The Deep Draft

Bridge discipline is the co-operation and sharing of navigational duties which shall exist between members of the bridge team, e.g. master, officer of the watch, helmsman and lookout.

Roles and responsibilities

The Master has overall responsibility for the bridge discipline as well as for other matters. As part of this responsibility he shall organize and detail all officers’ watch keeping duties. In determining the above, the Master shall take into account to what extent and in what rotation the navigating officers shall conduct bridge watch keeping in the varying conditions under which the vessels navigate. When The Master requires more than one navigating officer for the bridge watch keeping, each of them shall be assigned specific duties e.g. use of radar, position plotting, monitoring other traffic, operation of engine telegraph etc. Random checks of Bridge discipline, procedure and equipment by the Master. To ensure that all officers are complying with navigational procedures the Master has an obligation to carry out random audits, covering such items as mentioned in the Bridge Discipline Agenda, Navigational checklist, logbooks, charts correction (on the chart), and adherence to passage plan. The result and timing of such audits should be formally recorded in the minutes of the Bridge discipline meeting. The Officer of the Watch is responsible for safe navigation of the vessel throughout the watch.Consequently, the officer of the watch shall ensure that efficient watch keeping including lookout is maintained at all times.

Bridge Discipline Meeting

On taking over command the Master shall conduct a Bridge Discipline Meeting for all Deck officers and deck apprentices. If new navigating officers join the vessel a new bridge discipline meeting is to be conducted for the newcomers. If workload permits, all navigating officers shall attend additional meeting. Minutes written in English shall be drawn up of each meeting to ensure that the decisions taken can be followed up in an effective manner as per the company SMS.

Officer in Charge of Navigation

There shall be no uncertainty as to which member of the bridge team is the “officer of the watch” and therefore in charge of and responsible for safe navigation of the vessel.

Master Presence on the Bridge

Irrespective of the Master’s or any other navigating officer’s presence on the bridge, the officer of the watch continues to be solely responsible for safe navigation of the vessel. If and when the master takes over or hands over the navigation of the vessel he shall specifically advise the Officer of the watch of that fact and clearly establish mutual understanding thereof. The change of watch\control must be logged in the Deck logbook. Under circumstances required the Master’s urgent take over a full handover instruction as for changing duty officer shall take place. The time for change of navigational responsibility shall be recorded in the vessel’s log book. The officer of watch shall continue to navigate the ship until properly relieved by another navigation officer or otherwise instructed by the Master. This also applies when the Master returns control to the Officer of the Watch.

Communication on the Bridge

To prevent misunderstanding between duty personnel on the bridge it is a prerequisite to maintain good communication for ensuring that information concerning navigation and other bridge activities are exchanged in a clear and precise manner. It is the duty of any officer on the bridge to notify the Master immediately if he/she thinks that Master’s navigation does not follow the planned track.

Precaution when Changing Duty Officer

When the master or the officer of the watch has control of navigation, change of watch shall not take place when a manoeuvre or other action to avoid any hazard is taking place or under conditions where close attention is required. The change of watch shall be deferred until such action has been completed. The relieving officer shall have time with the Master or the Officer of the Watch to study and plan the navigation ensuring both are familiar with all buoys, lights and leading lights and traffic that are in the area.

Other Duties

The officer of the Watch shall not be assigned or undertake any other duties which could interfere with the safe navigation of the vessel.

Duty of Helmsman

Whenever the vessel is to be hand steered, the wheel shall be taken by a competent helmsman whose sole purpose is to steer the vessel. The helmsman shall not be assigned other duties.