Magnetic Compass and Gyrocompass
The compass requirements of SOLAS V/19: standard and spare magnetic compass, gyrocompass, repeaters and transmitting heading device.
SOLAS regulation V/19 requires every ship to carry a standard magnetic compass, or other means independent of any power supply, to determine heading and display it at the main steering position, with a pelorus or compass bearing device and a means of correcting heading and bearings to true. A spare magnetic compass, interchangeable with the standard compass, is added from 150 GT and on passenger ships.
From 500 GT the ship also carries a gyrocompass whose heading is clearly readable by the helmsman at the main steering position, a gyro heading repeater at the emergency steering position and a gyro bearing repeater, while a transmitting heading device is required from 300 GT. The full article will cover compass adjustment, deviation and the performance standards. See SOLAS Chapter V .