Section 78
( 1)
of Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations, 2003
Sufficient power for going astern shall be provided to secure proper control of the ship in all normal circumstances.
(2)
The ability of the machinery to reverse the direction of thrust of the propeller in sufficient time, and so to bring the ship to rest within a reasonable distance from maximum ahead service speed, shall be demonstrated and recorded.
* Refer to Recommendation on the provisions and the display of manoeuvring information on board ships (resolution A.601(15)), the interim standards for ship manoeuvrability (resolution A.751(18)), and the explanatory notes to the interim standards for ship manoeuvrability (MSC/Circ.644).
(3)
The stopping times, ship headings and distances recorded on trials, together with the results of trials to determine the ability of ships having multiple propellers to navigate and manoeuvre with one or more propellers inoperative, shall be available on board for the use of the master or designated personneL
(4)
Where the ship is provided with supplementary means for manoeuvring or stopping, the effectiveness of such means shall be demonstrated and recorded as referred to in sub-regulations (2) and (3).