Officer of the Watch or Skippers standing orders

(1) If ever in Doubt call the skipper out

(2) Always have a Certified deck officer who holds a Certificate of Competency (He should know the Rules of the Road) on watch

(3) The radar should be used to it's maximum, even in nice weather to track the course/speed and C.P.A. of an approaching vessel

(4) The watchkeeper should be plotting his position on a chart every 15 minutes (Max)

(5) Always have the distress radios switched on listening for distresses

(6) If the watchkeeper feels ill or becomes fatigued the second watchkeeper should call the skipper who will call the next watch

(7) The watchkeeper must have no other duties than watchkeeping

(8) At night the relief watchkeeper must be allowed to get his/her eyes accustomed to the dark

(9) Never change over a watch while in a close quarter situation

(10) At sea all water-tight doors and hatches have to remain closed, the second watchkeeper should check this at the end of his watch

(11) The second watchkeeper should also check ever compartment visually for any ingress of water or fire

(12) Take the weather forecast

(13) Use all navigation aids

(14) Make a passage plan up and stick to it unless the weather breaks and you have to go to plan "B" and make for shelter

(15) In resticted visibility leave your autopilot switched on (as long as you can switch it off quick) this allows you more time to check for hazards

(16) When a Pilot in onboard the skipper is still in command of his vessel (there has been cases that a pilot put ships ashore) if in doubt stop your vessel and check your position and approaches to the harbour

(17) The watchkeeper should not be under the influence or alcohol or drugs (even prescibed drugs)

(18) If you get into a situation, stop your vessel to give you more thinking time to access the situation

Authors Tip:- Fatigue while on watch is very dangerous and can cost you and your crewmates their lives, open the windows, get a second watchkeeper alarm fitted to the accomodation with a 3 minute time delay (better safe than sorry)