to be determined and recorded in the ship's log book
- Minimum Safe Manning principles per IMO resolution A.1047(27)
Bridge Design and Technical Equipment Standards
Bridge Design, Equipment Standards and Type Approval
4 FunctionsBridge Design PrinciplesSOLAS V Reg. 15
- Bridge must permit full situational appraisal for the bridge team and pilot
- Effective Bridge Resource Management to be promoted by design
- Standardised symbols, colour coding and controls for all displays and instruments
- Audible and visual alarms for all integrated bridge sub-system failures
- Each sub-system capable of fully independent operation on failure of any other
- Bridge design to prevent excessive workload and fatigue conditions
IMO References
Equipment MaintenanceSOLAS V Reg. 16
- On-board maintenance instructions to be provided for all navigational equipment
- Adequate tools and spare parts maintained per manufacturers' specifications
- Malfunction of equipment does not by itself render a ship unseaworthy
- Ships on international voyages may proceed to the next available repair port
- Ships on coastal voyages may be granted a temporary period dispensation
Electromagnetic CompatibilitySOLAS V Reg. 17
- All bridge electrical and electronic equipment to be tested for electromagnetic compatibility
- Installation designed to prevent interference with any navigation system on board
- Portable equipment not to be operated on the bridge if it may cause interference
- Applies in full to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002
IMO Reference
Type Approval and Performance StandardsSOLAS V Reg. 18
- All navigational systems and equipment require type approval before installation
- Equipment installed on or after 1 July 2002 to conform to applicable performance standards
- Manufacturer quality control systems to be audited by a recognised organisation
- Annual VDR and S-VDR performance test by an approved testing or servicing facility
- Annual AIS test verifying static data, sensor connectivity and radio performance
- Certificate of compliance from annual testing to be retained on board
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 — Carriage Requirements by Ship Size
Carriage Requirements for Shipborne Navigational Equipment
SOLAS V Reg. 19| Ship Category | Required Navigational Equipment | SOLAS V Reference |
|---|---|---|
| All ships irrespective of size | Standard magnetic compass or equivalent independent of power supply; pelorus or compass bearing device covering 360 degrees; means to correct headings and bearings to true direction; nautical charts and publications (ECDIS accepted); backup for electronic chart systems; GNSS or terrestrial radio-navigation receiver for automatic position fixing; radar reflector if under 150 GRT and practicable; sound reception system for fully enclosed bridges | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.1 |
| 150 GRT and above, and all passenger ships | Spare magnetic compass interchangeable with the standard compass; daylight signalling lamp with an energy source independent of the ship's main supply; Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) to IMO performance standards; sextant or digital sextant; calibrated aneroid barometer; international code flags; International Code of Signals; Standard Marine Communication Phrases; means to transmit distress signals consistent with COLREGS | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.2 |
| 300 GRT and above, and all passenger ships | Echo-sounding device to measure and display available water depth; 9 GHz radar to determine and display range and bearing of targets, buoys, shorelines and navigational marks; electronic plotting aid or ARPA to plot targets and determine collision risk; speed and distance measuring device through the water; transmitting heading device for radar, ARPA and speed log input | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.3 |
| 300 GRT (international voyages) and 500 GRT (non-international), and all passenger ships | Automatic Identification System (AIS) Class A, transmitting continuously and automatically the ship's identity, type, position, course, speed and navigational status to shore stations, other ships and aircraft; AIS to receive such information from similarly fitted ships; AIS to remain operational at all times except for duly recorded safety or security reasons | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.4 |
| 500 GRT and above | Gyro compass or equivalent non-magnetic heading device clearly readable by the helmsman; gyro compass repeater at the emergency steering position; gyro compass bearing repeater for 360-degree bearing-taking; rudder, propeller, thrust, pitch and operational mode indicators at the conning position; automatic tracking aid to plot range and bearing of targets and determine collision risk | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.5 |
| 3,000 GRT and above | Second independent radar (3 GHz or second 9 GHz) functionally independent of the primary radar; second functionally independent automatic tracking aid for continuous collision avoidance | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.6 |
| 10,000 GRT and above | Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) capable of tracking at least 20 targets simultaneously, connected to a speed and distance measuring device, with the ability to simulate trial manoeuvres; heading or track control system capable of automatically maintaining a heading or straight track | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.7 |
| 50,000 GRT and above | Rate-of-turn indicator; speed and distance measuring device capable of indicating speed over the ground in both the forward and athwartships directions (two-axis speed log) | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.8 |
| ECDIS — phased mandatory fitment on international voyages | Electronic Chart Display and Information System: passenger ships of 500 GRT and above built from 1 July 2012; tankers of 3,000 GRT and above built from 1 July 2012; cargo ships of 10,000 GRT and above built from 1 July 2013; cargo ships of 3,000 GRT and above built from 1 July 2014; all existing ships phased by tonnage category between 2014 and 2018 | SOLAS V Reg. 19.2.10 |
LRIT, Voyage Data Recorders and Safe Navigation Obligations
LRIT, Voyage Data Recorders and Voyage Planning
3 FunctionsLong Range Identification and TrackingSOLAS V Reg. 19-1
- Applies to passenger ships, cargo ships of 300 GRT and above, and MODUs on international voyages
- Automatic transmission at regular intervals of ship identity, position (latitude and longitude) and UTC timestamp
- India entitled to receive LRIT data on all Indian ships irrespective of location worldwide
- LRIT data receivable on foreign ships within 1,000 nautical miles of the coast of India
- No charges imposed on ships for transmitting LRIT information
- SAR services entitled to receive LRIT data free of charge for distress operations
IMO Reference
Voyage Data RecordersSOLAS V Reg. 20
- Full VDR mandatory for all passenger ships on international voyages built from 1 July 2002
- Ro-ro passenger ships built before 2002 fitted at the first survey on or after 1 July 2002
- Cargo ships of 3,000 GRT and above on international voyages built from 1 July 2002
- Simplified VDR (S-VDR) permitted for existing cargo ships between 3,000 and 20,000 GRT
- Annual performance test by an approved testing or servicing facility
- Certificate of compliance from testing to be retained on board at all times
IMO Reference
Voyage PlanningSOLAS V Reg. 34
- All voyages to be planned in full prior to departure using adequate and up-to-date charts
- Appraisal of all relevant hazards, routeing measures, weather, tides and currents
- Port approach planning, pilot boarding areas and berth identification to be included
- Contingency routing identifying safe anchorages and places of refuge
- Voyage plan to be recorded and available for inspection at all times
- Master retains ultimate authority to deviate from any plan for the safety of the ship
IMO Reference
SOLAS Chapter V — Complete Regulation Directory
SOLAS Chapter V — Regulation Directory
SOLAS Chapter V was comprehensively revised in December 2000 and entered into force on 1 July 2002, replacing provisions dating from 1974. It is among the most frequently amended chapters of the Convention, with significant additions for LRIT in 2006 and phased ECDIS requirements between 2009 and 2014. Its 38 regulations are organised across general provisions, navigational information obligations of contracting governments, ship equipment requirements, and the operational obligations of masters. The regulations of most direct relevance to India's Safety of Navigation framework are set out below.
► Part A: General Provisions (Regulations 1 to 3)
SOLAS V Reg. 1
Application
Chapter V applies to all ships on all voyages with limited exceptions for warships and ships navigating the Great Lakes. This is the broadest application of any chapter in the SOLAS Convention.
SOLAS V Reg. 2
Definitions
Defines key terms including nautical chart, nautical publication, routeing system, ship reporting system, vessel traffic service and related expressions used throughout the chapter.
SOLAS V Reg. 3
Exemptions and Equivalents
Administrations may grant exemptions to ships without mechanical propulsion and may approve equivalent arrangements where equivalent safety is demonstrated, subject to specified conditions.
► Part B: Navigational Information and State Obligations (Regulations 4 to 13)
SOLAS V Reg. 4
Navigational Warnings
States must ensure that navigational danger information is promptly communicated to all interested parties and transmitted without delay to other States. Basis for the NAVAREA warning system and Navtex broadcasting.
SOLAS V Reg. 5
Meteorological Services
States must arrange meteorological observation, warning dissemination and data exchange. Covers storm and gale warnings, weather forecasts, tropical cyclone information and facsimile chart provision.
SOLAS V Reg. 6
Ice Patrol Service
Contracting Governments contributing to the North Atlantic ice patrol may require ships to use those services during the ice season.
SOLAS V Reg. 7
Search and Rescue Services
States must ensure adequate SAR arrangements within their area of responsibility. Passenger ships must carry SAR co-operation plans developed in coordination with the relevant maritime rescue coordination centre.
SOLAS V Reg. 8
Life-Saving Signals
States must arrange for life-saving signals to be used by SAR facilities when communicating with ships or persons in distress, in accordance with the IAMSAR Manual.
SOLAS V Reg. 9
Hydrographic Services
States must collect, compile and publish hydrographic data including charts, sailing directions, tide tables and lists of lights, keeping them current through notices to mariners and cooperating with the IHO.
SOLAS V Reg. 10
Ships' Routeing
Mandatory compliance with all IMO-adopted routeing systems. Deviations to be logged and reported. The regulation underpins all Traffic Separation Schemes worldwide and applies to all ships using them.
SOLAS V Reg. 11
Ship Reporting Systems
Ships in adopted reporting areas must report as required. Mandatory reporting of dangerous goods, nuclear materials and harmful substance incidents. Participation in all adopted systems is free of charge to ships.
SOLAS V Reg. 12
Vessel Traffic Services
Mandatory compliance with VTS requirements where established. Ships must participate and comply with VTS authority instructions at all times when operating in a designated VTS area.
SOLAS V Reg. 13
Aids to Navigation
States undertake to provide AtoNs as traffic and risk justify, conforming to IALA recommendations. Advance notice must be given of changes to position-fixing systems to avoid disruption to shipborne receivers.
SOLAS V Reg. 14
Ship Manning
Every ship to be sufficiently and efficiently manned. Working language to be established and recorded. English is mandatory for all bridge safety communications on Indian ships.
► Part C: Ship Equipment, Standards and Operational Requirements (Regulations 15 to 38)
SOLAS V Reg. 15
Bridge Design Principles
Bridge construction must facilitate full situational appraisal, effective BRM, standardised displays and the minimisation of human error. Integrated bridge systems must have fully independent sub-systems.
SOLAS V Reg. 16
Maintenance of Equipment
On-board maintenance instructions required for all equipment. Malfunction does not render a ship unseaworthy. Dispensation to proceed to the next repair port or to sail for a specified period may be granted.
SOLAS V Reg. 17
Electromagnetic Compatibility
All bridge electrical and electronic equipment to be tested for EMC. Installation must prevent interference with navigation systems. Portable equipment must not cause interference when operated on the bridge.
SOLAS V Reg. 18
Type Approval and Performance Standards
All navigational systems and equipment require type approval and must conform to applicable IMO performance standards. Annual VDR and AIS testing by approved facilities, with test certificates retained on board.
SOLAS V Reg. 19
Carriage Requirements for Navigational Equipment
Tiered carriage requirements from all ships through to 50,000 GRT vessels, covering magnetic and gyro compasses, ARPA, AIS, ECDIS, BNWAS, echo sounders, VDR, rate-of-turn indicators and two-axis speed logs.
SOLAS V Reg. 19-1
Long Range Identification and Tracking
Passenger ships, cargo ships of 300 GRT and above, and MODUs on international voyages to transmit LRIT data automatically at six-hour intervals. Added by MSC amendment in 2006, entered into force 2008.
SOLAS V Reg. 20
Voyage Data Recorders
VDR and S-VDR carriage requirements for ships on international voyages. Annual performance testing mandatory. Certificates of compliance from approved testing facilities to be retained on board.
SOLAS V Reg. 22
Navigational Bridge Visibility
Geometric and dimensional requirements for bridge visibility on ships built on or after 1 July 1998. Prescribes minimum horizontal and vertical fields of view from the conning position and the helm.
SOLAS V Reg. 23
Pilot Transfer Arrangements
Requirements for pilot ladders, combination hoists and associated equipment for safe embarkation and disembarkation of pilots, including safety lines, man-ropes, illumination and accommodation ladder provisions.
SOLAS V Reg. 26
Steering Gear: Testing and Drills
Steering gear to be checked and tested within 12 hours before departure. Emergency steering drills at least once every three months. All tests and drills to be recorded in the ship's official log book.
SOLAS V Reg. 28
Records of Navigational Activities
Continuous record of navigational activities and incidents to be maintained, covering voyage plan decisions, deviations, defects in equipment and any events materially affecting navigational safety.
SOLAS V Reg. 33
Distress Situations: Obligations of Masters
The master of a ship at sea upon receiving a distress signal is bound to proceed with all speed to assist. Failure without good reason is a serious breach of international maritime law.
SOLAS V Reg. 34
Safe Navigation and Voyage Planning
All voyages to be planned prior to departure using adequate charts and nautical publications. Planning must cover all navigational hazards, weather, tides and routeing measures. The master's authority is paramount.
SOLAS V Reg. 34-1
Master's Discretion
The master must not be constrained by any owner, charterer, manager or operator from decisions necessary for the safety of the ship, the persons on board and the protection of the marine environment.
SOLAS V Reg. 35
Misuse of Distress Signals
Strict prohibition on the use of any signal liable to be confused with a distress signal. Applies to all ships at sea regardless of flag. States may impose sanctions and are required to report violations to IMO.
