256-Navigation Standards and Equipment / 748
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ation Standards and
Eq
ui
pm
ent
BOS-PRD-07.900505
Version 04. Original date: 01/06/2012. Version date: 31/12/2014. Valid version only on QMS site. Uncontrolled document when printed.
Procedure prepared by: BOS OPS Dpt Project Manager. Approved by: BOS Head of Operations. Validated by: BOS Quality Representative.
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Description
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ational standards and audits
The international navigational standards are set by IMO through instruments such SOLAS, COLREG and
STCW. Other organisations such as the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Marine
Contractors Association (IMCA), the Nautical Institute and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum
(OCIMF) provide a valuable input to the safety of navigation and industry best practices.
The maintenance of navigational standards and conducting of audits
shall
be carried out by suitably qualified
and experienced person(s) . Those persons involved
shall
have considerable experience in a senior position,
Master
or
C
hie
f
O
ff
i
c
er
.
The
Master / O
p
erations Mana
g
er
responsible for navigational standards (or his/her designated
representative)
shall
regularly review navigation practices/procedures through audit reports, plus any
information from independent inspections. He/she
shall
keep fully up to date with the latest legislation and
with best industry practices. This information
shall
be disseminated through regular communications with the
Company and
Masters
. He/she
shall
use all data gathered to ensure the maintenance of navigational
standards.
An internal navigational audit
shall
be performed by the vessel master during each tour of duty, using the
form
BOS-FRM-0701.0025 – BOS Navigation Audit
.
Formal, recorded navigational audit by the Company and
Master
shall
be carried out at least annually,
interspersed between shore based personnel and/or independent inspections: a standard questionnaire,
which includes company specific requirements,
shall
be used. The audit
shall
be recorded and an audit
report with the questionnaire, signed by the
Master
,
shall
be filed onboard and copies sent to the Company’s
O
p
erations Mana
g
er
.
Another one
shall
be carried out by a shore base personnel at least annually.
Moreover a suitably qualified independent surveyor will conduct a navigational audit at least annually to
check the general navigational competence.
In real terms, the
Master
shall
continually monitor the standard of navigation on a daily basis through (for
example) checks on chart correction, and the adherence to passage plans.
Action points from all audits and inspections
shall
be followed up and monitored by the
O
p
erations
Mana
g
er
.
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The navigation equipment requirement is in general terms dependent on ship type, service and gross
tonnage.
Regardless of whether a vessel/unit is required by legislation to carry specific navigational equipment, if
equipment is fitted, then it
shall
be operational. Such equipment may be a course recorder, off-course alarm,
voyage data recorder, electronic chart display or engine order logger/printer, etc. Random checks
shall
be
made to ensure that equipment is operational.
The navigation equipment
shall
be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions and
records kept for verification.
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