Who/what is an OOW?

Question 1

What are the primary duties of an OOW?

Answer 1

Masters representative
Responsible for the safe nav of the ship in full compliance with international regulations

Effective watch handovers
management of the bridge team
Collision avoidance in line with IRPCS
Maintain a proper lookout
GMDSS watchkeeping
Calling the master when necessary
MARPOL requirements
LSA, FFE checks
overall monitoring of ship
Dockside security and safety
safety and security rounds
Recording of Bridge activities
Maintain SA
Management of emergencies
Monitoring performance of Bridge Equipment
execution of the Passage Plan
Familiarity with Bridge equipment
Assessment of Ships Stability
Risk assessments and Permits to Work

Question 2

How to maintain a proper lookout

Answer 2

Sight and by hearing as well as all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances, no other activities should interfere with this.

1. make a full appraisal of the ROC with other vessels
2. Identify Nav hazards (wrecks, floating objects etc)
3. Determine risk of grounding or standing
4. Detect and respond to changes in weather, visibility or sea state
5. Identify AtoNs (buoys and lights)
6. Respond to distress signals
7. Identify security threats

Question 3

Principal duty of the lookout

Answer 3

Maintain a continuous watch for all hazards that may impair the vessels safe navigation.

Should NOT have work that interferes with their role

Question 4

Can the lookout be the helmsman?

Answer 4

Should NOT be the helmsman except in small vessels with unobstructed view all round, and not at night

Question 5

relationship between OOW and lookout (keeping them engaged)
As seen in MGN 315

Answer 5

The lookout should be considered integral to the Bridge Team

They should be made aware continuously of the navigational situation with regard to:
Traffic
Buoyage
Weather
Landfall
Pilotage
Any other relevant information

Question 6

What is MGN 315?

Answer 6

Keeping a safe navigational watch on commercial vessels

Question 7

Times to call the Master:

Answer 7

1. Restricted visibility
2. Traffic situations are of concern
3. Sighting of unexpected AtoN
4. Failure to sight expected AtoN
5. Failure to sight expected landfall
6. Unexpected Landfall sighting
7. Breakdown of any critical Bridge equipment
8. Failure of any machinery/steering
9. Power loss
10. Difficulties maintaining course/speed
11. Distress alert received
12. Sighting of distress signals
13. Adverse changes in weather/sea state
14. Significant difference in expected position and position of the ship
15. Amendments to passage plan required
16. Any doubt of damage in heavy weather
17. Concerns about ships security
18. Emergency situation
19. MARPOL requirements breached
20. ANY situation outside the OOW’s control or experience

Question 8

OOW should be aware of ships stability, in reference to:

Answer 8

State of Trim

State of List

State of heel

Bending moments and shear forces

Approximate metacentric height (GM)

Draught of the vessel

Status of ballast tanks

status of fuel tanks

status of water tanks/black/grey tanks