Kongsberg Operator Fitness Alarm Start Panel

KONGSBERG Operator Fitness Alarm Start Panel (BNWAS Reset Unit)

The Kongsberg Operator Fitness Alarm Start Panel functions as an integrated bridge watch monitoring interface and remote reset unit within the Kongsberg Maritime Bridge and Integrated Automation System (IAS) ecosystem. Designed in compliance with IMO MSC.128(75) and IEC 62616 performance standards for Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS), this panel detects the awareness and presence of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) through scheduled, sequence-driven acknowledgments.

Engineered for console flush-mounting across wheelhouse bridge wings, chart tables, and primary conning positions, the unit communicates directly with the central Kongsberg alarm management processor (e.g., K-Bridge / K-Chief architectures). The assembly integrates an illuminated, tactile IP56-sealed push-button, variable-intensity dimming backlighting for night navigation, internal acoustic sounder drivers, and galvanic opto-isolated I/O loops to suppress ground-loop noise across extended cable runs.

Model Details:

• Model Identification: Kongsberg Operator Fitness Unit / Bridge Reset Station
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 345682 / 810-025440-1
• Kongsberg Part System ID: K-BNW-SP01-24V
• System Series: K-Bridge / K-Chief / AutoChief C20 Integration Series

Key Features

1. IMO & IEC Compliant Watch Monitoring: Fully aligned with IEC 62616 and IMO MSC.128(75) Stage 1 sequence activation timings (adjustable 3 to 12-minute cycles).
2. Galvanically Isolated Signaling: Onboard optocouplers isolate 24V DC auxiliary loops, mitigating high transient spikes and ground loops common in steel hulls.
3. Tactile Acknowledgment with Visual Annunciation: Long-stroke sealed push-switch paired with high-efficiency LEDs visible under 100,000 lux daylight and dimmable to below 0.1 cd/m² for night navigation.
4. Independent Fail-Safe Relay Loop: Incorporates normally closed (NC) supervision contacts that trigger an emergency general alarm state if local control voltage collapses.
5. Marine-Grade Enclosure Integrity: Impact-resistant, salt-mist treated anodized aluminum faceplate sealed to IP56 across the exposed front boundary.

Applications

• Primary Bridge Conning Console and Wheelhouse Wing watchkeeper acknowledgment points.
• Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) on SOLAS commercial cargo carriers, container vessels, and chemical tankers.
• Offshore Support Vessels (OSV) and Dynamic Positioning (DP-2/DP-3) class bridge alert networks.
• Direct replacement and retrofit on legacy Norcontrol and Kongsberg K-Bridge navigation suites.

Compatible Core Equipment & Systems

• Kongsberg Integrated Navigation Systems: K-Bridge, K-Nav, BridgeLine Suite
• Alarm & Monitoring Series: K-Chief 500, K-Chief 600, K-Chief 700
• Propulsion Control Series: AutoChief C20, AutoChief 4
• Legacy Systems: Norcontrol Databridge 10/11, Norcontrol SDP Series BNWAS reset loops

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the start panel button is permanently pressed or wedged shut?

Kongsberg BNWAS start panels feature anti-tamper circuitry. If the reset button remains closed for more than 15 consecutive seconds (preventing the watch officer from wedging the button with paperweights or tape), the central unit registers a fault condition and initiates an immediate Stage 2 alert to the Master’s and Chief Officer’s cabins.

Can this panel be installed in exterior exposed bridge wing boxes?

The front bezel holds an IP56 rating when mounted flush with the supplied closed-cell neoprene gasket against an unblemished, flat console surface. For fully exposed, open-air bridge wing structures, the unit must be housed inside a secondary weather-tight enclosure with a transparent hinged cover.

How do I troubleshoot a panel that does not mute Stage 1 acoustic alarms?

Check Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 with a multimeter. When you depress the push button, contact resistance must drop below 1 ohm. If the contact closes normally, check whether the central Kongsberg alarm processor has locked out local reset due to an active steering engine fail or unacknowledged autopilot off-course alarm; standard K-Bridge protocol disables local fitness reset until navigation faults clear.

Is this unit a drop-in replacement for older Norcontrol panels?

Yes. Kongsberg acquired Norcontrol, and part numbers cross-referenced to 345682 use identical physical cutout footprints (138 mm x 66 mm) and compatible 24V terminal assignments. Review the dimming line voltage before swap-over, as older vessels may require an isolated potentiometer ground loop.