The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has published a revised international standard for electronic inclinometers, introducing updated testing and connectivity requirements to align with modern bridge systems.
The updated standard, ISO 19697:2026 (Ships and marine technology — Navigation and ship operations — Electronic inclinometers), was developed by the ISO sub-committee on navigation and ship operations. The revision updates the original 2016 edition to incorporate Bridge Alert Management (BAM) requirements and support shipboard LAN connections.
Electronic inclinometers are bridge instruments used to measure, display, and record a vessel’s heel angle, roll amplitude, and roll period. The data supports onboard decision-making to avoid dangerous situations and assists in maritime casualty investigations.
The update follows amendments to Chapter V of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS Convention. Under these rules, containerships and bulk carriers of 3,000 gross tonnage and above constructed on or after 1 January 2026 must be fitted with an electronic inclinometer, or alternative means, to monitor roll motion.
While initial performance standards were set out in IMO Resolution MSC.363(92), the original ISO 19697:2016 standard did not cover the BAM requirements mandated by IMO Resolution MSC.302(87), nor did it account for shipboard LAN integration.
The 2026 revision addresses these gaps by adding specific alert requirements, including a “power fail” alert for power supply reductions, and establishing new annexes for the IEC 61162 interface series to handle LAN connectivity via an internationally harmonised method.
The revision process was led by Dr Takeshi Yokoi, Director of the Dynamic Positioning System Safety Operation Office at Japan’s National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI), who served as Convener and Project Leader for the ISO working group.
Following the SOLAS amendments, electronic inclinometers are expected to fall within the scope of the European Marine Equipment Directive (MED). This will require all equipment exported to Europe to be tested for conformity with the new BAM and LAN compliance standards.
