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On 28 May 2004, amended requirements will enter into force in Germany regarding
the installation and survey of navigational and radio communications equipment.
They also cover equipment required by the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea (COLREG), such as navigation lights and sound signal appliances.
The amendment is due to the fact that the currently valid Schiffssicherheitsverordnung
(Ship Safety Ordinance) refers largely on international conventions. These conventions,
e.g. SOLAS and Torremolinos, specify survey requirements not based on the type
of navigational equipment but based on the vessel type (annual surveys for passenger
vessels, two-year-intervals for fishing vessels over 24 m in length, five-year
intervals for other vessels). Different types of navigational equipment (listed
in Annexes A1 and A2 of the marine equipment directive 96/98/EC) thus are subject
to identical requirements. Radio communications equipment has to be surveyed
annually on all vessels within the framework of the radio safety survey.
Special recognition of repair firms is no longer required.
Resolution A.746(18) of IMO, which is a United Nations organisation, contains
regulations which have now also become mandatory in Germany and are applicable
to all vessels subject to surveys according to Chapter I, SOLAS. It specifies
details of the mandatory initial and renewal surveys.
An initial survey consists mainly of a plan approval, a surveyor
inspection, and a functional test.
- Plan approval
Detailed requirements have now been established for the plan approval
procedure governing the installation of navigational and radio communications
equipment according to COLREG 72 (BfP
/ only in German). Special requirements for the installation of particular
items of navigational and radio communications equipment are specified in
an annex.
Details of the equipment to be installed, altered, or refitted must be
provided in the application for plan approval. In case the BSH notices non-compliance
with the requirements, this fact is pointed out to the applicant. Conditions
may be imposed concerning the planned installation. By submitting the required
documents in time, applicants minimise the risk of having to change installed
equipment at high cost.
The BSH provides a copy of the certificates, and in the case of newbuildings
a list of navigational equipment to SeeBG (Marine Insurance and Safety Association).
Application for plan approval of navigation and radiocommunication equipment.
- Surveyor inspection and functional test
The surveyor inspection and functional test is performed according to
the requirements for testing the installation of navigational and radio
communications equipment as well as equipment according to COLREG 72 (BfA
/ only in German). The purpose of the inspection of installed navigational
equipment is to ensure that the installation is in compliance with the approved
plans and any conditions imposed have been complied with.
Another purpose of the inspection is to make sure that the installed
navigational equipment corresponds to the approved equipment and has been
calibrated and configured as required. The conformity of radio equipment
is checked in the radio safety survey.
The shipboard inspection as required in the above Resolution is performed
by the representative of the organisation issuing the certificate, which
in Germany is See-BG. Before inspecting the vessel’s navigational equipment,
the surveyor obtains a declaration as shown in the annex to BfA either from
the company in charge of the installation/service or from the BSH. If the
company responsible for the installation/service has no official recognition
according to the current Requirements (BfE
/ only in German) for performing surveys or laboratory tests on behalf of
the BSH, the declaration has to be supplemented or replaced by that of the
BSH or another organisation that has been recognised according to the BfE
Requirements.
The renewal survey proceedings are largely identical to those for surveyor
inspection and functional testing.
The hitherto used labels and marks will be replaced by the declaration
referred to above. Marks showing the date of the next survey may also be
used in future.
Declarations issued by organisations recognised according to BfE will
be free of charge. However, fees will be charged for testing performed by
the BSH. Organisations recognised according to BfE thus will no longer be
charged with pro-rata administrative fees.
After 28 May 2004, equipment already bearing a label or mark will require
a declaration for a renewal survey, either for the forthcoming survey.
After 28 May 2004, equipment that did not require an operational on-board
performance test or mark in the past will require a declaration for an initial
survey, either for the forthcoming annual , two-year or five-year survey.
Declaration for survey of installation navigation equipment as PDF-file
or WORD-document
Declaration for laboratory test as PDF-file
or WORD-document
(only in German)
Application
for survey of navigation- and radiocommunication equipment
on board.
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