Watchkeeping

Question 1

What does the STCW code stipulate about rest periods?

Answer 1

• A minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24 hour period
• 77 hours in any 7 day period

Question 2

What are the OOW’s primary duties?

Answer 2

• Watch keeping
• Navigation
• GMDSS radio watch-keeping

Question 3

Under the STCW code the OOW is…

Answer 3

the primary representative and is primarily responsible at all time for the safe navigation of the ship and for complying with the COLREGS.

Question 4

You see an aground vessel, what are your actions?

Answer 4

• Stop the vessel, all way off
• Call master + inform engine room
• Check echo sounder
• Carry out a chart assessment
• Contact vessel to see whether she requires any assistance
• APEM to safety

Question 5

When can you be a sole lookout?

Answer 5

• Only in daylight provided that the situation has been carefully assessed and is safe
• Full account has been taken of the following relevant factors:
• State of weather
• Visibility
• Traffic density
• Proximity of dangers to navigation
• Attention necessary when in or near TSS
• Assistance is immediately available if circumstances change
• Must be clear guidance in the shipboard operational procedures manual

Question 6

Handing over the navigational watch, the OOW shall:

Answer 6

• Ensure that the members of the relieving watch are fully capable of performing their duties
• Ensure that the vision of the relieving watch is fully adjusted to the light conditions
• Ensure that all standing orders and the Master’s night orders are fully understood

Question 7

The OOW shall not hand over the watch:

Answer 7

• If there is reason to believe that the relieving officer is not capable of carrying out the watchkeeping duties effectively, in which case the Master should be notified
• When a manoeuvre is in progress until such action has been completed

Question 8

Taking over the watch, the relieving officer shall:

Answer 8

• Prior to taking over the watch verify the vessel’s estimated or true position
• Confirm the vessel’s intended track, course and speed
• Note any dangers to navigation expected to be encountered during the watch
• Be aware of prevailing and predicted tides, currents, weather, visibility and the effect of these factors upon course and speed
• Note any errors in gyro and magnetic compasses
• Note the status of all bridge equipment
• Note the settings of bridge/engine controls and manning of engine room
• Be aware of the presence and movement of vessels in sight or known to be in the vicinity
• Give watchkeeping personnel all appropriate instructions and information which will ensure the keeping of a safe navigational watch, including maintenance of a proper look-out

Question 9

Performing the navigational watch, the officer in charge shall:

Answer 9

• Keep the watch on the bridge
• In no circumstances leave the bridge until properly relieved by an appropriate officer
• Continue to be responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel despite the presence of the Master on the bridge
• Notify the Master when in any doubt as to what action to take in the interests of safety
• Continue to be responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel despite the presence of a pilot on board
• If in any doubt as to the pilot’s actions or intentions, seek clarification from the pilot; if doubt still exists, they should notify the Master immediately and take whatever action is necessary until the Master arrives
• Not undertake any other duties that would interfere or compromise the keeping of a safe navigational watch
• Ensure there are no distractions
• Have available at all times, the services of a qualified helmsman
• In areas of high traffic density, in conditions of restricted visibility and in all hazardous navigational situations ensure the vessel is in hand steering
• Keep in mind that the perceptions of watchkeeping officers on different types and sizes of vessels may vary considerably when assessing a close quarter situation and the time in which avoiding action should be taken
• Keep a proper record during the watch on the movement and activities relating to the navigation of the vessel
• Station a person to steer the vessel and to put the steering into manual control in good time to allow any potentially hazardous situation to be dealt with in a safe manner
• use the radar at all times in areas of high traffic density and whenever restricted visibility is encountered or expected and shall have due regard to its limitations
• at sufficiently frequent intervals during the watch check the vessel’s position, course and speed using all appropriate navigational aids and means necessary to ensure that the vessel follows the planned track
• Take fixes at frequent intervals. These fixes shall be carried out by more than one method whenever circumstances allow. The largest scale chart on board, suitable for the area and corrected with the latest available information shall be used. This includes local navigation warnings, and temporary and preliminary notices to mariners.

Question 10

What are the critical departure checks before getting underway?

Answer 10

SERCLIPP

• Steering checks
• Engine checks
• Radar checks
• Compass checks
• LSA items checked
• Watertight Integrity
• Passage plan checked
• Position fixing system checked (GPS)
• All other bridge navigation equipment checked

Question 11

What should the OOW do when encountering restricted visibility?

Answer 11

• Comply with COLREGS with regard to lookout, fog signals, safe speed and having engines ready for immediate maneouvre
• Inform the Master
• Ensure that a dedicated look-out is posted at all times
• Exhibit navigation lights
• Operate and use the radar
• Put the engines on standby

Question 12

How to keep a safe anchor watch?

Answer 12

• Ensure anchor lights are on
• Ensure good GMDSS radio watch
• Ensure anchor ball is displayed by day
• Make appropriate sound signals in fog or poor visibility
• Take all possible steps to detect dragging of anchor
• Make sure a second anchor is ready to let go
• Observe all boats arriving and leaving the ship
• Call the master immediately should there be any danger
• Record the relevant details in the log book every hour
• Post extra lookouts in restricted visibility, commence a radar watch and call the master

Question 13

When should you call the master?

Answer 13

• If restricted visibility is encountered or expected
• If traffic conditions or the movements of other ships are causing concern
• If difficulties are experienced in maintaining course
• On failure to sight land, a navigation mark or obtain soundings by the expected time
• If, unexpectedly, land or a navigation mark is sighted or a change in soundings occurs
• Of breakdown of the engines, propulsion machinery remote control, steering gear or any essential navigational equipment, alarm or indicator
• If the radio equipment malfunctions
• In heavy weather, if in any doubt about the possibility of weather damage
• If the ship meets any hazard to navigation, such as ice or a derelict
• If any vessel security concerns arise
• In any other emergency or if in any doubt

Question 14

What is contained in the safe manning document and which vessel have to have one?

Answer 14

• All commercially operated large yachts
• Number and categories of deck officers, engineer officers, ratings and chefs required to be on board a vessel when proceeding to sea.

Question 15

What are the contributing factors when determining safe manning?

Answer 15

• Visibility / state of weather
• Traffic density
• Increased workload (e.g. navigation, radio comms, manoeuvring)
• Watchkeeper fit for duty
• Watchkeepers familiarity and knowledge
• Bridge equipment failures

Question 16

How is a safe manning document obtained?

Answer 16

A manning submission in submitted to the vessel’s flag state by the company giving its manning proposals. This proposals must demonstrate compliance with STCW 78 for safe manning.

Question 17

Where would you find guidance on minimum safe manning requirements for yachts?

Answer 17

MSN 1858 (Training and Certification Guidance: UK Requirements for Deck Officers on Large Yachts (over 24m))

MSN 1868 (UK Requirements for Safe Manning and Watchkeeping)