please read carefully the following instruction for a new cadet.
BRIDGE INSTRUCTIONS
OFFICER OF THE WATCH
- Is the Master’s representative primarily responsible at all times for the safe navigation of the ship and for complying with the International Regulation For Preventing Collision At Sea, 1972.
- Must not occupy himself with anything which might endanger the safe navigation of the ship.
- Must keep close lookout & take early action.
- Must not leave the bridge before his relief takes over.
- Shall give instructions necessary for safety watch-keeping.
- Shall check gyro and magnetic compasses and the lights and shapes as well as all other equipment used for the safe navigation of the ship.
- Shall call up reinforcements in case of need.
Shall besides this call the master:
- As per Master’s special orders.
- In case of feared or real deterioration of the weather or visibility.
- If he in the least uncertain of the ship position.
- If traffic conditions or movements of other ship are causing concern.
- In the event of break down of the engines.
- In case any danger or uncertainty.
PILOT ON BOARD
- Despite the duties and obligations of pilots their presence on board does not relieve the Master or the officer in charge of the watch from their duties and obligations for the safety of the ship.
- The officer of the watch shall closely cooperate with the pilot’s actions or intentions, the officer in
charge of the watch shall seek clarification form the pilot and, if doubt still exists, shall notify the
Master immediately and take whatever action is necessary before the Master arrives.
Embarkation and disembarkation:
- Prepare the pilot ladder in good time.
- Next to this shall be a life buoy, a life line, man ropes, and good lighting.
- Embarkation and disembarkation shall be supervised by an officer having communication with the bridge and persons attending the pilot shall wear life vests.
- Before the pilot disembarks the Master shall request relevant information regarding the condition of the fairway, other movements, current and tidal conditions etc.
LOOK – OUT
- A proper look – out shall be maintained at all time in compliance with rule 5 of the International
Regulations For Preventing Collision At Sea, 1972.
- The look – out shall have been instructed in his duties.
- The look – out is not permitted to occupy himself with anything which might interfere with his duty.
- The look – out shall be aware of the difficulties of detecting objects and navigation light against back ground lights.
WATCH KEEPING
- All watch officer shall be well acquainted with the engine controls and should not hesitate to use
them if necessary.
- The ship’s speed at different revolutions and propeller pitches as well as turning characteristics and stopping distances shall be entered on a notice on the bridge.
- Change over to manual steering shall be done as soon as justified.
- The helmsman shall be well acquainted with the ship’s steering controls and the meaning of helm orders.
- The officer in charge shall always use direct helm orders.
- The helmsman shall repeat the orders immediately.
- The officer in charge shall check that the helm order have been correctly executed.
- The watch keeping officer shall ensure that no more time than is absolutery necessary must be spent in the chart room area.
TAKING OVER THE WATCH
- Under no circumstance may the watch be handed over to someone who is considered unable to carry out his duties.
- The officer of the watch may not be relived in a dangerous situation.
- The oncoming watch officer shall have first his eyes fully adjusted to night vision.
The relieving officer shall be informed of:
- Special instruction relating to the safe navigation of the ship etc.
- Own position, course and speed.
- Other ships in the vicinity.
- Vicinity, weather, tidal and ice condition, currents ...
- Navigation equipment being used including operational condition same.
- Current navigational warnings.
BEFORE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL
- Carefully plan departure and arrival before the voyage.
- Make emergency stop tests.
- Make up and use check – list for measures to be taken care of on departure/arrival.
NAVIGATION
- The voyage shall be carefully planned in advance using all possible information available.
- Chart shall be corrected and of suitable scale.
- The ship’s position shall be determined at regular intervals and if possible more than one method shall be used.
- The limitations of the various navigation methods shall be carefully identified.
- Care must be exercised when using sector floating navigation marks to determine ship’s position, especially in ice water.
- Care must be exercised when using sector lights during the winter.
- Check courses laid out in chart.
- Make sure that the ship is steering the correct course.
- When manoeuvring in shallow water pay attention to possible reduction in keel clearance due to list, squat, rolling and pitching.
- Pay attention to possible bank – effect when manoeuvring in narrow waters.
- When in doubt, don’t hesitate!
REDUCE SPEED OR STOP!
ACTIONS TO PREVENT COLLISIONS.
- Always follow collision rules.
- Always use radar.
- Always proceed at a safe speed.
- If it is your ship’s duty to give way, the avoiding action shall be carried out without any risk of misunderstanding and in good time.
- The effect of your own action shall be carefully watched until the other ships is all clear.
- Pay attention to possible interaction, when meeting/passing ship in close quarters.
- Use the proper manoeuvring – and warning signals.
- If an approaching “give way vessel” takes no avoiding action, use sound and light signal, search light and VHF to call her attention in good time. If the other vessel still does not take proper action;-KEEP AWAY IN GOOD TIME!
ACTIONS DURING REDUCE VISIBILITY
- Call the Master.
- Proceed at a safe speed.
- Increase look – out if necessary.
- Give fog – signal.
- Make sure of all radar systems.
- Exhibit navigation lights.
- Determine possible avoid close quarter situations.
- Meeting starboard to starboard at close quarters should be avoided.
- If only one radar is use the range should be changed frequently.
- If several persons use the same radar, always advise the change of range.
- If in doubt: STOP!
ANCHORING
- Anchorage shall be selected taking in to account the water depth, condition of the bottom, wind,
currents, other vessels ...
- After anchoring the position shall be carefully fixed and plotted on the chart.
When the ship is at anchor:
- Check position continuously.
- The prescribed ship’s lights and shapes shall be exhibited.
- In reduced visibility sound signals shall be given as required.
- Look- out shall be maintained at all times.
- Weather, tide and current shall be kept under observation.
- Check if own or other vessels are dragging.
- Check if own or other vessels not drop their anchors too close.
Call the Master
- If the visibility become poor.
- If the vessel is dragging.
- If another vessel is threatening.
PROTECTION OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT.
- Be aware of the serious effects that operational or accidental pollution has on the marine environment and atmosphere.
- Take all possible precautions to prevent such pollution.
- Make themselves aware of and follow international regulations regarding the use of toxic products.