# The Merchant Shipping (Navigation Bridge Visibility) Regulations 1998, Regulation 5: Requirements for new ships


(1) On and after 1st July 1998 new ships of 45 metres or more in length shall comply with the following:
(a) The view of the sea surface from the conning position shall not be obscured by more than two ship lengths, or 500 metres, whichever is the less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side under all conditions of draft, trim and deck cargo.
(b) No blind sector caused by cargo, cargo gear or other obstructions outside of the wheelhouse forward of the beam which obstructs the view of the sea surface as seen from the conning position, shall exceed 10°. The total arc of blind sectors shall not exceed 20°. The clear sectors between blind sectors shall be at least 5°. However, in the view described in paragraph (1)(a) above, each individual blind sector shall not exceed 5°.
(c) The horizontal field of vision from the conning position shall extend over an arc of not less than 225°, that is from right ahead to not less than 22.5° abaft the beam on either side of the ship.
(d) From each bridge wing the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc of at least 225°, that is from at least 45° on the opposite bow through right ahead and then from right ahead to right astern through 180° on the same side of the ship.
(e) From the main steering position the horizontal field of vision shall extend over an arc from right ahead to at least 60° on each side of the ship.
(f) The ship’s side shall be visible from the bridge wing.
(g) The height of the lower edge of the navigation bridge front windows above the bridge deck shall be kept as low as possible. In no case shall the lower edge present an obstruction to the forward view as described in this regulation.
(h) The upper edge of the navigation bridge front windows shall allow a forward view of the horizon, for a person with a height of eye of 1,800 millimetres above the bridge deck at the conning position, when the ship is pitching in heavy seas.
(2) On and after 1st July 1998 the following requirements apply in respect of windows in such ships:
(a) Framing between navigation bridge windows shall be hept to a minimum and shall not be installed immediately forward of any workstation.
(b) To help avoid reflections the bridge front windows shall be inclined from the vertical plane top out, at an angle of not less than 10° and not more than 25°.
(c) Polarised and tinted navigation bridge windows shall not be fitted.
(d) At all times, regardless of weather conditions, at least two of the navigation bridge front windows and, depending on the bridge configuration, additional windows, shall provide a clear view.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1419/regulation/5 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-navigation-bridge-visibility-regulations-1998/regulation-5
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.