1. The Rate-of-Turn Indicator (ROTI) shall be capable of indicating rates of turn to starboard and to port of the ship to which it is fitted.
2. The ROTI may be self-contained; alternatively it may form part of, or derive information from, any other appropriate equipment.
3. The indication required shall be provided by a centre-zero analogue type indicator preferably circular). Where a circular scale indicator is used, the zero shall be uppermost.
4. A turn of ship to port shall be indicated on the left of the zero point and a starboard turn to the right of the zero point. If the actual rate of turn exceeds full scale deflection, this shall be clearly indicated on the display.
5. In addition, an alphanumeric display may be provided. Positive indication of port and starboard shall be provided on such displays.
6. The length of scale in either direction from zero shall not be less than 120 mm. The sensitivity of the system shall ensure that a change in the rate of turn of one degree per minute is represented by a distance of not less than 4 mm on its scale.
7. A linear range scale of not less than ± 30 degrees per minute shall be provided. This scale shall be marked in intervals of one degree per minute on both sides of zero. The scale shall be marked with figures every 10 degrees per minute. Every 10 degree mark shall be significantly longer than the 5 degree mark which in turn shall be significantly longer than the one degree mark. The marks and figures shall preferably be red or a light color on a dark background.
8. Additional linear range scales may be provided.
9. Damping of the ROTI shall be provided with a time constant which may be varied during operation in the range zero to at least 10 seconds.
10. The indicated rate of turn shall not deviate from the actual rate of turn of the ship by more than 0.5 degrees per minute plus 5 per cent of the indicated rate of turn of the ship. These values include the influence of earth rate.
11. Periodic rolling motion of the ship with an amplitude of ± 5 degrees and period of up to 25 seconds and periodic pitching motion with an amplitude of ± 1 degree and period of up to 20 seconds shall not change the mean value of the indicated rate of turn by more than 0.5 degrees per minute.
12. The ROTI shall meet these accuracy requirements at all ship speeds up to 10 knots.
13. The ROTI shall be ready for operation and comply with these standards within 4 minutes of being switched on.
14. The design shall be such that whether operating or not, the ROTI will not degrade the performance of any other equipment to which it is connected.
15. The ROTI shall include a means of enabling the operator to verify that it is operating.
