26Use of heading or track control systems

26 Use of heading or track control systems

[SOLAS V/24]

 26.1 The master of a ship must ensure that manual control of the ship’s steering can be established immediately when heading or track control systems are in use on the ship.

 26.2 The officer of the watch must ensure that a person who has an approved steering certificate is available to take manual control of the ship’s steering immediately when the ship is operating in an area where navigation requires special caution.

Examples of places where navigation requires special caution

• an area of high traffic density
• conditions of restricted visibility
• any other hazardous navigational circumstances.

 26.3 The master of a ship must ensure that a change from automatic to manual control and from manual to automatic control of a ship’s steering is made:

1.    by the officer of the watch; or
2.    under the supervision of the officer of the watch.

 26.4 The master of a ship must ensure that the manual steering of a ship is tested:

1.    after prolonged use of the heading or track control systems; and
2.    before entering an area where navigation requires special caution.