About BNWAS

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What is BNWAS?

The term BNWAS is an acronym for the term Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System - a safety system made mandatory in amendments to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 and adopted on 5th June 2009 by Resolution MSC.282(86).

Why Do You Need a BNWAS?

As outlined in the performance standards MSC.128(75):
"The purpose of the bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) is to monitor bridge activity and detect operator disability which could lead to marine accidents. The system monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and automatically alerts the Master or another qualified OOW if for any reason the OOW becomes incapable of performing the OOW's duties.
This purpose is achieved by a series of indications and alarms to alert first the OOW and, if he is not responding, then to alert the Master or another qualified OOW. Additionally, the BNWAS may provide the OOW with a means of calling for immediate assistance if required. The BNWAS should be operational whenever the ship's heading or track control system is engaged, unless inhibited by the Master."

IMO - Solas Chapter V Regulation 19

The requirements making it mandatory to have a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) fitted to all passenger and cargo vessels can be found in the amendments made to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 that were adopted by the IMO on 5th June 2009 in Resolution MSC.282(86).
The changes see the following subparagraph is added to paragraph 2.2 of the regulations:

.3 a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS), as follows:

.1 cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards and passenger ships irrespective of size constructed on or after 1 July 2011;

.2 passenger ships irrespective of size constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July 2012;

.3 cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July 2012;

.4 cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 3,000 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July 2013; and

.5 cargo ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage constructed before 1 July 2011, not later than the first survey* after 1 July 2014.

The bridge navigational watch alarm system shall be in operation whenever the ship is underway at sea;

.4 a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) installed prior to 1 July 2011 may subsequently be exempted from full compliance with the standards adopted by the Organization, at the discretion of the Administration."

BNWAS Performance Standards 

MSC.128(75) - IMO BNWAS Performance Standards

It is essential that any BNWAS that you choose for your vessel meets with the performance standards set out by the IMO.
The performance standards for a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) were outlined in Resolution MSC.128(75) and will form the basis of any Type Approval.

IEC 62616:2010 - International Performance Standards

IEC is the world's leading organisation of international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. IEC 62616:2010(E) specifies the minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics and methods of testing, and required test results, for a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) as required by Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended. It takes account of the general requirements given in IMO resolution A.694(17) and is associated with IEC 60945. When a requirement in this International Standard is different from IEC 60945, the requirement in this standard takes precedence.
This standard incorporates the parts of the performance standards included in IMO resolution
MSC.128(75).