Purpose
The magnetic Compass Adjuster course is conducted by experience staff who has been doing adaptation out at sea. After going through the run, candidates gain enough confidence to carry out adjustments in transport ’ s magnetic grok to eliminate / reduce compass error due to ship ’ sulfur induced magnetism ( deviation ). The path besides covers magnetic compass repairs in detail .
As per OCIMF guidelines, compass developing more than 3 degrees diversion from the last commemorate deviation curve should be re-adjusted, hence a recover in vetting inspection. besides a deviation more than 5 degrees on any heading needs to be readjusted. ship managers spend a batch of money to hire a compass adjuster to do adjustment to magnetic compass to close the SIRE find. charismatic Compass Adjuster course enables ship ’ mho military officer to carry out the alteration themselves and keep compass calibrated to avoid SIRE findings.
Reading: Magnetic Compass Adjuster
According to AMSA, failure to maintain a magnetic compass in a full work decree or to monitor deviations may result in a vessel being delayed or detained, and the vessel owner and/or Master can potentially be prosecuted .
Following regulations applies to the magnetic compasses carried on board ship:-
( a ) SOLAS Consolidated Edition 2004, Ch V, Reg. 19.2
( barn ) IMO Assembly Resolution A.382 ( X ) – Magnetic Compasses Carriage and Performance Standards
( coulomb ) STCW Convention, 1978, as amended, and the STCW Code
( five hundred ) ISO Standard 2269:1992 – Class A magnetic compasses, azimuth reading devices and binnacles — Tests and certificate
REQUIREMENTS:
(Taken from all above mentioned requirements considering vessels are fitted with class A magnetic compasses)
1.0 Allowed Residual Deviation
1.1 All vessels are required to be fitted with a properly adjusted magnetic compass. The remainder diversion, or error, should be 5° or less on all headings .
2.0 When a Compass Should be Adjusted
2.1 magnetic compasses should be adjusted when :
.1 They are first installed ;
.2 They become treacherous ;
.3 The note error systematically exceeds the let terminus ad quem of 5° on one or more headings ;
.4 After dry dock, or after repairs or structural alterations have been made to the ship that could affect its permanent and / or induced magnetism ( see paragraph 3.1 below ) ;
.5 Electrical or magnetic equipment close to the circumnavigate is installed, removed, or altered ;
.6 After one ( 1 ) year from when the circumnavigate was last adjust if the necessitate record of circumnavigate deviations has not been by rights maintained or the record of deviations are excessive ; and/or
.7 When deemed necessary by the Master.
3.0 Changes in Magnetism During the Life of a Ship
3.1 The magnetism of a newfangled vessel can be peculiarly unstable. The same is true following major structural repairs or modifications. consequently, the performance of magnetic compasses should be monitored carefully during the early on life of a vessel arsenic well as after repairs or modifications are completed to determine if the grok requires adjustment.
3.2 Masters are advised that it is necessity to check the operation of magnetic compasses particularly :
.1 When carry and after discharging cargoes that have charismatic properties ;
.2 After electromagnetic lift appliances are used for cargo loading or exhaust ( see paragraph 3.3 below ) ;
.3 Following a casualty in which the vessel has been subject to severe contact or electrical commission, such as a lightning strike ; or
.4 After the vessel has been laid up or lying idle since even a short period of idleness can lead to good deviations, particularly for little vessels.
3.3 The retentive magnetic field induced by electromagnetic lift appliances can alter a vessel ’ sulfur magnetism, making compasses unreliable. however, a large sum of the magnetism induced by electromagnetic equipment may subsequently decay. Therefore, immediate readjustment is not advised until the residual deviation of the compass has been determined .
4.0 Monitoring Compass Deviation
4.1 A magnetic scope ’ error should be determined at least once a watch while the vessel is at sea and, when possible, after any major alteration of class. The observe error should be recorded in a compass diversion record. Checking the compass deviation regularly may show the need for repair, testing or alteration. In addition, compasses should be inspected occasionally by a competent officer or grok adjuster. An entrance should be made in the compass deviation book when a vessel enters and leaves dry dock .
5.0 Compass Adjustments and Repairs
5.1 Adjustment must be made by a punctually authorized compass adjuster. If a qualify and certify compass adjuster is unavailable and the Master considers it necessary, then adjustments may be made by the Master provided he has the necessary expertness. Under no circumstances should the lapp person who surveyed a vessel carry out the circumnavigate adaptation or repairs.
5.2 The date of any adjustment and early details should be noted in the compass deviation koran. such details should include the put of all compass correctors a well as the vessel ’ s position and ocean conditions when the adjustments were made.
5.3 A compass deviation card should be prepared each time the compass is adjusted. separate diversion cards should be prepared for the standard compass and the transmitting magnetic compass repeating firearm, if fitted, by comparing headings.
5.4 Repairs should only be made by the scope manufacturer or other competent person or company using proper test facilities. When the exercise is finished the mender should supply the Owner or Master with a certificate specifying the date the sour was done and the applicable standards .
Responsibility for Maintenance
The Owner and the Master are creditworthy for ensuring that compasses on their ships are maintained in good working order .
Target Audience
This course is for ship ’ mho Master and navigational officers. however Electronic Navigational Aid serve technicians are besides welcome to learn the tricks of charismatic Compass Adjustment .
Course Content
magnetic compass adjuster
Day : 1 (Theory)
- initiation including legal aspects and requirements
- principle of compass adaptation
- Obtaining magnetic Variation of a place
- magnetic effects of electric currents
- Ships magnetism
- Effects of permanent wave and induce magnetism
- Compass design – general principles
- Compass compensations
- Use of Gauss meter in adjusting Heeling magnets
- magnetic effects of Northern and Southern Hemisphere on Heeling correctors
- coefficient A, B.C, D and E
- The versatile types of transmitting magnetic grok bowl and repeaters
- Compass Repairs and Compass liquid characteristics
- Removing the bubble in compass
Read more: Australia Maritime Strategy
- Methods of detecting mechanical errors in compasses at sea
- appraisal of safe distances of navigational and other equipment of the Compass