Maintain a safe watchkeeping environment at sea

FURUNO BNWAS monitors bridge activity and detects operator disability/inactivity that could lead to marine accidents

While the BR-500 system is type approved for merchant ships, it is also a very valuable tool for commercial fishing vessels (even though the technology is not mandatory).  

A watchkeeper is required to press the button on a Timer Reset Panel or to operate navigation equipment at certain intervals. When the watchkeeper fails to press the button within pre-set intervals, visual and audible alarms will be generated in the wheelhouse.

If the officer doesn’t respond to the alarm, the system transfers the alarm to the Cabin Panels installed in other sections of the vessel in order to inform backup officers of the watch officer’s incapacity.

Timer reset function and Visual indication

The timer reset may be facilitated by one of following means:

1. Pressing the reset button on the Main Panel/Timer Reset Panel
2. Provoking the motion sensor
3. Initiate operation of various navigation equipment

Watch Safety System Sequence

1. The watch officer in the wheelhouse has to press the button on Timer Reset Panel or operate interfaced equipment at certain intervals. (Dormant period, 3-12 min.)

2. If the watch officer does not press the button on Timer Reset Panel or operate interfaced equipment, the Main Alarm Panel, the Timer Reset Panel and the Flash Beacon (optional) generate the visual alarm in 15 seconds. (Prewarning)

3. If the visual alarm is not acknowledged in the prewarning period, the Main Alarm Panel and the Timer Reset Panel generate the audible alarms as well as visual alarm in 15 seconds. (1st Stage).

4. If the officer doesn't respond to the alarm in the 1st Stage, the BR-500 transmits the alarm to the selected Cabin Panels in the selected back-up officer's and/or the captain's room as well as the cabin panels in pubic rooms. (2nd Stage)

5. If the alarm is not acknowledged within the pre-set time, the system transmits the alarm to all Cabin Panels. (3rd Stage)

6. The buzzer stops when the officer presses the [RESET] button. The Main Alarm Panel will reset the timer and return to the dormant period, when the alarm is acknowledged by the watch officer.

Operational modes

BNWAS should incorporate the following 3 operational modes:

• Automatic: The BNWAS is automatically activated when the vessel is navigating by means of heading or track control system (autopilot/trackpilot), and inhibited as the heading/track control system is deactivated.
• Manual ON: The BNWAS is always in operation
• Manual OFF: The BNWAS is turned off completely

Please find the brochure available for download below.

Contact Dave James for further information: davej@enl.co.nz