Clear visibility from the ship’s bridge is a critical safety requirement under SOLAS and IMO regulations. Excessive sun glare, reflections, and poor visibility can compromise navigation, slow down decision-making, and increase the risk of collisions or near-misses, especially during sunrise, sunset, and when operating in high-glare regions.
To stay compliant and ensure crew safety, ship owners must understand what these regulations require and how effective anti-glare solutions, such as SOLASAFE® marine solar blinds, help vessels meet mandatory visibility standards.
Why Visibility Standards Matter under SOLAS & IMO
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention outline strict rules to ensure that officers maintain a clear, unobstructed view from the bridge at all times.
Poor visibility due to sun glare can:
- Reduce reaction time
- Obstructs the view of hazards, vessels, or navigation markers
- Impair radar screen readability
- Increase fatigue and eye strain
- Compromise safe navigation
This is why many vessel operators install Type-Approved anti-glare blinds, such as SOLASOLV® roller screens, which are widely used across the marine and offshore sectors.
Learn more about our industry-specific solutions here:
Key IMO & SOLAS Requirements Related to Glare and Visibility
1. IMO MSC.64(67) Annex 1 – Bridge Visibility Standards
These standards specify that:
- Navigators must have an unobstructed forward view over the bow.
- Visibility must be clear from 90° port to 90° starboard.
- Glare and reflections should not interfere with safe navigation.
- The bridge must provide direct visibility of the sea surface.
2. IMO Resolution MSC.137(76)
Requires that:
- Windows must be arranged to minimize reflections.
- Sun glare must not impair visibility from critical workstations.
- Equipment or installations must not cause distracting reflections.
3. SOLAS Chapter V – Safety of Navigation
Mandates that vessels maintain a safe lookout and ensure the means to do so, including tools that reduce visibility obstructions like glare.
This is why anti-glare blinds are often considered essential, not optional, safety equipment.
How Solar Anti-Glare Blinds Help Ships Achieve Compliance
SOLASOLV® solar blinds are Type-Approved and manufactured specifically to address glare and reflection problems on ship bridges.
They help vessels meet SOLAS/IMO visibility rules by:
1. Reducing Sun Glare by Over 90%
Minimizes eye strain and improves situational awareness for officers.
2. Cutting Solar Heat Gain
Keeps the wheelhouse cooler and reduces HVAC energy demand.
Explore our SOLAROLA.
- Improving Visibility of Digital and Radar Displays
Anti-glare blinds reduce screen washout, making radar, ECDIS, and instruments easier to read.
4. Maintaining a Clear View Ahead
Unlike fabric blinds, transparent solar blinds allow officers to continue navigating even when deployed.
5. Meeting Type-Approval Requirements
SOLASOLV® screens are fully Type-Approved for marine navigation use.
Common Bridge Visibility Problems That Solar Blinds Solve
- Low sun angles during sunrise or sunset
- Reflection from the sea surface
- Glare hits the bridge windows
- Difficulty seeing the horizon or nearby vessels
- Bridge temperature discomfort
- Reduced clarity of navigation screens
If your team struggles with light entering from the sides, this guide may also help: how to block light from side of blinds
Choosing Compliant Anti-Glare Blinds for Marine Use
When selecting blinds that meet SOLAS and IMO visibility requirements, ensure they are:
- Type-Approved for marine navigation
- Heat-reducing and glare-eliminating
- Transparent to maintain visibility while deployed
- Durable and suitable for marine environments
- Easy to maintain, like those outlined here:
For enclosed cassettes that protect the blind from damage, see SOLASAFE®.
Conclusion: Glare Control Is Essential for Compliance and Safety
SOLAS and IMO visibility regulations are clear: ship operators must eliminate visibility hazards, including sun glare and reflections, to maintain safe navigation.
Installing Type-Approved anti-glare blinds such as SOLASAFE® is one of the easiest and most effective ways to meet compliance while protecting crew safety.
For more information or to equip your fleet, visit: https://solasolv.com/
