Bridge Procedures Flashcards
After completing the 8–12 night watch at sea and handing over to the 2nd Officer, what would be your actions?
Having handed over the watch, I would complete writing up the Deck Log Book, and sign the book as a true record of events. I would proceed below decks and carry out ‘ships rounds’ and security checks, inspecting all accommodation alleyways, storage and domestic spaces.
What specific items/topics would you include, when
handing over the navigation watch to another relief Officer?
I would expect to follow any company policy and include
the following:
(a) Appraise the relieving Officer of the ship’s course, gyro and magnetic headings, highlighting any compass or gyro errors.
(b) Provide the relieving Officer with the current updated position of the vessel and indicate the position respective to the chart.
(c) Draw attention to any visible shipping traffic and provide details as to the current actions and intentions effecting relevant targets.
(d) Appraise the watch Officer of the current weather patterns and advise on the past and present state of visibility, passing on the latest weather report.
(e) The watch Officer would be appraised of any night orders left by the Master.
(f) If it is relevant, I would draw attention to the next ‘way point’ and any expected alteration of course.
(g) If making a landfall or in coastal regions the under keel
clearance would be noted and attention drawn to the least oncoming areas of depth.
(h) Any potential navigational hazards or possible security incursions would be discussed in conjunction with the ‘passage plan’.
(i) Should any defects have occurred these would be brought to the attention of the OOW (as well as the Master, as they occur).
(j) The OOW would be appraised of all the operational instruments as to their performance. Radar specifics such as range and presentation would also be positively discussed.
(k) It would also be normal practice to discuss events and activities over the previous watch period that may or may not affect the overall performance of the vessel.
While acting as OOW, you encounter deterioration in
the condition of visibility. What action would you take?
(a) Place the ship’s main engines on ‘stand-by’ and reduce the vessels speed.
(b) Advise the Master of the change in visibility conditions.
(c) Commence sounding fog signals.
(d) Switch on the navigation lights.
(e) Close all watertight doors in the vessel.
(f) Commence systematic plotting of any targets on the radar.
(g) Place a current position on the chart.
(h) Post additional lookouts.
(i) Stop all noisy work on deck.
(j) Enter a statement of my actions into the ship’s Deck Log Book
When would you consider it necessary, as OOW, to call
the Master?
(a) In the event of visibility dropping below 4 miles (company policy may be more or less than this figure).
(b) If traffic was causing concern effecting the safe passage of the vessel.
(c) In the event of failure of any of the ship’s navigational
equipment.
(d) If failing to sight a landfall when expecting to.
(e) If sighting a landfall when it is unexpected.
(f) If soundings are shelving when unexpected.
(g) In the event that difficulty is experienced in maintaining the course.
(h) If a scheduled position is unattainable or suspect.
(i) In the event that the man management of watch keepers becomes untenable.
(j) In the event of heavy weather or on receipt of a bad weather forecast.
(k) On sighting ice, or receiving an ice warning of ice being
reported on or near the vessels track.
(l) If sighting oil on the surface.
(m) On any issue of security or shipboard alert.
(n) In any other emergency, such as fire or flooding, imminent contact or contact with a submerged object.
When on watch at night, the alarm for the non-function
of navigation lights is activated, what action would you take as OOW?
I would immediately inspect the navigation light sentinel to ascertain which navigation light had malfunctioned and caused the alarm to be triggered.
- I would make a note of the defective light and switch the backup light on in its place and cancel the alarm.
- In the event the light circuit had failed I would activate the secondary circuit and cancel the alarm.
- During the hours of darkness it may not be prudent, following a risk assessment, to repair the light or circuit, before daylight hours. Provided navigation lights remain operational on one or other circuits. In any event the Master would be informed and repairs instigated during daylight hours.
When approaching a pilot station, to take the Marine
Pilot, you are sent down below to meet the pilot on deck at the ladder position. What actions would you take when at the ladder position?
- As a responsible Officer, I would inspect the rigging of the ladder, especially the deck securing hitches of the ladders rope tails.
- I would further ensure that the stanchions and manropes were correctly rigged.
- The pilot station would expect to have a heaving line and a lifebuoy readily available and I would check that these are on hand.
- It must be anticipated that the stand-by man would also be on station and the immediate deck area was safe and clear of obstructions.
- If all was in order I would report to the bridge (by two-way radio) my presence at the ladder station and that all was ready to receive the pilot on board.
- I would report again to the bridge that the pilot was on the ladder and when he had attained the deck position.
As the OOW, how often would you be expected to take an azimuth/amplitude in order to obtain a compass error?
Every watch and every alteration of course within that watch period other than under pilotage where transits may be more appropriate.
Error should also be checked if any doubt exists in the functioning of the gyro or magnetic compass.
What would be your function as an OOW when the vessel is at anchor?
During this period the ship is still considered to be at sea so the prime duty of the OOW is to keep an effective lookout by all means.
It would be my duty to ensure the anchor is not dragging .
Also position monitoring to be conducted and different methods of fixing employed.
As OOW, what would be your duties upon approaching the pilot station.
As OOW i would:
- Advise the master of ETA.
- Establish communications with the pilot station - provide ships name, ETA, rigging details.
- Position monitoring.
- UKC monitoring.
- Effective lookout maintained.
- Roles established for changing steering from auto to manual and extra lookouts.
- Log book entries made.
- Correct signals indicated on approach.
- Engines placed on stand-by.
- ETA and speed of engagement clarified.
- Radar rangre reduced.
- Master takes the conn
On instruction to inspect the bridge navigation equipment, what action would you take?
I would follow the company checklist which should include.
- Steering gear test.
- Radars switched on and performance tested.
- Navigation and instrument lights tested.
- Echo sounder
- Communication equipment.
- Signalling apparatus.
- Entries to be made into the deck log book.
- Master informed.
How would you maintain and correct the ship’s navigational charts?
• The charts would be maintained under a chart management system and corrected in accordance with the ‘Weekly Notices to Mariners’ and noted in the ‘Chart Correction Log’.
During your bridge watch, a man is lost overboard. What are your actions?
I would immediately.
- Raise the alarm
- Release the MOB lifebuoy from the bridge wing.
- Alter the helm toward the side which the man has been seen to fall.
- Drop MOB marker on ECDIS and GPS.
