The Seamanship Examiner

Question 1

After completing the 8–12 night watch at sea and hand-ing over to the 2nd Officer, what would be your actions

Answer 1

Having handed over the watch, I would complete writing upthe Deck Log Book, and sign the book as a true record of events. I wouldproceed below decks and carry out ‘ships rounds’ and security checks,inspecting all accommodation alleyways, storage and domestic spaces

Question 2

What specific items/topics would you include, whenhanding over the navigation watch to another relief Officer?

Answer 2

• Appraise the relieving Officer of the ship’s course, gyro andmagnetic headings, highlighting any compass or gyro errors.
• Provide the relieving Officer with the current updated position ofthe vessel and indicate the position respective to the chart.
• Draw attention to any visible shipping traffic and provide detailsas to the current actions and intentions effecting relevant targets.
• Appraise the watch Officer of the current weather patterns andadvise on the past and present state of visibility, passing on thelatest weather report.
• The watch Officer would be appraised of any night orders left bythe Master.
• If it is relevant, I would draw attention to the next ‘way point’ andany expected alteration of course.
• If making a landfall or in coastal regions the under keel clearance would be noted and attention drawn to the leastoncoming areas of depth.
• Any potential navigational hazards or possible security incursions would be discussed in conjunction with the ‘passage plan’
• Should any defects have occurred these would be brought to theattention of the OOW (as well as the Master, as they occur).
• The OOW would be appraised of all the operational instrumentsas to their performance. Radar specifics such as range and presentation would also be positively discussed.
• It would also be normal practice to discuss events and activities over the previous watch period that may or may not affect the overall performance of the vessel

Note: As the outgoing OOW it would be my duty to ascertain the state and condition of the relieving Officer. Having let the incoming Officer adjust his eyes tothe light and visibility conditions I would note any adverse feelings, that may beaffecting the relieving Officer which may have been caused by sickness, over-tiredness, drugs or alcohol. (In such an event where an officer felt that the relieving Officer was not in a fit state to carry out normal watchkeeping duties hewould be expected to inform the Master of his doubts.)

Question 3

While acting as OOW, you encounter deterioration inthe condition of visibility. What action would you take?

Answer 3

As OOW I would take the following actions:

• Place the ship’s main engines on ‘stand-by’ and reduce the vesselsspeed.
• Advise the Master of the change in visibility conditions.
• Commence sounding fog signals.
• Switch on the navigation lights.
• Close all watertight doors in the vessel.
• Commence systematic plotting of any targets on the radar.
• Place a current position on the chart.
• Post additional lookouts.
• Stop all noisy work on deck.
• Enter a statement of my actions into the ship’s Deck Log Book.

Question 4

When would you consider it necessary, as OOW, to call the Master?

Answer 4

• In the event of visibility dropping below 4 miles (company policy may be more or less than this figure).
• If traffic was causing concern effecting the safe passage of the vessel.
• In the event of failure of any of the ship’s navigational equipment.
• If failing to sight a landfall when expecting to.
• If sighting a landfall when it is unexpected.
• If soundings are shelving when unexpected.
• In the event that difficulty is experienced in maintaining thecourse.
• If a scheduled position is unattainable or suspect.
• In the event that the man management of watch keepers becomes untenable.
• In the event of heavy weather or on receipt of a bad weather forecast.
• On sighting ice, or receiving an ice warning of ice beingreported on or near the vessels track.
• If sighting oil on the surface.
• On any issue of security or shipboard alert.
• In any other emergency, such as fire or flooding, imminent contact or contact with a submerged object.

Question 5

When on watch at night, the alarm for the non-function of navigation lights is activated, what action would you take as OOW?

Answer 5

• I would immediately inspect the navigation light sentinel to ascertain which navigation light had malfunctioned and caused thealarm to be triggered.
• I would make a note of the defective light and switch the backuplight on in its place and cancel the alarm.
• In the event the light circuit had failed I would activate the secondary circuit and cancel the alarm.
• During the hours of darkness it may not be prudent, following arisk assessment, to repair the light or circuit, before daylight hours.Provided navigation lights remain operational on one or other circuits. In any event the Master would be informed and repairs instigated during daylight hours.