REFERENCE NO: D22 - D WATCH 1

1. COURSE NAME: Watchkeeping, Deck Officers, STCW Chapter VIII

2. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: The course includes the Keeping a safe

navigational watch, while underway at anchor and in port.

3. NUMBER OF UNITS FOR LECTURE AND LABORATORY:

2 LECTURE, 0 LABORATORY = 2 UNITS

4. NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS

2 LECTURES, 0 LABORATORIES = 2 HOURS

5. PREREQUISITE: NONE

6. COURSE OBJECTIVES: The student shall be able to apply proper

watchkeeping arrangements and procedures, and keep a safe navigational
watch at sea and an efficient watch in port, including ability to detect and act
appropriately on possible hazards to life and environment. The student shall
also be able to identify, interpret and display, as appropriate, internationally
agreed lights and shapes and sound- and light signals.

FUNCTION: F1 – Navigation at the Operational Level (STCW Code, Table A

—II/1) at the operational level

7. COURSE OUTLINE:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES / OUTCOMES:
The students shall be able to . . . . . .

7.1 Keeping a safe navigational watch

7.1.1 state the duties and responsibilities of the officer in charge of a

navigational watch, in particular with respect to his responsibility
in the presence and non-presence of the master and/or the pilot
on the bridge;
7.1.2 describe the principles to be observed in keeping a navigational
watch (Ref. The STCW Code and Chapter VIII, Part 3-1)
regarding:
7.1.2.1 navigation
7.1.2.2 navigational equipment
7.1.2.3 navigational duties and responsibilities;
7.1.2.4 handing over and taking over the watch;
7.1.2.5 navigation with a pilot on board;
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 7.1.2.6 protection of the marine environment;
7.1.2.7 maintaining an efficient look-out;
7.1.2.8 using the engine, the rudder and signaling apparatus;
7.1.2.9 periodic checks of navigational equipment;
7.1.2.10 compliance with SOLAS Chapter V/19 regarding the
use of automatic pilot, and operating and testing the
steering gear;
7.1.2.11 navigation in coastal waters;
7.1.2.12 conduct of the watch in clear weather;
7.1.2.13 actions to take in restricted visibility;
7.1.2.14 the circumstances in which the officer on watch
should call the master;
7.1.2.15 briefing of watchkeeping personnel.
7.1.3 state a safe composition of the bridge team under various
conditions;
7.1.4 explain the basic principles for effective bridge teamwork
procedures; (1,2 & 3)
7.1.5 describe the normal assignment of duties for the bridge team
and the procedures established to ensure that bridge team
personnel will work as an effective team;
7.1.6 describe how the bridge team shall work together both within a
particular watch and between the watches to ensure that
decisions made on one watch are properly communicated to
another watch.

7.2 Lights and shapes to be displayed by ships

7.2.1 state the light of arc of the horizon and the minimum visibility for:
7.2.1.1 the masthead light;
7.2.1.2 the side lights;
7.2.1.3 the sternlight;
7.2.1.4 the towing light;
7.2.1.5 an all-round light;
7.2.1.6 a flashing light.

7.2.2 describe which lights/shapes shall be exhibited by:

7.2.1 a power-driven vessel underway;
7.2.2 a power-driven vessel when towing or pushing;
7.2.3 a sailing vessel underway and a vessel under oars;
7.2.4 a vessel engaged in fishing;
7.2.5 a vessel not under command or restricted in its ability to
maneuver;
7.2.6 a vessel constrained by its draught;
7.2.7 a pilot vessel;
7.2.8 anchored vessels and vessels aground;
7.2.9 seaplanes.
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 7.2.10 interpret displayed lights/shapes and explain which type
of ship was displayed and in what activity the ship was
engaged in.

7.3 Sound and light signals

7.3.1 identify which kind of equipment shall be used for sound

and visual signals;
7.3.2 give the correct maneuvering and warning signals for
given situations:
7.3.3 when in sight of each other; and
7.3.4 in restricted visibility.
7.3.5 identify which signals can be used to attract attention;
7.3.6 enumerate or perform at least ten (10) distress signals
that may be used to indicate distress and the need for
assistance.

7.4 Keeping a deck watch in port

7.4.1 state the purpose for keeping watch in port, including:

7.4.2 ensuring the safety of life, ship, cargo and port;
7.4.3 observing international, national and local rules;
7.4.4 maintaining order and normal conditions on the ship.
7.4.5 describe how to take over the watch and list the
information which the officer being relieved should pass
to the relieving officer;
7.4.6 list the matters on which the receiving officer should
satisfy himself before assuming charge of the watch;
7.4.7 describe how the watch should be kept and list the points
which shall be paid attention to;
7.4.8 describe the action to take on receiving a storm warning
or otherwise believing that an emergency is threatening
the safety of the ship;
7.4.9 list the entries that should be made in the logbook.

7.5 Keeping a safe deck watch in port, when carrying hazardous cargo

7.5.1 give examples of hazardous cargo;

7.5.2 state what could be regarded as sufficient readily
available personnel on board when carrying hazardous
cargo in bulk;
7.5.3 explain why special requirements may be necessary for
special types of ships, particularly with respect to:
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 7.5.4 the number of crew required on board;
7.5.5 the state of readiness of fire-fighting appliances and other
safety equipment;
7.5.6 special port regulations;
7.5.7 communications with shore in the event of an emergency
situation;
7.5.8 special precautions to prevent pollution on the
environment.
7.5.9 explain how to obtain information of the hazards and any
special precautions necessary for safe handling of the
cargo and the appropriate action to take in the event of a
spillage or fire;
7.5.10 describe the procedures for entry into enclosed spaces
using a “permit to work” and the monitoring work in
progress.

7.6 Ship at Anchor

7.6.1 If the master considers it necessary, a continuous

navigational watch shall be maintained at anchor. While at
anchor, the officer in charge of the navigational watch shall:

7.6.1.1 determine and plot the ship’s position on the

appropriate chart as soon as practicable;
7.6.1.2 when circumstances permit, check at sufficiently
frequent intervals whether the ship is remaining
securely at anchor by taking bearings of fixed
navigation marks or readily identifiable shore
objects;
7.6.1.3 ensure that proper look-out is maintained;
7.6.1.4 ensure that inspection rounds of the ship are made
periodically;
7.6.1.5 observe meteorological and tidal conditions and the
state of the sea;
7.6.1.6 notify the master and undertake all necessary
measures if the ship drags anchor;
7.6.1.7 ensure that the state of readiness of the main
engines and other machinery is in accordance with
the master’s instructions;
7.6.1.8 if visibility deteriorates, notify the masters;
7.6.1.9 ensure that the ship exhibits the appropriate lights
and shapes and that appropriate sound signals are
made in accordance with all applicable regulations;
and

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 7.6.1.10 take measures to protect the environment from
pollution by the ship and comply with applicable
pollution regulations.

8. EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, CHEMICALS, TEACHING AIDS:

8.1 Adequate and appropriate equipment for giving light and sound signals
(CBT or audible equipment)
8.2 Pictures/Illustrations or models of light and shapes (CBT or Audible and
Visual equipment)

9. REFERENCES:

9.1 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. IMO 904E,

ISBN 92-801-1263-5.
9.2 Extract of the STCW Code, Chapter VIII.
9.3 The Nautical Institute: Bridge Watchkeeping.
9.4 ICS. Bridge Procedures Guide, 3rd edition 1998.
9.5 Crockcroft, A.N. and Lameijer, J.F.N. A Guide to the Collision
Avoidance Rules, 4th Edition. Oxford Newnes, 1990. ISBN 0-434-
90274-8.
9.6 Extract of SOLAS, Chapter V
9.7 Manual on Oil Pollution, Sect. 1, Prevention, 1983 Revise Edition IMO
Sales No. 557-83.01E.
9.8 IMO Model Course 7.03, 1999 Edition. ISBN 92-801-6105-9.
9.9 Ynion, Eugenio J. Workbook in Terrestrial Navigation I.

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