Watchkeeping - Response to Emergencies

Question 1

You are OOW on a vessel NW bound and you have an alarm indicating gyro failure what are your actions?

Answer 1

As our vessel has 2 gyro compasses i would switch over from gyro 1 to gyro to or vice versa and ensure that equipment is responding.

If no response i would have the helmsman put the vessel into hand steering and steer via magnetic compass corrected for true.

Inform master, log event and make use of navigational techniques such as parallel indexing if possible and plot at more regular intervals to ensure vessel is on intended course.

Question 2

You are OOW on a vessel N bound and you experience steering failure, what are your actions?

Answer 2

My first action would be to have the helmsman switch from autopilot to hand steering. Reduce speed, engage the emergency steering pumps and test response.

If no response, engage non follow up steering mode and manoeuvre the vessel to safety.

If NFU not responding, take way off ship and send anchor party forward if required. As a last resort steerage can be attempted from the steering flat.

Display NUC lights+Shapes, plot positions at regular intervals and make a navigational safety broadcast to vessels in area.

Question 3

You are OOW and have just run aground, what are your inital actions?

Answer 3

Stop engines.
Sound crew alarm.
Close all watertight doors.
Call Master.
Check position on chart.
Engage fire pump.
Display 3 black balls by day and 2 all round red lights + anchor lights 
by night.
Broadcast Pan Pan message.

Question 4

You are OOW and have just run aground, what actions would be expected of the bridge team?

Answer 4

Maintain log of events.
Consult ESCC checkcards.
Check position on chart.
Check tidal information.
Send damage assesment emergency party.
Inform DPA.
Inform MAIB.
Consider possibility of refloating.

Question 5

You are OOW on passage and experience a total blackout, what will your actions be?

Answer 5

Call the Master.
Bring sticks to 0.
Silence Alarms,
Check for navigational hazards.
Man on the wheel and engage manual steering.
Inform vessels in the vicinity of situation
Display NUC lights/shapes.
Ensure all Nav equipment functioning.
Maintain event log.

Question 6

You are OOW on a vessel that has just collided with another what are
your initial actions?

Answer 6

Call the Master.
Sound GA alarm.
Manoeuvre ship to minimise effects of collision.
Close all watertight and fire doors.
Start fire pump.
Switch on deck lighting.
Muster crew + Passengers.
Stability assesment.
Initialise SOPEP if required.
Broadcast DSC distress alert.
Plot position.