1. Bridge Team Management 100% Flashcards
———–s of the navigational watch should at all times be prepared to respond
efficiently and effectively to changes in circumstances. IMO STCW B-VIII Part 3.1
(Guidance on keeping a safe navigational watch)
Members
ne of the requirements for manning and running a ship is to have the highest ———-
personnel and the latest equipment. This must still be the wish of every shipmaster and officer but,
faced with today’s harsh economic realities, is often not possible. Frequently, bridge teams will
consist of groups of mixed ability personnel working with outdated equipment. Nevertheless to
achieve the successful completion of the voyage it is the concern of alt ships’ officers to make the
best possible use of available resources, both human and material. Each member of the team has a
part to play in this.
calibre
Casualties and their Causes.
1 Weaknesses in bridge organization and the result of such weaknesses.
2 Failure to keep a good lookout
The title “T——- —————t” is the interaction required within the team for such a
system to work. It does not refer to an act of management by one person but to a continuous
acceptance and understanding by each of the team members that they all have to fulfill the roles to
which they have been assigned.
Team Management
Maritime incidents or disasters are seldom the result of a single event, they are almost
invariably’ the result of a series of non-serious incidents: the culmination of an error chain.
Error Chain
An efficient bridge organisation will include procedures that: -
1 Eliminate the risk that an error on the part of one person may result in a disastrous
situation.
2 Emphasise the necessity to maintain a good visual lookout and to carry out collision
avoidance routines.
3 Encourage the use of all means of establishing the ship’s position so that in the case of one
method becoming unreliable others are immediately available.
4 Make use of passage planning and navigational systems which allow continuous
monitoring and detection of deviation from track when in coastal waters.
5 Ensure that all instrument errors are known and correctly applied.
6 Accept a pilot as a valuable addition to a bridge team.
Bridge Organisation
Two Major Stages
Preparation and Execution
Appraisal and Planning
Preparation
Organization and Monitoring
Execution
1 Chart Catalogue. 2 Navigational Charts. 3 Ocean Passages for the World. 4 Routeing Charts or Pilot Charts. 5 Sailing Directions and Pilot Books. 6 Light Lists. 7 Tide Tables. 8 Tidal Stream Atlases. 9 Notices to Mariners. 10 Routeing Information. 11 Radio Signal Information (inc. VTS and Pilot service). 12 Climatic Information. 13 Load Line Chart. 14 Distance Tables. 15 Electronic Navigational Systems Information. 16 Radio and Local Navigational Warnings. 17 Draught of Vessel. 18 Navigational Terms. 19 Owner’s and other unpublished sources. 20 Personal Experience. 21 Mariner’s Handbook. 22 Guide to Port Entry. 23 Nautical Almanac.
Sources of information
“Despite the duties and obligations of a pilot, his presence on
board does not —— the officer in charge of the watch from
his ——- and —— for the safety of the ship.”
relieve
duties and obligations
In ——– waters, where the tidal height may have a
large influence, such no-go areas will vary according to the time
of passage. Initially all areas and dangers showing charted
depths of less than the draught plus the safety margin should be
considered no-go, though such no go areas may be subsequently
amended when the actual time of passage is known. Such areas
will need to be carefully marked showing the times and state of
tide at which they me safe.
confined
Planning may be considered in two stages:
1 Ocean and open waters.
2 Coastal and estuarial waters
the
distance off a danger that a ship should maintain. It will depend on:-
1 The draught of the ship relative to the depth of water.
2 The weather conditions prevailing; a strong onshore wind or
the likely onset of fog or rain will need an increase in distance
off.
3 The direction and rate of the tidal stream or current.
4. The volume of traffic.
5 The age and reliability of the survey from which the
information shown on the chart. has been derived.
6 The availability of safe water
The following guidelines will help in determining just how far
to pass off dangers.
Where the coast is steep to and offshore soundings increase
quickly the minimum passing distance should he 1 ½ - 2 miles. Where
the coast shelves and offshore soundings increase gradually, the track
should ensure that adequate under-keel clearances are maintained. As
a guideline:
• Vessel’s draught less than 3 metres — pass outside 5 metre
contour.
• Vessel’s draught 3-6 metres pass outside 10 metre contour.
• Vessel’s draught 6-10 metres pass outside 20 metre contour.
• Vessels with a draught of more than 10 metres must ensure
that there is sufficient under keel clearance, exercising due
caution within the 200 metre line.
——— are often shown on charts. In this case the transit
printed on the chart is a track little to be followed to ensure that the
ship passes clear of danger. By observing that the leads are in line the
OOW is assured that his ship is on the planned track.
Leading Lines
Tactics
The plan having been made, discussed and approved, execution of the plan now has to be
determined. By this is meant the methods used to carry out the plan, including the best use of
available resources. Final details will need to be confirmed when the actual timing of the passage
can be established. The tactics to be used to accomplish the plan can then be agreed and should
include:
1 Ensuring that the passage plan and supporting information is
available and to hand. It is likely that the navigating officer
responsible for preparation of the passage plan will have
made these items ready; nevertheless, their readiness should
still be confirmed.
2 Checking that chat t table equipment is in order and to hand,
e.g. pens, pencils, parallel rules, compasses, dividers, note
pads, scrap pads, etc.
3 Checking that ancillary watchkeeping equipment is in order
and to hand, e.g. binoculars, azimuth rings, Aldis lamp, etc.
4 Confirming that monitoring and recording equipment. e.g.
course recorder, engine movement recorder is operational and
recording paper replaced if necessary.
5 Confirming that the master gyro is frilly operational and
correct and repeaters aligned. The magnetic compass should
be checked.
6 Checking that all instrument illumination lamps are
operational and their light levels adjusted as required. The
availability and whereabouts of spares should be checked.
7 Checking navigation and signal lights.
8 Switching on any electronic navigational equipment that has
been shut down and the operating mode and position
confirmed.
9 Switching on and confirming the readouts of echo sounders
and logs and confirming associated recording equipment.
10 After ensuring that the scanners are clear, switching on and
toning radars and setting appropriate ranges and modes.
11 Switching on and testing control equipment i.e. telegraphs,
combinators, thrusters and steering gear as appropriate.
12 Switching on and testing communications equipment both
internal (telephones and portable radios) and external (VHF
and MF radios, NAVTEX, INMARSAT and GMDSS systems
as appropriate.)
13 Testing the whistle.
14 Ensuring that clear view screens and wipers are operational
and that all windows are clean.
15 Confirming that all clocks and recording equipment are
synchronised.
16 Ensuring that the workplace is in correct order, lighting is as it
should be, doors and windows open and close easily,
temperature controls are set as appropriate and movable
objects are in their correct place.
17 Switching on and correctly entering the ship’s data into the
AIS.
18 After ensuring that there is no relevant new information on the
Telex, Fax or Navtex advising the master that the bridge is
ready for sea.
Bridge Preparation
“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a ———— out by
sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate
in the prevailing conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the
situation and of the risk of collision.”
proper lookout
It is the responsibility of the OOW to ensure that the seaman assigned watchkeeping
duties:
1 Has been properly instructed in lookout duties as to what is expected of him.
2 Knows how to report observations.
3 Is adequately clothed and protected from the weather.
4 Is relieved as frequently as necessary.
5 Is positioned where he can best act as lookout.
The ———- controls movement of the vessel in accordance with the Rule of the Road
and recommended traffic schemes, regulates the course and speed, supervises the safe navigation
of the vessel and coordinates and supervises the overall watch organisation
Master
The ——————- continues to navigate the ship reporting relevant information to
the master, ensuring that such information is acknowledged. He fixes the vessel and advises the
master of the position and other information. He monitors the execution of helm and engine
orders, coordinates all internal and external communications, records all required entries in log
books and performs other duties as required by the master.
Watch officer
WC 2
Under certain circumstances, the master may consider it necessary to have the support (if
two navigating officers, one as OOW the other as back up. The master’s responsibilities will be as
above, but the responsibilities of the two officers will require careful definition. It is obvious that
a scenario requiring two watch officers supporting the master will indicate that the ship is in a
high risk situation. Probable factors will be:
1 Narrow margins of safety requiring very careful track maintenance.
2 Reduced underkeel clearance.
3 Heavy traffic.
4 Poor visibility or any combination of similar factors
Chapter 7
NAVIGATING WITH A PILOT ON BOARD
Master/Pilot
information exchange
When the pilot enters the bridge it is good practice for the
master to make time for a brief discussion with the pilot. The master
may need to delegate the con to the OOW or other officer, as
appropriate, in order to discuss the intended passage with the pilot.
Such discussion will include items such as the pilots planned route, his
anticipated speeds and ETAs both en route and at the destination,
