Universidad Nacional Experimental Marítima del Caribe

Vicerrectorado Académico
Coordinación de Idiomas
English VI. Maritime Engineering
Operations

Unit VII. Sailing at sea: bridge procedures

The officer of watch is the Master's representative and his primary responsibility, at all
times, is the safety of the ship. He is responsible for ensuring that the planned passage is
properly carried out during his watch. He must at all times comply with the International
Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, Master's standing orders and Master's bridge
order book.
The officer of watch is responsible for the maintenance of a continuous and alert watch and
look-out, in this way he will in no circumstances leave the bridge until being properly relieved.
The Master is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, and he has to make sure that all
watch-going navigation officers are adequately trained and fit for their duty. If not, special care
has to be taken during the watch and proper training to be carried out for the familiarisation of
the officer.

Operation and Maintenance of navigational equipment

Watchkeeping officers have to be completely familiar with navigational equipment. Operating

manuals must also be regularly consulted for this purpose.
A record of defects has to be carefully performed and reported to the Master.
The Master has to ensure that maintenance is carried out according to manufacturers'
instruction manuals.

Use of the Main Engine

The officer of the watch should bear in mind that the engine is at his disposal for assistance
in manoeuvring. He should not hesitate to use it in case of need, although timely notice of an
alteration of engine movements should be given when possible. Therefore a full understanding
and knowledge of the main engine bridge control panels are requested. The officer of the
watch should also be fully aware of the manoeuvring capabilities of the ship, including her
stopping distance.
 Procedures at sea

Maintain a continuous and alert watch :

 following of Master's standing orders

 look-out : ships, sea and landmarks, any floating object
 identification of ship(s) and shore lights
 monitoring of course and steered wheel
 radar and echo sounder observation
 changes in weather / visibility
 when Able Body (Abs) on the bridge: clear instructions to perform a safe watch and a
proper look-out
 monitoring of bridge-located systems:

o fire detection
o machinery condition
o radio communications (GMDSS, VHF)
o ballast control (if any)
o inert gas control (if any)
o navigation lights (if relevant)
o emergency panels (fire detection, watertight doors, etc.)
o signalling equipment
o flags and shapes (if relevant)

 proper records in deck log book

Emergency procedures
All watch officers must be familiar with EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 main engine failure

 steering failure
 gyro failure / compass failure
 bridge control / telegraph failure
 imminent collision / collision
 stranding
 fire
 flooding
 boat / liferaft stations
 man overboard
 search and rescue

Under the STCW you are primarily responsible at all

times for the safe navigation of the ship with particular
regards to avoidance of collision and stranding.
 Bridge checklist
Familiarisation with bridge equipment

1. Has the operation of the following equipment been studied and fully understood?
alarms
bridge lighting, including controls for deck and overside illumination
communication facilities – internal, external and portable
direction finder
echo sounder
electronic navigational position fixing aids
emergency arrangements in the event of main power failure
hazard monitoring equipment
gyro compass / repeaters
magnetic compass
navigation lights, including emergency navigation, not under command and other signal lights
radar and associated plotting aids
safety equipment (e.g. pyrotechnics)
speed / distance recorder
steering gear, including manual, auto-pilot and emergency change-over arrangements
telegraph, including control of main engines and (as appropriate) watertight
doors
2. Are you aware of the location and operation of ancillary bridge equipment (e.g. binoculars,
signalling flags, meteorological equipment)?
3. Are you familiar with the stowage of chart and hydrographic publications?