MGN
84 Safe watch keeping
broken
down into layman's terms
FR
380 "Kings Cross"
(1) Always have 2 men on watch at all times, one of them should
be a certified deck officer. (O.O.W., Mate, Skipper etc)
(2)
The Wheelhouse should never be left unattended.
(3) The watch keeper has no other duties apart from watch keeping.
(4) If ever in doubt call the skipper out.
(5) Keep all watertight doors and hatches closed while at sea,
they're only used when you required access through them.
(6) Switch on all navigation aids and use them but never over
rely on them.
(7) Never miss a weather forecast, you could miss a gale or
storm warning.
(8) If you ever take ill while on watch, call the next watch
or/and the skipper.
(9) Plot your position on a chart ever 10 minutes.
(10) When changing over the watch, let the relieving watch keeper
get accustomed to the dark and never change watch if your in
a risk of collision/close quarter situation exists.
(11) Maintain a good visual watch.
(12) Use the radar's and go up and down the scales to check
for hidden targets especially with rain clutter (Cumulonimbus
cloud will block most of your radar screen).
(13) Have CCTV fitted throughout your vessel especially in the
engine room aimed at the bilge's in case the bilge sensors fail
to operate.
(14) In restricted visibility leave the autopilot switched on
as long as you can switch it off in an instant (this leaves
you more time to assess any situation and maintain a higher
degree of safe watch keeping).
(15) Switch off the autopilot for 5 minutes ever watch and if
making way for more than 24 hours then it must be switched off
for a 2 hour period.
(16) While dogging in poor weather, a great idea to minimise
damage aboard your vessel is to stream a sea-anchor through
the fairlead at the stem of the vessel, DO NOT STOP YOUR MAIN
ENGINE.
(17) In restricted visibility the skipper should be on command
of the vessel, have men posted at the side windows listening
out for fog signals, the mate should be on the radar looking
for targets.
(18) Make up a passage plan and get the skipper to check it,
have a backup passage plan in case the weather freshens and
you need to go into port.
(19) The watch keeper must be fit, sober and not under the influence
of drugs even if they are prescribed for him.
(20) Fatigue at sea counts for the most accidents that happen
at sea, if you feel tired, open the wheelhouse windows, if this
does not work call the next watch, never gamble, your crewmembers
are relying on you to keep a safe watch.
(21) TV's, personnel hi-fi's and cassette/CD players should
be in the mess deck not in the wheelhouse.
(22) Autopilot's should have a 3-minute alarm fitted and a backup
system should be fitted to the crew's accommodation.
(23) When a pilot in onboard the skipper is still on command,
he has the last say.
(24) If you're ever in doubt about a situation, then stop your
vessel to give you more time to access the situation. |
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