Overview
ISO 14859:2012 - Ships and marine technology - Sound reception systems - defines functional requirements, recommended installation practices and performance tests for sound reception systems installed on fully enclosed ship bridges (and optionally on other bridges). The standard is intended to secure a safe and efficient lookout by enabling officers to hear external sound signals inside enclosed navigation spaces, and to guide shipbridge design, procurement, installation and in-service changes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & purpose: Functional requirements, installation guidance and type/installation testing to ensure audibility and direction indication of external sound signals inside enclosed bridges.
- Audio performance:
- Frequency band coverage required: 70 Hz–2 100 Hz (to receive sound signals from all directions).
- System must reproduce incoming signals through at least one loudspeaker and suppress background noise while preserving meaningful sounds.
- Single volume control only; speaker output must be adjustable so incoming signals are ≥ 10 dB(A) above ambient bridge noise (ambient max referenced as 65 dB(A)).
- Direction and display:
- Visual indication of incoming signals and approximate direction (fore/aft and port/starboard); indication must persist for at least 3 s and be visible from the conning position.
- Operational features:
- Disable input to mute amplifier when ship’s horn/whistle sounds.
- Self-test function or documented alternate test process for microphone/system verification.
- Environmental and marking requirements in accordance with IEC 60945; resistance to icing/frost.
- Installation guidance:
- Microphones placed away from ship noise sources, minimizing wind/structural vibration.
- Speaker and display placement to ensure audibility and visibility from bridge positions.
- Interface and display integration guidance referencing IEC 61162-1 / IEC 61162-450 and IEC 62288.
- Testing:
- Type tests: shipboard and test-facility methods to validate sensitivity, frequency response and directionality. Shipboard tests cover audibility ranges by vessel length (per COLREG requirements); lab tests use calibrated anechoic/semi-anechoic chambers and defined test signals.
Applications and users
ISO 14859:2012 is practical for:
- Ship designers and bridge architects designing enclosed bridges.
- Specifiers and procurers selecting sound reception systems and bridge equipment.
- Ship operators, fleet managers and owners ensuring installation, retrofits and in-service changes conform to safety and performance requirements.
- Equipment manufacturers and test houses performing type testing and certification.
Related standards and references
Normative and informative references include:
Keywords: ISO 14859:2012, sound reception systems, ship bridge design, maritime audio systems, microphone placement, frequency range, SPL, type testing, COLREG.