Wheelhouse standards to be updated from 1 September 2027
Standards for wheelhouse visibility, escape, accommodation and personal safety are scheduled for updates from 1 September 2027.
The updated NSCV Part C1 edition will be introduced and apply to:
- Newly constructed vessels
- Existing vessels that undergo modifications to the existing arrangement, accommodation and personal safety aspects of that vessel.
Several fatalities in recent years have resulted in coronial recommendations about wheelhouse visibility, escape routes, accommodation and personal safety.
Examples include people falling overboard due to seats being used to climb on that reduced the effective guardrail heights, ineffective use of emergency escape lighting, escape doors and openings not functioning against water pressure.
AMSA has amended NSCV Part C1 to address these issues and improve the overall format to make it easier to understand and apply the standard.
The changes also aim to better align the standard with current international and national standards.
Key changes to NSCV Part C1 include:
- Improvements to strength and testing standards for continuous safety rails on pilot vessels
- Clarifying requirements for assembly stations
- Improvements to emergency escape signage and escape lighting
- Updates to align with national and international standards for noise levels, sanitation facilities, air quality in enclosed areas and bunk sizes
- Improving and clarifying content for wheelhouse visibility
- Establishing ‘no climb zones’ around the perimeter of vessels to make it harder for children to fall overboard.