4 DEFINITIONS
"Night vision equipment" means any technical means enabling the position and aspect of objects above the water surface relative to one's own craft to be detected at night.
"High-speed craft" means any craft to which the definition in chapter 1 of the HSC Code applies.
"Standard test target" means a target that simulates the real hazard of a surface object that can be found at sea such as, small unlit boats, floating logs, oil drums, containers, bouys, ice, hazardous waves and whales.
5 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
5.1 REQUIRED FUNCTIONS AND THEIR AVAILABILITY
At night, night vision equipment should be capable of detecting objects above the water surface within a certain distance from one's own craft, and of displaying the information pictorially in real time, to assist in collision avoidance and safe navigation.
5.2 RELIABILITY, ACCURACY, AND DISCRIMINATION
5.2.1 Continuous operation
Night vision equipment on board HSC, while navigating at sea, should be capable of continuous operation from after sunset until before sunrise. After the equipment has been switched on it should be operational in less than 15 minutes.
5.2.2 Standard test target
A matt black metal target of such a size that when at least 80% is immersed, 1.5 m×0.5 m remains above the water at right angles to the desired direction of detection. Administrations may use other smaller targets to reflect local conditions.
5.2.3 Minimum detection range
With the required field of view, the equipment should detect the standard test target at a minimum of 600 m with a minimum probability of 90%, when the target has been immersed in the sea for at least 24 hours under mean starlight conditions without clouds and without moon.
5.2.4 Field of view
The regured horizontal field of view shall be at least 20°, 10° on either side of the bow. The vertical field of view shall be at least 12ー and should be sufficient to enable the equipment to fulfil the performance requirements of this standard as well as being able to see the horizon.
Optionally other fields of view may be provided. The selection should be made with a non-locking switch which returns to the normal field of view.
