Remote control

(1) Where remote control of propulsion machinery from the navigation bridge is provided and the machinery spaces are intended to be manned they shall comply with the following– (a) the speed, direction of thrust and, if applicable, the pitch of the propeller shall be fully controllable from the navigation bridge under all sailing including manoeuvreing; Merchant Ships (Registration) 157 (b) the remote control shall be performed, for each independent propeller, by a control device so designed and constructed that its operation does not require particular attention to the operational details of the machinery. Where multiple propellers are designed to operate simultaneously, they may be controlled by one control device; (c) the main propulsion machinery shall be provided with an emergency stopping device on the navigation bridge and shall be independent of the navigation bridge control (d) propulsion orders from the navigation bridge shall be indicated in the main machinery room at the manoeuvreing platform as appropriate; (e) remote control of the propulsion machinery shall be possible only from one location at a time, at such locations interconnected control positions are permitted. At each location there shall be an indicator showing which location is in control of the propulsion machinery. The transfer of control between the navigation bridge and machinery spaces shall be possible only in the main machinery space or the main machinery control room. This system shall include means to prevent the propelling thrust from altering significantly when transferring control from one location or another; (f) it should be possible to control the propulsion machinery locally, even in the case of failure in any part of the remote-control system; Merchant Ships (Registration) 158 (g) the design of the remote-control system shall be such that in case of its failure an alarm will be given. Unless the Administration considers it impracticable the present speed and direction of the thrust of the propeller shall be maintained until local control is in operation; (h) indicators shall be fitted on the navigation bridge for – (i) main engine speed or propeller speed and direction or rotation, as deemed necessary by the Administration, in the case of fixed pitch propellers; or (ii) propeller speed and pitch position in the case of controllable pitch propellers; (iii) an alarm shall be provided on the navigation bridge and in the machinery space to indicate low starting air pressure which shall be set at a level to permit further main engine starting operation. Where the remote-control systems of propulsion machinery are designed for automatic starting, the of automatic consecutive attempts which fail to produce a start shall be limited in order to safeguard sufficient starting air pressure for starting locally. (2) In lieu of complying fully with all the requirements of subregulation (1), ships constructed before the coming into force of these Regulations may comply at least with subregulation (1)(a)(c)(f) and (h). (3) In all ships where the main propulsion and associated machinery, including main electrical supply, are provided with Merchant Ships (Registration) 159 the various degrees of automatic or remote control and under continuous manual supervision from a control room, the arrangements and control shall be so designed, equipped and installed that the machinery operation will be as safe and effective as if it were under direct supervision. Particular consideration shall be given to protect such spaces against fire and flooding.