Navsregs>SOLAS>SOLAS V>Bridge Visibility

A Handy Guide

Mechanical Watch Timing Tool Timegrapher Multifunction Machine. No.1000 Timegrapher Watch Timing Machine Multifunction Tester Repair Tool. 1000 Timegrapher Watch Timing Tester Machine US Shipping. No.1900 Weishi Timegrapher Mechanical Watch Timing Machine Multifunction US. Tg is a timegrapher program: a software used to regulate mechanical watch movements and evaluate their performance. Tg detects the noise produced by the mechanism of a watch, analyzing that noise it computes real-time readings of the rate (i.e. How fast or slow the watch runs) and other operational parameters (beat error, amplitude). Jul 18, 2020 But the proper way to diagnose and regulate a watch is by using a timegrapher. A timegrapher is a device that tells you more than just the accuracy of a watch. Through the built-in microphone, it picks up the ticks and tocks of the watch and calculates indicators of the general health of the movement.

A good visual lookout is the foundation of a navigational watch. It therefore forms the most important element of a bridge design, and is subject to its own SOLAS regulation. This post looks at that SOLAS regulation, and the related IMO guidelines.

Rule 5 Collision Regulations- Lookout

“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and risk of collision.”

What ships need to comply with Regulation 22 of SOLAS V?

Ships of not less than 55 metres in length constructed after 1st of July 1988.

Field of view

How close should an officer of the watch be able to see ahead?

The view of the sea surface from the conning position shall not be obscured by:

• More than two ship lengths

Or

• 500 metres

Whichever is the less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side under all conditions of draught, trim and deck cargo.

How large can blind sectors be forward of the beam?

• No single blind arc shall exceed 10°.
• Total blind sectors shall not exceed 20°.
• Clear sectors between blind arcs shall be at least be 5°
• In the view 10 either side of bow no sector should exceed 5°

These figures are important to remember when loading deck cargo.

How big must the horizontal field of vision be from the conning position?

An arc of not less than 225°, that is from right ahead to not less than 22.5°, abaft the beam on either side of the ship.

These values align with the Collision Regulations definition of an overtaking vessel, and the masthead light sectors.

Collision Regulations Rule 13(b)-Overtaking

“A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction of more than 22.5 abaft her beam, that is, in such a position in reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the strern light of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.”

How big should the field of vision be from the bridge wings?

• An arc at least 225°, that is from at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the ship
• The ship’s side shall be visible from the bridge wing

What should the horizontal field of vision be from the main steering position?

Over an arc from right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the ship.

The Bridge Windows

How tall should bridge windows be?

• The lower edge of the navigation bridge front windows above the bridge deck shall be kept as low as possible.
• In no case shall the lower edge present an obstruction to the forward view as required in the regulation.
• The upper edge of the navigation bridge front windows shall allow a forward view of the horizon, for a person with a height of eye of 1.8 metres above the bridge deck at the conning position, when the ship is pitching in heavy seas.

What are the requirements of bridge Windows?

• The bridge front windows shall be inclined from the vertical plane top out, at an angle of not less than 10° and not more than 25°.
• Framing between navigation bridge windows shall be kept to a minimum and not be installed immediately forward of any work station.
• Polarised and tinted windows shall not be fitted.
• A clear view through at least two of the navigation bridge front windows shall be provided.

Ballast water exchange and bridge visibility

When can ballast water exchange be conducted?

• When the master has determined that it is safe to do so and takes into consideration any increased blind sectors or reduced horizontal fields of vision resulting from the operation to ensure that a proper lookout is maintained at all times
• When the exchange is conducted in accordance with the ship’s ballast water management plan
• The commencement and termination of the operation are recorded in the ship’s record of navigational activities as required by regulation 28

Conning position is a place on the bridge with a commanding view and which is used by navigators when commanding, manoeuvring and controlling a ship.

MSC Circ 982 contains guidelines on ergonomic criterial for bridge equipment and layout. These guidelines support Regulation 15 of SOLAS chapter V.

Some of these guidelines are summarised below.

Field of Vision around the Ship

There should be a field of vision around the vessel of 360° obtained by an observer moving within the confines of the wheelhouse.

Therefore, by moving around the bridge it should be possible to see all around the vessel.

Navigating and Manoeuvring Workstation

Over an arc of not less than 225°, that is from right ahead to not less than 22.5°, abaft the beam on either side of the ship

Monitoring Workstation

At least over an arc from 90° from 22.5 on the port bow, through forward, to 22.5° abaft the beam on starboard bow.

Bridge Wing

Should extend over an arc at least 225°, that is at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the ship

Main Steering Position

From right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the ship.

Bridge wings should be provided out to the maximum beam of the ship. The view over the ship’s side should not be obstructed.

Windows

Lower Edge of the Front Window

The height of the lower edge of the front windows should allow a forward view over the bow for a person in a sitting position at the workstation for navigating and manoeuvring and the workstation for monitoring.

Watch Timegrapher Machine

Removable Sunscreens

To ensure a clear view and to avoid reflections in bright sunshine, sunscreens with minimum colour distortion should be provided at all windows. Such screens should be readily removable and not permanently installed.

Glass Characteristics

Polarized and tinted windows should not be fitted.

A Really Handy Book to Learn the Collision Regulations

Available in Kindle Format at a Handy Price

Products

Watch Escapement Analyser - eTimer See our new web site

An advanced watch escapement analyser that allows accurate watch rate adjustments and diagnosis without the need for a traditional mechanical machine. It is used in conjunction with a special microphone to analyze the action of mechanical watches. It calculates amplitude of oscillation, daily rate, beat error, positional error and much more.

The system works for lever, co-axial and tuning fork escapements.

Clocks have not been neglected either. The truth of an escape wheel is analysed by plotting a histogram of the deviation of the tick from each tooth. The long term plotting function is great for assessing temperature stability. You can perform a fourier analysis in order to detect any periodic fluctuation. Allen deviation analysis gives a definite measure of stability. If you need to make wheels, see here.

Prices start at just £299 ($400).

Download the demonstration system ...click here.
Windows may mark the downloaded file as blocked. To release it, right click the file, select 'Properties' and on the 'General' page click 'Unblock'. Additionally, some versions of Windows need a microphone plug to be inserted into the mic socket before they will detect the sound system. Any stereo jack plug will do!

This software includes traditional machine emulations such as a simulated paper tape presentation, and takes advantage of the investment you already have in your PC. This solution will satisfy the most stringent requirements for mechanical watch servicing, diagnosis and quality control.

Featuring internet calibration, long term performance graphing with spectral analysis of cyclical variations, positional analysis with quality control statistics, and extreme flexibility in use, you will be able to achieve standards of measurement and diagnosis on a par with the most expensive instruments. This is a professional tool for all including the very best mechanical watches. Please arrange to call-in and try it.

The highly detailed oscilloscope display allows you to diagnose incorrect locking, inappropriate draw, lever horn rubbing on roller jewel, dart pin rubbing on safety roller, scored balance pivots, sticky hairspring etc. There is a wealth of information in that waveform!

£299 ($400) gets you a clip type microphone, with the full software. Please telephone to discuss other microphone options. I can provide conversions for most existing microphones. The clip-on microphone is rather special, featuring very low noise and exceptional high frequency response. It can be used either with the watch in its case or with the movement in a movement holder. However, this is by necessity a fragile microphone which might not be ideal for a busy workshop. The mic options are:

• 1. Software with clip-on mic, 299 GB pounds, $400
• 2. You provide a watch clamp microphone, Greiner, Vibrograf, Tickoprint, Witschi etc. We refurbish and modify it, and supply the software without clip-on mic for 349 GB pounds. (Other than UK, please contact Steve Lunn)
• 3. We provide a used swivelling watch microphone. We refurbish and modify it and supply the software without clip-on mic for 449 GB pounds. (Other than UK, please contact Steve Lunn)
• In the case of options 2 and 3, if you wish to add a clip-on mic at the time of purchase, there will be £75 ($95) to add. If you decide to defer the purchase of the clip mic, but want one later, it will cost the exchange price of £90 ($120)

For UK sales contact: Graham Baxter, Delph Electronics +44 1778 560535
graham@delphe.co.uk
For all the rest contact: Steve Lunn, PO Box 70566, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. 408 221 1465
etimer.usa@gmail.com See our new web site

Features include:

• Paper tape watch timing machine emulation with numeric and disk type readout.
• Average rate calculation using least-squares fit for improved consistency, especially with clocks
• Any beat rate from 1 tick per 30s (Atmos) to 400 cycles per second (tuning fork).
• Amplitude measurement of lever and co-axial escapement; lift angle 20° to 120°.
• High resolution beat error measurement.
• Clear and detailed waveform display for fault diagnosis.
• Trace magnification 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50.
• 'Paper' feed rate x 10, 5, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/15, 1/20, 1/30, 1/50, or 1/100.
• 'Tape' length of several metres can be 'pulled back' to examine earlier results.
• Positional results annotated onto tape, analysed and recorded to QC file.
• Long term graphical output with vernier readout and selective zoom.
• Graphs of rate, amplitude, deviation and beat error with variable smoothing.
• Fourier analysis of cyclical variations
• Allen deviation for assessment of stability
• Escape wheel eccentricity histogram

Typical program display (full screen)

Typical program display (more detail)

Long-term graphs

The hour hand and minute hand were very lightly touching.

Fourier analysis of amplitude variations

Escape wheel histogram

Above is a trace from the dead-beat escapement of a long case regulator clock which I am developing. I have made an escape wheel but there is one rogue tooth.

Watch Timegrapher Software

The settings dialog