Heading Repeater / Compass Repeater

medium 3 models total

A heading repeater carries no gyroscope of its own; it is a slave display driven by the master gyrocompass, and its only job is to put a true heading in front of the helmsman, the pelorus and the wing lookout at the same moment.

Read more — Heading Repeater / Compass Repeater explained ▾

What makes this type

A heading or compass repeater is a slave indicator that reproduces the heading generated by the master gyrocompass, not an independent sensor. This distinguishes it from the gyrocompass itself, which does the actual sensing, and from a magnetic compass, which is a standalone backup instrument. Repeaters exist because a single gyrocompass, usually mounted low in the ship for stability, cannot be read directly from the helm, the bridge wings or a pelorus stand, so its output is electrically or optically transmitted to multiple repeater positions around the vessel.

Heading repeater distribution — Diagram of a heading repeater system showing the master gyrocompass sending true heading data over a signal line to slave repeater displays at the steering stand, the bridge wings and a bearing pelorus, none of which contain their own gyroscope.

Main components

Repeater display unit

A dial or digital readout, at the steering position, chart table, bridge wings and often on the monkey island for taking visual bearings. Older systems use a synchro or stepper motor driven directly by the gyrocompass transmission; modern systems distribute heading digitally over a serial or network bus and drive each repeater electronically.

Transmission system

The wiring or network link between master gyrocompass and each repeater. In legacy synchro systems this is a dedicated multi-core cable per repeater; in networked systems a single bus can feed many repeaters, simplifying retrofit but concentrating failure risk on the bus itself.

Pelorus and bearing ring

Wing repeaters are commonly fitted with a pelorus ring for taking visual and radar bearings referenced to true heading, a function the bridge relies on for position fixing by terrestrial bearings.

Selection and sizing

Compatibility with the ship's existing gyrocompass output format, synchro, step, or serial/network
Number and location of repeater positions required by the ship's bridge layout and SOLAS carriage requirements
Illumination and readability under both daylight and night bridge lighting conditions
Backup power arrangement, since a repeater that goes dark on a power transfer defeats its purpose at the exact moment it may be needed

Regulations and class

SOLAS Chapter V requires ships above specified tonnage thresholds to be fitted with a gyrocompass and heading repeaters at the main steering position and, depending on ship type, at the bearing positions used for taking visual and radar bearings. Class societies verify repeater installation and function as part of the navigation equipment survey alongside the master gyrocompass itself.

Typical faults

Fault	Consequence
Repeater heading drifting from master gyro reading	Helmsman steering to a wrong reference, and bearings taken at the wing repeater offset from true
Synchro motor wear on legacy systems	Sticking or lagging display, especially noticeable during rapid course changes
Corroded wing repeater housing from salt exposure	Intermittent display or complete failure at the exposed bearing position
Bus failure on networked repeater systems	Simultaneous loss of multiple repeaters rather than a single unit, a wider outage than legacy wiring would produce

What to look for in a supplier

Confirmed compatibility with the ship's specific gyrocompass output protocol before ordering a replacement or additional repeater
Housing rated for exposed bridge wing conditions if the unit is destined for that position
Spare parts availability for legacy synchro systems still common on older tonnage

Compare every wing repeater against the master gyro reading during the daily bridge equipment check, not just at survey time; a slow drift is easy to miss until a bearing taken from the wing is visibly wrong.

Inspector Mode Show All 3 total

3 manufacturers · 3 models

Cassens & Plath

Heading Repeater

Analog compass card · Navigation Data / Sensor · Analog heading repeater

Type

Analog heading repeater

Common Failures & Inspection Points

Compass card motor wear
Illumination bulb
Gimbals friction

Service: Traditional analog repeater. Driven by gyro synchro output.

Spare Parts: Cassens & Plath: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.

Strengths

Proven mechanical reliability with decades of service in the industry
Simple, intuitive display – no software or screen failures
Low power consumption and can operate from standard ship voltage without special wiring
Provides an independent visual backup to electronic bridge displays
Robust construction tolerates harsh marine environments

Weaknesses

Mechanical wear points (motor, gimbals) require periodic inspection and replacement
Illumination typically uses incandescent bulbs that must be replaced regularly
Limited resolution compared with modern digital heading displays
Manual calibration may be needed after major repairs or alignment changes
Not integrated into bridge management systems for remote monitoring

Typical Vessels: TankerBulk CarrierContainer ShipGeneral Cargo VesselOffshore Supply Vessel

Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a rugged, low‑maintenance visual heading backup on vessels that already use gyro‑synchro outputs or magnetic compasses, especially on older ships or those with limited bridge‑system integration. Avoid if: the vessel relies heavily on integrated electronic navigation suites, requires remote data logging, or prefers fully digital displays with higher resolution.

Use Cases: Commonly installed in bridge wings, wheelhouses, and engine‑room control stations of merchant vessels to provide a continuously updated heading reference that remains readable under all lighting conditions, serving as a fail‑safe when primary electronic displays are unavailable.

Datasheet

Observator

Heading Repeater

Digital display · Navigation Data / Sensor · digital heading repeater

Type

Digital heading repeater

Common Failures & Inspection Points

LED display segments
NMEA interface issues
Mounting bracket

Service: Observator repeater. NMEA input from gyro or GPS compass.

Spare Parts: Observator: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.

Strengths

Simple plug‑and‑play NMEA 0183 input from multiple heading sources
Bright LED display with backlight for low‑light conditions
Compact, weather‑proof housing suitable for bridge mounting
Low power consumption compared to electromechanical repeaters
Selectable source and alarm output for integration with bridge alarms

Weaknesses

Reported LED segment failures requiring screen replacement
Occasional NMEA interface reliability problems in harsh EMI environments
Mounting bracket design may need reinforcement on high‑vibration vessels
Limited to NMEA 0183; no native NMEA 2000 or Ethernet connectivity
No built‑in compass – depends entirely on external heading sensors

Typical Vessels: General cargoOffshore supply vesselFerrySmall tankerCoastal container ship

Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a low‑cost, easy‑install heading display that can accept gyro or GPS compass NMEA data and you already have a bridge system based on NMEA 0183. Avoid if: your vessel requires NMEA 2000 integration, high‑vibration mounting without reinforcement, or you cannot tolerate occasional LED/display failures.

Use Cases: Commonly installed on the bridge of vessels that require redundant heading information for navigation safety, especially where space is limited and a simple visual cue is sufficient. Often paired with primary gyrocompass systems to provide an independent read‑out in case of primary display failure.

Datasheet

Raytheon Anschütz

Digital Heading Repeater

Digital display · Navigation Data / Sensor · digital heading repeater

Type

Digital heading repeater

Common Failures & Inspection Points

Synchro/stepper motor interface
Display LED aging
Cable connector corrosion

Service: Part of Anschütz gyro system. Multiple repeaters from single gyro.

Spare Parts: Raytheon Anschütz: Ersatzteile per Hersteller-Netzwerk. Lead time: 1-4 Wochen. Backup-Systeme an Bord pflichtgemäß.

Strengths

Directly linked to the primary ANS gyrocompass for exact heading synchronization
Compact, low‑power LED display suitable for multiple installations on one ship
Standardised connectors simplify wiring and integration with existing Anschütz systems
Fast response time (sub‑second update) improves situational awareness during manoeuvres
Built‑in self‑diagnostic messages help identify interface faults early

Weaknesses

Reliance on the central gyro means loss of heading display if the primary gyro or data bus fails
LED modules can dim over time and require periodic replacement in high‑usage bridges
Cable connector corrosion has been reported in harsh marine atmospheres, demanding regular inspection
Limited redundancy compared with independent magnetic compass repeaters
Proprietary stepper‑motor interface may need specialised spares from Raytheon Anschütz

Typical Vessels: Container shipCrude oil tankerBulk carrierCruise linerOffshore supply vesselRo‑Ro ferry

Certifications: IMO D-2

Decision Guide: Choose if: the vessel already uses a Raytheon Anschütz gyro system and needs additional heading displays with exact sync, low power consumption, and integrated diagnostics. Avoid if: independent redundancy is required or the ship operates in environments where connector corrosion cannot be managed effectively.

Use Cases: Installed on secondary bridge consoles, navigation decks, and helidecks of large commercial vessels to give crew members immediate access to accurate heading data without duplicating a full gyrocompass unit.

Datasheet