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7 STANDARDS FOR AUTOMATIC PILOTS

7.1 GENERAL 

7.1.1 Within limits related to a vessel's manoeuvrability, the automatic pilot, in conjunction with its source of heading information, shall enable a vessel to keep a preset course with minimum operation of the vessel's steering gear.

7.1.2 The automatic pilot equipment shall be capable of adapting to different steering characteristics of the vessel under various weather and loading conditions, and provide reliable operation under prevailing environmental and normal operational conditions.

7.2 CHANGING OVER FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL STEERING AND VICE VERSA ^

7.2.1 Changing over from automatic to manual steering and vice versa shall be possible at any rudder position and be effected by one, or at the most two manual controls, within a time lag of 3 seconds.

7.2.2 Changing over from automatic to manual steering shall be possible under any conditions, including any failure in the automatic control system.

7.2.3 When changing over from manual to automatic steering, the automatic pilot shall be capable of bringing the vessel to the preset course.

7.2.4 Change-over controls shall be located close to each other in the immediate vicinity of the main steering position.

7.2.5 Adequate indication shall be provided to show which method of steering is in operation at a particular moment.

7.3 ALARM SIGNALLING FACILITIES ^

7.3.1 A course monitor shall be provided which actuates an adequate "off course" audible alarm signal after a course deviation of a preset amount.

7.3.2 The information required to actuate the course monitor shall be provided from an independent source.

7.3.3 Alarm signals, both audible and visual, shall be provided in order to indicate failure or a reduction in the power supply to the automatic pilot or course monitor, which would affect the safe operation of the equipment.

7.3.4 The alarm signalling facilities shall be fitted near the steering position.

7.4 CONTROLS ^

7.4.1 The number of operational controls shall be minimized as far as possible and they shall be designed to preclude inadvertent operation.

7.4.2 Unless features for automatic adjustments are incorporated in the installation, the automatic pilot shall be provided with adequate controls for operational use to adjust effects due to weather and the ship's steering performance.

7.4.3 The automatic pilot shall be designed in such a way as to ensure altering course to starboard by turning the course setting control clockwise. Normal alterations of course shall be possible by one adjustment only of the course setting control.

7.4.4 Except for the course setting control, the actuation of any other control shall not significantly affect the course of the vessel.

7.4.5 Additional controls at remote positions shall comply with the provisions of these standards.

7.5 RUDDER ANGLE LIMITATION ^

7.5.1 Means shall be incorporated in the equipment to enable rudder angle limitation in the automatic mode of operation. Means shall also be available to indicate when the angle of limitation has been reached.

7.6 PERMITTED YAW ^

7.6.1 Means shall be incorporated to prevent unnecessary activation of the rudder due to normal yaw motion.

7.7 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ^

7.7.1 The International Maritime Organization Resolution "A.342(IX) Recommendation on Performance Standards for Automatic Pilots" is the adopted standard.

7.8 EFFECTIVE DATE ^

7.8.1 This Standard comes into force on 1 September 1985.

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