The Navigational watch

Question 1

Give 10 Occasions When You Would Call the Master?

Answer 1

1. In Any Emergency
2. Heavy Weather
3. Traffic Causing Concern
4. Encountering Hazard to Navigation
5. Unexpected Land or Mark Sighting
6. Radio Equipment Failure
7. Breakdown of Engines
8. Difficult Maintaining Course
9. Failure to Sight Land
10. Restricted Visibility

Question 2

Give 5 Entries That Should be Made in the Deck Log Book?

Answer 2

1. Ship’s position recorded at regular intervals.
2. Any alterations of course and speed.
3. Weather and sea conditions.
4. Precautions taken in restricted visibility or heavy weather.
5. Any significant navigational events.

Question 3

Give 6 Factors to Take Into Account Before the OOW Can Act as Sole Lookout?

Answer 3

1. The weather.
2. The visibility.
3. The traffic density.
4. Proximity to navigational dangers.
5. Increase in potential workload when navigating near a TSS.
6. If Assistance is immediately available to be summoned to the Bridge.

Question 4

Give 8 Factors to Take into Account When Determining the Number of People in the Bridge Team?

Answer 4

1. At no time should the bridge be unattended.
2. Environmental conditions (weather /visibility/day/night)
3. Proximity to navigational hazards.
4. Use and operational condition of navigational aids.
5. If the ship is fitted with auto-steering
6. What radio communications are expected.
7. Any increase in workload due to UMS controls and alarms.
8. Any special circumstances which may place additional demands on the navigational watch.

Question 5

Give 8 items the OOW must be familiar with prior to taking over the watch?

Answer 5

1. Master Standing Orders and Night Orders.
2. Dynamic info i.e. position, course, speed and draught of the ship.
3. Prevailing and predicted tides, currents, weather and visibility.
4. State of readiness of the engines.
5. Operational condition of all navigation and safety equipment.
6. The errors of the gyro and magnetic compasses.
7. Presence and movemnt of ships in the vicinity.
8. Any hazards or conditions likely to be encountered.

Question 6

Give 10 Actions of the OOW When Performing the Navigational Watch

Answer 6

1. Check the course,position and speed against the planned passage.
2. Know the location and how to operate the navigational and safety equipment.
3. Focus on their primary role of the safe navigation of the vessel.
4. Comply with COLREGS with respect to use of the RADAR.
5. Use helm, engines and sound signalling appliances as the circumstances require.
6. Know the characteristics of the ship including stopping distances.
7. Carry out operational checks on navigational equipment.
8. Ensure use of RADAR in restricted visibility and areas of hightraffic density.
9. Call the Master at appropriate times or when in doubt.
10. Be familiar with all electrinic aids to navigation and understand their limitations.

Question 7

Give 6 Checks the OOW Would Carry Out on Navigational Equipment During a Navigational Watch?

Answer 7

1. That the Helmsperson or auto-pilot is steering the correct course.
2. Take a standard compass error at least once a watch or after a major alteration of course.
3. Test the auto-pilot on manual at least once a watch.
4. Chack the navigational lights and other navigational equipment are functioning correctly.
5. That the radio equipment is functioning correctly.
6. That UMS controls, alarms and indicators are functioning correctly.

Question 8

Give 3 Actions of the OOW When Navigating in Clear Weather?

Answer 8

1. Assess risk of collsion by taking frequent compass bearings of approaching ships.
2. Take early and positive action in compliance with COLREGS.
3. Carry out RADAR practice where appropriate.

Question 9

Give 7 Actions of the OOW when Navigating in Areas of Restricted Visibility

Answer 9

1. Sound the fog signal.
2. Proceed at a safe speed.
3. Have engines ready for immediate manoeuvre.
4. Inform the Master.
5. Post a proper lookout.
6. Exhibit navigation lights.
7. Operate and use the RADAR.

Question 10

Give 4 Actions of the OOW When Navigating in Coastal or Congested Waters?

Answer 10

1. Use the largest scale chart available, corrected with the latest information.
2. Take fixes at frequent intervals by more than one method if practicable.
3. When using ECDIS, use ENC charts at the appropriate scale and check the ships position by an independent means of position fixing.
4. Positively identify all relevant navigational marks.