DNV Type Approval For Bridge Alarm
Uni-Safe Electronics are pleased to announce that they have obtained a DNV Type Approval for their BNWAS BW-800 system. The Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System BW-800 complies with regulations from IMO: MSC.128 (75) and the new IEC 62616 performance standard from February 2010. To this date, Uni-Safe Electronics has successfully delivered more than 800 BNWAS systems.
The purpose of a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) is to monitor bridge activity and detect operator disability which could lead to marine accidents. The system monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and automatically alerts the Captain or another qualified OOW if for any reason the OOW becomes incapable of performing the OOW’s duties. From 1 July 2011 all new ships over 150 GT and all new passenger ships have to be equipped with a BNWAS. When existing vessels are in dry dock they are normally fitted with BNWAS.
The BW-800 is delivered with a motion sensor as standard. Normally one to three motions sensors are needed depending on the bridge design and size. The sensors detect motion on the bridge and reset the internal timer in the BNWAS. These units are installed to minimize stress for the officer on watch because he does not have to activate the reset unit every 3 min, if he moves around regularly on the bridge. For safety reasons Uni-Safe Electronics have chosen to use a dual motion sensor with infrared and microwave detection in order to avoid a ‘non-human’ motion to reset the timer and a single sensor is not suitable for BNWAS systems. The system is also equipped with an emergency call facility. If the OOW needs assistance on the bridge, the BW-800 has an emergency call facility. If the reset unit is activated for more than 2 s, the back-up officer will be alerted immediately.
Currently, Uni-Safe Electronics is expanding their agent network worldwide. The company is still looking for new business partners to help make the BW-800 system the no. 1 preferred BNWAS brand in the world. The BW-800 has been tested according to specifications from Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, RINA, ABS, DNV, Germanischer Lloyd, NKK, RS, CCS and KR.