WORK IN PROGRESS!!!
Haigh Maritime Services
We are a specialist training organisation, focusing solely on the training of Compass Adjusters.
We are back and open for business!
HMS is still the only training organisation which has an AMSA tick of approval for providing Compass Adjuster training.
Over the past few months there has been a number of changes regarding compass adjustment in commercial vessels. I have tried to outline them below:
License:
AMSA no longer issue licenses for adjusters. This role is being adopted by the newly formed Australian Compass Adjusters Association (ACAA)
When is adjustment needed?
There is no time requirement but the compass must be adjusted if deviation exceeds 5 degrees on any heading.
Who is to do the adjustment?
The master of the vessel may do his own adjustment or employ a qualified adjuster to do it.
This is a major change from previously, when only a qualified person could perform the task.
A4 ADJUSTMENT OF COMPASSES
A4.1 For the proper adjustment of a magnetic compass on a vessel, the details of any compass deviations observed during the operation of the vessel must be recorded by the master.
NOTE: NSCV Part E requires a system of regular programmed inspection and maintenance for a vessel, its machinery and equipment to be developed and maintained, which includes any compass on board. This requirement ensures compass accuracy is periodically monitored.
A4.2 A magnetic compass on a vessel must be adjusted if:
a) observations show a deviation of the compass on any heading of more than 5°; or
b) the vessel has undergone repairs or alterations which may affect the accuracy of the compass; or
c) the vessel has not previously operated from any port or place in Australia.
NOTE: For circumstances in which it is recommended that a compass be adjusted, see Annex G of ISO 25862:2009 Ships and marine technology – Marine magnetic compasses, binnacles and azimuth reading devices. National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part C Section 7 Subsection 7C
National Standard for Commercial Vessels 21 NSCV C7C Compil 170104Z.docx
A4.3 A magnetic compass may only be adjusted by a person who has acquired the knowledge and skills to carry out the adjustment through experience, training or qualification.
A4.4 For Clause A4.3, training or qualification includes the training completed, or qualification held, by a person who is a qualified compass adjuster for Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment) 2016.
NOTE: A further example of a qualification for Clause A4.4 is a licence issued by a State, Territory or overseas marine authority for the adjustment of compasses.
A4.5 The nature of any changes to a magnetic compass, including to the position of magnets or soft iron correctors, must be properly recorded by the person making the compass adjustments with the record retained on board the vessel.
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