Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)SchedulesSecond ScheduleProtocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974AnnexChapter V : Safety NavigationRegulation 19 : Use of the automatic pilot |
| (a) | In areas of high traffic density, in conditions of restricted visibility and in all other hazardous navigational situations where the automatic pilot is used, it shall be possible to establish human control of the ship’s steering immediately. |
| (b) | In circumstances as above, it shall be possible for the officer of the watch to have available without delay the services of a qualified helmsman who shall be ready at all times to take over steering control. |
| (c) | The changeover from automatic to manual steering and vice versa shall be made by or under the supervision of a responsible officer. |
| (d) | The manual steering shall be tested after prolonged use of the automatic pilot, and before entering areas where navigation demands special caution. |
[Paragraph (d) added by Proclamation No. R.168 of 1982.]