8.1 All operating limitations shown on the Permit
to Operate, irrespective of whether they relate, for example, to geographical
boundaries or limits of wind, weather and sea conditions, should be
presented in a manner that provides simple and clear direction to
the craft’s personnel and should be immediately available to
the operator in the operating compartment. Wherever practicable, the
information should be posted in a prominent position in the operating
compartment readily visible from the operator’s position(s).
Supplementary and more detailed information may be provided in the
Craft Operating Manual or Route Operational Manual, as appropriate.
8.2 The presented information should not extend
beyond the limits of permitted operations unless clearly labelled
with the purpose of the extended information. Where additional information
is provided, for example to place the boundaries of the operating
area in geographic context, the presentation should be such as to
clearly indicate that operations outside those boundaries are not
permitted.
8.3 Limitations with regard to significant wave
height, if varied according to heading, may be presented in a number
of forms, including:
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.1 polar diagram showing safely attainable speed
versus wave height and relative heading, since the safe speed in head
seas will often be less than that attainable on other headings (see
figure 1); or
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.2 graph(s) having different lines for heading
angles from head through to stern at intervals of not more than 15º
(see figure 2).
8.4 Permanently installed instruments may be provided
to guide the craft’s personnel in maintaining safe operating
conditions, particularly in respect of structural safety, through
direct onboard monitoring of vertical and lateral accelerations and/or
measurement of wave height. Where the operational limitations include
limiting sea conditions covering hazards other than those covered
by the instrumentation, the specified limiting sea conditions should
not be exceeded irrespective of the guidance information provided
by the instrumentation system. The instrumentation should:
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.1 be calibrated and verified by, or on behalf
of, the flag Administration as providing clear, accurate and reliable
information to operating personnel for the safe operation of the craft
in accordance with paragraph 4.2.4 of the Code;
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.2 meet the requirements of paragraph 17.1 of
the Code for the conduct of verification trials;
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.3 be supplemented by sea state limitations that
are to be adhered to in the event of failure of the instrumentation;
and
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.4 trials required by annex 9 of the Code in relation
to areas monitored by the instrumentation should be limited to those
necessary under subparagraph .1 above for verification of the instrumentation
system.
8.5 Where the information provided in accordance
with paragraph 8.1 is not consolidated so as to cover all hazard areas
in a single display or document, its presentation should unambiguously
facilitate simultaneous compliance with all operational
limitations listed on the Permit to Operate, addressing as appropriate
all the hazards associated with the safe operation of the craft such
as those covered in all the preceding sections of these Guidelines.