13Use of heading or track control systems

13 Use of heading or track control systems

[SOLAS V/24]

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

(2) The officer of the watch must ensure that a person who has an approved steering certificate is available to immediately take manual control of the vessel’s steering if the vessel is operating in an area or in conditions where navigation requires special caution.

Note: Examples

Note: an area of high traffic density

Note: conditions of restricted visibility

(3) The master of a vessel must ensure that a change from automatic to manual control and from manual to automatic control of a vessel’s steering is made:

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

(4) The master of a vessel must ensure that the manual steering of a vessel is tested:

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