Bridge Watch Handout

Question 1

When you should call the Master?

Answer 1

• Restricted visibility is encountered or suspected.
• Traffic conditions or movements of other vessels are causing concerns.
• Failure to sight land/nav mark/sounding when expected.
• The sighting of land/nav mark/sounding when not expected.
• Unable to ascertain the vessels position.
• If difficulties experienced maintaining course.
• Failure of engines/steering gear/nav equipment/alarms/radio equipment.
• Possibility of damage in heavy weather.
• Vessel meets hazards to navigation e.g. Ice/derelicts
• Any type of emergency.
• Unable to perform your own duties, e.g. Illness.
• In any doubt.
• The OOW is in charge until advised otherwise by the Master.

Question 2

Checks of Navigational Equipment

Answer 2

OOW should undertake operational checks every watch:

• Manual steering tested positive when autopilot in use.
• Gyro and Magnetic compass errors obtained.
• All repeaters synchronised with master, including repeaters in nav electronic equipment.
• Electronic nav equipment functioning correctly, including use of self test functions.
• All inputs to electronic nav equipment correct.
• Electronic nav equipment checked against indecent source .
• Recorder rolls correct.
• Displays/indicators reading correctly
• Navigation lights.
• Alarm systems functioning.
• Before entering restricted waters full steering and engine checks should be undertaken.