Quick and Dirty Checklist

Question 1

What to do at the start:

Answer 1

• Greet bridge team (express gratitude).
• Ask Helmsman and Mate to do a lamp test to check the operation of the lights on the equipment.
• Have Mate turn on Nav Lights.
• Send a Lookout to the Bow.
• Immediately check the Doppler and Set and Drift. Adjust your heading as necessary.
• Consider slowing down. Adjust heading further if needed.
• Bridge Sweep.
• Make a security call.
• Ask the Mate about the currents that you can expect.
• Ask the Mate about the handling characteristics of the vessel (how fast does she slow down, is she directionally stable).
• Ask the Mate about the wind and and visibility to expect.
• Zoom out the radar and ECDIS. Gather information on all traffic (verbalize what you see) and track radar targets.
• Immediately start calling upcoming traffic for passing arrangements.
• Have Mate plot a position.
• Consider speed again (speed up if it is safe to do so).
• Say, “I have the CONN”. When you are comfortable and fully aware of the situation.

Question 2

What to do during a turn:

Answer 2

• Watch your ROT.
• Adjust rudder as necessary.
• Watch your Fathometer.
• Check your Set and Drift and Doppler before and again during the turn.
• Set up EBL lines off of inner points and buoys and check them during the turn (they should be opening, or at least not closing).
• Minimize calls to traffic.
• Bridge sweep.
• Check the objects you will be turning around from different angles.

Question 3

What to do in a straight away:

Answer 3

• Check Set and Drift.
• Set PI Lines and comment on current PI Lines.
• Set EBLs.
• Do a bridge sweep.
• Check behind you. Check the bridge wings.
• Zoom out the radar and ECDIS to check for traffic.

Question 4

Bridge Sweep: Whenever you find yourself looking at the blue predictor:

Answer 4

• Check the wind.
• Check the Set and Drift and/or the Doppler.
• Check the ROT.
• Check the Fathometer.
• Scan for trails on the radar.
• Look astern of you.
• Check radar overlay.