WEEK 11

Principles of Navigational Watch

1. Define the Principles of Navigational Watch.

Principles applying to watchkeeping generally
Parties shall direct the attention of companies, masters, chief engineer officers
and watchkeeping personnel to the following principles, which shall be observed to
ensure that safe watches are maintained at all times.
The master of every ship is bound to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are
adequate for maintaining a safe navigational or cargo watch. Under the master’s
general direction, the officers of the navigational watch are responsible for
navigating the ship safely during their periods of duty, when they will be
particularly concerned with avoiding collision and stranding.
The chief engineer officer of every ship is bound, in consultation with the master,
to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are adequate to maintain a safe
engineering watch.

2. Demonstrate what action should do during Navigational Watch.

A deck officer assigned with the duties of watch keeping and navigation on a ship’s
bridge is known as the officer on watch (OOW). While keeping a watch on the bridge
he is the representative of the ship’s master and has the total responsibility of
safe and smooth navigation of the ship.
Check navigational equipment in use at regular interval of time
Following a proper navigation plan to avoid any kind of collision according to
COLREGS
Must know how to use Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA)
Must know how to use Electronic Chart and Display System (ECDIS)
Should be conversant with the ship’s speed, turning circles, and ship handling
characteristics
Prepare, execute, and monitor a safe passage plan
Ensure handing over of the watch is done according to shipboard operation
procedures (ISM)
Asking for support whenever required
Contact master when need arise
Should be fully aware of all safety equipment on board ship
Must use helm and signalling apparatus whenever required
Must know how to use all equipment meant for prevention of pollution at the sea and
safety of lives
Should not leave the bridge unattended during his watch

3. Demonstrate actions that should do to maintain the Principle of navigational

Watch.
The watch (OOW) officer shall comply with masters' standing orders (including any
supplementary instructions) to carry out the navigational watch. He must always
bear in mind that he is the Master's representative and has primary responsibility
at all times for the safe navigation of the ship and for fully complying with the
latest COLREGS
The OOW shall read the Master's instructions written in the Master's Order Book
carefully and affix his signature before taking over the navigational watch.
The OOW shall perform his bridge watch duties, and shall not leave the Bridge
unless adequately relieved by the Master or another qualified officer.
The OOW shall not transfer his duty if he doubts whether the relieving officer is
physically and mentally capable of carrying out his duties effectively. Instead, he
shall advise the Master.
The OOW shall call the Master immediately, if he is in any doubt regarding
navigation, or if the vessel falls into any of the situations specified in the
"List of Conditions to be reported to Master"
The relieving officer shall take over the watch after he has confirmed all items in
the "Navigational Watch Transfer Checklist"
The OOW shall maintain a strict and constant lookout primarily by Sight, and use
Binoculars, day and night.
The OOW shall observe the compass bearing of all approaching targets to determine
if the risk of collision exists.
When an OOW is to be relieved who engaged in a maneuver or a VHF conversation,
relief should be deferred until such action is completed.

4. Describe the importance of the Principle of navigational watch.

Bridge navigational watch is one of the most significant ship-board operations for
deck officers. When the ship is at sea, the bridge or the wheel house is the only
workplace which is manned at all times.
One of the most dangerous conditions to navigate a ship is restricted visibility
because of fog, heavy rain or dust storm. When the ship’s officer gets information
regarding such upcoming weather condition, he or she should take all the necessary
precautions to ensure that the ship sails through restricted visibility area
without confronting any kind of collision or grounding accident.Navigating the ship
through restricted visibility area is a critical task which must be carried out
with utmost caution and care the officer on watch.

5. list the factors as stated in the STCW)

In determining that the composition of the navigational watch is adequate to
ensure that a proper lookout can continuously be maintained, the master shall take
into account all relevant factors, including those described in this section of the
Code, as well as the following factors:
.1 visibility, state of weather and sea;
.2 traffic density, and other activities occurring in the area in which the vessel
is navigating;
.3 the attention necessary when navigating in or near traffic separation schemes or
other routeing measures;
.4 the additional workload caused by the nature of the ship’s functions, immediate
operating requirements and anticipated manoeuvres;
.5 the fitness for duty of any crew members on call who are assigned as members of
the watch;
.6 knowledge of, and confidence in, the professional competence of the ship’s
officers and crew;
.7 the experience of each officer of the navigational watch, and the familiarity of
that officer with the ship’s equipment, procedures, and manoeuvring capability;
.8 activities taking place on board the ship at any particular
time, including radiocommunication activities and the availability of assistance to
be summoned immediately to the bridge when necessary;
.9 the operational status of bridge instrumentation and controls, including alarm
systems;
.10 rudder and propeller control and ship manoeuvring characteristics;
.11 the size of the ship and the field of vision available from the conning
position;
.12 the configuration of the bridge, to the extent such configuration might inhibit
a member of the watch from detecting by sight or hearing any external development;
and
.13 any other relevant standard, procedure or guidance relating to watchkeeping
arrangements and fitness for duty which has been adopted by the Organization.

6. List down the information to be obtained the relieving officer prior taking
over the watch)
Compare the compasses: This is done in order to have a precise estimate window
within which the compass errors can affect the course to be steered and thereafter,
made good.
Check soundings by the echo sounder. Needless to say, the UKC and the depth of
water at any point is imperative to the safe navigation of the ship.
Ensure that the lookout is alert: Not just the lookout but also the helmsman should
be alert at all times.
Check the position: The OOW must check the position plotted by the outgoing OOW and
not depend entirely on the displayed information on the chart.
Discussing with the outgoing OOW: Navigation of the vessel is extremely dynamic and
therefore all conditions at any given time affect the ship in a certain way and
also helps us to ascertain the trend with regard to the movement of the ship and
the surroundings.
Read log entries: The OOW must read any log entries made by the outgoing OOW before
he leaves the bridge.
Draft: The ship’s draft must be displayed on bridge, updated when there are any
changes, for ready reference by the OOW.
Gyro and its error: Most of the equipments on the bridge might have some errors
associated with it.
GMDSS: The GMDSS watch is crucial to the safety and must be maintained on the
stipulated frequencies as per regulations.
General rounds of the ship: Soon after handing over the watch, the OOW relieved may
take a round of the ship to ascertain that fire safety is maintained, there are no
signs of breach, nothing unusual, no unsecured articles in the accommodation.

7. list down the circumstances wherein the OOW shall have a need to call the
master)
The officer of the watch shall notify the Master immediately in the following
circumstances:

1. When visibility becomes less than three nautical miles.

(minimum criteria 3 miles; Master can increase this)
2. In any doubt regarding navigation (even with Pilot onboard), or when any
difficulty is experienced in maintaining a planned Course or Speed.
3. If traffic conditions or movements of other vessels are causing concern. Or on
finding a cluster of fishing boats.
4. When the point of time the Master instructed is reached.
5. When weather or sea conditions have suddenly worsened to heavy weather (Wind
force of 7 or above and a significant Wave height of 4 meters or above), or there
is a sign of weather becoming worse.
6. On failure to sight land, a navigational mark or to obtain soundings by the
expected time, or if an uncharted navigational mark is sighted or a change of
soundings occurs unexpectedly.
7. On observation of any Floating Debris, Ice, or the like.
8. When any trouble has arisen in the Main Engine, Steering Gear or any Nautical
Instruments.
9. When any abnormality is found on board or around the vessel.
10. An accident has occurred onboard resulting in any injury to personnel or Damage
to equipment
11. If there is a significant drop in Barometric pressure. or any Important
Navigational Warning or Weather forecast is received.
12. When an important communication from a ship or the shore side, such as a
Distress Signal, is received.
13. When abnormal condition of cargo is observed.
14. When the OOW feels the need to have additional Bridge Team resources.
15. When any situation that is beyond the control of the OOW has occurred.