General
What is in a Bridge Order Book / Night orders
Specific instructions on a day to day basis
As Master maybe asleep
What does the SMS say about Navigational watchkeeping?
Vessel has navigation policy and procedures
Clear statement of safety of life at sea
Allocation of bridge watchkeeping duties
Procedures for voyage planning and execution
Procedures for navigational chart & publication ordering and updating
Procedures for maintaining navigational equipment and machinery
Emergency procedures
Instructions on position reporting and fixing intervals
Instructions on recording of events
Procedures for familiarisation
What are the requirements for maintaining a proper look out?
Compliance with Rule 5 of COLREG’s
Maintain continuous state of vigilance by sight and hearing as well as all other available means
Fully appraise the situation and risk of collision, stranding and other dangers to navigation
Detect ships or aircraft, shipwrecked persons, wrecks, debris and other hazards to safe navigation
Full attention to look out duties, no other duties
Helmsman and look out are separate persons except in small vessels with all round view.
How is the navigational watch performed?
Determined by the Master
At no time shall the bridge be left unattended
Weather conditions, visibility and daytime / night
Proximity of navigational hazards which may make additional work for the officer
Use, operation and reliability of navigation equipment such as Radar / ARPA, ECDIS, GNSS, GMDSS
If radio duties are to be performed
Unmanned Machinery Spaces, controls, alarms and indicators
Any unusual demands on the navigational watch
What is the SOLAS requirement for steering gear tests?
Tested 12 hours before departure
Full movement of the rudder
Visual inspection of linkage
Operations of communication equipment
Test the following equipment
Main steering gear
Auxiliary steering gear
Remote steering gear control systems
The steering positions located on the navigation bridge
The emergency power supply
The rudder angle indicators in relation to the actual position of the rudder
The remote steering gear control system power failure alarms
The steering gear power unit failure alarms
The automatic isolating arrangements and other automatic equipment
How quick should a steering gear turn?
At maximum ahead service speed the rudder must be capable of
- Main:From 35° on one side to 35° on the other in not more than 28secs
- Auxilliary from 15° on one side to 15° on the other side in not more than 60 seconds at one half of the maximum ahead service speed or 7 knots, whichever is the greater.
When should the vessel be in manual control?
Gyro failure
During pilotage
Once per watch -> change over test
Congested traffic
Restricted visibility
What checks would you make when handing over the deck watch?
Depth of water at the berth
Vessel’s draught
High and low water
Mooring arrangement
State of engines
Work to be performed
Nature, amount, cargo operations,
Signals or lights exhibited or sounded
Number of crew on board, minimum amount and shore leave
State of fire fighting equipment
Special port regulations
Gangway watch arrangement
Master’s standing orders
Communication with shoreside
What are the requirements for performing a deck watch?
OOW shall;
Make rounds to inspect vessel at appropriate intervals
Condition of gangway and security arrangement
Mooring / anchoring arrangement
Draught, under keel clearance, heel and trim is within limits
Weather and sea state
Observance of regulations concerning fire and safety
All persons on board
Enclosed space entries
Exhibition and sounding of signals
Receipt of storm warning / strong winds, take appropriate measures to protect vessel, crew, cargo and environment
Measures to prevent pollution
Enter appropriate log book entries
In event of emergency raise the alarm
What is the role of the Pilot?
Advisor to Master on approach to port
Part of the bridge team
What are the Masters Standing Orders?
Reflects masters own requirements
Reflects circumstances of trade and operation
Does not conflict SMS
Officers to read and sign
Not limited to CPA, Ice, Reporting, When to call,
When would you call the Master?
Any doubt
Weather concerns including restricted visibility
Unexpected navigational event
Bridge equipment failure
Main machinery failure
Distress
Pollution
Fitness of relief
Traffic concerns
Medical emergency
Inability to follow passage plan
Issues with cargo
Nav dangers including ice, winds >force 10, derelicts, tropical revolving storms, ice accretion
As per Master Standing Orders / bridge order book
What factors determine if sole look out is possible?
Contained within SMS / Masters standing orders
Provides circumstances when to start and stop
Visibility
Experience, knowledge and competence of crew
Day time
Location of help / who is available
Any additional Workload
Traffic
Weather
Equipment functional
Manoeuvring characteristics of vessel
Size of vessel and field of vision
What additional requirements for watchkeeping are required in coastal and congested areas?
Use largest scale charts available
Fixes taken at frequent intervals
& cross checked by other means
Be able to identify navigational marks
Lookout
Helmsman standing by
What are the bridge pre-departure checks?
Engine room informed?
Clocks synchronised
Voyage plan prepared and signed my officers and Masters
Adequate charts for voyage
GNSS operational and checked
ECDIS updated and operational
Has ECDIS checklist been completed
Echo sounder operational
Speed log operational
AIS operational with correct stations
GMDSS operational and tested
Radars checked and adjusted
BNWAS checked and operational
Flags raised
Aldis lamp tested
Binoculars available
Steering gear tested as per SOLAS
General alarm tested
Whistle tested
Logged completion of applicable checklists in log book
What steering gear related diagrams are required?
A block diagram on the bridge showing change over procedures
Written instructions on changing over
What are the requirements for using heading and track control systems?
Possible to switch from track / heading control to manual immediately
OOW has qualified helmsman available
If above, change over done under supervision
Manually tested after prolonged use.
Diagram posted with change over actions
What checks would you make when handing over the navigation watch?
Check relief is fit for duty, adjusted to night vision
Position, course, speed and draught of the vessel
Current and expected environmental conditions – weather, visibility, currents and the effect on the vessel
Current navigational situation
Operational condition of navigation equipment
Errors of the gyro and magnetic compass
Presence of navigational hazards and other vessels
Conditions and hazards likely to be encountered
Any outstanding situation or manoeuvre is handled
Delay handover until manoeuvre complete
What is restricted visibility?
Restricted visibility means any condition in which visibility is reduced by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rain-storms, sand storms or any other similar causes.
What must the Master advise the pilot of during the Master Pilot Exchange?
Manoeuvring characteristics
Passage plan
Berthing Plan
Linesmen
Tugs
Which side alongside
Overhangs
ETA, draught and UKC
Defects on the vessel
How frequently are Master Standing Orders updated?
When the Master arrives on the bridges, does the Master automatically have the con?
No,
Must state master has the con clearly
Log it / will be heard by VDR
How can you determine if your relief / look outs are fit for duty?
Guidance from MGN 315
Company SMS / advice
Well rested – hours of rest compliant
Not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Eye sight adjusted for night vision
What are the STCW requirements for watch keeping at sea?
Master is responsible to ensure watchkeeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining safe navigational watch. OOWs to navigate the vessel under their periods of duty and particularly concerned with collision avoidance and stranding.
Protection of the marine environment
Apply COLREG’s at all times
How is the sea-going watch composition determined?
Determined by the Master
At no time shall the bridge be left unattended
Weather conditions, visibility and daytime / night
Proximity of navigational hazards which may make additional work for the officer
Use, operation and reliability of navigation equipment such as Radar / ARPA, ECDIS, GNSS, GMDSS
If radio duties are to be performed
Unmanned Machinery Spaces, controls, alarms and indicators
Any unusual demands on the navigational watch
What are the requirements for watchkeeping in port?
Ensure the safety of life, vessel, port, environment and safe operation of ships equipment
Observe international, national and local rules
Maintain order and the normal routine of the vessel
Master to determine composition and duration of deck watch
Depends on mooring, type of vessel and environment
If necessary and qualified officer to be in charge
Necessary equipment to be provided for watchkeeping
ISPS, fire, safety, moorings and cargo rounds maintained
What are the deck pre-departure checks?
Cargo operations complete
Ballasting operations complete
Final drafts taken, fwd, aft and midships
Dock water density taken
All crew on board & ETD posted
Cargo gear housed and secured
Ship secured and ready to proceed to sea
Hatches battened down
watertight doors secured
Heavy and movable objects secured
Gangway and/ or accommodation ladder secured
If heavy weather us expected have appropriate measures been taken?
Winches checked
Anchors cleared away
Windlass checked
Stowaway search carried out
Crew check carried out
What are the bridge pre-arrival checks?
Has Master Pilot exchange information been prepared?
Has the passage plan been updated?
Has the ETA been sent with all relevant information?
Has the port been informed of special berthing requirements?
Has the engine room been informed 1 hour prior arrival at Pilot station?
Has the bosun and sailors been informed
ECDIS checked and verified
VHF on appropriate channels
Has the steering gear been tested?
Mooring winches and ropes checked and prepared
Anchors been cleared away?
Have local flags been hoisted
What checks would you make when navigating in restricted visibility?
Ensure the following equipment is operational
Radar / ARPA
VHF
Fog signalling apparatus
Navigation Lights
Echo sounder, if in shallow waters
Watertight doors closed
Have look outs been posted
Has the Master and Engine room been informed?
Are COLREG’s complied with, particularly Rule 19?
Is the vessel ready to reduce speed, stop or alter course quickly?
What information can the Pilot provide the Master?
Up to date information
Changes to Nav Aids
VHF channels
Traffic situations
Liaising with locals
Passing through lock procedures
Navigation Equipment
What is the principle of a Sextant?
When a ray of light is reflected twice in the same plane by two plane mirrors, the angle between the first and last directions of the ray is twice the angle between the mirrors.
What is index error?
Mirrors are not parallel with each when at 0°
Hold instrument upright
If there is a step in the horizon then adjust screw nearest instrument.
What can you use a sextant for?
Position fixing from sun, planets and stars
-Sun run sun
-Merpass
-Star fixes
Vertical sextant angle
-Measuring distances from land / dangers
Horizontal sextant angle
-Can also be used for finding compass error.
What is merpass?
- When the sun passes over the observes meridian
What is merpass?
- When the sun passes over the observes meridian
What is perpendicular error?
Index mirror not at 090° to plane of instrument
Hold instrument horizontally
Index arm at 50° - 60°
True and reflected image of graduation arc.
What happens if you are unable to correct the errors from a sextant?
Nearly all errors are correctable
Unit may have some errors already – check card that came with unit.
Adjust micrometer wheel - remember to apply offset to any calculation
What happens if you are unable to correct the errors from a sextant?
Nearly all errors are correctable
Unit may have some errors already – check card that came with unit.
Adjust micrometer wheel - remember to apply offset to any calculation
What is side error?
Horizon mirror not perpendicular to the plan of the instrument.
Hold instrument at 70° with index bar at 0°
Observe the horizon – 2 images should be in line
Adjust with the outer screw
What is side error?
Horizon mirror not perpendicular to the plan of the instrument.
Hold instrument at 70° with index bar at 0°
Observe the horizon – 2 images should be in line
Adjust with the outer screw
what are the uncorrectable errors of sextant?
Uncorrectable errors are found during commissioning and testing of equipment.
Collimation – telescope not parallel
Graduation – marks not accurate
Worm & Rack – mechanism that moves index bar over arc as micrometer turned. May become loose over time
Shade error – imperfections with shades and not parallel
Prismatic -Either index or horizon mirrors, side of mirror not parallel therefore causing bending of light