Who or what is an OOW Flashcards
Where do we get guidance on bridge watch keeping?
MGN 315 Keeping a safe navigational watch on merchant vessels
What is the OOWs responsibility on the Bridge?
The OOW is the Masters representitive and is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship in full compliance with the international regulations
The Presence of the master on the bridge does not relieve the OOW of their responsibility for the safe navigation of the ship
The decision by the master to assume responsibility for the watch should be explicitly communicated to the OOW and the Bridge team and be fully understood by them
The OOW should comply with the SMS, Masters standing, daily and night orders.
The primary duty of the OOW is to maintain a safe navigational watch at sea or at anchor.
This will involve:
*Effective watch handovers
*Management of the bridge team
*Maintaining a proper look-out
*Familiarity with the bridge layout and equipment
*Familiarity with, and implementation of the Bridge Procedures
*Maintaining situational awareness
*Overall monitoring and surveillance of the ship
*Execution of the passage plan
*Navigation and control of the vessel
*Collision avoidance in compliance with COLREGS
*GMDSS watchkeeping
*Compliance with environmental requirements
*monitoring performance of navigational equipment
*recording bridge activities
*management of emergencies
*Security awareness
Managing the bridge watch
The OOW is in charge of the bridge team until properly relieved, in compliance with SMS and Standing orders
This ensure the bridge watch manning levels are always safe for he existing circumstance and conditions
An OOW should always be on watch on the bridge at sea or at anchor
All members of the Bridge team should be fit for duty and engaged
Maintaining a proper lookout
The OOW should ensure that a proper lookout by sight and hearing and all other available means is always maintained. No other activity should be allowed to interfere with this. While steering, a helmsman should not be considered the lookout,
Duties of the lookout
Maintain a continuous watch for all hazards to the vessels safe navigation
The lookout has a very responsible job and his duties must never be taken lightly, he should be given no other duties that could interfere with that task.
The helmsman should not be considered the lookout except in small vessels
Relationship between the OOW and lookout
The OOW should consider the lookout an integral part of the bridge team and utilise the lookout to the fullest extent.
Consideration should be given to keeping hte lookout fully engaged, and appraised of the current navigational situation - traffic, bouyage, weather, landfall, pilotage
Reasons to call the Master
When restricted visabilty encountered or expected
Traffic conditions, density or activity causing concern
Distress alert received or signal sighted
Having difficulty maintaining course
Difference between observed and expected position
failure to sight land, nav mark, or get sounding by expected time
Unexpected sighting of land, nav mark or sounding
Ammendments to the passage plan require immediate approval
Breakdown of engines, steering, nav equipment, alarm or indicator.
Communications or GMDSS radio equipment malfuntions
heavy weather, any doubt about heavy weather damage
hazards to nav: ice or derelict
Any concerns about the ships security
Any emergency
Any case beyond the OOWs experience, or in any doubt about the ships safety or ability to comply with the regulations
Situational awareness depends on?
*Bridge teams ability to use information effectively to assess a situatoin accurately
*Bridge teams experience
*Absence of distractions
Monitoring Shipboard Operations includes:
Maintaining a general watch over the ships decks
Monitoring workers on deck and any cargo or cargo handling equipment
Monitoring machinery status
considering weather and sea state when deciding if activities are safe
Supervision and control of the ships safety and environmental systems
An understanding of the nature of work going on around the ship, including permits to work, and how the work could affect safety.
Cargo, The OOW should be aware of:
Cargo plan approval
Cargo stowage and security
Loading/ Discharge rates
Ballast/Deballasting necessary
Ship Stability
Steps in a risk assessment are:
Identify current hazards
Indicate who may be harmed and how
Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
Record findings and apply precautions
Review the risk assessment
Work should not proceed until the risk assessment demonstrates the risk is acceptable
Ship Stability. the OOW should have an overview of the ships stability info including:
Draughts - Fore,Aft, Midships
Ship Trim
Bending moments and shear forces
Approximate Metacentric height (GM)
Any list or heel currentky experienced
Status of ballast tanks
Status of fresh water tanks
Status of fuel oil tanks
Monitoring the Passage Plan:
*Checking the position is maintained within an authorised CTE
*Alterations of course to avoid collision or following a planned course alteration
*Fixing the ships position at a frequency based on existing conditions and the proximity of nav hazards
*Cross checking the position using all appropriate means
*Monitoring the integrity of information displayed on nav equipment
GMDSS watchkeeping. OOW should make sure that:
*All GMDSS comms are under control of an appropriately certified operator
*Comms procedures and discipline are followed to avoid interference with other users
*Frequencies are used for their correct purpose
*GMDSS comms are ranked according to their importance for the safety of life at sea
