Ship Operations and Personnel Management
This domain tests the management side of command: STCW rest hours, safe watchkeeping, ISM and ISPS implementation, enclosed space entry, risk assessment, drill planning and port state control readiness.
Rest hours (STCW as amended)
- At least 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period.
- At least 77 hours of rest in any 7-day period.
- Rest may be split into no more than two periods, one of at least 6 hours, and the interval between consecutive rest periods must not exceed 14 hours.
- Drills may disrupt rest, but compensatory rest must be arranged. Watch schedules must be posted.
Enclosed space entry
Follow IMO Resolution A.1050(27): permit to work, risk assessment, atmosphere tested and continuously monitored, ventilation, standby man at the entrance, rescue equipment, communications and a drill-trained team. The master authorises entry; nobody enters to rescue without breathing apparatus.
Safe operations
ISM Code: documented procedures, designated person ashore, master's overriding authority, near-miss and non-conformity reporting. ISPS Code: ship security plan, security levels 1 to 3, ship security officer, access control and drills. Permit-to-work systems cover hot work, working aloft and over the side, and machinery isolation.
Worked example
During a port call a junior officer works 0600–1200, 1230–1800 and 1830–2300, giving 15.5 hours of work and 8.5 hours of rest in 24 hours. That breaches the 10-hour minimum rest, and no split period reaches the required arrangement. The master must restructure the watch bill, record the shortfall and ensure compensatory rest before the next watch.
Traps
- Recording planned rest instead of actual rest in the hours-of-rest record.
- Conducting enclosed space rescue without BA and a backup team.
- Treating ISM as paperwork rather than the working procedure.
- Skipping security drill records before a port state control inspection.