What are Master’s Standing and

Night Orders?
Ship operations are complex and require utmost precision. It is therefore the
constant endeavor of the ship’s officers to ensure that high level of professionalism is in
progress at all times.

The Master, being the overall in-charge of everything on board, is responsible for the
functioning of the vessel is every aspect.Thus, it is obvious for him to promulgate his
requirements with respect to the safety of navigation and other operations carried out on
the ship.

Keeping this intention in mind, the Master puts his requirements into writing to avoid any
confusion in the matter. Officers onboard thereafter, become familiar with the Master’s
“Standing and Night Orders”.

Ship’s officers are familiar with the plethora of codes, conventions, rules and
regulations that cover every nook and corner of shipboard activity, ranging from the
daily routines as well as the rare circumstances that call for specialized actions.
Combine that with the requirements of the company, and the officer has quite a bit in his
plate!

Photograph by Ram
Keeping this whole array of requirements in mind, the Master chalks out the orders best
suited to his personal judgment and to the capabilities of the officers, considering the
nature of the vessel, her trade patterns and bridge team practices. These orders might
also reflect anything that has caused concern in the past or something that might’ve
upheld high standards of teamwork.

Basically, it is a written document establishing ground rules so as to establish a system

of engagement to develop mutual confidence. 

Master’s Standing Orders

The standing orders are a set of guidelines to ensure safe ship navigation and
operations whether at sea or at port. These set of guidelines by the Master encompass
a very wide array of aspects of navigation and rules of conduct for the officers. Standing
orders are to be followed at all times by the officer on duty and is duly signed by every
officer on board, making them liable to adhere to the orders. That is to say that the
standing orders are in-force and applicable at all times the ship is at sea, at port or at
anchor. The following is an example of the Master’s Standing Orders:

Click here for the sample of Master’s Standing Orders

Master’s Night Orders 

The night orders are a supplement to the standing orders that come into force as the
Master proceeds to take rest during the night. The standing orders are in force at all
times whereas the night orders add specific points to the withstanding standing orders.
The Master writes the night orders every night, with specific regard pertaining to the
existing state of the weather, sea and traffic. These are generally handwritten and
again, duly signed by every OOW. One should read these orders carefully because the
Master uses his experience and expertise to determine safe navigation in is absence
and therefore lays down instructions as to the plotting intervals, temperature/pressure
reading intervals and so on and so forth. The captain is liable for the entire ship and
putting that trust onto the officers is a very big deal. The following is an example of the
Master’s Night Orders:

Click here for sample of Master’s Night Orders

The Master exercises due experience and knowledge every time he takes over
command. He assesses every situation keeping in mind the extent of the capabilities of
his bridge team, the ECR team, the crew and the technical facilities at his disposal. This
makes the standing as well as the night orders an extension of his personal judgment
on matters of ship safety and security.

All seafarer’s are familiar with the term “The Master’s word is final”. Well, let us just say
that this is why these orders are put down in writing; to make their striking importance
crystal clear. Keeping such high importance in mind, the orders should be executed with
the same fervor.
The most crucial point would be to adhere to the orders, minimizing any scope of
human error. However, it is only natural to err and therefore, any such error should be
brought to a senior officer’s notice immediately.

When the Master has clearly mentioned in both the standing as well as the night orders
that he must be called in case of any doubt, the OOW must do so as soon as the need
to think the same arises. Often, the orders clearly state, “If you find yourself thinking
about calling the Master, the time has clearly come to do so”. When the Master puts that
faith on to the Officers, it must be honored to the highest level of professionalism.

Every OOW should also remember that he signs the orders at the bottom, clearly
adhering to a clause that very candidly binds him to it, stating “Please sign below,
indicating that you understood these orders, which will be supplemented by the
Master’s Night Orders each night when the vessel is at sea or at anchor or when
required.”

Do you have more information on Master’s Standing and Night Orders? Let’s know in
the comments below.