Watchkeeping, Bridge Procedures and Communication
Watchkeeping and bridge procedures
This domain tests bridge organisation, passage planning, handover, rest hours, communications and GMDSS.
- STCW rest: at least 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period; rest may be split into no more than two periods, one of at least 6 hours.
- Passage plan: appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring; no-go areas and safety settings must be set before departure.
- Handover must include position, course, speed, traffic, weather, machinery status and outstanding items.
- ECDIS is an aid; check scale, datum, safety contour and alarms, and maintain a paper or independent backup as required.
- GMDSS: MAYDAY for grave and imminent danger, PAN-PAN for urgency, SECURITE for safety.
Worked example
A watchkeeper has 9 hours rest in a 24-hour period and 74 hours in the previous 7 days. That breaches both STCW minima: 10 hours in 24 and 77 hours in 7 days. The master must adjust the rota and record the rest hours. The OOW should not accept the watch merely because the vessel is in port or because the previous watch was quiet.
Traps
Recording rest hours after the event without reflecting actual rest. Leaving ECDIS on a scale too small to show dangers. Using VHF channel 16 for routine chat. Handing over without mentioning a standing danger or a defective light.