Clarification of echo sounder standards: UK21/N001
Adopted EU recommendation NAV-005. UK approved recommendation on the rules and standards of echo sounders.
Question
Both previous and present echo sounder rules and standards are unclear regarding time to be recorded. Several items approved to the previous rules and standards did not have a clock giving absolute time (e.g. GMT/ UTC/ LT) or interconnection with such clock.
In the new regulations, there is a slight change in wording regarding recording of time. MSC.74(69), Annex 4 paragraph 5.1.8 states:
It shall be possible to record on paper recording or other means the information about:
- the depth(s), and
- the associated time for 12 hours.
There shall be means to retrieve the recorded information.
However, this slight change does not clearly mark that there is a new requirement regarding time to be recorded.
Recommendation
The term “associated time” could be subject to interpretation. The interpretation is that the relative time should be recorded such that the navigator can tell how long ago in minutes, any depth event happened. Therefore, it is not mandatory to record the absolute time (date, hour, minute).
References
- MSC 74 (69)
- MSN 1874 as amended
- The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
Items affected
- UK/4.6, Echo-sounding equipment
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca