FOM-3.21	Fleet Operations Manual Navigation Bridge Alarm Management	Doc No.: FOM-3.21 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

1. BRIDGE ALARMS

1.1 Definition:

Alerts:

Alerts announce abnormal situations and conditions requiring attention. Alerts are divided into four priorities: emergency alarms, alarms, warnings, and cautions.

Emergency Alarm:

An alarm which indicates that immediate danger to human life or to the ship and its machinery exists and that immediate action should be taken.

Alarm:

An alarm is a high priority of an alert. Condition requiring immediate attention and action, to maintain the safe operation of the ship.

Warning:

Condition requiring no immediate attention or action. Warnings are presented for precautionary reasons to bring awareness of changed conditions which are not immediately hazardous, but may become so if no action is taken.

Caution:

Lowest priority of an alert. Awareness of a condition which does not warrant an alarm or warning condition, but still requires attention out of the ordinary consideration of the situation or of given information.

1.2 Maintenance

The maintenance and testing of on-board alarms should be conducted in accordance with the guidance as detailed in the Planned Maintenance Schedule. The vessel manager is to be informed of defective alarms. The onboard management team should further develop any ships specific alarm management instructions which should be included in the Master’s standing orders.

2. INHIBITION OF ALARMS

Inhibition of alarms should not be carried out unless as explained below:

• Inhibition of alarms may only be made in cases where a defective alarm is found and immediate rectification is not possible. The inhibition of any alarm must always be considered as a temporary measure based on risk assessment. Any request for alarm inhibition must include the following details:
  • Name and location of the Alarm
  • Reason for inhibition
  • Expected duration out of service
  • Any input required from the office.
• Where the equipment’s are provided with alarm password for changing the set value, the password, or code should not be available or displayed on equipment for unauthorized change.
• The visual and audible alarm should not be on repose or muffled or muted.
• Alarm defects on bridge to be logged in the Deck logbook, which must be reviewed by the on-coming Deck Officer. Master to provide adequate instructions in standing orders.

3. GENERAL LIST OF ALARMS / SETTINGS ON THE BRIDGE

• Gyro:
  • Compass failure
  • Latitude / Speed input failure.
• Auto Pilot:
  • Off Course Alarm – to be set at 10° at Open sea & 5° at confined waters (where large set is experienced due to cross currents the Alarm setting may be increased at the Masters Discretion)
  • Pilot Power Failure
  • Gyro input failure
• BNWAS:
  • Alarms are acknowledged by OOW.
  • Power failure alarm
• Echo Sounder:
  • Depth Alarm. UKC Alarm should be set as per UKC policy + additional safety margin as determined by the Master to warn of approaching shallow water. (5th edition BPG 4.5)
  • Recorder failure both digital and Paper.
• Steering Gear:
  • Any alarm on alarm panel needs immediate attention including but not limited to below,
  • Power Failure
  • Motor Failure
  • Hydraulic tank low level alarm
  • Any alarm affecting performance of steering gear
• ECDIS:
  • If feed is lost for Position, Gyro and Log
  • Any anti-grounding alarms set for the voyage
  • Equipment malfunction
  • Activation of any alert in ECDIS as mentioned in FOM 3.29 Section 5.4 ECDIS Alarm management.
• Main Engine Alarm Panel:
  • Any alarms in bridge console for M/E status.
  • Any abnormal slow down.
• Radar:
  • Combined CPA and TCPA
    • Open Sea: CPA of 2.0Nm
    • Other traffic conditions, without endangering own vessel, a minimum CPA of 1.0 Nm
    • The TCPA limit in all conditions such as open sea, confined waters, and restricted visibility shall be 20 minutes
  • Malfunction of Equipment or Performance standard below maker’s recommendation.
  • Various equipment feed failure
  • ARPA Failure.
• External Communication Equipment:
  • Equipment malfunction Alarm
  • Upon receiving Distress / Urgency / Safety Alert
  • GMDSS equipment alarms.
• G.P.S:
  • Loss of Position.
  • GPS changing frequently in DR mode.
  • Displays high Dilution of Precision.
• Doppler Log Failure:
  • Any alarm condition as per manufacturer instruction manual.
• Navigation Light:
  • Any failure of Navigational lights
  • Power failure alarm

• Fire Control Panel:
  • Any alarm on fire control panel including but not limited to sensor failure
• VDR:
  • Various equipment feed failure alarm
  • Power failure alarm
• Telephone Exchange:
  • Phone not kept properly