Compass adjustment legislation | Nautical Multiservice

Authorized compass rectifier

According to current legislation on equipment in ships, including Executive Order no. 422 of May 17, 2016, ships are required by law to have a properly maintained magnetic compass, which must be certified and meet the set standards. If repairs are made to the compass, the certificate must be renewed. The master is responsible for ensuring that the certificate is valid and available to the relevant authorities, such as the Danish Maritime Authority.

It must also be possible to replace the compass with a spare magnetic compass on ships of 150 gross tonnage and above and passenger ships of any size. It is a requirement that these spare parts must be able to perform the same functions as the primary compass.

Do I need to correct my compass or can I just use a new deviation table?

A magnetic magnetic compass should be adjusted if the deviation exceeds 5 degrees or after major refits. Has your ship been laid up for a long time? Then we also recommend a check to make sure the compass is working optimally. Remember that proper maintenance of your ship's compass increases both safety and lifetime.

As with all marine equipment, compasses last longer if they are regularly maintained and serviced. This is especially important when it comes to the safety of you and others on board. An inaccurate compass can have fatal consequences.

You can just create a new deviation table when

Compass deviation is more than 3 degrees

A magnetic compass should be aimed if

- The compass shows a division of more than 5 degrees

- The ship is significantly rebuilt, it can take up to 3 months from rebuilding the ship until the magnetic field is constant

- In order to comply with insurance regulations, these can vary, therefore Nautisk Multiservice recommends that the compass is corrected at least every two years, ideally annually.

- If the ship has been laid up for a longer period

Regular deviation investigations ensure compliance with regulations

To ensure that your ship complies with current regulations and standards, it's crucial to have regular deviation surveys and any compass adjustments carried out. If you need more information about the legislation or requirements for your ship's equipment, you can contact the Danish Maritime Authority or read more at Retsinformation.dk, where you will find the relevant executive orders and legislation, including BEK no. 422 of 17/05/2016 Legal information and changes in BEK no. 251 of 21/02/2022 Legal information.