Checklists

Question 1

Preparation for Sea

Answer 1

Has the following equipment been checked and found ready for use?

• Anchors
• Bell book
• Echo sounder
• Electronic navigational position fixing systems
• Gyro/magnetic compass and repeaters
• Passage plan entered into IBS
• Radars
• Required AIS data inputs made, speed/distance
  recorder
• Clocks synchronised

Has the following equipment been tested, synchronised and found ready for use?

• Bridge and engine telegraphs
• Communications facilities
• Navigation and signal lights
• Sound signalling apparatus
• Steering gear, including manual, autopilot and emergency changeover arrangements and rudder indicators
• Window wiper/clear view screen arrangements

Is the ship secure for sea?

Question 2

Familiarisation with Bridge Equipment

Answer 2

• Bridge and deck lighting
• Emergency arrangements in the event of main power failure
• Navigation and signal lights (including searchlights, signalling lamp, morse light)
• Sound signalling apparatus (including whistles, fog bell and gong system)
• Safety equipment (including LSA equipment including pyrotechnics, EPIRB and SART, bridge fire detection panel)
• Alarm systems on bridge
• Echo sounder
• ECDIS and electronic charts if fitted
• Gyro/Compass Errors
• Magnetic Compass
• Radar including ARPA
• Off course alarm
• Speed/distance recorder
• Engine and thruster controls
• IBS functions, if fitted
• Electronic navigational position fixing systems
• AIS and external communication equipment such as VHF and GMDSS

Question 3

Preparation for arrival in port/restricted waters

Answer 3

• Steering gear tested in all modes, inc emergency
• E.R advised as to stand by requirements
• Engines tested astern
• Clocks synchronised
• Communication systems
• Signalling equipment
• Echo sounder
• Indicators and recorders
• Tidal information available
• Power to deck as appropriate
• Anchors cleared as appropriate
• Local navigation warnings available
• Updated ETA’s available
• Pilot card completed as appropriate
• Drafts available

Question 4

Pilotage

Answer 4

• Immediately on arrival inform the pilot of ships heading, speed, engine setting and draught.
• Inform the pilot of the location of lifesaving appliances for his use.
• Hand pilot card to the pilot.
• Has the proposed passage plan been discussed with the pilot and agreed with the Master (including communications and reporting, bridge watch and crew stand by arrangements, tugs, berthing/anchoring arrangements, traffic)
• Have the responsibilities within the bridge team for the pilotage been defined and are they clearly understood
• Has the language to be used on the bridge between the ship and the pilot and shore been agreed.
• Are the progress of the ship and the execution of orders being monitored by the Master and the officer of the watch.
• The engine room and ships crew being regularly briefed on the progress of the ship during the pilotage.
• Are The correct lights, flags and shapes being displayed.

Question 5

Navigation in coastal waters

Answer 5

Have the following factors being taken into consideration in preparing the passage plan.

• Advice/recommendations in Sailing Directions
• Ship’s draft in relation to available water depths
• Effect of squat on underkeel clearance in shallow water
• Tides and currents
• Weather particularly in areas prone to poor visibility
• Available navigational aids and their accuracy
• Position fixing methods to be used
• Daylight/night time passing of danger points
• Traffic lately to be encountered – flow, type, volume
• Any requirements for traffic separation/routing schemes
• Ship security considerations regarding piracy or armed attack
• Are local/coastal warning broadcasts being monitored?
• Is participation in area reporting systems recommended including VTS?
• Is the ships position being fixed at regular intervals?
• Has equipment been regularly checked/tested (including gyro/magnetic compass errors, manual steering before entering coastal waters if automatic steering has been engaged for a prolonged period, greater performance and reader heading line marker alignment, echo sounder)
• Is that 00W prepared to use the engines and call a look out or a helmsman to the bridge?
• Have all measures being taken to protect the environment from pollution by the ship and to comply with applicable pollution regulations?

Question 6

Navigation in Ocean waters.

Answer 6

• Is keeping a look out being given due priority?
• Are navigational warning broadcasts and other long range weather reports being monitored closely?
• Are changes in the local weather being monitored and is the barometer observed regularly?
• Is that participation in area reporting systems recommended? (E.g AMVER)
• Is the ships position being fixed at regular intervals?
• Are celestial navigational techniques being practised?
• Are gyro/magnetic compass errors and read our performance being checked regularly?
• Have reader techniques being practised (in clear visibility)?
• Have preparations been made for landfall?
• Have measures being taken to protect the environment from pollution by the ship and to comply with applicable pollution regulations?