NVIC 07-89: Ship maneuvering information and IMO guidance

NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 7-89 8 JAN 1990 Subject: Maneuvering Information

Maneuvering Information — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to IMO

Resolution A.601(15), "Provision and Display of Maneuvering Information on Board Ships," adopted 19 November 1987, and MSC/Circ.389, "Interim Guidelines for Estimating Maneuvering Performance in Ship Design," adopted 10 January 1985. These provide guidance to owners and operators concerning maneuvering performance estimation and a standardized format for presentation of ship maneuvering information to operating personnel, including pilots.

Maneuvering Information — BACKGROUND.

a. The Code of Federal Regulations (46 CFR §§35.20, 78.21, 97.19, and 196.19) contains requirements for posting ship maneuvering information on a fact sheet in the pilot house of certain U.S. flag vessels. Title 33 CFR §164.35(g) contains similar requirements for all self-propelled vessels of 1600 or more gross tons when operating in the navigable waters of the U.S. This fact sheet is used to provide navigators and pilots general information on the ship maneuvering properties and stopping distances as well as vessel speed versus shaft rpm relationship. b. The owner, master, or person in charge of a vessel underway is required by 33 CFR §164.11(k) to ensure that a pilot, other than a member of the vessel's crew, be informed of the draft, maneuvering characteristics, and peculiarities of the vessel or any other circumstances that may affect its safe navigation. c. The information required by the present regulations is not restricted to a particular format. The 15th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted Resolution A.601(15), "Provision and Display of Maneuvering Information on Board Ships." This Resolution provides navigators and pilots more information about the maneuvering conditions and introduces standard formats. d. Maneuverability properties are often given only secondary attention during design, at best. This is occasioned by several factors, not the least of which is the lack of maneuvering performance standards and design criteria. MSC/Circ.389 calls attention to this issue.

Maneuvering Information — DISCUSSION.

a. IMO Resolution A.601(15), contained in Enclosure (1), addresses maneuvering information in Pilot Cards, Wheelhouse Posters, and Maneuvering Booklets. (1) Pilot Card. This card presents in a brief form the current conditions of the ship with regard to its propulsion and steering equipment and loading conditions of the ship. The Pilot Card should be filled out by the ship's master prior to the arrival of the pilot. A standardized format for the Pilot Card will benefit all parties involved and can help to prevent omission of important information when briefing the pilot. A properly completed Pilot Card will satisfy the regulatory requirements of 33 CFR §164.11(k). (2) Wheelhouse Poster. The Wheelhouse Poster provides more complete information concerning ship hull and engine characteristics than the Pilot Card. In addition, it contains information on stopping distances and trajectories for entering turns at the maximum rudder angle in loaded and ballasted conditions. Use of these standardized wheelhouse posters is helpful in presenting the standardized information in a form that is readily recognizable by operating personnel and pilots unfamiliar with the vessel. A Wheelhouse Poster will satisfy the present regulatory requirements of 46 CFR. (3) Maneuvering Booklet. A Maneuvering Booklet may also be developed to provide detailed information about the ship's maneuvering characteristics in different conditions. Appendix 3 of Resolution A.601(15) contains a recommended table of contents and an extensive outline that owners and operators should consider when assembling a Maneuvering Booklet. b. MSC/Circ.389, contained in Enclosure (2), suggests a set of trial maneuvers which have been proposed to quantify a vessel's maneuvering characteristics and recommends that designers estimate these characteristics during the design process.

Maneuvering Information — IMPLEMENTATION.

a. Owners of vessels required to post the maneuvering information are urged to use the standardized Wheelhouse Poster contained in IMO Resolution A.601(15). b. When briefing pilots in accordance with 33 CFR §164.11(k) vessel masters are encouraged to use the Pilot Card recommended in IMO Resolution A.601(15). c. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection should stress the advantages of the standardized forms in IMO Resolution A.601(15) to appropriate industry representatives. d. Designers should study the recommendations in MSC/Circ.389 for possible application during ship design and ship trials. Encl: (1) IMO Resolution A.601(15), Provision and Display of Maneuvering Information on Board Ships (2) MSC/Circ.389, Interim Guidelines for Estimating Maneuvering Performance in Ship Design Non-Standard Distribution: C:e New Orleans (90); Baltimore (45); Alameda (40); Philadelphia, Honolulu, Port Arthur, Puget Sound (35); Morgan City (30); Miami, Mobile, Houston, Long Beach (25); Hampton Roads, Jacksonville, Mobile, Houston, Long Beach (25); Hampton Roads, Jacksonville, Portland OR (20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Galveston, Anchorage (15); Cleveland (12); Louisville, Memphis, Paducah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Savannah, San Juan, Tampa, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez, Guam (10); Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo (5). C:m New York (70); St. Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:d Except Baltimore D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSALIFCOMD (Code M-464), CG Liaison Officer RSPA (DHM-22), CG Liaison Officer JUSMAGHIL, CG Liaison Officer HARAD (Mar-720.1) (1).