Principles of Keeping a Navigational Watch

Question 1

What are your considerations when holding a safe navigational watch?

Answer 1

Execute

• The approved passage plan
• Effective handovers
• Efficient emergency response
• Following COLREGS
• Following company and bridge procedures (SMS)

Maintain

• Look out for traffic and ROC
• Situational/ security awareness
• Bridge team management

Monitor

• Ship on the passage; PI’s, XTD, manual fix, GPS fix
• Pollution
• Cross-checking position of nav equipment and responding to any alarms
• Reporting Points
• Listening watch on the GMDSS equipment

Record

• Update logbook with position/course/speed at regular intervals
• Recording changes in weather
• Record everything from radio watch in the GMDSS logbook as required
• Compass error once per watch

Question 2

How do you handover a watch at sea?

Answer 2

(Expanding Square Method)

• Arrive early to allow your eyes to adjust
• Ensure person handing over to is fit for duty
• Get the bridge handover checklist out from the SMS
• Pass Masters night orders

Nav Equipment

• Ships current position, speed, course
• Passage plan progress
• Any MSI info
• Status of navigation and bridge equipment

Deck and Watertight Integrity

• Ongoing PTW/general work
• Open WTD for maintenance, hatches, shell doors

Engine Systems

• Status engine systems and discharges
• Steering systems (auto, follow up or non-follow up)

Land and Lights

• Reporting Points
• Vicinity of land and visible lights
• Expected weather

Traffic
- Number of vessels in the vicinity and aspects

Question 3

How do you prepare the ship for departure?

Answer 3

(Expanding Square Method)
- Get the dep checklist out from the SMS

ECDIS

• Load approved passage plan/ charts are up to date
• Cross-check position with the position on the berth
• Cross-check heading marker with the line of the quay
• Safety parameters/ layers (standard at a minimum)
• Monitoring mode/ safety frame

Nav Equipment

• Radar setup; scanners clear, settings, scales, types
• AIS static and voyage data
• GPS, cross-check position, HDOP figure, satellites in use
• Gyrocompass, error and repeaters, cross-check heading
• BNWAS/VDR on
• Echo Sounder, cross-check the depth reading with charted depth and tide, alarm, where it’s measuring from
• GMDSS equipment, cross-check position, correct channels, potentially daily or weekly checks
• Speed log
• Nav lights, ALDIS lamp, Binoculars
• Test lights on the alarm panels
• Pyrotechnics, portable VHF kits
• Intercom/horn

Deck and Watertight Integrity

• Outstanding PTW
• Water-tight doors/hatches
• Stores/bunkering
• Mooring parties
• Draft Marks
• MSF 2004; posted in a prominent area with draft marks, freeboard, GM

Crew and Accomo
- Crew are all onboard/Pax (pax manifest, inform all departments time of dep)

Engine Systems

• Inform engineers dep time
• Steering gear test, autopilot and gyro should align with the berth
• Engines; inform gangway and mooring parties before and after
• Thrusters

Land and Lights

• Pilot card
• Pilot board arrangments
• Port/ VTS

Question 4

How do you prepare the ship for arrival?

Answer 4

• Get the ARR checklist out from the SMS

Position and Passage

• Update passage plan with additional info have it approved by the Master and brief bridge team
• Position fixing systems established

Navigation Equipment

• ECDIS safety parameters adjusted
• Echo sounder depth and alarm settings adjusted
• GMDSS channels selected
• Radars; B, G, T, Rain, Sea, Pulse length, Range
• Cross-check GPS position with a manual fix
• Gyro and magnetic compass/repeaters
• Internal comms check
• Nav lights, horn,

Deck and Watertight Integrity

• Deck power
• Close WTD
• Comms established mooring party
• Anchors cleared

Engine Systems

• Thrusters
• Steering gear; hand steering, all steering pumps,
• Engine room ready
• Engine; Emergency stops, RPM and ROT indicators
• Stabilisers housed

Land and lights

• Pilot boarding arrangements
• Pilot card
• MPX
• VTS

Question 5

What are the contributing factors when determining safe manning?

Answer 5

• Visibility/ state of the weather
• traffic density/ proximity of navigation hazards
• Increased workload (e.g. navigation, radio comms, manoeuvring)
• Watchkeeper fit for duty
• Watchkeeper’s familiarity and knowledge
• Bridge equipment failures

Question 6

When should you call the Master?

Answer 6

• Entering res vis
• In doubt about the intentions of other vessels
• Cannot maintain course
• Failure to sight land or nav mark or unexpected land or nav mark
• Breakdown of propulsion/steering systems, nav or radio equipment
• Encountering heavy weather
• Meeting any hazard to navigation
• Relieving officer is not fit for duty

Question 7

What actions would you take when approaching an area of res vis?

Answer 7

• Inform Master
• Sound fog signal
• Proceed at a safe speed
• Have engines ready for immediate manoeuvre
• Post a proper lookout (windows/doors open/extra lookout)
• Close WTD
• Exhibit nav lights
• Operate and use of radar
• Stop noisy work and inform the crew
• Inform coastguard of your position and that your entering fog
• Encountering fog checklist SMS (incase anything has been missed)

Question 8

What is the role of the pilot during pilotage?

Answer 8

• Provide expert local knowledge and assist the bridge team in safe navigation of the ship
• Interface between ship and shore

Question 9

What is the role of the OOW during pilotage?

Answer 9

• Still responsible for safe navigation of the ship
• Seek immediate clarification if in doubt about pilots intentions and inform Master
• Monitor UKC
• Frequent position fixes and progress on pilotage plan
• Monitor helm orders and engine requests by the pilot

Question 10

What is best practice when navigating in pilotage with a pilot onboard?

Answer 10

• MPX
• Pilot plan updated if necessary
• Working language confirmed
• Contingency plans considered
• Pilot card complete
• Pilot shown wheelhouse posters
• Pilot made aware of any defects
• Update from the pilot on local weather
• DETERMINE WHO HAS THE CON

Question 11

What information would you find on the Pilot Card?

Answer 11

• Particulars of ship
• Steering and propulsion arrangements
• Equipment checks
• Defects

Question 12

Important Considerations when holding a deck watch? What should be handed over when taking over a deck (cargo) watch?

Answer 12

The two most important factors when maintaining a port watch are Security and Safety of the ship

Included in a handover

Security of Ship

• Safe means of access
• Security rounds
• Mooring Arrangments
• In Port Manning/ visitors expected

Safety of Ship

• Safety Rounds
• Ongoing PTW
• Depth of water at birth, ships draught and tide times
• Engines available for emergency use
• Cargo operations; cargo plan
• Any stores expected
• Levels of bilges and ballast tanks
• Comms between ship and shore

Question 13

What are your pre-departure MARPOL considerations?

Answer 13

• Oily water tanks empty and separators tested
• Cargoes secured and DG’s in place
• Sewage tanks discharged and plant operational
• All garbage ashore before sailing and containers in place for collection
• Passage plan highlights special areas and crew briefed on requirements for the voyage

Question 14

What are your checks after leaving port?

Answer 14

• Check vessels position on the passage plan
• Review safety parameters on nav equipment
• Check compasses performance