IEC 62923-1:2018

Overview

IEC 62923-1:2018 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that addresses maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment concerning Bridge Alert Management (BAM). This Part 1 standard specifies the operational and performance requirements, methods of testing, and required test results integral to BAM systems onboard ships, supporting the IMO resolution MSC.302(87).

The scope covers all alerts presented on and transferred to the bridge, ensuring consistent management of critical alarms and notifications to enhance maritime safety and operational efficiency. This standard is essential for manufacturers, shipbuilders, and maritime operators aiming to comply with international safety regulations and improve bridge alert systems.

Key Topics

• Operational and Performance Requirements
  Defines the essential functions BAM systems must deliver, including alert priority classification, presentation methods, and escalation procedures for various alert states such as emergency alarms, warnings, and cautions.

• Testing Methods and Required Results
  Provides standardized test set-ups and procedures to verify compliance with BAM functional and performance criteria. Tests cover alert presentation, handling, silence and acknowledgment functions, system redundancies, fallback arrangements, and system failure management.

• Alert Presentation and Handling
  Covers the user interface aspects like centralized alert management HMI (Human-Machine Interface), alert grouping, aggregation, and suppression features designed to reduce alert fatigue and prevent critical alarms from being overlooked.

• System Interfacing
  Details communication protocols for alert-related data exchange across ship systems, including priority status, alert state, acknowledgment, and silence commands. Reliable connection to ship power supply and fallback mechanisms are specified.

• Documentation Requirements
  Specifies mandatory documentation for BAM systems such as user manuals, system configuration information, failure analysis guides, and onboard familiarization materials to facilitate effective implementation and maintenance.

Applications

• Maritime Navigation Systems
  Implements bridge alert management systems on board vessels to consolidate, prioritize, and present alerts from various navigation and radiocommunication equipment efficiently.

• Safety Compliance
  Enables shipbuilders and operators to meet IMO MSC.302(87) mandates and IEC regulatory frameworks by standardizing alert management and testing methods.

• Bridge Operations and Decision Support
  Enhances situational awareness for bridge personnel by delivering clear, hierarchical alert information, thus supporting timely decision-making during critical situations.

• Equipment Manufacturing
  Guides manufacturers in developing BAM-compliant equipment and systems with verified testing procedures, ensuring interoperability and quality across maritime alert systems.

Related Standards

• IMO MSC.302(87)
  Provides the international resolution on Bridge Alert Management to which IEC 62923-1:2018 directly supports compliance.

• IEC 62616
  Standard for wheelmarking and type approval of maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment, which may include alert management functions.

• IEC 61162 Series
  Standards governing digital interfaces for navigational equipment which may interact with BAM systems for alert data transmission.

Keywords: IEC 62923-1, Bridge Alert Management, BAM, Maritime navigation, Radiocommunication equipment, IMO MSC.302(87), operational requirements, performance testing, alert presentation, maritime safety, ship bridge systems, marine alert management, IEC standards, bridge alarm systems, alert prioritization, human-machine interface, maritime alert protocols.