Maritime

New Bridge Alert Management (BAM) requirements are now in force

From 29 August 2021, navigation- and radio-communication equipment to be installed on board vessels is required to be compliant with Bridge Alert Management (BAM) according to IEC 62923-1 and 2 under the EU Marine Equipment Directive (MED). This statutory news summarizes the BAM regulations.

New bridge alert management (BAM) requirements are now in force

Relevant for manufacturers of navigational equipment on European flagged vessels.

Bridge Alert Management (BAM) is required for navigationand radio-communication equipment installed after 29 August 2021. BAM is applicable for navigation- and radio-communication equipment that can raise or present alerts on the bridge.

Navigation- and radio-communication equipment to be installed on EU (incl. EEA) ships after 29 August 2021 should include the IEC 62923-1 and -2 standards on BAM within the scope of the MED certificates.

The IEC 62923-1 and -2 standards on BAM were published in 2018 and added to the list of applicable testing standards for most navigation- and radio-communication equipment in the third Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1397, which was published in September 2019. The last date for installation of equipment on board an EU ship that has not been tested for compliance to the BAM standards was 29 August 2021. Manufacturers have hence had a period of approximately two years to update their products to comply with the requirements.

Recommendations

From 29 August 2021, Module B certificates for navigationand radio-communication equipment to be installed on EU (incl. EEA) ships should address the IEC 62923-1 (2018) and IEC 62923-2 (2018) testing standards within their scope.

Manufacturers need to have valid MED certification (Modules B+D, B+E, B+F or G certificates) to be permitted to place their products on the European market.

Note that the expiry date of the certificate may be overruled by changes introduced in Implementing Regulations published after the issuance of the certificate.

Please see the latest Implementing Regulation for the applicable requirements for the equipment when evaluating the validity of MED certificates. This is available on the DNV website at www.dnv.com/MED.

A re-assessment may be necessary. Please contact your local DNV office for initiation of the process of revising the certificate.

Contact

  • For customers: DATE - Direct Access to Technical Experts via My Services on Veracity.
  • Otherwise: Use our office locator to find the nearest DNV office.
24 May 2023

IMO Sub-Committee on navigation, communications, search and rescue

The 10th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications, Search and Rescue (NCSR 10) was held from 10 to 19 May. NCSR 10 approved guidelines on the communication of emergency and safety information on board ships to reflect the new radio installation requirements in SOLAS Chapter IV that enters into force on 1 January 2024. Draft amendments to the performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) were agreed to facilitate the digital exchange of ships’ route plans.

  • Maritime
06 March 2023

IMO Sub-Committee on Ships Systems and Equipment (SSE 9)

The 9th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9) was held from 27 February to 3 March 2023. SSE 9 finalized the draft of new SOLAS requirements to minimize the incidence and consequences of fires on Ro-Ro passenger ships, and to require ventilation of totally enclosed lifeboats. The revision of the Code of Safety for Diving Systems to enhance the safety of divers in fixed and portable diving systems was completed, and the draft of the new interim guidelines on safe operation of onshore power supply services in ports was agreed.

  • Maritime
View all