SOLAS and USA requirements

 

• SOLAS V/19.2.1 ”All ships (excluding fishing vessels and pleasure craft under 150 gross tons) to be fitted with a magnetic compass or other means to determine and display the vessel’s heading independent of any power supply. Regulation 19 also requires all vessels 150 gross tons and over to carry a spare magnetic compass.

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• SOLAS V Annex 13 Compasses should be adjusted when: a) first installed, b) they become unreliable, c) following structural repairs, d) electrical equipment close to the compass is added or removed, e) two years have elapsed since the last adjustment.

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• ISO 25862:2019 Magnetic compasses shall be swung and adjusted no less than every two years, as well as after dry docking and following any significant structural work.

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• IMO Resolution A.382(X) All ships be fitted with a magnetic compass, and that each compass should be “properly compensated” and the table of residual deviations be "available on board in the vicinity of the compass at all times."

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• Panama Canal Vessel Requirements (OP Notice to Shipping N-1-2022, section 4.k on p.30) Vessels of 150 gross tons and over to have their compass deviation table renewed annually. Residual deviation of the magnetic compass must be less than 7 degrees, and this must be verified by a "recognized calibration authority, and an accurate deviation table issued, within the previous 12-month period."

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• US Code of Federal Regulations, 46 CFR Subchapter M 140.725 (d) All towing vessels to carry an illuminated magnetic compass. Subchapter M, 140.635 a (5) Compass deviations must be known to the navigator and the master of the towing vessel, necessitating a compass adjustment. Towing vessels with LOA greater than 12 meters (39.4 feet) are also subject to 33 CFR 164.72.  Subchapter M vessels interpret regulations as requiring a current compass deviation record as is described in the above 33 CFR 164.35.

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• US Code of Federal Regulations, 33 CFR 164.35 All self-propelled vessels of 1600 or more gross tons operating in the navigable waters of the United States must have an illuminated magnetic steering compass, mounted in a binnacle. Also, be issued a current magnetic compass deviation table or graph or compass comparison record.