For vessels over how many gross tonnage is a second, independently functioning radar required?

For vessels over 10,000 gross tonnage, a second independently functioning radar system is mandated to enhance navigational safety and situational awareness. This requirement is rooted in maritime safety regulations, as larger vessels typically operate in more challenging environments where the risk of collision or navigational errors is heightened. By ensuring that these vessels are equipped with dual radar systems, it provides a layer of redundancy; should one radar fail, the other can continue to function, thus maintaining continuous situational awareness.

The threshold of 10,000 gross tonnage was established based on operational safety considerations, as larger vessels often require more sophisticated navigational aids due to factors such as increased size, changing operational conditions, and the complexity of the maritime environment they navigate. This specification is critical for the safety of the vessel, its crew, and other maritime traffic.